3 posts tagged “conversations book club”
Conversations Book Cub February 2008 Pick:
The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?
By Cyrus A. Webb, Executive Director Conversations Book Club
In January 2008, Kevin M. Weeks, the author who has been on the minds and lips of readers and critics for some time now, took time out to speak with Conversations Book Club. When you read his debut novel called "The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?," it is evident that he wants the novel to be a conversation with the reader---and it is. The main character, Teco Jackson, is the total package: the man whom women want and love---and the man whom men hate but can't help but respect.
Talking with the author, however, you get a different picture. In his first live interview since the book's release in 2006, Kevin M. Weeks comes across as quiet yet confident, but also as someone who believes strongly in himself. Though he is currently serving time in the Georgia Department of Corrections, it is obvious that his mind and talent are free to roam throughout the world.
Right out of the gate, I asked him about the success he has enjoyed with the book. "It has been great." He responded excitedly. "With the book, I am re-branding myself and showing what I am capable of accomplishing. " Kevin is not just respected by book lovers, but those who are critics in the industry as well. "That has been extremely surprising in some ways." He admitted. "Being accepted in the publishing industry is not easy."
Where did the idea for his writing career come from? "I started off mentoring some of the younger men in the prison system." He told Conversations. "They told me that they enjoyed hearing the life experiences I shared with them and that I should write them down." That started what is becoming to be known as The Street Life Series®.
"At first, I sent out some query letters to publishers and was turned down because I didn't have the tools to meet the submission guidelines. Then, I decided to put the book out myself; so, I had to do my research and learn about the business. Friends were too busy to help. Fortunately, I found sponsorship from those who believe in the vision for the series."
Kevin goes on to tell us about the main character, Teco Jackson. "Teco seeks a certain lifestyle. However, his world is full of manipulations and he is on a mission to survive." Kevin wants readers to know that no good can come from living the street life. "I want readers to ask themselves the question that is posed in the book. If a person lives the street life and is killed, was that person a victim of murder or did the person commit suicide for choosing to live the street life?"
The obvious question is how much of the writer is in Teco? Kevin answers this way: "I put a lot into my characters. I know the world that Teco is from. When I am writing these stories, I draw upon situations, people, and settings from my past."
Through his book, "The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?", you see so many ingredients that equal a great read: mystery, suspense, romance and moral lessons that can be taken away at the end. That is explained when Kevin talks about the books in his collection. "I read a lot of authors, but I especially like James Patterson. The writing technique he uses to describe crime scenes makes his writings understandable. This is something I aspire to do as well."
Many in Kevin's situation would have just felt sorry for themselves. Why did he decide to better use his time? "When I study and learn, you can't take away the fact that I know what I know. Being incarcerated allows me the time to sit down and focus on what I need to do in order to be a successful and productive citizen in society. Self publishing means that I have to do most of the work. I have to read each book seven or eight times and find ways to make it better. Going through obstacles in my life and knowing that I can deal with whatever comes my way have strengthened me."
Conversations Book Club chose "The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?" as one of its "Best Kept Literary Secrets of 2007" as well as its book of the month for February 2008. Others have also recognized the value of the novel. To all of this, the author says this: "I want to thank you, Cyrus, and the Conversations Book Club for your support. The awards are a form of validation for what I am doing with the series. At first, I didn't realize the impact I was having, but now I know."
To get your copy of the book in "The Street Life Series", visit http://www.kevinmweeks.com.
[See Yahoo Groups Conversations Book Club] – Cyrus A. Webb, Executive Director. Copyright 2008. Conversations Book Club. All Rights Reserved. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/conversationsbookclub/message/306 .
Reprint Permission Granted by Cyrus A. Webb.
Cyrus Webb, Conversations Book Club Executive Director, conducted a book review of The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? by Kevin M. Weeks, an African American Author. In the publishing industry the debut novel is categorized under crime fiction under the Mystery genre. Under the Mystery genre the classification is Ethnic. Also, the novel is also categorized as Urban Fiction or Street Lit by many in the industry.
The Crime fiction / Urban Fiction Book Review of Is It Suicide or Murder? is below and is also posted on the "Read My Lips Project" BLOG.
Conversations reviews Kevin Weeks' "IS IT SUICIDE OR MURDER?"
