The online literary club, Girls Reading in the South.com, known as G.R.I.T.S.com, has over the past eight years gained a solid reputation as one of the more entertaining and informative literary sites around . Book lovers can get a generous sample of why by tuning in right now as the site’s gracious hostess, Marlive Harris interviews artist Luther E. Vann and author Aberjhani, the creators of ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love at: http://www.thegrits.com/radio The interview is a revealing and sometimes provocative one in which Aberjhani not only discusses the impact of Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential bid on his writings but dedicates a live reading from ELEMENTAL to the historic presidential campaign. In addition, Vann provides a rare glimpse into the creative dynamics and philosophy that drive the creation of his art. Featuring more than 60 color reproductions of acclaimed work by Vann, and including award-winning corresponding essays and poetry by Aberjhani, ELEMENTAL ...

(2005 model for Freedom Tower to replace World Trade Center) Before the hours of insanity and annihilation that changed world history on September 11, 2001, the month of September was noted by members of my family primarily as the birth month for at least a half dozen individuals. It remained, of course, their month after the destruction of New York City’s World Trade Center and the loss of thousands of lives, but the shadow of that event tends to lessen the glow of birthday candles and soften the volume of songs and laughter. Especially for those born on the actual day. Two years later, the greater impact of 9/11 was just beginning to unfold as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars upgraded to levels of mega-mayhem no one could have fully anticipated. At the same time, Facts On File published my Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance (with Sandra L. West). That the encyclopedia was my first major book published by a major company added––for me, personally––greater emotional balance to the mo...

One of my publishers first approached me with the idea of joining an online social network as a means to promote a new book. Although I was not exactly in love with the idea, I couldn’t argue against its modern practicality. After enjoying myself as a well-mannered guest (or at least I hope I was) in several “hot” communities, it seemed only fitting that I should take my turn as host at someplace like Creative Thinkers International located just over the rainbow. Since its establishment, the community has developed far beyond any vision I had of it and now serves as an authentic point of global cultural reference and interaction. Over the past year, it has grown into a worldwide community of authors, artists, filmmakers, actors, musicians, readers, photographers, and ordinary everyday people. Moreover, it is home to quite a few Amazon widgets. Next month, from September 10-16, the community will celebrate its first anniversary in its own creative style with friendly blog funtests, poe...

The primary objective of a book signing might be to sell books but one of the great priceless perks of such events is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. So it was Sunday, July 27, when I signed copies of ELEMENTAL The Power of Illuminated Love along with the title’s co-creator Luther E. Vann) at the monthly Sunday Gospel Brunch hosted by the Telfair Museum Jepson Center for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia. Among those I was honored to meet during the event was a professor who had moved to the South from Puerto Rico. We shared a dialogue about the evolution of race relations over the centuries––from intercontinental trading enterprises and slavery of the past to the uncertainties and potentials of the present––and she shared some insights about the celebrated island: “The people of Puerto Rico are a rainbow and they knew almost right away that slavery was something they did not want.” The rainbow part was not news to me but the history part was. Then she focused on t...