Chatmon's Books

February Writers Workshop Report from AAMLO

2012-02-23T00:56:00.003-08:00

Our second month teaching the writers workshops at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) have been a huge success. In January, we presented a general view of the publishing business on motivation for the new & aspiring author, options for publication and marketing strategies. This month, we had an overview for new attendees and spoke a bit about using a platform and how to brand yourself as a writer. So far, the turnout and responses have been excellent and we will hold more sessions, including March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.

As always, we would like to thank AAMLO for their generous partnership with Chatmon’s Books as we strive to make the museum and library a must-see spot for the East Bay region of the Bay Area. Besides our workshops, AAMLO has excellent programs and exhibits that can be better explained on their website. The Friends of AAMLO will have their own website in the future, but we would be remiss if we also didn’t mention their valuable contribution as well.

Would you like to be a part of this free workshop scheduled on the third Saturday of the month beginning at 2:00pm? You can sign up with us by sending an email to info@chatmonsbooks.com expressing your interest or you can visit our page here on the blog or Eventbrite and register there. Either way, we are looking forward to the next meeting and please check back often here at the blog as we’re preparing for more special announcements coming soon.

Don’t forget to support our Literature Unlimited Campaign by reading a book or urging your children to read as well.

Take care!

Charles Chatmon
Chatmon’s Books

The Reason for the Literature Unlimited Campaign

2012-02-22T13:16:00.006-08:00

I grew up around literature.

Most of my maturing years were spent in several of my local libraries before the age of the internet and digital readers. I’ve read everything from Hughes to Shakespeare, from Greek philosophers to modern age gurus, fiction and non-fiction. The great and emerging authors influenced me by their tales, advice and humor. You could say it was that very same influence that helped me become the person I am today, all because books played a very important role in my life.

We live in a world populated by statistics of what illiteracy - or the effects of it - has done to us or our loved ones. We do know as the rate goes up, people will be unable to obtain and keep a job, which means lost wages and income for the family. We also hear about the staggering numbers of young men and women who fall into trouble, only to serve a system that doesn’t cater to their needs but to the very system itself. It’s not confined to one race, a community or even a country. Illiteracy has become a worldwide enterprise, restricting the potential of the next generation.

This is why we need the Literature Unlimited Campaign.

In literature, there are no limits, no restrictions, no boundaries on what we and our children can learn and achieve. The right is reserved however, to either agree or disagree to what is read, which involves critical thinking - only obtained by immersing yourself in books. The profiteers of illiteracy will deny a need for a campaign such as this, insisting the electronic toys and devices will suffice. Only you can decide whether or not they are correct in their bankable theory or join the crusade to educate our children and ourselves once and for all.

Chatmon’s Books, Authors N Focus, North Bay Media Review and the L.A. Black Book Expo urge you to read a book - any book - as long as it helps get you started in the reading process. A process which in turn will hopefully inspire others to begin writing their own stories and helpful advice.

If you use Twitter, use the #LitUnlimited hashtag and share with us a book that has helped changed your life or inspired you in some way. In the future, we will continue to help spread the word via social media and our literary festivals.

This month is about history. Make it your goal to create a bit of your own.

Take care.

Charles L. Chatmon

Co-Owner, Chatmon’s Books

Executive Director

Los Angeles Black Book Expo

Why Do Black People Love Fried Chicken?

2012-02-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Question: Why do Black people LOVE fried chicken?

Answer: You'll have to read to find out.

In this insightful book by author Nashieqa Washington, she describes many of the myths and facts concerning Black people.

The author takes a clever approach to race relations in answering commonly asked questions about African-Americans in a non-judgmental and sometimes comical matter of fact tone. A guaranteed thought provoker and conversation starter.

Why Do Black People Love Fried Chicken is available now at ChatmonsBooks.com You can also hear an interview with Ms. Washington on Mixed Matters at North Bay Media Review.

Make a new Black Friend today and support this great author.

Introducing The Literature Unlimited Campaign

2012-02-19T22:47:00.001-08:00

Books don’t run on batteries.

They’re fueled by imagination, knowledge, tools to entertain, to enlighten, to encourage.

Books shape minds, heal hearts, remove barriers, make us laugh and smile.

Within books, they hold the key to words which are the inspiration that creates leaders, produce businesses, and helps to save the soul.

They are the engine that inspires creativity, wisdom, courage and hope.

Whether it’s an electronic device or printed volume in your hands, that very book you hold may change you and your children’s lives forever.

Chatmon’s Books and its partners encourage you to pick up a book in whatever form it may be with this one simple request.

Read.

Join the campaign.

On Twitter, use the hashtag #LitUnlimited and help encourage the love of literacy.

A message from Chatmon's Books, Authors N Focus, North Bay Media Review & The Los Angeles Black Book Expo.

