The DC Stop on the Beauty & Books Tour was Illmatic!

To say that the Akwaaba Mansion in DC was the perfect place to host the first stop on the Beauty & Books Tour is an uderstatement! Man we had wine flowing (that's all I needed lol), networking, music & and of course we kicked it off with a CRAZY discussion about relationships. I carefully chose a professional male AND female special guest because I knew that we were gonna go IN and we did! The ladies were letting the fellas have it but we had some strong men in the room to defend the fact that there are still good men out there and that not all men cheat. We had Authors, readers and other business professionals in the building and I definitely had a ball!! I couldn't let anyone leave without LSDV gift bags full of beauty items for both the ladies & the fellas :). Anyway, I hope to see you all in NYC August 8th & the Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn!! Enjoy a few pics below from the event, LOVE YALL!!!

Some of my guests listening to me run my mouth :)

My special guests..

DC I hope y'all are ready for me!!!

If you are in DC this Tues, July 17th come hang with me for the first “Real Talk on Love, Sex & Relationships” event at the Akwaaba Mansion from 6pm – 8pm at 1707 16th St. NW, Washington DC 20005...Never has an Author combined a book tour with a beauty concept and well, you know your girl always gotta keep y'all guessing!!! So we will have FREE manicures, wine, food &gift bags full of beauty products from some of our sponsors like Jessie's hair care. This tour is about to be off the chain and I hope I see YOU in your City. Oh and of course you have to dress to impress because you WILL be on camera! See yall there, Muah!

First stop on the Beauty & Brains Book Tour is.....

Ladies & Gentlemen of the DMV u are all invited to the “Real Talk on Love, Sex & Relationships” at the Akwaaba Mansion from 6pm – 8pm at 1707 16th St. NW, Washington DC 20005 on Tuesday, July 17th..FREE manicures, wine, food &gift bags... Come hang with me, can't wait to see you all :)

Writing Tip of the Week!

So you have this dope story you're working on that you feel would be the next best selling title right? Well guess what? There are a MILLION other people that feel the same way about their stories. At this point, you must figure out what makes your story so different from other books that are currently published in the genre that you choose to write in. Figure out what makes your story so unique and why you feel readers would gravitate toward your title and pass up the competition. Is it your illmatic cover (if you self publish), your catchy title or your decision to write on a subject that hasn't been touched on? For example, when LSDV's newest Author, Tracee Boyd Pratt submitted her manuscript to LSDV Productions, off top her title, "Married But Available" was catchy. Following the catchy title, the premise was just as interesting. Reading about a husband who asked his wife to swap wives with another couple for a week with a CRAZY twisted spin on the plot was eye catching and kept us wanting more. You see, when you give that something that stands out, you keep the reader wanting more thus gaining new readers and new readers give the best promotion which is SPREADING THE WORD through word of mouth. So while you are in the lab penning that best seller, keep these tips in mind and get that title out there... Congrats to all the aspiring writers out there putting in that time to write a book, it's not easy but the readers make it all worth it! Next writing tip coming soon....

**Make sure y'all support our new Author Tracee Boyd Pratt's new title "Married But Available" dropping Tuesday 6/26!!**

NYC Update!!

The NYC trip was everything I expected and more. From the time I arrived, up until the time I left, I was going NON-STOP! Like seriously, I had my flats on deck because I would leave one meeting and have to catch a taxi to the next and we all know that walking NY streets in heels is not the business. Anyway, I was honored to have meetings at the beautiful offices of Essence, BlackEnterprise & Interactive One to name a few. I have to say that everyone that I met with were so cool and down to earth. It's funny because when I meet w/people in this business, they always embrace my backstory first because of the journey of where I've been to where I am now. Like, who would have thought that a chick from the hood could literally go from the streets to the board room? It's all such a BLESSING because not only is the expansion of my brand increasing but the magazines are making some great stories out of our meetings that could inspire others who have been through similar situations not to give up.  I always say, if I can make it, so you can you. All and all, the meetings were successful and it had the perfect ending which was at the Black Pack Party at Londel's in Harlem. It was packed with anyone who is anyone in publishing. It's always good to rub elbows with my fellow Authors that I don't get to see often. The pic below is of me, Brandie Randolph (Bad Girls Books Show host) Author Tamika Newhouse, and some of Urban fiction's vets, K'wan, Erick and JM Benjamin. We had a ball! I'll see you again soon NYC!

Welcome LSDV Productions newest Author...

I'm happy to announce that Tracee Boyd-Pratt has officially signed a 2-book deal with LSDV Productions!!! Her new title, "Married But Available" is set to be released June 26th 2012. Be sure to friend her on facebook/TraceeBoyd and send her a warm welcome for joining the team. LSDV Productions receives numerous manuscripts per week and it's not easy to find  the next "Best Seller". When I read "Married But Available" I had no doubt in my mind that this was an Author that we needed to sign. The story is unique, the characters are relatable and the book is off the chain!! Make sure y'all be on the look out for "Married But Available" it's a guaranteed page turner and we are so excited to have Tracee on the team. Congratulations Tracee!!!

NYC Here I Come!!!

Alright everyone, so my next stop for business is NYC!! Yaay!!! I have always loved visiting the big apple because it truly fits my personality, it's fast paced, all about fashion and you can feel the ambition from hungry go-getters bouncing off the streets. Let me not even mention the shopping, child please, I can spend ALL DAY shopping in NYC. But anyway, this trip is all about business, the Book Expo is a big deal, Authors will be in the City in full force showcasing their books and rubbing elbows with their counterparts so I'm excited to be in the building. Apart from that, I'll be interviewed by Magazines, Radio Stations and meeting with Producers in the City about my new book "If All Men Cheat, All Women Should Too!". So although I will only be in the City for all of 2 days (June 6-7th) it will be jam packed with business meetings, so no shopping for me this trip, lol.. I'll drop in when I get back to let y'all know how the trip went and what my next stop will be. Until next time...Deuces!!