Francis Ray made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with her 2009 contemporary romance, Nobody But You, Cameron’s story from her Grayson Friends series. That release also earned the Border’s Best-selling Multicultural Book.

 

And Mistress Makes Three, part of her Invincible Women Series, is available now. One Night With You, Duncan’s story from Francis’s Grayson Friends series, will be available November 2009. Let’s take a moment to mark our calendars.

 

Even with her incredibly busy schedule, in 2001, Francis found the time to launch The Turning Point Legal Defense Fund, which assists battered women with their legal expenses.

 

Francis, thank you very much for stopping by the Novel Hearts blog. We appreciate your time. Could you tell us a bit about the Turning Point Legal Defense Fund and what motivated you to start the nonprofit organization?

 

I started The Turning Point Legal Fund after doing research for The Turning Point, my first mainstream book about a battered woman. I had no idea that, at the time, three out of 10 women were abused or knew someone who was. Now that figure is seven out of 10 women. Divorces are expensive and abusive men control the money. My fund provides legal assistance. Any woman can apply though The Family Place, a women’s shelter in Dallas, or any other agency.

 

Do you have a ballpark estimate of how many people the fund has helped?

 

Approximately 10 to 15 women are helped each year. I also try to drop off school supplies in August and toys at Christmas.

 

How can people learn more about The Turning Point Legal Fund?

 

They can visit my Web site, www.FrancisRay.com, and search under News.

 

How can people make donations to the fund?

 

The Turning Point Legal Defense Fund

c/o The Family Place

P.O. Box 7999

Dallas, Texas 75209

 

One last question, Francis. How can readers get in touch with you?

 

www.FrancisRay.com. Thank you.

 

Thank you, Francis, for everything you do to help victims of domestic abuse. Very best wishes for continued writing success.

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

 

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization he or she supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com.

 

Thank you!

Beverly Jenkins began her publishing career writing historical romances. Avon released her debut novel, Night Song, in 1994. This year, Night Song celebrates its 25^th anniversary. Why don’t you pick up a copy and join the celebration? I can assure you it’s a great read.

 

Since Beverly’s debut, she’s branched into other genres - young adult, romance suspense and women’s fiction.

 

Her next highly anticipated release, Captured, is a historical romance scheduled to hit the shelves October 2009. Let’s mark the date.

 

Between deadlines and other responsibilities, Beverly was kind enough to grant Novel Hearts an interview about one of the nonprofit organizations she supports.

 

   

Beverly, thank you very much for joining us this week on Novel Hearts blog. We appreciate your time. Could you please tell us how you learned about Doctors Without Borders?

 

I first learned about them through a CNN report many years ago.

 

I’ve heard great things about Doctors Without Borders. For those of us who may not be as familiar with the organization, could you tell us a bit about them?

 

They are a worldwide organization of doctors. They began as a group that went into war zones and treated people in need on both sides of the conflict. They do a lot in Africa and with Africa’s children.

 

What motivated you to get involved with Doctors Without Borders?

 

This is not an organization I have ever volunteered with but that I support monetarily as much and as often as I can because of the great work that they do.

 

Thanks again for your time, Ms. Bev.

 

For readers who’d like to learn even more about Doctors Without Borders, please visit the organization’s Web site, www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org.

 

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

 

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization he or she supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com.

 

Thank you!

 

Deatri King-Bey realized her dream of becoming a published author in 2006 with her debut release, Caught Up. Now, Deatri also helps talented aspiring authors realize their publishing dreams through her position as developmental editor with Third World Press.

 

This award-winning, multi-published author’s passions are her family, writing and editing. Is it any wonder she’s one of my favorite people?

 

Please join me in warmly welcoming Deatri to our Novel Hearts community.

 

Deatri, thank you very much for joining us. Could you please tell us a bit about your writing and your releases?

 

I write in several genres, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mainstream, suspense…but my novels always have strong romantic elements in them. I’ve been writing even longer than I could read. My scribbles as a toddler were stories. Now, I am published in romantic fiction – four books thus far. My last was Whisper Something Sweet, which came out May 2008 and won the Emma Award for Best Steamy Romance of the year.

 

I don’t have any novels scheduled to come out any time soon, but have several completed manuscripts that my mother and a few others are hounding me to submit. If I don’t get on that soon, she’ll probably disown me.

 

May I add my voice to the chorus of people clamoring for another Deatri King-Bey release?

 

How did you learn about the WriteWay2Freedom?

 

I’m dyslexic and always looking out for programs that I can contribute to in some way that will increase literacy and/or help authors grow their skills.

 

I met the Executive Director, Paula Edwards, a few years back when she interviewed me on her radio show…Oh man, I’ve forgotten the name of it. Sheeeesh. I’m getting old. I also know the President of the organization, Curtis Alcutt, who happens to be my writing partner on a Top Secret series we are putting together. When he told me he and Paula were creating this organization, I said if they ever needed help, call me up. They made the call about a year ago.

 

What does the WriteWay2Freedom do?