On the next Mixed Matters: The Felecia S. Killings Interview

2012-02-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

On the next episode of Mixed Matters…….

Felecia S. Killings is an educator focused on making social changes in our young children while at the same time, attempting to correct the inadequacies of a system that has led so many youth astray. This emerging author goes one-on-one with co-host Charles Chatmon to discuss her book, ‘Fear, Faith and Patience’ along with the other projects Ms. Killings is involved in.

Mixed Matters can be found on North Bay Media Review and at the end of Charles’s cool conversation with Felecia, a big announcement concerning the show! You don’t want to miss this.

The Felecia S. Killings Interview

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

NorthBayMediaReview.com

Also available on iTunes.com

Real Talk Tips by Cherise Amber Charleswell

2012-02-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

Up and coming author Cherise Amber Charleswell releases her debut book, Real Talk Tips: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers and Suggestions. Described as a “a non-traditional, sassy, and painfully honest self help guide and work book for the morally challenged and socially inept members of society”, Ms. Charleswell provides tips on hygiene, physical appearance, communication, the workplace, and money management.

Real Talk Tips: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers and Suggestions is found on Cherise's page at ChatmonsBooks.com. Don’t forget, we have a variety of titles for the entire family at our online bookstore. Thanks for the support.

Struggle & Progress by Jay Mock

2012-02-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

It’s Black History Month at Chatmon’s Books, and we have a special graphic novel for you and your family. It’s called Struggle and Progress by Jay Mock and in his own words:

“Struggle & Progress is an unique and innovative vision. A creative mix of comic strip, art and poetry that literally paints a clear picture of the hardships experienced by African Americans for hundreds of years.”

Beautiful illustrations bring out this informative narrative that is sure to enhance your knowledge. Struggle and Progress can be purchased at ChatmonsBooks.com on Jay’s page. Don’t forget, we have a variety of titles for the entire family at our online bookstore.

Results from the January Writers Workshops at AAMLO

2012-01-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

For the first time, the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) in association with Chatmon’s Books hosted its first free writers workshop on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Co-owners and presenters Charles and Chandra Chatmon shared their knowledge and experience as published authors to a packed conference room of new and aspiring authors taking notes on what to expect when starting their literary dreams.

Topics included; how to get motivated, identifying the format structure and literary devices used in fiction and non-fiction writing, learning the different publishing options available, how to promote and market a book using a platform and what authors should do to create a brand for themselves. As a result, the attendees learned a lot and mentioned they were return for more in-depth coverage of the topics stated above.

The workshops are free to attend and reference materials related to the subject matter will be available for sale at the conclusion of the lesson. If you would like to know more about the new writers workshops at AAMLO, please take a look at our Writers Workshops at AAMLO page or contact Chatmon’s Books at info@chatmonsbooks.com or 707-235-6520 if you have an organization or school that is interested in attending.

The next meeting is on Saturday, February 18 beginning at 2:00pm.

Chatmon's Books Online

2012-01-18T02:06:00.000-08:00

Nearly three weeks into the new year and we're happy to say business is picking up!

If you don't know by now, we have an online bookstore and this video displays the titles we have on stock at ChatmonsBooks.com.

We're still in the city of Vallejo with our mobile bookstore, so check us out when the weather is dry or email us at info@chatmonsbooks.com to find out where we'll head to next!

Press Release: Writers Workshops at AAMLO, January 21

2012-01-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

CHATMON’S BOOKS TO HOLD WRITERS WORKSHOPS
INSIDE THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND

OAKLAND, CA - President and co-owner of Chatmon’s Books, Charles L. Chatmon will teach writers workshops inside the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) beginning on Saturday, January 21, 2012 and every third Saturday of the month until June. These instructional seminars, which begin at 2:00pm, are ideal for the aspiring or emerging author to learn about the changing landscape of the publishing business and the impact it will have on budding writers.

The workshop will be taught in three segments; first, finding the motivation to write the first draft of a manuscript, identifying the usage of plot, theme, and setting for fiction writers, learning to collect data or research for non-fiction. Attendees will learn how to obtain a copyright and ISBN numbers for their new titles. The second segment deals with finding a suitable publishing option for new authors. Differences between mainstream, self, subsidy, print on demand and other methods of print or electronic publishing will be discussed. The third segment is finding strategic methods for the new authors to promote and market their books.

There is no cost to attend the workshops as they are free. Instructional materials for purchase will be available at the workshop.

For more information, please call Charles Chatmon at (707) 235-6520, email: info@chatmonsbooks.com or AAMLO at (510) 637-0200. Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org. AAMLO is located on 659 14 Street, Oakland, CA 94612 and is accessible by AC Transit or BART.

