BET Books on Black Christian Fiction Trend

An excerpt from the article, "Christian Fiction Fills an Inspirational void for Readers", written By Tamara Holmes, Special to BET.com...
Faith is particularly important to the Black community. In fact, 91 percent of Black adults surveyed reported that they had prayed in the past week compared to 81 percent of White adults, 86 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of Asians, according to Barna Research Group, Ltd.

Publishing outfits such as Time Warner Book Group’s Walk Worthy Press and BET Books’ New Spirit line have sought to capture this burgeoning market.

“Daily routines, life challenges and tragedies often provoke spiritual questions of existence, purpose, and of a possible higher power in understanding the ways of the world,” says Linda Gill, vice president of BET Books. “These are the issues addressed in New Spirit titles.”

Click on title for full article which includes syndicated columnist and author,Stacy Hawkins Adams and Walk Worthy Press Publisher, Denise Stinson.

Submission Call: Creative Non-fiction/AIDS

My good friend, media guru and noted syndicated columnist, Gil Robertson wants your story. If you have been impacted by the HIV crisis, be a part of a upcoming book. "Not in My Family - AIDS in the African-American Community," will be released next year on World AIDS Day. Robertson is soliciting submissions for the book. If you have a story to tell about your family's experience with AIDS, or want more information about the project please contact Gil via gilrobertson at robertsontreatment dot com.

Dee

Bookwatch: Thicker than Water

Thicker than Water BET/New Spirit releases Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Maxine Billings, Linda Hudson-Smith's anthalogy Thicker than Water about the power of twins.

Anthology overview:

"A Gracious Thanksgiving(Norman-Bellamy") is the story of fraternal twins, Deshawn and Shandi who were raised apart and have led very different lives. When Shandi, now in her twenties, seeks out her birth mother, she instead finds Deshawn. DJ, as he is affectionately known, is now a pastor and has enjoyed a privileged middle-class life, nothing like Shandi's lifelong struggle to survive. Only with DJ's heartfelt love and guidance will she be able to break through the feelings of resentment and jealousy that threaten to overtake her.

"The Devil's Advocate(Hudson-Smith)" chronicles the life of Malachi Trudeaux who was estranged from his wife for many years and denied access to twins Stephen and Stephanie during their childhood. Now a wealthy man, Malachi invites his children to visit his New Orleans estate. His generosity divides them. Stephanie is willing to forgive, but Stephen is bitterly clinging to the hurts of the past. Can Stephanie help her brother accept the unconditional love that will bring him home?

"A Healing of the Hearts(Billings)" is the tale of twins, Kenya and Zaire, once inseparable but now strangers at the age of thirty. Raised by their maternal grandmother after their parents' tragic deaths, they vowed to stay together forever. And they did...until Zaire met a man and fell in love after high school. Zaire followed her new love to New York, leaving Kenya to look after their elderly grandmother. It'll take a special wish to erase years of misunderstanding and prove that family bonds still hold strong.

"A dazzling trio of authors brings you tales of hope, true faith and reconciliation, as three sets of twins rediscover what really matters..."

~ BET Books

I'm awaiting my copy of this novel. Because I have a twin brother('sup, Big Dave! :) ,) I'm interested to see, if the authors come close to the bond we have. Note: Kendra, you could've called me for research. :)

Dee