Hustle & Grind Urban Literary Convention
8 min read
Your favorite All-Star Authors in the book game descended on Detroit for the hottest urban literary convention in Michigan at the Elite Banquet Hall. Intellectual Ink had the distinct honor of covering the event and interviewing the family that is synonymous with “Hustle & Grind,” Ms. Michel Moore, PS. White, & T.C. Littles. The following are highlights from that interview and convention, and a gallery from the event, more info about some of the authors and readers who were in attendance.
Julia Press Simmons: It is an honor to speak to you about your amazing career and talented family. Intellectual ink is honored to have you grace our pages. How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
Ms. Michel Moore: Hey now! I appreciate Intellectual Ink. And I definitely, appreciate your staff attending the 2021 Detroit Hustle & Grind
Urban Literary Convention. We had a great time and look forward to seeing you next year. My story in this world of crafted tales is like most. Although I’d been writing lines to amuse myself and close childhood friends, it wasn’t until early 2005 I claim as my Published Birth Year. It was then that “Say U Promise” was released.
After pounding the pavement on foot, and countless driven miles on the interstate, my first-born book baby, had made its mark. Mid-summer of that year (2005), my debut novel and the sequel by late that quarter, “Say U Promise Again,” were recognized as Essence Magazine Bestsellers. Another one of my early releases entitled “Out 4 Self” also graced the pages of that highly praised list. I stayed totally independent for years before inking multiple deals with Urban Books Media. Major distribution is the key and the goal. You want your work in the front of as many readers as possible…
YOU CAN READ THE FULL INTERVIEW AND “THE EVOLUTION OF HUSTLE & GRIND” WRITEN BY MS. MICHEL HERSELF IN THE JULY ISSUE OF INTELLECTUAL INK HERE
PHOTOS FROM THE MIXER ON JUNE 11TH
The Hustle & Grind Mixer at Woodward Bar & Grill started the weekend with a bang!
~ THE EXPERIENCE ~
EVENT DAY JUNE 12
LIST OF ATTENDING AUTHORS
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
MS. MICHEL MOORE * MARLON PS. WHITE * T.C. LITTLES * KWAN * AUTHOR T. STYLES * WAHIDA CLARK * TERRY WOODS * SHANNON HOLMES * NIKKI TURNER * ALLISON GRACE * JULIA PRESS SIMMONS * BLACC TOP * OTHELLO * LORETTA R. WALLS * SHAN * NA’ COLE * AVERY GOODE * A.A. LEWIS * APRIL NICOLE * DARREN KELLY * DANIELLE BIGSBY * TN JONES * IVY LEE * TINA MARIE * MS TEE * CLIFFORD SPUD JOHNSON * CN PHILLIPS * CJ HUDSON * JOHNNA B * NAVI ROBINS * RENITA M. WALKER * MS. LB * MZ. LADY P * MONIQUE S. HALL * GANGSTRESS INDIA * KAYE * L. SUMMER * SUMMER * GRANT * B. ABBY * BB HUGHLEY * TAMMERA SHANICE * TONYA AYERS * MARGO * TRINA CRENSHAW * CHANIQUE J * CHRIS RENEE * SHADRESS DENISE * ROBERT B. WAY * SHELLI MARIE * SUMMER GRANT * COURTNEY R * NICKI CHAREST * J. SUMMERS * DANA SMILEY * DARREN KELLY * TONY LINDSAY * APRIL NICOLE * TY MARSHALL * TONJA AYERS * BLACK MAMBA * NA’COLE * OLIVIA RENEE WALLACE * PERRI SULLIVAN
HOOD BOOK AMBASSADORS WERE ON HAND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO AUTHORS AND READERS
Hood Book Ambassadors Book Club is located in Detroit, Michigan. They are directly linked to Hood Book Headquarters Bookstore. Their motto is “Live and Let Read!”
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHORS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE MAGAZINE ABOUT THE EVENT
Danielle Bigsby, mother of four, has been pursuing her career as an author since 2015. Her passion for her craft radiates through each new release and it is her hope that same passion resonates with each reader as they enjoy her works. She currently resides in Gallatin, TN just outside of Nashville, TN, where she is hard at work crafting her next literary masterpiece.
