BOOK BLISS: The Premiere Magazine







We are offering an opportunity for promotion to our literary family. Book Bliss will be produced in conjunction with the annual Pajama Jam. All attendees will receive a copy. Our attendees include authors, aspiring authors, readers, and book club members. Book Bliss will also be distributed to our physical mailing list.

This opportunity is open to all with literary-related products and/or services. Similar products and services will be grouped together.

Space is limited. No spots will be saved without payment.


GOOD: Name, one book title, and web site - $10.00



BETTER: Books, web site (half-page) - $25.00 




BEST: Picture/logo, bio, books, web site (full-page) - $50.00 




Listings will be in black and white, much like the Yellow Pages.
Limited availability for color ads. Inquire by email.
After payment, email info here: bookclubpajamajam@yahoo.com


Pajama Jam 2014

Tickets on sale now. The cost: $65.00.

OOSA Pajama Jam
October 25, 2014 – St. Louis, Missouri

Rickey Teems II ✓
Damon 'Amin' Meadows ✓
Eric 'Oasis' Myrieckes ✓
William Fredrick Cooper ✓
Jason Poole ✓

All we need is YOU!

Be there OR hear about it!

www.oosapajamajam.com

All Things Literary Awards


The month of April was devoted to accepting nominations for the ALL THINGS LITERARY AWARDS. Once nominations closed, phase two kicked into gear. To begin, all ineligible entries were discarded. Sadly, that was a large number. Many simply did not follow instructions by including books outside the specified timeframe as well as incomplete entries.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s exactly what we’re doing. In our case, the back covers. A book is a package and the back cover or the synopsis is very much a part of that package. Many use it as a review tool to see if a book is worth their time. That is what our first committee is doing. They are scouring over the synopses of all eligible nominations. Like the final judging process, it is done so blindly. Books are narrowed down based on their synopsis minus the book’s title, author’s name and any other identifying information. The committee is looking for well-written, provocative book descriptions. Creativity and quality are crucial elements.

While a synopsis may catch one’s attention, it’s what’s inside the book that holds one’s attention. Excerpts of the nominated works are also taken into consideration. Again, it is done so blindly. And as with the synopses, our committee is looking for quality and intriguing excerpts that make them want to read more.

The final nominations will be those that ranked the highest by the committee.

It is important to us to create an awards event based on the merit of work and simply not a popularity contest. Authors pour their blood, sweat and tears and days, months and years into their work and we want to recognize them. We want to celebrate great writing. We want to celebrate great writers. We hope that we are doing so with the ALL THINGS LITERARY AWARDS. By using a blind process in nominations and final judging, it does not matter who an author is, who the publisher is, where an author lives, who an author is friends with, how many/few books an author has, or how popular an author is on social networking sites. Authors are on an equal playing field and all that matters is writing.

Once the final nominees have been chosen, it will be up to our judges to have the final say. We set out to create a panel of fair, honest and discerning judges. Serious consideration was given to who would make up this panel. We sought judges of all ages, both sexes with various reading palettes from all over. We wanted avid readers that could dissect books for their strengths and weaknesses and would not simply be wowed by glamour, drama, sex, or action. This panel will have until the end of August to read the nominated works while agreeing to remain anonymous to further ensure the integrity of the process. The panel will evaluate the books on elements key to writing such as development, creativity and quality. The nominees will be announced to the public after the judging is over, and the winners will be announced at OOSA’s Annual Pajama Jam on October 25, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri.

In addition, the Brenda Hampton Honorary Literacy Award winner will be announced. The winner of this award represents unique individuals who put forth every effort to uphold the standards of African American Literature. This honor includes writers, reviewers, editors, and publishers, agents…all who have remained dedicated to the cause for years, who have inspired many others along the way and who have had a great impact on the industry as a whole. Recognizing and celebrating hard work, talent and quality.

Building an awards event you can be proud of! 

This Week's Reviews...

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Good to the Last Dropphoto (33)

Featured Authors



What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: Rickey Teems II, Damon 'Amin' Meadows, Eric Myrieckes, William Fredrick Cooper, Jason Poole
Tickets will go on sale soon. Be there OR hear about it! #AllMaleREVIEW








Pajama Jam 2014 Featured Author...

He is the co-author of an Essence bestselling book. The author of four novels, all written while he was incarcerated, he is the epitome of the motto: “Never Give Up!”

We are happy to announce Pajama Jam 2014 featured author: Jason Poole!

What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: Jason Poole, William Fredrick Cooper, Eric Myrieckes, Damon ‘Amin’Meadows, Rickey Teems II!

“No matter what a man faces in life, he has to always carry himself with dignity and never up on tomorrow.” – Jason Poole

Tickets will go on sale soon. Be there OR hear about it! #AllMaleREVIEW

Pajama Jam 2014 Featured Author

An advocate for literacy, he is the author of four novels. Sensitive, caring and a hopeless romantic,  he lets the reader see sacred truths that men hide behind when they have been damaged by love and proves through his honest depictions of the complexity of men that being emotionally sensitive does not make a man weak. 

