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Phyllis R. Dixon
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Phyllis graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She spent over thirty years with the U.S. Treasury Department as a National Bank Examiner. During this time she also owned a bookstore. She enjoyed being around books, authors and readers, and decided to follow her original dream and become a writer. She is the author of the novels Something in the Water, A Taste for More, Intermission, Down Home Blues and Forty Acres. She has contributed to Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul as well as newspaper and magazine articles on books, and black history. She is also a frequent speaker on writing related topics and financial literacy. In addition to Milwaukee, Phyllis has lived in Minneapolis, Houston, TX, Pine Bluff, AR and now lives in Memphis, Tennessee. She has three adult children, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When not reading or writing, she enjoys sports, classic movies and chocolate.
Visit: https://www.phyllisrdixon.com/
Saundra grew up in Cleveland, Mississippi, and now resides in Indiana with her husband and children. She started writing screenplays at the age of twelve and as an adult her need to create intensified. Saundra’s stories highlight fearless females who hustle to get what they deserve. Her debut novel, Her Sweetest Revenge, began the series that won praise for being a “roller-coaster ride” and “drama at its best.” Saundra is currently at writer at Kensington Publishing and loves to hear from readers.
Social Media links:
Tik Tok: saundrathewriter
Instagram: AuthorSaundra
Facebook: AuthorSaundra
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Monica Garner is an Essence bestselling author of contemporary mainstream fiction, romance, and young adult novels. She began her publishing career under the penname Monica McKayhan, releasing her debut with BET Books and then going on to publish with Harlequin. Her YA debut, Indigo Summer, was the launch title for Harlequin's Kimani TRU imprint and became a #7 Essence bestseller, a Black Issues Book Review (BIBR) bestseller, and an American Library Association YALSA Quick Pick for 3 consecutive years. Under the name Monica Richardson, she is the author of the Talbots of Harbour Island, a 4-installment romance series set in the Caribbean Islands, and Last Sunset Over Mexico. She lives in Texas and can be found online at www.Monica-Writes.com.
Vivian L. King
Vivian L. King is an award-winning author, speaker, and communications consultant who recently received the International Impact Book Award for her children's book, "Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door: Book 1 in the Growing Up Polite Series." The book was born of her passion for being polite and inspiring children to become good citizens. Vivian is also a former television journalist who wrote, “When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke.” The book was a bestseller after Vivian appeared on Good Morning America and has received awards from various organizations, including for the production and narration of her audiobook. A native of St. Louis, Vivian received her journalism degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and aspires to one day write a musical.
Book Titles:
"Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door: Book 1 in the Growing Up Polite Series."
"When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke."
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVivianLKing/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianlking-she-her-hers-authorspeakercommunicatorconnector/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianlking/
Threads: https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-universities-investigated-f89dc9ec2a98897577ed0a6c446fae7b
Website: https://www.vivianlking.com/
Tony Lindsay
Tony Lindsay is the author of seventeen books – five mysteries: One Dead Preacher, One Dead Lawyer, One Dead Doctor, One Dead Activist and What if I Don’t – four urban dramas: Urban Affair, Chasin’ it, More Boy than Girl, and Three Married Women and Her, two speculative novels: Street Possession and Melody Knight – a vampire’s tale, three teen books: Fat from Papa’s Head, Almost Grown, and Chess not Checkers and three short story collections: Emotional Drippings, Acorns in a Skillet, and Pieces of the Hole. He has also contributed to the on-line encyclopedia Identity.com, and Mosiac.com. He has been published by the African American literary website ‘Timbooktu.com,’ as well as the teen magazine Cicada. He wrote bimonthly articles for Conversations magazine, and he wrote book reviews for Hartman Publishing’s N’DIGO Magapaper and The Chicago Defender. Lindsay has a Post Graduate Certificate in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures from East Carolina University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Editing from the Graham School at University of Chicago, an MFA in Creative Writing from Chicago State University, a MA in English from Arizona State University, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Lindsay taught at Chicago State University, South Suburban College, Chamberlain College, Westwood College, Harold Washington College, St. Joseph College, McCormack College, and Ivy Tech Community College.