Author Danielle Bigsby | Facebook
Ivy Lee was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the founder and CEO of An Infinite Creation publications. She has written best seller series Juicy Deception and Juicy Deception II: The conclusion as well as Supreme Reigns, Fun Girl and her newest release Lecherous Tales: Urban Erotica. She is the co-creator and co-writer of Wine & Gossip series, which is available on Amazon Prime. Writer & Director of Your Eyes a short film on YouTube. In 2017 she received an Award of Merit for business presented by the Ohio Entertainment Awards, Queen Edition. She was interviewed in 2018 by Matty Willz on Z107.9 FM Radio as One of Cleveland’s Most Creative Writers. In 2018 she received an award at the Ohio Entertainment Awards for Best Author. Also in 2018 she was part of a team project founded by DJ Phatty Banks in which they helped 87 youth tell their stories on resiliency and self published their own book. She has helped many others as well as celebrities edit and self publish their own books. She currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Connect with Ivy Lee: Instagram @_ivylee FaceBook Author Ivy Lee
Ms. Wilkes works as a Deputy Director,
for the General Services Administration (GSA) heading up the agency’s National Continuity of Operations, Test, Training and Exercise program. Ms. Wilkes is
a life-time member of the National Organization of Blacks in Government,
(BIG), Benjamin Banneker Chapter, where she is an Executive Committee Member as the Registration Co-chair, for the annual National Training Institute. Ms. Wilkes has been a member of BIG since 1999. In addition to her duties and responsibilities, Ms. Wilkes is the publicist for the self- published African American fiction author Blacc Topp, whose name has become more recognized with urban readers due to his talent in writing and her promotions that target events and readers in and out of the urban genre. The author Blacc Topp has gone on to feature at the Black Authors and Readers Rock (BARR), Black Writers and Book Clubs (BWABC) and has been slated as a feature for Curtis Bunn’s National Book Club Conference! Ms. Wilkes motto is “why settle for a slice of the pie when you can work to obtain the whole pie. Market to everyone! If the readers outside the genre won’t come to you, attend their events and go to them. We want the entire pie not a slice!”
C. N. Phillips is most known for her daring gritty detail and her ability to weave a story out of thin air.
Currently signed to Carl Weber’s publishing house, Urban Books, C. N. is already trailblazing alongside her predecessors. With titles such as The Last Kings, Five Families Of New York, and Kingpins Harlem she wants the world to know that she’s just getting started.
Follow C. N. on her social media pages.
Twitter: @CNPhillips_
Instagram: AuthorCNPhillips
Facebook: CN Phillips
Aside from being an author with the infamous Cole Hart Presents, Tina Marie whose real name is Tina Marie Turner is a mother of two, a Twenty-one-year-old daughter and a Nine-year-old son all while writing full-time. When asked what she would tell her readers in reference to them following their own dreams, she said, “When following your dreams, realize from the start it will be a difficult journey. Dreams are built over time with hard work, persistence, sweat and many tears.”
Tina Marie didn’t always have it easy. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica she came to New York as a child and grew up in extreme poverty. As a teenager, she put herself through college while having her daughter at a young age and working two full-time jobs. Tina now has an A.A in Humanities and Social Science and a B.A. in English Literature with a teaching degree and will be finished with her Master’s in international business in 2016. When asked about her own dreams Tina lets us know she wrote and rewrote her first novel, changing the title, the chapters, and even the content several times. In fact, an entire chapter, the first one was re-written just one day before it went to the printer. However, she pressed on. Tina states, “My dreams did not come to me. I had to come to them. To all of my readers, go get your dreams.”
Avery Goode was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK but has called Atlanta, GA home since 2006. She is making her mark in the literary world with four Goode novels under her belt, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The recently released, Head Doctor, has readers panting for more. A sexy erotic tale, Avery Goode has delivered yet again. Her first novel, Dishonest, introduced her as an author with a fresh voice with witty and original ideas.
Capitalizing on that creativity, Avery penned the psychotically refreshing series, Pillow Princess Part 1 and 2 giving readers a glimpse into her crazy Goode world. Praised by readers the series left everyone questioning Avery’s sanity. Known for writing Goode fiction that borderlines truth, Avery is determined to give readers more with every novel she pens. Armed with an arsenal of ideas, Avery plans on delivering books that leaves the masses wanting more. Currently, she writes in the urban/general fiction genre but is spreading her wings to capture the attention of all readers.
When she’s not writing, A.G is working diligently to build her business, Goode Gyrlz Publications that she formed in 2016. She also enjoys reading and restoring bargain basement furniture that she resells. When she’s not doing either of those things, Avery is spending time with her family and friends. She loves life and loves keeping people guessing. Her motto is ‘Be Goode or Be Goode at it.’ Avery Plans on doing both.
Tiffany Audriana Green is a dynamic, insightful, and diligent woman driven by an infectious enthusiasm for creativity. A native of Chicago, mother of two, and grandmother of three. Tiffany is an astute entrepreneur, international blogger, dynamic coach, author, speaker, influencer, publisher, and international wedding photographer. She is the pioneer and Founder of the brand for writers and authors Black Writer’s Space. The platform was birthed from her passion for both writing and photography in 2007. Since then, Tiffany has discovered more ways to touch lives, educate people, and give the world a better insight into soulful living. Recent projects include The Beautiful Boss Magazine, an online blog magazine featuring women in business and offering the resources and info needed to build amazing brands. Coming in 2021, several new projects are launching in the Fall. Tiffany has published seven books and more to come. Her collections include self-help books and anthologies. Tiffany leverages her tremendous success in various aspects of her life to inspire, motivate, and transform people daily. She firmly believes in creativity and harnessing its power to transform our world. www.publishwithtiffany.com I am most active on Instagram @blackwritersspace