Author Kevin Weeks, though incarcerated in Georgia during 2006 and 2007 has managed to weave and release a literary tale that has reached all over the world through his debut novel "THE STREET LIFE SERIES: Is It Suicide or Murder?"
The book which chronicles the journey of Teco Jackson (aka Homicide) allows you to walk the streets of Philly with him and know the characters that become his closest friends and worse enemies. From page one, Weeks shows a natural ability to create characters that seem as real as those in our own lives, which makes you feel as though he is writing from his own experience moreso than a fictional world. He takes you through the dialect and slang of the times, as well as allows you to get into the minds of the characters that are sure to stay with you long after the story ends.
Apart from being an entertaining read with everything from fast women, fast money and betrayals, "Is It Suicide or Murder" also offers lessons that resonate with you on many levels. When Teco loses a friend to a drug overdose (p.21), we see a more "human" side of the suave street hustler. There are also the moments when Teco's conscience eats at him over choices that he has made---and he wrestles with his personal demons in hopes of doing what he knows to be the right thing.
The book also reminds us about the extent that some will go to in order to get what they want. One quote that will stick with me is this: "Either you become what they are or you die from being in the way."
Though only in the industry for one year, Kevin has solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with. The YOUnity Guild of America recognized him as the "Best New Urban Author of the Year 2006". His awards in 2007 include "2007 New York Book Festival Award", "2007 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention" and being recognized as one of Conversations Book Club's "Best Kept Literary Secrets 2007".
Congrats to Kevin Weeks for a job well done. He has already raised the bar for good writing and has written a debut that makes us eager for the next installment in "The Street Life Series."
For more information about Weeks and his next novel "Is It Passion or Revenge?", visit http://www.thestreetlifeseries.com.
Posted by The Street Life Series Team
The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder?
ISBN: 1425711049 (Trade Paperback)
ISBN: 1425711057 (Cloth Hardback)
MosaicBooks.com and Conversations Book Club list murder mystery novel, The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? by Kevin M. Weeks, as recommended reading for 2007 Holiday Season.
Atlanta, GA (Vox.com) November 22, 2007 -- According to the 2007 Holiday Jupiter Report, “Online [holiday] retail sales will increase by 20% over 2006.” This news is encouraging for authors, such as Kevin M. Weeks, whose online book sales constitute a large portion of book revenue. Even more exciting for Author Kevin M. Weeks is the fact that The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? novel is listed in the MosaicBooks.com 2007 Bestseller List. Also this week, Conversations Book Club included The Street Life Series in their "Best Kept Literary Secrets of 2007" recommended reading list.
Literary enthusiasts attribute Kevin M. Weeks’ success to his storytelling ability as well as his fresh approach of incorporating old school wisdom to guide his main character, Teco Jackson, through his life’s journey throughout the urban murder mystery series. Weeks is a 2007 New York Book Festival award winner and received a Hollywood Book Festival as well as Do It Yourself (DIY) Book Festival Honorable Mention. Weeks states that it is an honor to be listed in the top bestseller and reading lists of MosiacBooks.com and Conversations Book Club respectively. Online buyers can find out more information and purchase The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? by visiting www.thestreetlifeseries.com
About MosaicBooks
MosaicBooks.com Bestseller List uses a formulated system, which not only values the sale, but also the propensity of the book lover to research books online and then to make their purchase at the local bookstore. MosaicBooks.com was founded in 1996 by Ron Kavanaugh and was the first site dedicated to showcasing Black literature on the internet. This innovative endeavor has resulted in a leadership role in marketing books directly to readers interested in African-American books from large and small publishers as well as self publishers.
About Conversations Book Club
Just in time for the holiday season, Conversations Book Club released its picks for "Best Kept Literary Secrets" of 2007. Over the past 12 months, upwards of 100 titles were read. The "Best Kept Literary Secrets" of 2007 was created with one mission in mind, which is to inform readers of books which may appear under the radar by many mainstream outlets but are still excellent treasures. Founded by Cyrus A. Webb, Conversations Book Club is the largest literary organization in the state of Mississippi, and ranked the number one internet searched book club for the state. In addition, Cyrus Webb has partnered with a variety of organizations to implement community reading programs similar to Conversations across the country.