We are happy to announce Pajama Jam 2014 featured author: William Fredrick Cooper!


What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: William Fredrick Cooper, Eric Myrieckes, Damon ‘Amin’Meadows, Rickey Teems II and…the next author will be revealed tomorrow!


“Our community suffers when our intelligences as African-Americans is not maximized. Crazy stuff.” - William Fredrick Cooper

Pajama Jam 2014 Featured Author...

He is an editor. He is a creative writing instructor. He is an author. He won’t be defined by one genre.

We are happy to announce Pajama Jam 2014 featured author: Eric Myrieckes!


What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: Eric Myrieckes, Damon ‘Amin’Meadows, Rickey Teems II and…the next author will be revealed tomorrow!

“I was a straight cut-up. I just understood that words had power. They were an extension for me to express myself. At the time I wrote strictly to make the girls smile. When I took stock of my life, I decided to become an author because living a negative lifestyle had gotten me nowhere so I wanted to try my hand at doing something positive.” – Eric Myrieckes 

Pajama Jam 2014 Featured Author...

He is the co-author of an Essence bestselling book. He doesn’t just want to be another writer. He wants to entertain and educate.

We are happy to announce Pajama Jam 2014 featured author: Damon ‘Amin’ Meadows!




What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: Damon ‘Amin’Meadows, Rickey Teems II and…the next author will be revealed tomorrow!

“I started writing novels because I knew I could tell a hell of a story and I’ve never been scared to go against the grain.” – Damon ‘Amin’ Meadows





Pajama Jam 2014 Featured Author...

He is a man of God and community. He likes to push social, religious, dramatic, and emotional boundaries with every story he tells. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, he spends a lot of time working with youth to ensure the men of tomorrow understand the fundamentals of success. He is a 2012 All Things Literary Awards Nominee.

We are happy to announce Pajama Jam 2014 featured author: Rickey Teems II!


What: OOSA Pajama Jam
When: October 25, 2014
Who: Rickey Teems II and…the next author will be revealed tomorrow!

“Expect unique when you pick up a Rickey Teems II book. You’re either going to love it, or you’re gonna hate it so much that you can’t stop thinking about it, either way, expect an uncontrollable emotional uprising. And that’s my goal. I want you to love to hate it or hate to love it (or maybe love to love it, that’s a good one too), but can’t get enough either way…For less than a fast food combo meal, you will be taken on the ride of your life. Like when we were kids and the pages of a book were a passport to a new world. You won’t be disappointed.” – Rickey Teems II

Pamela Samuels Young

It is FOR and ABOUT authors. Here we shine the light on authors who we've read, reviewed, and recommend to others. In this edition we are shining our light on another gifted author.


Pamela Samuels Young is a practicing attorney and bestselling author of six legal thrillers:Every Reasonable DoubtIn Firm PursuitMurder on the Down LowAttorney-Client PrivilegeBuying Time and Anybody’s Daughter. A natural hair enthusiast, Pamela is also the author of Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide (April 2014). In addition to moonlighting as a mystery writer, Pamela works full time as Managing Counsel for Labor and Employment Law for Toyota in Southern California. She formerly served on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and is a diehard member of Sisters in Crime-L.A. The former journalist is a graduate of USC, Northwestern University and UC Berkeley’s School of Law.


GETTING TO KNOW PAMELA…

The best love advice I ever received was: The best love advice I ever received came from Tyler Perry and it pertained to loving and pursuing your passion. I’ve never met Tyler Perry, but when he accepted the Chairman’s Award at the NAACP Image Award ceremony in 2010 and said the following words, I felt like he was speaking directly to me: “We don’t have to wait for somebody to green light our projects. We can create our own intersections.” I was watching the program from my bedroom and I swear the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. His statement encouraged me to embrace being an independent author. I began to think of being self-published as a plus, rather than a minus. I love the control I have over my writing career and wouldn’t have it any other way. The fact that I’m now an NAACP Image Award nominee alongside four long-time writers at major publishing houses truly validates all the hard work I’ve put into my writing career.

Which is your favorite season? Winter. I love wearing sweaters and boots.  But you’ll have to take into account that I live in Los Angeles. Fifty degrees is considered cold here. LOL! Winter probably would not be my favorite season if I lived in the Midwest or on the East Coast, especially with the crazy cold they’ve been experiencing lately.

My shopping addiction is: Natural hair products! I love being natural. If I walk into a beauty supply store looking for one product, there’s a good chance I’m walking out with five. I’m definitely a product junkie.

Do you doodle? Yep. I always doodle hearts. I wonder what that’s all about. LOL!

