Special thanks go out to Toby Scott of www.dubplusone.biz, Cynthia Chipp, William Alexander, Rachel Campbell, Heather Stewart, and Fedna Morency!!!

You helped to make my Book Signing a great event!

Photos will be available at: http://www.coalmindpublications.com

Author Latrice Scott of Coal Mind Publications, LLC will reveal her first novel, "Hit or Miss". The book signing will take place in Tampa, Florida at Temple Terrace Patio Homes' Clubhouse on August 16th, 2008 from 5pm to 8pm. For more information, please email: lscott@coalmindpublications.com.

Published By: www.coalmindpublications.com

Here is a listing of the TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS. These are just a few summer reading ideas for teenagers! 

1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2) A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

3) Before I Die by Jenny Downham

4) Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill

5) Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

6) Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

7) Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal by Mal Peet

8) American Shaolin: Flying Kids, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China by Matthew Polly

9) The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel by Brian Selznick

10) The Arrival by Shaun Tan

For more information, visit www.ala.org (American Library Association)

Posted by: www.coalmindpublications.com

    THE BEGINNING...
    Three loud bells sounded just as Keyerra took her seat in Mr. Jacobs homeroom class.
She instantly felt a nudge on her shoulder as her teacher proceeded to close and lock the door.
    "What took you so long?"Dahlia whispered low enough to ensure their privacy.
    "I was on the phone," Keyerra answered, not wanting to go further into detail.
    "With my old ass brother again?"
    "Why you gotta say it like that?"
    "Because what ya'll doing is against the law."
    "And what exactly is it that you think we're doing?"
    "Having sex. What else he gon' want you for?"
    "How the fuck you say some shit like that to your best friend?"
    "I just don't want my brother ending up in jail for messin' around with you!"
    "Again another fucked up thing to say to your best friend."
    "A true best friend don't sit back and watch while they girl make the biggest mistake of her life."
    "If that's the case, loving your brother is a mistake I'm willing to make."
    "Love? Love?" Dahlia raised her voice as fire flashed in her eyes.
    "Excuse me Ms. Carter and Ms. Gonzalez, but do you have something to share with the entire class?" 
    Mr. Jacobs boisterous voice interrupted their heated discussion.
    "No, sir. I'm done." Dahlia answered.
    "So am I, " Keyerra retorted.
    The dismissal bell rang shortly and Keyerra rushed out of the door and into the
nearest bathroom. Dahlia ranto catch up with her but couldn't see where she had gone.
Meanwhile, Keyerra had burst into tears as she leaned against a locked stall. The things Dahlia
had said hit close to home and gave her more anxiety about her involvement with Manny.
She dialed his number hoping for guidance and love.
    "Hey baby. What's up?" Manny cooed.
    "Keyerra smiled having gotten exactly what she needed.
    "I'm scared that I might lose you, Manny," her voice filled with emotion.
    "What got you thinking lime that?" concerned that she was so upset.
    "Dahlia. She started that shit early this morning talking 'bout we breaking the law and how she
don't want you to catch a case because of me."
    "You know how Dahli is. She want the best for her big brother."
    "Whether she know it or not, what she said hurt my feelings."
    "Dahli with you?" ready to straighten her.
    "No. I was so hurt that I ran off without her. I really don't want to be here no more. Can you
come get me?"
    "Sweetie, I want you to get your education. I'm not tryna be a bad influence on you. I do
want your mom to like me someday."
    "But this is different. Manny please. I need to see you."
    "I'll be there in a few."

FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO CONTINUE READING, email me at: lscott@coalmindpublications.com

www.coalmindpublications.com

As a big fan of the VH1 series "Miss Rap Supreme, I have started to think more in-depth about the rap and hip-hop industry. After numerous searches on the origin of rap, I was unable to find many real sources that chronicled the historical content of the rap genre. The subculture of "Hip Hop" was the constant overlay in my search results. Are "Rap" and "Hip Hop" one in the same? If not, which came into existence first? If so, why is Rap and Hip Hop often classified under two different genres of music? What artists are classified as "rap artists" or "hip hop artists" and why? Does the level of skill as an MC play a part in this classification?
 
I intend to dig deep to find the answers to all of these questiopns and more. With your insight and input, I am positive that we can begin to chronicle of the history of rap. This article is the first in a series entitled, "The Rap Chronicles". This week's series will attempt to find the difference, if any, betweeb rap and hip hop.    