 

In a nutshell, we have so many issues in our community it isn’t funny. With WriteWay2Freedom, we give our youth an avenue other than guns and violence to express their frustration, their pain, their disappointment. We help liberate these children through reading and writing. We haven’t forgotten about the adults in the community. So many of us express ourselves in writing, but don’t know what to do with it. We also conduct workshops for aspiring authors.

 

Why do you think this work is important?

 

I’m not into writing off a generation. I believe investing in our children is investing in our future. I also believe that, as the adults, we teach the craft and they can carry this knowledge into other aspects of their lives.

 

That’s wonderful, Deatri. What motivated you to get involved with the WriteWay2Freedom?

 

The founders of the organization truly care about helping.

 

I can tell. How long have you participated with the WriteWay2Freedom and in what way do you support it?

 

I’d say about a year now. I’m the Secretary of the organization, but we all pitch in together to organize events.

 

I know you’re also on the leadership board of the Romance Slam Jam. Could you tell us a bit about the Romance Slam Jam?

 

The Romance Slam Jam started out as a conference for readers and authors of Black romance in 1995. I don’t remember how I learned about the conference, but I started attending around the year 2000.

 

Each year, the conference was held in a different city by a different group of people who literally had to start from scratch. In 2006, I spoke with Miss Emma Rodgers, one of the founders, and asked if Chicago could host the Slam Jam for 2008. She gave her blessing. During the course of organizing the conference, I asked Miss Emma and Francis Ray, another of the founders, if I could begin the process of making the Romance Slam Jam a non-profit organization that focuses on using Black romance and Black women’s fiction to increase literacy in the Black community. Our main event would be the Romance Slam Jam Conference, to be given annually. They gave their blessings, and last March, we officially became a non-profit organization. Whew, I talk (type) too much. LOL!

 

You definitely do not talk or type too much.

 

I know first hand that the Romance Slam Jam is a remarkable organization, and you’re a vital part of it. But for our readers who may not be familiar with the Romance Slam Jam. Could you share a bit of what the organization does?

 

The annual conference celebrates readers and authors of Black romance and women’s fiction. We also give writer workshops, reader workshops, host an online book club, conduct an aspiring author contest. This year’s winners’ works were considered for publication by Avon, Kensington, and Red Rose Publishing.

 

Why do you think this work is important?

 

Black romance is the one place where our Black men are always the hero. Where you see our women in strong roles, having that great career and still getting the great guy. If we can increase literacy through a common love of romance, I’m all for it.

 

Beautifully put, Deatri. Thank you.

 

What motivated you to get involved with the Romance Slam Jam?

 

I see romance and women’s fiction as a tool to bring in more readers. Once we get them to reading romance, they will expand their horizons and bring in additional readers.

 

How long have you participated with the Romance Slam Jam and in what way do you support it?

 

I’ve taught workshops at the conference since around 2005. Presently, I am the Chair of the Romance Slam Jam Organization and I’m basically also the face of the organization. There are folks working in the background besides myself, but they are a little shy sooooo … I have to be out there.

 

Could you tell us a bit about why you decided to apply for nonprofit status for the Romance Slam Jam?

 

The main reason I wanted to create the Romance Slam Jam Organization was every year the host city and authors would have to start from scratch and many didn’t know how to organize such a large event and ended up owing thousands of dollars. By having an organization as the middle man, we can put procedures in place and maintain consistency.

Also, our community is growing and our readers and authors have needs. The organization will try to meet those needs. Each year, we raise funds for a non-profit organization, usually one dealing with literacy. I thought we should expand our wings and also try to increase literacy in our community.

It took about a year for the entire process. First, I had to incorporate, then after becoming a corporation I did the paperwork to become a federally recognized non-profit organization and that is one LONG form. I had to literally write out eight pages – single spaced – of answers to the questions contained in the form.

 

Wow. That’s a testament to your commitment to the Romance Slam Jam.

 

How can readers find out more about these organizations?

 

Please visit http://www.WriteWay2Freedom.com. I’ll be honest, the Web site needs updating, but you’ll get an idea of what we are up to.http://www.RomanceSlamJamConference.com, and be sure to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

For the Romance Slam Jam, go to

 

How can readers contact you?

 

I can be reached at Deatri@DeeWrites.com, or you can visit my Web site at http://www.DeeWrites.com.

 

Thanks for this opportunity to talk about WriteWay2Freedom and the Romance Slam Jam. I truly appreciate it and you.

 

Deatri, I’m honored and inspired by this interview with you about the WriteWay2Freedom and the Romance Slam Jam. I appreciate you and everything you do for the community.

 

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

 

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization he or she supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com. Thank you!

I don’t know when Dyanne Davis finds the time to sleep.

 

Dyanne’s been writing full-time for about 11 years. She’s an award-winning author published in a multitude of genres and subgenres: contemporary romance, paranormal romance, mainstream women’s fiction, literary fiction and short stories.

Whew! That’s a lot.

 

But there’s more.

 

Make a note: Dyanne’s novella, “The Good Side of Evil,” written as F.D. Davis, will be released in the August 2009 anthology, Carnivale Diabolique.

 

I first met Dyanne at the 2008 Romance Slam Jam in Chicago. She’s smart, sweet and a lot of fun. And she’s great at karaoke.

