Darren Coleman, Author of Before I Let Go and Don�t Ever Wonder

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:
Renee Flagler, Publisher
Aspicomm Media
P.O. Box 1212
Baldwin, NY 11510
516.642.5976

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New York, NY � June 14, 2005) Aspicomm Media and C&B Books Distribution, organizers of "The Self-Publishing Symposium: Strategies for Success," will offer a 15% discount (off the full price of $150) to participants who register during the Harlem Book Fair, Saturday, July 23, 2005, 12�6 p.m. The fair will be held on West 135^th Street (between 5^th Ave. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.) in New York City. Registrations will be accepted at the booth promoting Mountain High, Valley Low by Renee Flagler.

"The Self-Publishing Symposium: Strategies for Success!" is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2005, 8 a.m.�5 p.m. at Hofstra University�s Student Center. It aims "to help small, independent and self-publishers build and maintain lucrative, well-run businesses by providing the tools they need for success," said Renee Flagler of Aspicomm Media. Flagler created the symposium "because there is an extensive need for access to information in the self-publishing community."

Participants can expect to gain insight on the trends shaping the self-publishing industry as they attend workshops on public relations, marketing, editing, finances and branding. "They�ll go out knowing how to market their books, [and] they�ll go out with information about how to remain self-published," said Brenda Piper of C&B Books Distribution. "Those who�ve been there will share their horror stories so that others will learn �how� without going through the hard knocks."

Takesha Powell, author of The African-American Writer�s Guide to Successful Self-Publishing, will deliver the keynote address. Self-published authors, independent publishers, small press owners and those pursuing self-publishing are encouraged to attend.

Black Issues Book Review and The Network Journal are sponsors of the event.

Clippings would be appreciated. Please send clippings to:

S. Herriott Public Relations, P.O. Box 225, Teaneck, NJ 07666

by Delores Thornton
Look for it in August 2005
Learn how to assemble a professional review kit, prepare for and secure radio and television interviews; fill out those publishing forms, ie., ABI's, LCCN, SAN, ISBN, Copyright, and Bar Code. Discover how to plan your book tour, and even how to organize large-scale literary events.

At last, a complete guide to self-publishing, with an emphasis on marketing and promotion, by the Queen of Promotion herself! Marguerite Press/Publisher - www.margueritepress.com

Luther Vandross, considered the last in a line of all-time great soul singers, has died (likely from complications from a stroke he suffered in April of 2003) at a hospital in New Jersey. He was 54.

Born Luther Ronzoni Vandross in the Bronx, April 20,1951, the singer, songwriter, producer and arranger chiseled a love for soulful pop music into an enviable career that began with background singing, vocal arranging and commercial jingles. He worked with a disparate number of topflight artists from Quincy Jones and Roberta Flack to David Bowie and the Average White Band (AWB) in his early years.

Though he came to fame in 1981 with the release of Never Too Much, his first album for Epic Records, Vandross had already recorded two albums as the leader of a group bearing his name called Luther that recorded for the Atlantic subsidiary Cotillion Records , first as a quintet (1976's self-titled Luther), then as a trio (1977's This Close To You). A buzz began to build from his featured vocals on Gregg Diamond's 'Hot Butterfly' (1978) and disco group Change's singles 'The Glow of Love' and 'Searching' (1980).

Once Never Too Much was released, featuring the title track and his impeccable rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's 'A House is Not a Home' (inspired by the Dionne Warwick recording), Luther instantly became a much loved R&B; artist, consistently selling platinum-plus with a string of albums that continued his trademark mix of soul-piercing original compositions and dynamically reconfigured covers (including Stevie Wonder's 'Creepin', Brenda Russell's 'If Only For One Night,' Leon Russell's 'Superstar' and 'Bacharach/David's 'Anyone Who Had a Heart'). These include Forever, For Always, For Love, Busy Body, The Night I Fell in Love, Give Me The Reason, Any Love and Your Secret Love.

Vandross, voice was truly a marvel , from baritone to falsetto stretches, he was heart-wrenchingly emotive on love ballads ('Other Side of The World,' 'Promise Me' and 'You Stopped Loving Me') songs of hope and inspiration ('Power of Love/Love Power,' 'Little Miracles' and 'There's Nothing Better Than Love') as well as finger-snappin' party songs ('Bad Boy/Havin' a Party,' 'She Loves Me Back,' and 'I Can Tell You That'). One cherished perk of his superstardom was the opportunity to work with the female vocalists that deeply inspired him, including Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Diana Ross. His voice also graced films such as Mo' Money ('The Best Things in Life are Free' a duet w/ Janet Jackson) and The Goonies ('She's So Good to Me').

Vandross career began to slide toward the end of his contract at Epic, and a one-off album for Virgin Records didn't fare well, either. But once he signed with Clive Davis' J records company, his star brightened with a return to Platinum sales via the self titled Luther Vandross album (2001) and its hit single, 'Take You Out.' Everything seemed to be on the upswing. Vandross had just completed a follow-up album for J when in April of 2003, he was blindsided by a debilitating stroke in his home. He wasn't discovered for several hours, which resulted in a devastating loss of his faculties. He had been in varying stages of rehabilitation and recovery ever since.

In the interim, his second J Records album Dance with My Father, became a double platinum seller spurred by the emotional title track, which he CO-composed with pop star Richard Marx. The song and album netted Vandross four Grammy Awards, capping off one remarkable career. GRP/Verve Records released a smooth jazz tribute CD to Vandross titled Forever, For Always, For Luther, which included a #1 Urban AC single in Lalah Hathaway's rendition of 'Forever, For Always, For Love.' J Records has also been preparing an all-star tribute album leaning toward R&B; and pop star contributions.

Urban Network had the pleasure of speaking to Luther Vandross many times over the course of his career. During a chat for his 1997 Your Secret Love album, Music Editor A. Scott Galloway asked Vandross even then if he felt the schedule he was keeping was too taxing. Vandross replied, 'I did just come from Hawaii for a week, but that was not enough. Some people feel that when you take a week off it undoes all the tension, stress and hard work from four years. But it doesn't work like that. So don't do like me and work too hard! You have to enjoy this ride!' When asked the more ethereal question - If you were reincarnated as a musical instrument, which would you want to be ? Vandross gamely and with good humor replied, "Hmmm, o.k. I might want to be in the guitar family - like a mandolin or guitar. I don't want to be no banjo, now! But an acoustic guitar... ohh! Have you ever sat close to somebody who was playing an acoustic Spanish guitar" Isn't it wonderful? They have a beautiful, melodious sound and they add a gorgeous, rich sound to a song. I wouldn't want to be a kettle drum, though!

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