Essence Book Club News! (and a dab of football & TV)

Lots of great news in the past few days—and utterly unexpected.

In December, my ghost story "Ghost Summer" will be published in a book of novellas called The Ancestors (Kensington). The anthology includes me, L.A. Banks and Brandon Massey. We're kind of a literary family, so we decided to do a project together.

What do we have in common? We all write supernatural and paranormal fiction with black and multi-ethnic protagonists. Urban paranormal. Supernatural suspense. (Yikes—in some circles, even called horror!) And we've been doing it for a long time.


L.A. Banks has set publishing on fire with her New York Times bestselling Vampire Huntress Legends series. Brandon Massey writes awesome supernatural/suspense novels like Don't Ever Tell and The Other Brother, and his Dark Dreams anthologies have enlivened the genre, shining a light on talented supernatural writers like Terence Taylor, Linda Addison, Christopher Chambers, Robert Fleming and Michael Boatman. (Yes, the actor. Also a writer.)

And I’ve been writing about my own ghosts, curses, gifts and demons. My latest solo novel, Blood Colony, is about African immortals with healing blood, a follow-up to My Soul to Keep and The Living Blood.

I blurbed the first L.A. Banks and Brandon Massey novels—Minion and Thunderland, respectively—so I like to pat myself on the back for having the good sense to recognize talent and drive when I see it.

Slowly but surely, the audience has been growing. Even the great Octavia E. Butler wrote her own unique version of a vampire story in her last novel, Fledgling. (If you haven't read it…why not?)

Still, don't think we chose a well-paved road. It has been bumpy. Any reader who has ever argued on behalf of our novels at book clubs meetings knows that we haven't always been an easy sell. ("It's about WHAT?")

We know. It has been lonely, at times, to write what we do. We have all traded advice and war stories. And one day, we all said, "Hey, let's do a book together."

Well, we just learned that The Ancestors is the January ’09 pick for the Essence Book Club. We're grinning ear to ear. We didn't expect it.

I feel doubly blessed. Last summer, my mystery novel Casanegra—the predecessor to In the Night of the Heat, was picked by the Essence Book Club too. Ironically, Casanegra is also a collaboration—with my husband, Steven Barnes, and actor Blair Underwood.

Hmmm. What's the lesson from this happy surprise?

There is power in numbers? Readers will find you, so keep on writing?

We're just all so grateful for your support as readers over the years.

Thanks to you, The Ancestors will be out in December.

Sweet dreams.

**********************

THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Miami Dolphins—who had been winless for twenty of their last twenty-one games—just gave the New England Patriots a legendary beating that has been the talk of sports television and radio. Some New England fans must be crying. As a Dolphins fan, I know how losses like that feel. (See my 12/16/07 blog on the agony of the 2007 season.)

So this win is not only big for Miami fans—it’s BIG, period. The Patriots! Last year’s Super Bowl contenders, who came within a fingernail of obliterating the Dolphins’ long-standing distinction as they only undefeated NFL team in a season, played like the 2007 Miami Dolphins. Trust me, that’s not a compliment.

It’s hard to fit it all in my head: The Miami Dolphins embarrassed New England 38-13. On New England’s home field. And no, the game was not just a dream—although that notion recurred persistently as I watched the rout.

Anything is possible.

Yes, we can.

******

TV NEWS:

I’m about to write my first television script! Steven Barnes, my husband, was just named story editor on BET’s “Hannibal” animated series, executive produced and directed by Vin Diesel—who will also voice the older version of African conqueror Hannibal. Steve and I are collaborating on a script, and we’re very excited. Watch for “Hannibal” in 2009!

**Blair Underwood will appear on "Live With Regis and Kelly" Friday, Oct. 3 to talk about In the Night of the Heat, our collaborative mystery novel. Don't forget to watch! (And see Blair's recent appearance on the "Today" show posted below...)

**I don’t want to miss Angela Bassett’s debut on NBC’s “ER” Sept. 25—all the more fun because she’s cast alongside true-life husband Courtney B. Vance, who will play her…husband! What a treat! I don’t know the storyline, but it’s bound to be powerfully acted. I’m one of the few people who has never seen an episode of “ER.” Guess I’m watching now.

** One word: “Dexter.” If you’re curious, rent Season 1 on DVD and see what all the fuss is about. Dare you to stop watching. The Season 3 premiere is Sept. 28 on Showtime.

**You know I’ll be watching Blair Underwood on ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money” Oct. 1. The billboards for “Dirty, Sexy” are up all over Hollywood. Great cast also includes Lucy Liu, Peter Krause and Donald Sutherland. Blair has a meaty role—a multilingual billionaire who is the main family’s nemesis. Go, Blair! Even if you missed last season, you’ll catch up.