Question 1) ARE "RAP" AND "HIP HOP" ONE IN THE SAME?

According to Wikipedia, Hip Hop is a subculture which is said to have begun with the work of DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, ans Afrika Bambaataa. The four main aspects, or "elements", of hip hop culture are MCing/rapping, DJing, urban inspired art/tagging or graffiti, and b-boying/breakdancing.      

Clive Campbell A.K.A. DJ Kool Herc was born on April 16, 1955 in Jamaica. He is credited as originating hip hop music in The Bronx, New York. His playing of hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown was an alternative both to the violent gang culture of the Bronx and to the nascent popularity of disco in the 1970s. In response to the reactions of his dancers in 1972, Campbell began to isolate the instrumental portion of the record which emphasized the drum beat-the break-and switch from one break to another to yet another.            

Using the two turntable set-up of the disco DJs, Campbell's style led to the use of two copies of the same record to elongate the break. This breakbeat DJing, using hard funk, rock, and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of hip hop music. Campbells announcements and exhortations to dancers would lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment we now know as rapping. He dubbed his dancers break-boys and break-girls, or simply b-boys and b-girls. Campbell's DJ style was quickly taken up by figures such as Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Unlike them, he never made the move into commercially recorded hip hop in its earliest years.

Visit the website below to view a chart which outlines the difference between Rap and Hip Hop. (Source: http://www.cyfm.net/article.php?article=FAQS_hip_hop_1.html.

Overall, Hip Hop is a culture that was created in response to Rap music. What do you think?

**SEASON FINALE OF "MISS RAP SUPREME" AIRS ON MON., JUNE 9TH, 2008 AT 9PM ON VH1.**

Coal Mind Publication, LLC's cover model photo shoot will take place on Saturday, May 31st 2008 at 4pm. Meet us at the Burger King on 56th and Busch at 3:45pm to be a part of Coal Mind History!!! **THE PHOTO SHOOT LOCALE IS TBA!!!**

Latrice Scott

www.coalmindpublications.com

http://blog.coalmindpublications.com

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR S.I.S.T.U.H.S.!!!

I did not intend to post another entry so soon, but this topic was so important to me that I could not wait. After advertising my blog on the "African Americans On The Move Book Club's" Yahoo group, I was given advice by their president Tamika Newhouse. It read: "hey on your blog dont forget to mention the literary awards in new york this september." I responded: "Ok, thank you. I will definitely research that." I told myself to wait and not to work so hard on my day off. But, again, I could not wait and immediately searched for the event she was referring to. Just before reading her advice, I had just ended a call from my sister who gave me some encouraging words. She said: "Success is when you leave this earth and people say things like she was always there when I needed her, she always kept her word, she was a lover of people. People don't usually say, she was a great lawyer, accountant, or judge." What I took from this is that it's not only about "WHO" we are but "HOW" we are. What's most important is how we treat others, not how often we can treat others to dinner. Thank you Tamika Newhouse for your response and advice. Believe it or not, your words of advice pushed me to continue working on an "off" day. Below you will find information on the "African American Literary Awards Show".

The African American Literary Awards Show will be held in New York on September 24th, 2008. The African American Literary Award show is the brainchild of Ms. Yvette Hayward.  She came up with the idea in 1996 and was finally able to bring it to fruition in September 2004. She is the president of Y. Hayward Inc, a public relations company that has been a powerful resource in the literary field for over seven years. The company’s primary mission is to bring recognition to African American authors throughout the country. 

For more information, please visit:

www.literaryawardshow.com

The 4th Annual Queens Book and Health Fair, presented by C & B Books Distribution, promises to be better than ever! The presenters aim to promote mingling with one's favorite authors while also providing health experts to do on-site health screens.

This event will take place in Jamaica Queens on August 30th, 2008. For more information, visit:

www.queensbookfair.com

Introducing Oluwaseun Fajimolu, "Hit or Miss" the novel's selected Cover Model!!!





Welcome to the Coal Mind Publications Family!!!

www.coalmindpublications.com

Are you free to travel? The Ebony Fashion Fair is looking for Female, Male, and Full-Figured Models. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 13, 2008. For more information visit:

www.ebonyfashionfair.com

Blog Published By: www.coalmindpublications.com