(April 15-17, 2010) Rapper/Author Jacki-O Returns To Mississippi To Promote Reading

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club and their literary supporters* are pleased to announce that Recording artist and Bestselling author Jacki-O will be returning to Mississippi April 15-17, 2010 as the headliner for Hip Hop and Books events held throughout the state.

"It's great to be coming back to Mississippi," says Jacki-O. She was last in the state in 2008 promoting her book GROWN & GANGSTA with Conversations Book Club. "The people showed me so much love, and I'm glad to be meeting my fans again and talking about the importance of reading.



Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and the founder of Hip Hop and Books, is glad to be working with the artist and author again in the Magnolia State. "Jacki-O and I are not just business associates," says Webb.

"She is a friend, and it has been great to see how people have responded to the message in her first book as well as her journey as an entertainer." Webb was chosen by platinum-selling recording artist C-Murder---the publisher of Jacki-O's first book---to coordinate her first book tour. The two have worked together ever since.

Since her last visit to Mississippi, Jacki-O has been busy on her music, doing shows across the country and working on her autobiography called RELENTLESS. She has also been giving back to the community, becoming an Ambassador for the non-profit group Community Options which works with those with disabilities and becoming the national spokesperson for the Hip Hop and Books Literacy Campaign which encourages reading among the urban community.

During this year's visit, Jacki-O will be visiting schools and libraries talking about her own experiences, the messages she hopes people get from the book GROWN & GANGSTA as well as the importance of reading and using books to better yourself. "I think one of the most important lessons I have learned from C-Murder and Jacki-O is that you can never judge a book by its cover," says Webb. "Both of them have used their celebrity to empower others and show how you don't have to let your circumstances determnine what you can accomplish in life." Joining Jacki-O will be Texas authors Jermnine Demouchette (JAMES DEMOUCHETTE VS. THE STATE OF TEXAS) and Mr. Mean Mug (TATTOO TEARS).



Here is the authors' public schedule for Mississippi:

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010
* 8:30-10:30a.m., Peeples Middle School (Jackson, MS)
* 11:30-12:30p.m., Morrison Academic Center (Jackson, MS)
* 2-4p.m., Meet and Greet/Signing @ Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medar Evers Blvd *Jackson, MS)
* 6-8p.m., Meet and Greet/Signing @ Appetizers Restaurant (3086 HWY 80 E * Pearl, MS)

FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
* 1-3p.m., Meet and Greet/Signing @ Pearl Public Library 2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS)
* 6-8p.m., Meet and Greet/Signing @ Appetizers Restaurant (3086 HWY 80 E * Pearl, MS)

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2010
* 12-3p.m., Hip Hop and Books Rally at Smith Park (Downtown Jackson, MS) --- musical performances by independent recording artists, art exhibit by C. A. Webb and others as well as a meet and greet/signing with the authors and a special tribute to recording artist C. Watts aka Playa Connected.
* 8-10p.m., Celebrity Entertainment Complex (3349 Hwy 51 S * Winona, MS)--- Meet & Greet/Signing

* Literary supporters include Jackmove Entertainment, For The People Productions, Real Deal Entertainment, Mugumental Inc., D.I.G.M.E., Hype Magazine, S.T.I.L.L. Magazine, Blacklight Publishing, Vitaminwater of Louisville (KY) courtesy of Herschel Dixon and the Read or Die campaign, HHH Magazine and Hunidracks Energy Drinks.

For interview requests, more information about Jacki-O's visit or any of the events associated with it, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. Details can also be found at www.hiphopandbooks.com.

(Sun. March 7, 2010) Authors Ish Major, Rita B. Davis and Andre Johnson on This Webisode of The Write Stuff

Cyrus Webb welcomes you to this edition of The Write Stuff, featuring authors Ish Major, Rita B. Davis and Andre Johnson.



In February 2010, Ish Major made his first visit to Mississippi to promote his book LITTLE WHITE WHYS. Hear what the response has been like and where you can find out additional information.


Cyrus Webb talks with Rita B. Davis about the pain of losing a child, her book OVERWHELMED the the lessons she thinks it imparts.


Watch Andre Johnson, author of YEARNING FOR CONTROL, talk about dealing with bipolar disorder, and what he hopes readers get from his book.


Missed other webisodes from The Write Stuff? Catch up by going to The Write Stuff website here.

(Sat. Feb. 27, 2010) Mississippi Welcomes author Ish Major, M.D.

(Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010) Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce that board-certified adult psychiatrist/author Ish Major, M.D. will be visiting Mississippi for the first time on Saturday, February 27, 2010 to promote and discuss his exciting new book LITTLE WHITE WHYS (A Woman's Guide through the Lies Men Tell and Why)*. This is part of Conversations' "Read Well, Eat Well, Live Well" campaign designed to provide something for everyone in 2010.


Hosted by Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb and its members, Ish will be at the following locations in Pearl, Mississippi (Rankin County):

* 1-3p.m., Meet and Greet/Booksigning @ Pearl Public Library (Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) --- Come meet the author and hear him discuss his book. The first FIVE VISITORS get a FREE COPY of LITTLE WHITE WHYS (regularly $14.95, plus taxes)

* 6-8p.m., Appetizers Restaurant (3086 HWY 80 E * Pearl, MS) --- Come out to Appetizers, get some delicious food and join Ish as he talks about the book, answers your relationship questions and more! The first FIVE VISITORS for the discussion get a FREE COPY of LITTLE WHITE WHYS!

