    
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 102
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 11:51 pm: | 
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Hey did anyone catch this event in NYC on July 29th? I'd never really considered what Arabesque has accomplished in the last 10 years. It was a very decent event. Though I wish a little more could have been done to recognize the authors a little more. Many of the authors work very hard at writing AND promoting there books. Much of Arabesque's is due to the dedication of their talent. Original press release follows... (sorry I did not share this earlier -- it is tough to get things done during the Summertime!)
BET BOOKS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ROMANTIC SUCCESS
Arabesque, the Leading Imprint of African American-Themed Romance Novels Celebrates This Milestone Honoring Authors And Loyal Readers.
Darrin DeWitt Henson, Star of Soul Food, Hosts This Celebration!
NEW YORK (July 19, 2004) - On July 29th at New York's swanky PM Lounge, BET Books celebrates a decade of love, passion and heart-throbbing soulful romance by honoring the founding authors, editors and millions of loyal readers of the Arabesque imprint launched in July 1994.
BET Books celebrates the 10th anniversary of the birth of Arabesque, its popular line of African American-themed romance novels. This extension of the BET cable network family of brands has amassed a growing stable of authors who have become household names among a legion of readers who prefer their romance hot, and their heroes and heroines Black.
"To say it has been a wonderful ride so far is only a mild descriptor at best," proclaims Linda Gill, Vice President and Publisher of BET Books. "The success of the Arabesque imprint has been nothing short of amazing. When BET Books purchased the imprint in 1998 from Kensington Publishing, we knew we had the opportunity to continue building something special. From the beginning, we have provided a voice for talented African-American authors to weave stories of sizzling kisses, hot embraces and lasting love," Gill added. "Let there be no doubt that 'Black Love' is vibrant and alive and we are committed to one audience. The African American reader."
Hosting the milestone celebration will be renowned actor, choreographer and producer Darrin DeWitt Henson, star of the critically-acclaimed dramatic series SOUL FOOD which comes to BET this fall after five successful seasons on the premium cable channel Showtime. Among the special honorees will be Walter Zacharius, founder and chairman of Kensington Publishing, and Monica Harris, the exceptional editor that launched the imprint.
The evening will showcase a host of original and current Arabesque authors, including two whose work first appeared in the imprint in 1994, Sandra Kitt and Eboni Snoe. Their novels were reissued in a special 10th anniversary "Collector's Edition" titled "First Touch." Guests will also hear from national bestselling author Donna Hill whose debut Arabesque novel appeared in 1994, and whose next novel "Dare To Dream" will be released to great acclaim in September 2004, against the backdrop of Sag Harbor beach on Long Island.
William Cox, founder and publisher of Black Issues Book Review, and industry insiders will also be in attendance. A special presentation will be made to the 10th Anniversary "Great Romance" contest winner Denise Hayes DeLapp, by extraordinary jewelry designer Sylver. Sylver exclusively crafted an amethyst, crystal and silver necklace/earring set from her firm SylverWear. Award-winning illustrator Ty Wilson, who designed the 10th Anniversary logo, will also be part of the festivities. Special Guests, the debonair Arabesque Men, chosen as models for the Arabesque book covers, Quinn Brodie and Charles Horton, Jr. will be in attendance.
The numerous successes that both BET Books and Arabesque have enjoyed are impressive. The many highlights include:
* More than 450 titles published since the original July 1994 launch;
* Wide distribution to independent African-American bookstores, along with major book sellers, including Walden Books, Barnes & Noble, and Wal-Mart and Target stores;
* Production of 13 Arabesque Book titles as made-for-TV movies for the BET network, including 10 in 1999 - the largest single slate of African-American films ever produced. These movies are now available on VHS and DVD;
* Launch of a ground-breaking "At Your Service" Military Series of romance novels in 2003 featuring - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - and supported by a marketing tour to military bases across the U.S; and distribution support by AAFES to feature them in base exchange stores;
* Expansion beyond the romance genre to inspirational fiction (New Spirit) and mainstream fiction (Sepia); such as the hardcover title, Soul Journey by Jacquelin Thomas (New Spirit/ May 2004) and Through Thick and Thin by Earl Sewell (Sepia/August 2004); and
* First ever inspirational non-fiction from BET Books featuring Journey To Empowerment by Maria D. Dowd (New Spirit/August 2004) and Single & Waiting by Dr. Jacqueline Lawrence (New Spirit/September 2004).
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