Blair Underwood goes under covers

By Greg Braxton

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

August 14, 2007 12:00 AM

BLAIR UNDERWOOD was behind mirrored shades at the rear of a Studio City cafe, discussing his good fortune, flashing the wholesome, pearly-white smile that has paved the way for a solid career in television and film during the last 20 years.

But it was a new kind of project that brought a gleam to his eye -- a project that proves he can get his X-rated freak on and, Underwood hopes, may bring him the breakthrough leading role that has all but eluded him since his career took off more than 20 years ago with the landmark drama "L.A. Law."

Viewers tuning in to the upcoming TV season will find it hard to miss the effortlessly handsome Underwood, who is featured in three series. He's one of the richest men in the world in ABC's soapy drama "Dirty Sexy Money" and a troubled Iraq war veteran undergoing therapy in HBO's "In Treatment," set to premiere early next year. He's also continuing his role as the object of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' flirtation in CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

His most inventive endeavor to date is a true passion project, in more ways than one. He's joined forces with two established African American writers -- Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes -- to create Tennyson Hardwick, a former gigolo and down-on-his-luck actor who is forced to turn into an amateur sleuth when he is implicated in the murder of a popular female rapper.

Hardwick is the central character in "Casanegra," the first in a planned series of L.A.-flavored noir novels generously sprinkled with steamy erotica. While Tennyson is a conflicted soul searching for a job and peace of mind, he's more than secure with his sexual prowess, and the scenes in which he demonstrates his skills are extremely explicit.

The novel, in which urban hot spots such as Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, Eso Won Books and the lower-class Baldwin Hills-adjacent neighborhood known as "The Jungle" are prominent locales, reflects the influences of Walter Mosley ("Devil in a Blue Dress") and Zane, whose bestselling novels of black erotica have a hearty following of black female readers."If you want to compare us to them, there can be no higher compliment," said Barnes, who is married to Due.

'Casanegra's' cachet

And while most celebrity-penned first novels are ignored by critics or wind up in the bargain bin of bookstores, "Casanegra" (the title is a tongue-in-cheek twist on "Casablanca") is scoring positive reviews from mainstream publications. "The pace is taut, the dialogue is snappy, and it's hard not to fall for Underwood's fallen hero," said Entertainment Weekly. Essence recently recommended the novel for its book club.

Said Christine Saunders of Atria Books, the division of Simon & Schuster that published "Casanegra": "It's been doing very well, and the sales have been increasing each week since the book officially came out in June. And it really is a collaboration. Blair has been intensely involved in everything from the very beginning."

"All I can say is, I'm so blessed," Underwood said. "I don't take anything for granted. I'm incredibly fortunate. But I'm also extremely selective in what I do. The way I keep interested is to find things I'm really passionate about. If you can create that passionate attitude toward your work, it opens up so many things."

There's a creative calculation to the book venture. Underwood is hoping that the novels will serve as a launch pad for Tennyson to hit the big screen. And there is a clear first choice on who would play the sexed-up gumshoe. The partners are attempting to develop "Casanegra" as an independent film while working on the second Tennyson Hardwick novel, "In the Night of the Heat" (the Hardwick books will all have titles with variations of classic films).

Underwood said such a role would allow him to display his wide acting range, particularly his desire to show the sinister behind the smile. Though he has been able to bring some menacing elements into various portrayals (he played an abusive fiancee in last year's "Madea's Family Reunion"), many of his characters have emphasized his smooth, charming persona, accented by his model looks."Doing roles like that is very flattering, but it's really not my favorite thing to do. I have a track record of playing that character. But I really like to get into the darker side of things."

Trying on noir

It's the first foray into the mystery genre for all of the writers. Like many mystery novels featuring a Chandler-esque hero, the story is drenched with irony and dry wit (the hero is working in deodorant commercials). The blend of hip-hop, Hollywood and the staples of the genre -- gunplay, violence, betrayals -- is a flavorful, though occasionally overcooked, stew.

Making Tennyson a former male escort was Underwood's idea, said Due. "He really wanted to bring that erotic angle to it." The team worked smoothly together. Underwood came up with the idea for the character, and the three worked on an outline. Due did the majority of writing of the first draft, which was revised and tweaked by Barnes. Those chunks were then delivered to Underwood, who added ideas and input, particularly to Tennyson's place as a man inside Hollywood just enough to be a minor celebrity.

Said Barnes: "Through our friendship with Blair, we really got to see him in various surroundings in Hollywood, and how people react to him. He carries himself with gentleness, but there is the sense of leashed energy."

