Today I am so pleased to have Niambi Brown Davis as our guest blogger today. Niambi’s debut novel, From Dusk to Dawn is out now from Parker Publishing. Niambi is one of my students from way back so I can vouch that her writing is simply delicious.
Niambi has written an appreciative note titled There Are More of Us to all the wonderful folks that helped paved the way in helping her get her book published. She will also be dropping in during the day to leave comments, answer questions and find out who and what you want to pay forward. Additionally, check out her blog to find out how you can enter to win tour prizes including the beach bag created by main character, Ayo, FREE BOOKS and a few other wonderful prizes. Click links to visit Niambi’s website and blog.
There Are More of Us…
As part of the Against All Odds Virtual Book Tour, I should be blogging about my debut novel, or something related to my book. But for good reason, I need to take a necessary break. You never know who or what you will meet on the journey to publication. Years ago, when I first joined the online literary world, I came across some skirmishes that could take their title from the movie “There Will Be Blood.” And on the same road, I encountered potholes, detours, a few wrecks and the carcasses of manuscripts that should never see the light of day.
At that same time, I was told by some that it was a closed world to a new writer - authors were unwilling to help, holding their information close to the vest in order to keep the competition at bay. Now, unless I am living in a parallel universe or just plain old Pollyanna, nothing could be farther from the truth - at least in my experience. At first, I was hesitant to ask a question of authors whose names I had seen on the best-sellers list; or editors and publishers of magazines who had already made a name for themselves in the literary community. But one day I ventured out with a few paragraphs and received praise tempered with advice. It was the beginning, but most definitely not the end of a great willingness by many to help a newbie get a foot in the door. One phone call led to an invaluable critique. Another to a long-term writing opportunity. And still another to information on the inner workings of the publishing industry. I would be remiss if I left out the sharing of names of editors and agents. From all of this came my debut “From Dusk to Dawn.” To say I am grateful is an understatement. And I will take my cue from another movie and “Pay It Forward.”
Whenever she would talk about the triumph of good over the not-so-good, my mother would say “there are more of us than there are of them.” As usual, she was right.
Today’s discussion questions:
When was the last time you experienced a random act of kindness…when you least expected it?
When was the last time you paid something forward? What was it?
In honor of May being Mother’s month, what’s the best piece of advice your mom ever gave you?
ABOUT Niambi Brown Davis:
Niambi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She and her family lived for many years in Washington, DC and for three and a half years, made the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago their home.
She has written for Bronze Thrills, True Confessions and Black Romance Magazines. Niambi indulged her passion for sailing and travel by serving as publicist for the Black Boaters Summit and as a member of the National Association of Black Travel Writers. A script for her first digital novella has been accepted and published by Arrow Publications, LLC. Presently, Niambi writes for Travel Lady Magazine.
Aside from travel and writing, Niambi is an avid reader of historical fiction, and deeply involved in tracing the history of both branches of her family tree. Her day job is running the business of Sand & Silk / Soleful Strut, her own line of handcrafted bath and body products.
I hope you will give her work a try,. You won’t be disappointed.
Hey Dee and Niambi, nice column. The teacher gets to see the rewards of her teachings and the student has a hit on her hand. It’s been a long road but nobody deserves it more.
Very nice! Haven’t been by in while…
Love and Blessings,
angelia
Hey Dee…good seeing you ova here.
Thanks so much for hosting Niambi and being apart of the Against All Odds Tour. Based upon Niambi’s writing and storytelling abilities, it appears that you were a GREAT teacher and I rate you A+!
xoxo
It’s funny I just wrote a ten minute piece about people already in the business keeping everything to themselves and not wanting to help anyone. Now here it is Niambi, showing love to those who did put one hand behind them to help her along the way. I applaud all of you from the teacher to the student. Thanks for telling me there is truly a few gems amongst the costume jewelry.
Each article is so informative, thought provoking, fun, and wonderful to read.. I am really having fun
‘cilla
Hi Dee and Niambi
This is a great post! The best piece of advice my mom gave me was to be myself.
Darnetta
Dee: Thank you so much for having me and for your part in making D2D a reality. (I’m loving the “delicious” description (lol)And I still have the notes from those classes.
Thanks Dera - you know just how long a road it’s been
And thanks for the steps you’ve taken with me 
Hey, Angelia - thanks; and good to “see” you.
You’re right, Yas. Dee is a great teacher. My first paragraph had more words than a week-long spelling bee. Through Dee’s class I learned to pace the story and discovered the all-important “hook.”
Thanks, JC. I’ve run across quite a few jewels since I started this journey. I firmly believe, as my mother would say “there are more of us than there are of them.” I’ll grant you there are times when, through their actions, “them” take center stage. But it ain’t gon’ last (lol)
Thanks, ‘Cilla. I too am thoroughly enjoying myself!
Hi, Darnetta: My mother had tons of advice, but one that stood out among them all was to treat people like I’d want to be treated. It was certainly the way she lived her life.
Hey Dera,
Thanks for coming by and for your pithy words. I agree with you that Niambi deserves her success. Still waiting on your book, though. (oh no, I didn’t. lol)
Love ya,
Dee
Hey Yas,
Hosting Niambi was my pleasure. Thanks for the high marks, but I have to admit I’ve had some terrific students. Almost all of them are published now–due much more to their efforts than to mine. My hat goes off to them.
All the best,
Dee
JC,
Maybe you just haven’t been hanging around with the right authors. Everyone I know is helpful and genuinely wishes the other well. Hope you find some more compatible literary friends.
All the best,
Dee