What is the most listened to CD in your collection? Stand by Donnie McClurkin. It gets me through everything! Writing rejection, heartache, stressful days at the office. I love that song! Especially these lyrics:

Tell me, what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through?
Well you just stand when there's nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through

Amen!


If someone was to give you one gift, money is no object, what would you want to receive? The opportunity to spend a month in a fabulous house with an ocean view, eating great food, reading great books, watching great movies, working out and relaxing!

Is your favorite time the past, present or the future? The future! So many great things are happening regarding my writing career. I will be leaving my job to write full time in a few months. Hallelujah!

If you could spend the rest of your life doing just one thing, what would it be and why? Writing legal thrillers!

What is the one thing that makes you laugh the hardest? The Real Husbands of Hollywood. OMG! That show, especially Kevin Hart, is hilarious! I want him to be Apache if--no when--Anybody's Daughter hits the big screen.

What is your favorite home cooked meal? Gumbo!

What’s Next? My first non-fiction book, Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide. There’s been an explosion of interest in natural hair among African-American women. After my own hair disaster, I decided to take charge of my hair care instead of relying solely on a hair stylist. I was amazed at all the things I learned about my hair, primarily from YouTube bloggers who are half my age. I wanted to share the knowledge I learned about natural hair care with other women and that’s exactly what Kinky Coily does.

I’m also working on another non-fiction book, Self-Publish the Right Way: Turning Your Passion into a Paycheck. That’s scheduled for release in December 2015.

My next mystery is titled Married into Murder. It’s the story of a young African-American woman whose marriage into an East Indian family results in tragedy. Part sociological study, part courtroom drama, the novel examines the deep-seated cultural and racial prejudices that led to her murder. It goes on sale in June 2015.

PRAISE FOR EVERY REASONABLE DOUBT

“EVERY REASONABLE DOUBT is an insightful and engrossing legal mystery with great dialogue, authentic characters, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud humor. It was great to finally see a legal thriller/mystery with an African-American female lead -- a story with characters who have real problems and work toward resolving them realistically. . . I loved it!” - The RAWSISTAZ™Reviewers

“Ms. Samuels-Young is an extremely talented author and I look forward to being captivated by her next book and those that will certainly follow.” - Black Butterfly Review


PRAISE FOR IN FIRM PURSUIT

“The adventure began on the first few pages and never let you go until the end. This was a well written novel, character development was excellent Mrs. Samuels Young did an outstanding job, I can't wait to read the other mystery books in the Vernetta Henderson series.” - Julie Byrd

"This book has just the right amount of twists and turns! I really connected with the main characters, Vernetta and Special. I would definitely recommend it!” - KBH


PRAISE FOR MURDER ON THE DOWN LOW

“This is one book that will have you guessing until the very end. Pamela Samuels Young has done it again.” - LADIES OF COLOR TURNING PAGES Book Club

“This book was absolutely amazing it was a definite page turner from beginning to end!! Reading this book has definitely made me think about my own decisions and actions within my own sex life. Although this book is a work of fiction somewhere there is someone who is being betrayed by their lover or who is doing the betraying.” - LaToya Jones


PRAISE FOR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE

“I have read all of the Vernetta Henderson books and I can't wait until the next one. Please write one real soon. All of Ms. Young's characters are real and jump off the page. You can feel everything they're feeling. Ms. Young writes so smoothly that her words just flow with ease. I couldn't put this book down. I love you Pamela Samuels Young. You're fantastic!!” - Cathi J. Lance

“Ms. Samuels-Young is an attorney and it shows in her legal knowledge, but the knowledge is oh so entertaining. I recommend this book to those who love legal thrillers and to all readers who enjoy wonderful. well crafted stories!” - Angelia Vernon Menchan


PRAISE FOR BUYING TIME

“With one deft move, and a fantastic book, Pamela Samuels Young has snuck onto my favorite authors list. Impossible, you say? Pick up a copy of Buying Time and then I defy you to not be thrilled by this roller coaster ride of law, greed and murder.” - Lori Johnston

“Pamela has done it again with another great legal thriller. Pamela's books tend to be lengthy (about 400 pages), but the length does not detract from the fast-moving action in her novels. I've read every one of her books and would highly recommend all four.” - Gwenevere Richardson


PRAISE FOR ANYBODY’S DAUGHTER


“Wow, this story was so real! Everyone is engaging in social networking during the Internet age and we hear more and more about people getting duped. Anybody’s Daughter is a well written story about this very subject. As parents we try to protect our children from the unknown, but they find crafty ways to deceive us.” - EbonyReader4Life

“Powerful, compelling and real!!!! This is a must read for parents, grandparents raising children, foster parents, educators and I could go on. Human trafficking is in LIVE and LIVING in color. Unfortunately, the invisible children are sought out by predators and are held capture.” - Cynthia J Hebron

For more information about Pamela, please visit:





OOSA Presents... THE NAKED PEN


Five authors. Five stories. One challenge.