My Father’s Colors is about to be released by author Marian L. Thomas
Red is fierce, most say. It is powerful. It can often be used as a descriptive word that suggests anger, passion, love, strength and even pain. Some suggest that the color red, gives off a warm tone. I personally haven’t seen that. To me, when a woman puts on a pair of red shoes, something in her attitude can change, a certain wave of confidence can enter into the swagger of her step, the bounce of her walk and the way that she speaks can suggest that she has an air of self-esteem going on within herself. If you don’t believe me, try it. Find a pair of high-heel, sleek to the toe— red shoes. After putting them on, what emotions do you get? Now, what I am saying is not coming from some psych text book, more my opinion or rather observation. However, if you decide to try this experiment and get warm tones, I’d like to know it. Seriously.
In the case of my new release, My Father’s Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues, (due to hit online bookstores like Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com on 03.01.2011) the main character, Naya Monà, wears a pair of red pumps on her journey to find out about the colors of her father and why at the tender age of thirteen, his touch became no longer innocent. Could you imagine her having on a different color shoe as she dives back into that emotional-wrenching box of her past? I can’t.
Then, there’s another character—Misty, that slides into a pair of red stilettos. She takes on more of the fierce, powerful and “I am all woman” approach to wearing her shoes. I like her, that part of her personality that is. When writing her character, I certainly wasn’t seeing any warm tones. I’m just saying.
I reference colors in my books a lot, not just with shoes. A crayon box of colors to be exact. Why? As women, we are all made up of many colors. I am not referring to the colors of our skin—but rather, the journey that life takes us on. Every attitude, emotion, laugh, smile or tear, colors us in some way. We can either determine the colors in our box or allow someone else to color us. Men, have a box full of colors too. I don’t care what they say.
On February 20, 2011 to celebrate the launch of my new book, I will be hosting a “Get Your Red Shoes On” event at the Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia. About 40-50 women will come through the doors of the hotel with one thing in common, a fabulous pair of red shoes on. It will be a night filled with fun, food (a 3-course seated dinner) and live entertainment by Jason Pure. He is a smooth vocalist in the R&B category that will engage us in his soulful lyrics. Advanced tickets can be purchased and run about $38.50-40. Tickets include a signed copy of my book. I expect the night to be just as fabulous as my shoes. Did I mention that my shoes are fabulous?
On a more serious note, as many are aware, February is also Black History month. The NCTE will be sponsoring the 2011 National African American Read-In. According to the NCTE website, the goal of the Read-In is to make the celebration of African American literacy a traditional part of Black History Month activities.
“Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.
To be counted as participants, simply:
• Select books authored by African Americans;
• Hold your event during the month of February; and
• Report your results by submitting the 2011 African American Read-In Report Card.”
I look forward to submitting my 2011 African American Read-In Report Card on February 20, 2011.
To learn more about participating in the 2011 National African American Read-In, please visit: http://www.ncte.org/action/aari/packetinfo
Please visit Marian L. Thomas, the author of Best-Selling book, Color Me Jazzmyne and the soon to be release, My Father’s Colors on the web at http://www.marianlthomas.com/ for more information on the “Get Your Red Shoes On” event, upcoming book signings, author speaking events and more! Or Click here to get it from Amazon.com Color Me Jazzmyne
