Closed For Business...

After six years, THE FIENDISH PLOTS OF DR. WENDY COAKLEY-THOMPSON has shuttered its doors.

For more focused, more acerbic wit, try WRITING WHILE BLOG.

Thanks, muchly, for all the love over the years. See you at WRITING WHILE BLOG...

I'm coming soon to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum

The Lines Connect Book Club will host me on April 16 at Baltimore's Reginald F. Lewis Museum. This is a free program, so come on out and say hi.

Click here for the details...

Happy Pub Day, Mark Coakley, author of TIP AND TRADE

Mark Coakley's book, TIP AND TRADE: HOW TWO LAWYERS MADE MILLIONS FROM INSIDER TRADING, hit bookstores and e-readers today. Big disclaimer: Mark is my cousin.

Today, John Gormley interviewed Mark on CKOM Newstalk 650. Click here to listen.

The International Women's History Month Literary Festival

Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library hosted the International Women's History Month Literary Festival yesterday. Here are pieces that I wrote on the participating authors:

Actress-director-author Tanya Wright finds literary festival an obvious fit

Sarita Mandanna brings 'a different geography' to Saturday's literary festival

Jasmin Darznik will "paint a more nuanced portrait of Iranian culture"

Victoria Brown will introduce West Indian flavor to Saturday’s festival

Unfortunately, Victoria Brown wasn't able to attend because of unforeseen circumstances.

Everybody should watch out for these rising literary stars...and support International Women's History Month.

March 10, 2011: Producer announces there will be no 2011 Capital BookFest in the DMV

Unbelievably, this is the first time in six years that DC will not host the Capital BookFest. Sign of the Second Coming? Or yet another symptom of the death of publishing as we know it?

You make the call...

Producer announces there will be no 2011 Capital BookFest in the DMV

February 25, 2011: PG County welcomes best-selling author Brenda Jackson today

Let the book tours begin. The DMV is welcoming the first crop of authors this year. Brenda Jackson is one of them. She'll be at PG County Library's Surratts-Clinton Branch tonight, starting at 7:00 PM.

Go check her out...


PG County welcomes best-selling author Brenda Jackson today

February 2, 2011: Russell Simmons is in town today, promoting SUPER RICH

I remember the first time I met Russell Simmons at BEA in 2007. He was warm and gracious and without airs.

He's in town today promoting his book Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All. You should check him out. Here's the piece from Examiner with more...

Mogul-turned-author Russell Simmons hits the DC area today...

January 30, 2011: Amazon.com's Breakthrough Novel Award competition ends February 6

I encourage everyone to enter Amazon.com's Breakthrough Novel Award competition. Even though our industry remains...how do I say this delicately... an opportunity for personal growth for writers of color and any non-celebrity who's on the positivity tip, nothing beats a failure but a try, right?

Amazon.com's Breakthrough Novel Award competition ends February 6

January 30, 2011: Celebrated Latino author Raul Ramos y Sanchez returns with HOUSE DIVIDED

I have been honored to receive the work of talented author Raul Ramos y Sanchez. First, America Libre, now House Divided. Check him out, y'all.


Celebrated Latino author Raul Ramos y Sanchez returns with HOUSE DIVIDED