The trio displayed an affectionate chemistry at a recent get-together at the W Hotel in Westwood, where they munched on appetizers, paying little attention to the trendy chaos in one of the establishment restaurants. Barnes joked about how secure he must feel to have his wife spending so much time working with Underwood. The actor, who first became acquainted with Due when he optioned the rights to one of her earlier books, "My Soul to Keep," smiled and tossed back barbs of his own.

The path into mystery and erotica territory seems to be an unusual turn for a deeply religious, happily married husband and father of three who has never attracted scandal or been involved with behind-the-scenes diva shenanigans. He addresses the apparent disconnect in his dedication to God at the end of "Casanegra": "Though many will choose not to understand why this book was written, I thank YOU for granting me the understanding that we are all flawed, damaged and fall short of your Glory. Often the journey is not as politically correct as some would like and sometimes the journey is sordid, dark and even erotic. Nonetheless, the odyssey must be embarked upon. . . ."

"Casanegra" also marks an unusual arrangement. Underwood's name is in large print on the cover, while Due and Barnes are given smaller billing with red lettering. Underwood's slim, muscular physique is pictured on the cover, but with his back to the camera, the face hidden.

But it's a truly yin-and-yang arrangement that has the partners more than pleased that their respective audiences will be expanded by the association. Underwood's name helps attract readers who may be unfamiliar with Due and Barnes. At the same time, the actor is linked to authors who have solid literary credentials (Due is the author of several novels, including "My Soul to Keep" and "The Black Rose," while Barnes has written several science-fiction novels, including "The Cestus Deception").

Even as the team awaits word on financing, Underwood is embarking on a heavy show business schedule. He's in post-production on his first feature directorial effort, the drama "Bridge to Nowhere," starring Ving Rhames. He's also involved in the production of reality shows, including "Stage Black," a stage drama competition on TV One.

"It's always been important for me to have several things going at the same time," Underwood said. "In many ways, I feel like I'm just getting started. I hope to keep that hunger I had when I first got out of college. That's what keeps me going."

CASANEGRA appearances & GOOD HOUSE movie news

Hello, readers---
I hope everyone had a restful 4th of July! My husband, son and I stayed close to home and had great fun.

**There is MOVIE NEWS for THE GOOD HOUSE. The paperwork is finally signed--Steve and I sold our screenplay version to a studio, and it is now officially in development. I can't divulge details yet, but it will be a very exciting announcement. (And I hope it will have a ripple effect on the delayed film version of MY SOUL TO KEEP, which is still in development after several years...Keep your fingers crossed!) News in coming weeks.

**I couldn't be more excited about the positive feedback on CASANEGRA, the new erotic mystery novel I co-authored with my husband, Steven Barnes, and actor Blair Underwood. If you have read CASANEGRA and enjoyed it, please don't keep it a secret: Please tell your friends, and post reviews on Amazon.com and/or Barnesandnoble.com. Those reviews make a big difference to potential readers.

**CASANEGRA has been getting amazing attention. In addition to July's Essence Book Club, you may have seen the story with Blair's photo leading the Life section of USA TODAY last Thursday, 6/28. (If you missed it, here's the URL: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-06-27-underwood_N.htm

**Monday, Blair Steve and I were interviewed on NPR's "News & Notes," with host Farai Chideya. In case you missed it, you can listen to the interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11658408
There is also a nice photo of the three of us at the radio station, as well as a book excerpt.

Now, the television blitz begins.

**Thursday, July 5, Blair will appear on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT.

**Monday, July 9, Blair will appear on EXTRA.

**Sunday, July 15, Blair will appear on the Weekend TODAY show on NBC.

**Monday, July 16, Blair will appear on REGIS & KELLY on NBC.

**LIVE APPEARANCES: For those of you in NEW ORLEANS, Blair will also appear at the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, which runs today through this weekend. (He's working double-duty for Atria Books and HBO, where he is co-starring in a new series called "In Treatment," with Gabriel Byrne.)

**Also, Blair is appearing solo at Hue-Man Books in NEW YORK (Harlem), Monday, July 16. If you live nearby, please contact the store for details.

**All three of us will be doing at least one appearance in LOS ANGELES this summer, but the date has not been set. I will update you when I have more information, since joint appearances are rare.

**I will be making a solo appearance in DALLAS in late August, and Steve and I will make a joint appearance in OAKLAND on Sunday, October 28th. I will post more details about those appearances soon.

Thanks so much for your support! Now I have to get back to working on my sequel to THE LIVING BLOOD, which is tentatively entitled THE COLONY. Almost done!
Best,
Tananarive