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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 830
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 10:01 am: | 
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OK y'all this is big.
Cheryl Woodruff, founder and former associate publisher of One World, Random House’s multicultural imprint, has been named president and associate publisher of SmileyBooks.
This will be an opportunity for Us to publish the kind of Black books we've all be claiming that the German conglomerates will not publish.
Now I know it will not be easy and Smiley Books is not going to make everyone happy. And they certainly won’t be perfect out the gate, but we must show support over the long term. As we continue to support publishers like Just Us Books, Black Classic press and others.
Smiley books hosted a party to celebrate the venture last night.
I plan to create some content on the site regarding this event over the next few days. In the meantime here are some photos.
BIBR's Clarence Reynolds, Troy Johnson and Tavis Smiley
To see all the photos visit: http://tinyurl.com/2thczj
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10133
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:53 am: |
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Is Tavis Smiley the financial force behind this venture??? |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 832
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 02:29 pm: |
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It is a joint venture with Hay House. I don't know how the deal is structured.
If I had to guess I would not think the money is coming out of Smiley's pockets. But again I do not know.
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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2318
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:05 am: |
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This may be petty, but--I hate the name. It makes the venture sound frivolous, like it will be in the business of publishing those palm-sized books on inane topics meant to make you smile that bookstores put on the racks next to the checkout counter.
I know it's "Smiley Books" because that's the man's last name. But that is not what I think of first when I hear the word.
Sorry. I said it was petty... |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2319
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:07 am: |
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Besides the quirky beef w/the name, I hope it is a successful venture. Keep us posted  |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10160
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:07 am: |
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I can picture their logo now: |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 838
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 09:58 pm: |
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See there y'all go now, chipping away at the man's efforts 'fore he can even get off the ground.
Actually I don't like the name either. "Smiley" conjures up images of something or someone not to be taken seriously, the nickname you give to a dimwit who is always smiling for no apprent reason.
Of course the name of the complany is not important the work it produces is.
Cynique your proposed logo gave me my laugh for the night, now I'm going to deal with some invoicing...
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Zane
Regular Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 58
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 10:00 am: |
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While I was not at the event, I heard all about it and heard that the launch party was lovely. It appears that Smiley Books has already signed some of the biggest names in the industry and I am sure that it will flourish just like everything else Tavis Smiley undertakes. Cheryl Woodruff is a wonderful woman and I wish them nothing but the best and look forward to reading and supporting their titles.
Zane |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5439
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 02:15 pm: |
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This may be petty, but--I hate the name. It makes the venture sound frivolous, like it will be in the business of publishing those palm-sized books on inane topics meant to make you smile that bookstores put on the racks next to the checkout counter.
(The name is fitting--I see a torrent of self help, weight loss and fitness and Black Christian books--as if we need more.
They will be a smash in the cut out bins and probably hit the shelves at 50% off)
Actually I don't like the name either. "Smiley" conjures up images of something or someone not to be taken seriously, the nickname you give to a dimwit who is always smiling for no apprent reason.
Of course the name of the complany is not important the work it produces is.
(Why doesn't he name it Crapbooks, then?) |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5441
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 02:20 pm: |
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The more I think of it the more I think somebody has an inflated idea of this guy's marketability and influence.
In my neck of the woods Tavis is a joke. He is on at 12:30 at night on PBS--wanna take a guestimate as to the size of his audience? |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 860
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 09:17 pm: |
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Chrishayden regarding Tavis' popularity, the same may hold try in NYC as it does in your neck of the woods, But in the South, in Tom Joyner land, Tavis is the man.
While he may not be able to summon the GOP candidates he can get out the the big names, at least the liberal ones, in the Black community, out every year.
Look, if you asked me SmileyBook versus:
Urban Books,
Strebor Books,
Triple Crown,
Karen's New Imprint,
I'd pick SmileyBook to be on the losing end any day of the week in terms of sales volume, but that is not the point.
We need the options. Tavis is choosing to do something few others have attempted to do -- launch an imprint with book of a books of a positive nature. This is not to disparage the other imprints/houses they serve a purpose to -- but we must regonize and appreciate the difference.
And I think he will make money too.
I hope he spreads the love and sends some ad dollars my way...
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10239
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 11:58 pm: |
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St. Louis' disregard for Tavis is nothing less than a feather in his cap! |
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