It has been several months since our last newsletter and since then we will have to move our newsletter from monthly to bi-monthly. This is necessary because our small company is growing. We have been blessed to sign on four new authors. In addition, we have just ended three sponsored contests. We are proud to announce Antoine Thomas of Dellwood, MO as the winner of our first McKinley and Sylvester Jackson Book Award Scholarship. The picnic basket winner is Pam Weston of Belleville, Illinois. In the final contest, Kim King of St. Louis, MO won the fax machine. We appreciate you for supporting our contests and spreading the word about our authors.

We are into a beautiful hot summer and many of our authors are on vacation and touring across the country introducing their new books. Congratulations to all the writers who have penned new books this summer. Enjoy this newsletter and meet two new authors and one who has already made her mark in the literary world.

As a publisher I often meet with new authors who want to become published by large publishing houses. Unfortunately many have saved money by scrimping on editing their manuscript. This is a serious no-no. To get your book in the hands of readers and others it must be well written. It's not that the authors don't want to present their manuscripts in the best light, it is simply a challenge in finding the right editor. I am often asked, "How do I choose an editor?" So many writers have hired friends, teachers, and others who claim to be editors to find out later that they were shortchanged. As an author myself, I have experienced the pains of hiring an editor and later finding so many errors that all I could do was shake my head in anger. After that I rolled up my sleeves, and searched for resources and information that would teach me how to find a good editor.

Diane Page, owner of ChildFirst Consultant Services not only write and create curriculums, handouts and brochures but she is also an editor. An avid reader Ms. Page has found that she loves editing manuscripts, proposals and curriculums. She has honed her skills by working with several key organizations editing their newsletters, books and proposals.

Ms. Page is also creator of many motivational posters to help boost self esteem in students about education. Currently she is completing a children's book and a book for teens to help increase their ability to excel in the classroom.

Michelle Buckley is the best selling author of Bullet Proof Soul. Ms. Buckley has worked in public relations for Hallmark Cards and for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City and now runs her own public relations firm. Her book is on sale at Borders and Barnes & Noble. Check out an excerpt from her new book 'Trippin' in this new letter. Just click on the full story link or to learn more about Michelle and her books visit her site: Michelle Buckley

The question is asked, “Why are some African American children giving up on life?” “Why are they failing and dropping out of school before they reach 10th grade?” When this question is posed to teenagers, issues that effect their lives and decisions are varied. Loneliness, poor home life, absent parents, lack of employment opportunities, and a sense of hopelessness seems to prevail. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that more than 1.5 million people under the age of eighteen are depressed. Although the depression rate among African Americans and Latinos is lower than Whites, this number is quickly increasing. In addition the suicide rate among black teens is increasing with suicide being the third leading cause of death for African-American youth.