With departments like publicity and marketing, how common is it for authors to pitch their own promotional ideas? Book publicist and marketing associate, as well as host of Smith Publicity’s All Things Book Marketing Podcast, Olivia McCoy, says it is not only common, but encouraged.
“We really lean on authors coming to us for ideas,” the publishing professional tells So Booking Cool. “We know the book space, we … Read the rest
We often discuss the process of writing a book, but how does one protect (or sustain) that process? 24-year-old educator and author Jared McPhoy shares his approach for when he penned his debut page-turning memoir By Grace Through Faith: A Journey of Self-Discovery (Priceless Publishing).
“The truth is no one I knew knew I was writing a book,” he tells SBC. “I kept it a secret for a very long … Read the rest
Aside from trying to get published, writer’s block is a common challenge among writers. An issue that often prevents people from even writing at all is self-doubt, something romance novelist Devyn Bakewell has noticed through her visits and work with younger writers. “The advice that I’ve really been asked a lot for is this belief in your own voice,” the Greater Love and Greater Life (New Degree Press) author tells … Read the rest
A songwriting technique that singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ava Della Pietra has applied is the art of concise storytelling. “In a song, you don’t really have that much room to say that much,” the 17-year-old tells So Booking Cool. “So, you kind of have to figure out how to make it concise while also not making it feel like it’s concise…also, little things like figuring out where to get rid of the little … Read the rest
It is not uncommon for people to feel that their college degree is useless. This was how YouTube creator Matt Wade felt about his Film Studies concentration. Before launching the detail., also known as The Michael Jackson Documentary Channel, for six years he started and ran the international fashion label, SHADE London, which garnered the attention of Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Ellie Goulding, to name a few. He … Read the rest
The marvelous Miss Melba Moore recently visited So Booking Cool to discuss her thoughts on her accomplishments and honors (next year she will receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and next month, she will be awarded with not one but two, presidential honors); whether or not music is vibrational; if she still trains as a vocalist decades later; her thoughts on the current state of R&B; … Read the rest
Music fans, especially in the R&B space, have been celebrating Usher since his viral Tiny Desk performance. He performed a few of his countless hits including “You Make Me Wanna” (1997); “U don’t Have to Call” (2002); and “Confessions” (2004). He even sang the fan-favorite, non-single, “Superstar” (although, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say every song on the Confessions album is a fan-favorite). As Usher continues to bring the … Read the rest
If you’re a Whitney Houston fan who is not a Robyn Crawford fan, this film is not for you. In all seriousness, if you follow Lena Waithe’s work, you know that she is a big fan of the late great Houston. The Emmy and MTV award-winning multi-hyphenate bravely and boldly created Beauty, the new film that is undoubtedly inspired by the woman many of us know as “The Voice.” … Read the rest
The 22nd annual BET Awards, also known as Culture’s Biggest Night, aired with many memorable performances. Legendary mogul and music executive Diddy’s tribute was among the highly anticipated and while it was a notable moment, here are the top 7 songs we would have loved to have seen included.
7. I Need a Girl (Part 1)
He did perform Part 2 of this song, to be fair.
6. Coming … Read the rest
13 years later, Michael Jackson’s death remains a devastation to the entertainment industry and many music fans. Usually, when celebrating the historical artist, the same batch of songs tend to get talked about and played. This isn’t to say that classics like Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, and Human Nature are overhyped (nor are the hits that … Read the rest