 

Dyanne, thank you from stepping away from your keyboard and your karaoke mic to chat with us at Novel Hearts. Could you tell us about one of the charities you support?

 

There are many nonprofit organizations that I support, but the one I’ve been financially supporting consistently is the Bolingbrook Police Department. The department provides protective gear to the officers and aid to their families when their need’s not covered by the department, their insurance or the union.

 

Dyanne, what a wonderful cause to support. What motivated you to assist the Bolingbrook Police Department?

 

At the time, I was donating money to several police organizations. One year, I told the contact person - who has been the same person every year - that I needed money myself and that I didn’t have money to give. He asked me what I needed and said that, since I’d been helping the organization, they would help me. I couldn’t believe it. I doubled my amount and have continued with that.

 

We had a long talk and I told him about all the other police organizations I was giving money to. It was then he told me where the money was going for each and that the money for Bolingbrook only went to help the officers who live in and work for Bolingbrook. I live in Bolingbrook.

 

How do you support the department?

 

I’ve been supporting them now for 10 years financially. They have not asked for anything else but I would be willing to help in any manner that they needed. The drive for funds is held once a year.

 

Are there other nonprofit organizations you support?

 

Yes, I support organizations for victims of abuse, heart, cancer and diabetes. As a nurse, I’ve had many patients that I referred to these organizations. Now, with family members falling into each of the disease categories, it’s also a personal thing.

 

My most recent organization that I support is the Romance Slam Jam. It’s a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy and supports African America romance authors. Each year, the Romance Slam Jam has a conference that brings readers and writers together. There is a Web site that features articles and blogs to keep the readers informed on what their favorite African American authors are doing. It’s family. I’m very proud to be a part of it. I’m the secretary.

 

I know first-hand what a wonderful, dynamic organization the Romance Slam Jam is.

 

How can readers find out more about the Bolingbrook Police Department and the Romance Slam Jam?

 

They can find the Romance Slam Jam at http://www.RomanceSlamJam.org.

 

The Bolingbrook Police Department can be found at http://www.Bolingbrook.com.

 

Thanks, Dyanne. And how can readers contact you?

 

Readers can reach me at DavisDyanne@aol.com. They can visit my Web site where I have excerpts of most of my books at www.DyanneDavis.com or, for information on my vampire Adam Omega series, they can go to www.AdamOmega.com.

 

Dyanne, thank you so much for chatting with us on Novel Hearts, and for everything you do to support our community. Very best wishes for continued writing success!

 

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

 

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization he or she supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com. Thank you!

 

Next year – 2010 – Donna Hill will celebrate 20 years in publishing. She’s had at least one book on the shelf every year since her first book, Rooms of the Heart, debuted in 1990. What an absolutely spectacular accomplishment.

 

Donna writes primarily romantic suspense, but her stories often have a women’s fiction edge to them. Her most recent releases include books in her Ladies Cartel Series – Sex and Lies, Seduction and Lies, and Temptation and Lies.

 

 

Look for her next original title, Prize of a Lifetime, Sept. 29, 2009. In addition, Harlequin will reissue two of Donna’s favorite books – A Private Affair (June 29, 2009) and Pieces of Dreams (September 2009). Later in 2009, the third book of that trilogy will hit the shelves.

 

A very busy lady, indeed. That makes me doubly grateful that Donna made time to chat with us about one of the nonprofit organizations she supports, Poets & Writers Inc.

 

Donna, welcome to Novel Hearts. We’re thrilled to have you here. Could you tell us please how you learned about the Poets & Writers Inc. memoir writing workshops for seniors?

 

I was invited to be the instructor for Shalom Presbyterian Church through Dr. Brenda Greene, Director of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College.

 

What motivated you to teach these workshops and how long have you done so?

 

This will be my second year. My class is working on producing their book. I was intrigued by the idea of working with seniors and hearing their stories. It has taught me so much and made me realize how much we all have in common.

 

I’m certain it’s been a wonderful experience. What does Poets & Writers do and why do you think its work is important?

 

Poets & Writers Inc. is the primary source of information, support and guidance for creative writers.

 

Founded in 1970, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers. Our national office is located in New York City. Our California branch office is based in Los Angeles. They provide grants, resources, funding programs, etc. It also produces a monthly magazine, Poets & Writers Magazine.

 

Poets & Writers is so important to writers everywhere, both established and aspiring as a major resource of information on what is available to writers from numerous disciplines.

 

It sounds like a very valuable organization. Thank you for telling us about it. How can readers learn more about Poets & Writers?

 

They can visit Poets & Writers’ Web site, http://pw.org.

 

Thank you, Donna. By the way, in addition to Poets & Writers, are there other nonprofit organizations you support? 

 

I recently joined Organize for America, and I’m in the process of working toward setting up a literary mentoring program for young adults. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

You’re doing wonderful work, Donna. Good luck with the mentoring program. In the meantime, how can readers get in touch with you?

 

Readers can find me all over the Web, DonnaHill.com, DHFanClub.ning.com. I’m on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Donna, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us about Poets & Writers. Best wishes for continued success with all of your endeavors.

 

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

 

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization she or he supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com. Thank you!