Estelle has not only taken the charts by storm with her single American Boy, but has impressed Joy Francis with her funky new album ‘Shine’.
Time Out feature writer and reviewer Tamara Gausi offers some pointers to budding critics including how to cope with adverse reactions to your reviews.
The loss of one of her twin boys inspired holistic complementary therapist, artist and writer Hyacinth Myers to offer other parents a creative outlet. She highlights why.
Susan Yearwood has launched a new literacy agency. As one of a handful of UK-based black book agents she is on the look out for talented new voices.
Read the second and final part in our series - a week in the life of a budding writer - with our short story competition winners. This time it’s runner up Mahsuda Shah.
February 2007
Sexual Attraction Revealed
By Words of Colour co-founder Nicole Moore
Sexual Attraction Revealed: A Preview of Shangwe’s second title due to be published in April 2007.
This anthology of poetry and autobiographical writing is eclectic and revelatory. The 19 authors are black and mixed-race women ranging from their early twenties to early fifties, living in the UK, offering us an insight into their distinct and diverse creative writing perspectives.
My aims were clearly and simply to discover new and diverse talent, ensure representation and to promote poetry and autobiographical writing of black and mixed-race women from African and African-Caribbean backgrounds. The writers tell their narratives, presenting their views in passionate, intelligent, humorous, strong, reflective and spiritual voices, some unheard; some previously published in the first anthology Brown Eyes.
The book is divided into two sections: Sugar and Spice, which includes a collection of thirty poems and six essays on the themes of sexual attraction, in particular, whether race, culture, identity, ethnicity and heritage play a part in sexual attraction and whether these factors are important or not. From losing your virginity, one night stands, other women and unconventional relationships to love at first sight; this is a must read.
The second section Joy and Pain includes a collection of 15 poems and four essays on the themes related to the many aspects and layers of motherhood. Both the Sugar and Spice and Joy and Pain sections are intrinsically linked and complement each other.
Sexual Attraction Revealed offers a fresh and revealing insight into the lives of black and mixed-race women in 21st century Britain. This Shangwe produced 2nd anthology will provide a showcase for today’s black and mixed-race writers; a permanent record of diverse creativity for today and tomorrow.
Just to give you a little taster here are three poems from the Sugar and Spice section: Meet Me in that Place by Karen Plumb, One Night Stand by Nicola Greenwood and The Succulence of Fruit by Louise Hercules.
Paul Macey exposed the newspaper industry’s complicity in the sex trafficking industry. He explains why.
Joy Francis thanks R&B singer songwriter Estelle for speaking out about the lack of black British musicians being promoted.
Nicole Moore offers a do it yourself guide to getting your book noticed and sold in Kingston, Jamaica.
Paul Macey reveals what happens when young people are given the opportunity to tell their truth through their own media.