Visit:https://www.pen-4-hire.com/
Dasha Kelly
Dasha Kelly is a writer, performance artist and creative change agent. She has authored award-winning poetry, essays and fiction. She is a mainstage storyteller and host with The Moth, an alum of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Poet Laureate Emerita for both the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin and a National Laureate Fellow with the American Academy of Poets. In 2024, Dasha was named a Living Legacy Honoree by the licensing agency for the legendary poet Gwendolyn Brooks. A skilled engagement practitioner and instructor, Dasha has facilitated initiatives in Botswana, Mauritius and Beirut as an Arts Envoy for the U.S. Embassy. Her nationally-touring stage show, Makin’ Cake, serves audiences a unique conversation on race, class and equity. Her documentary film of the same title premieres this spring. Her nonprofit literary arts organization, Still Waters Collective, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Dasha’s recent releases are a poetry anthology, A Line Meant (Jaded Ibis Press), a 10th anniversary reprint of Almost Crimson (Traitmarker Books), and a new novel, Baker’s Dozen (Jaded Ibis).
Visit:http://dashakh.com/
Eugene Pitchford
Eugene Pitchford III is an author, professor, former principal, and nationally recognized voice in urban education who brings powerful stories, real-world insight, and contagious energy to every stage he steps on. Eugene blends passion, purpose, and authenticity to connect with audiences of all ages.
As an author, Eugene uses storytelling to inspire readers to reflect, grow, and push beyond their circumstances. His work is rooted in real experiences from the classroom and school leadership, making his message both relatable and transformative for students, educators, and families alike.
With a dynamic background in education, Eugene is a sought-after speaker at schools, book fairs, and community events, where he empowers young people to find their voice and challenges educators to create spaces where every student can succeed. His talks are engaging, motivational, and grounded in the belief that every individual has the power to write their own story.
Social Media
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/eugene.pitchford
Twitter: @ProfessorEP3
Instagram: @ProfessorEP3
Michelle Davis-Newell is a Chicago native whose journey from a shy, bullied child on the south side to a celebrated author and entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Her early struggles with self-esteem and isolation ignited a love for reading and writing, leading her to write her first short story at just ten years old. She bravely mailed the handwritten story to Harlequin publishing company. Though they rejected the submission, the experience cemented her dream of becoming an author.
Once a teen mother relying on welfare and other forms of government subsidies, Michelle defied the odds by achieving economic self-sufficiency and earning a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus on Inner City Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, fulfilling a promise to her late mother. She dedicated 24 years to social services before transitioning to a corporate role with one of the world’s largest retailers.
Michelle's literary career began with the independent publication of Ain’t Understandin Mellow? in 2006, followed by contributions to The Shattered Glass Effect anthology in 2007. Her memoir, Ruby Slippers: Fairy Tales My Mother Told Me, Secrets I Never Shared, was released as a second edition in January 2025. Her most successful work to date, The Bag Ladies of Ebondale, debuted in fall 2024, further establishing her as a compelling voice in modern fiction.
As the founder of Scribe-Rite Publishing LLC, Michelle is dedicated to empowering others through storytelling. Her work draws from a lifetime of personal and professional experiences, offering stories of resilience, hope, and triumph.
Website:https://michelledavisnewell.com/
Sylvia Hubbard
Award-winning Detroit author and founder of Motown Writers, Sylvia Hubbard, has independently published more than 65 dark-romance and intriguing-suspense stories over the 25 years she's been in the literary business. As an avid blogger, podcaster, social media manager, and digital strategist, Sylvia has received literary recognition for her literacy work and has had nine #1 Bestsellers. She is also a speaker, literary encouragement doula, and busy mompreneur expert.
List of paperbacks:
Love Like This
Hope is Love
The Mysterious Mr. Black
Black's Innocence
Daddy's Girl
Beautiful
Mistaken Identity
Stealing Innocence
Stealing Innocence II
Dark Facade
Deceptive Nights
Dreams of Reality
Essence's Divinity
Eve's Deception
His Substitute Wife... My Sister
Tanner's Devil
The Trouble With Gabrielle
Wicked Chances
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/sylviahubbard
www.instagram.com/sylviahubbard1
www.youtube.com/sylviahubbard1
www.tiktok.com/@sylviahubbard1
www.linkedin.com/in/sylviahubbard/
www.threads.net/@sylviahubbard1
https://bsky.app/profile/sylviahubbard1.bsky.social
The Literary World of Sylvia Hubbard
http://MichiganLiteraryNetwork.com
http://MichiganMurderandMayhem.com