As with all events hosted by Conversations Book Club, these meetings are FREE and open to the public! You are invited to bring a friend and meet with the author, making his first literary visit in the Magnolia State a success.

For more information, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. To find out more about Conversations Book Club, visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

* ABOUT LITTLE WHITE WHYS: A meaningful, fulfilling, lasting, and loving relationship begins with the truth. In this creative yet honest approach, Ish Major helps women uncover the truth about men. Mixing humor with serious advice, the book serves as a guide for women navigating the dating world in regard to meeting, getting to know, dating, falling in love, and committing to that special someone. It will help women decipher men's maneuverings to uncover the truth and to enjoy a loving, lasting relationship.

Author H. Michael Harvey's Visit To Mississippi: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Cyrus Webb of Conversations Book Club would like to thank those who made the visit of H. Michael Harvey, author of PAPER PUZZLE, a success in Mississippi on Saturday, February 20, 2010. The weather could not have been better, and the foundation has been laid for the message of the book and the mission of the author to be realized.

The day began at the historic Medgar Evers Branch Library in Jackson, Mississippi. There Michael and his wife met with members of the Mississippi Link newspaper as well as patrons.







From there is was on to the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS where the author met members of the staff and patrons who were excited about the visit.




Led by President Cyrus Webb, Harvey's visit is part of Conversations Book Club's promotion of reading and conversation among book lovers of all ages and backgrounds.

Paper Puzzle introduces dual protagonists, one white, Clay Moore managing editor of the town's daily newspaper and Jimmy Royal editor of the local black weekly tabloid. Both men as cub reporters covered a gangland styled murder and were pulled off the story by their publishers before anyone was brought to justice.

As time passes the two men kept thoughts of it in the back of region of their minds. Suddenly, Clay Moores' life is interrupted when he discovers news clippings from the gangland styled murder in his bed each morning. When Clay's security and career is threatened by a powerful federal judge he is forced to turn to the only other person who can help him solve the paper puzzle laying in his bed. He turns to Jimmy Royal and together the two reporters in the spirit of Woodard and Bernstein uncovers decades of injustice hidden neatly under the guise of the social mores of the times.

H. Michael Harvey is the third author to visit Mississippi this year as part of Conversations' "Read Well, Eat Well, Live Well" campaign designed to feed the needs of the entire individual. It is Webb's hope that such authors and their books will become discussion pieces long after the authors have come and gone.

To find out more about H. Michael Harvey, visit www.paperpuzzle.net. Details about Conversations Book Club can be found at www.thebestbookclub.info.

(Sun. Feb. 21, 2010) Cyrus Webb Presents "Black History & Me"

(Sun. Feb. 21, 2010) With history being made literally everyday, what does having a month devoted to Black History mean in 2010. host Cyrus Webb of Conversations LIVE! Radio will talk with authors Justina Wheelock (WHERE LOYALTIES LIE), Dr. Neal Hall (NIGGER FOR LIFE), W. James Richardson (THE ECLIPSE BLUES) and Anthony Littlefield (BITTERSWEET JOURNEY) about their views of the holiday, and how they feel about the history they are creating.

Join the conversation live at www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or listen through the switchboard at 347.426.3645.

Missed other exciting conversations? Visit www.conversationsliveradio.com to download them for free.

REVIEW: "Signifying Nothing" by Author Clifford Thompson

As we go through the hustle of day-to-day life, we sometimes become oblivious to how much of our lives is not really being lived at all. We take a great deal for granted, and for some that is not really understood until we come in contact with someone who we see as less fortunate than ourselves.

It can be a person who is missing a limb, unable to speak, hear or see---and sometimes it can be someone whose mind appears to have betrayed them. We look at such individuals as broken, somehow less than us because of what we see, however, sometimes it is such individuals who may look at us as the ones to be pitied.

Think about it: No matter how much we try to control what goes on in our 24 hours each day, how much of it is really in our control? Anything can come up that could change our circumstances forever. Such is the case with the characters we meet in Clifford Thompson's book SIGNIFYING NOTHING. We meet individuals who have been living with a family member that some saw as worthless. He was seen as slow and a burden to those around him, until one day he did the unthinkable: He proved them wrong.

The simple act of speaking sets in motion a chain reaction that puts the entire family on a path they least expected. Everyone, from the parents and siblings, have to deal with the world they had become accustomed to changing forever. And with that you get to see how much they have their own shortcomings and challenges to deal with.

If nothing else, SIGNIFYING NOTHING will definitely have you reconsider what you see as 'normal' in your life--- and in the lives of others for that matter. Through the captivating storyline and the characters you will find yourself relating to more than you'd like, you will walk away satisfied from the literary experience, ready for more.

(Listen to Cyrus Webb's interview with author Clifford Thompson here.)

(WED. FEB. 10, 2010) Willie Taylor of Day 26 on Conversations LIVE! Radio

(Wed. Feb. 10, 2010 @ 1p.m. EST (12p.m. CST/10a.m. PT) The last time Day 26 was on Conversations LIVE! it was to talk about their video album FOREVER IN YOUR EYES. Now Willie Taylor of Day 26 talks to host Cyrus Webb about the events that have gone on with the group since that release, his own battle with privacy and the media as well as his new mixtape SEX TAPE to be released on Valentine's Day.

What's next for Day 26 and him? The two will discuss that and more! Listen to the show live online at http://tobtr.com/s/888517 or through the studio switchboard at 1.347.426.3645.