About the African American Museum & Library at Oakland
The African American Museum and Library at Oakland ( AAMLO) is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, interpretation and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West for present and future generations. Website: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/aamlo/

About Chatmon’s Books
Founded in July 2008, Chatmon's Books serves a diverse population in the San Francisco Bay Area's North Bay region. Based in the city of Vallejo, California, Chatmon's Books has been the only independent bookstore carrying new and used titles for the reading public. Website: http://chatmonsbooks.com

News for the rest of 2011 and 2012

2011-12-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Upcoming events:

Depending on the weather, we'll have our last $1.00 sale of the year on Saturday, December 17th in front of the Art Department, 345 Georgia Street inside the Vallejo Farmers Market. Pocket and children's books will be available, just in time for your holiday shopping. We'll set up from 9:00am to 1:00pm. This will also mark the last set up in the city of Vallejo this year, as we will take the rest of the year off to rest and restock our physical inventory of used books for 2012. You can still buy our new books online on our website.

Courtesy of our good friend Denise Spiller, we will be her guests for her 'Write, Publish, Produce' writers workshop in the city of Dublin on Thursday, January 5 beginning at 6:00pm. If you're an aspiring author and you live in or around the area, get ready to have pizza and cupcakes as this session will be held at Round Table Pizza, 7841 Amador Valley Blvd. We look forward seeing you there.

Most of you already know about the big news with our new writers workshops in the African-American Museum and Library at Oakland beginning in January. On behalf of Chatmon's Books, we would like to thank Rick Moss and Veda Silva for allowing us to present our tried and true lessons to the new and aspiring writers of the Bay. The workshops are part of a series of author-related events the museum plans to have within the next year and we're excited to be a part of those plans.

Later in the year, we'll have news on our workshops in L.A. County and the city of Inglewood.

Thank you for supporting the bookstore. Happy holidays to you!

Better late than never........

2011-11-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Chatmon's Books online has just opened up!

Enjoy and tell your friends!

The Vallejo Open Studios Weekend

2011-11-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

Vallejo, did you miss it?

Did you miss the Open Studios?

Shame on you if you did, but in case you were curious, here you go! More videos to follow.

Enjoy.

Arts in Action Interview - VCAT

2011-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

The following is an interview from Arts in Action on Vallejo's cable channel, VCAT back in 2010. Host Shaaron Fox speaks with Chatmon's Books co-owner Charles Chatmon in this brief clip about the bookstore, his own books and the state of the publishing industry today.

Don't forget, ChatmonsBooks.com will be launched soon!

November Writers Workshop in Vallejo (update)

2011-10-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

We have updated the date for our writers workshop. Sorry for the past inconveience, but the new date is Saturday, November 12 at the same time of 11:00am.

The video will share the rest with you and we look forward seeing you at the Vallejo Community Center, 225 Amador St.

-The Chatmon's Books staff

The BIG Announcement - Chatmon's Books

2011-10-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

For weeks, we teased this online on what this may be. Trust us, it's good news and the next step forward for the bookstore.

Enjoy!

New Writers Workshop Date: November 12

2011-10-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Breaking news: The writers workshop will not take place on Saturday, October 22, instead it will take place on Saturday, November 12 at the same location: the Vallejo Community Center, 225 Amador Street, Vallejo, CA 94590. The workshop begins at 11:00 AM. Registration is $20.00 either by mail or at the door. If you're a new or aspiring author, then this workshop is for you. Find out who get your work copyrighted, the different publishing options available and how to market your work. More details are listed on the Writers Workshop page.

The workshop is sponsored by Chatmon's Books and CDyann Designs.

-The Chatmon's Books Staff

Writers Workshops Video

2011-09-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

Here's our new video informing the public of our upcoming Writers Workshop on October 22 at the Vallejo Community Center.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT coming soon from Chatmon's Books

2011-09-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

For three years, we've been known as 'The North Bay's Mobile Bookstore', setting up shop inside the Vallejo Farmers Market. It is no secret our goal at Chatmon's Books is to eventually open a brick and mortar store in the future, but we believe something better is down the road for us and it's almost a reality.

We can't tell you now, but in the next few days and weeks, we plan to make it official. When it does, we will definitely let you know. Keep reading to find out.

-The Chatmon's Books Staff

Writers Workshop - Vallejo Community Center, October 22

2011-08-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

Chatmon's Books will hold a writer's workshop for new or aspiring authors inside the Vallejo Community Center's teen room on Saturday, October 22 beginning at 11am. This is the first workshop in Vallejo this year as Charles Chatmon, the workshop instructor goes over the finer points of finding the motivation to write, the different publishing options available and what steps are needed to market and promote a book. Refreshments will be provided for this informative course for first-time writers. Please visit our workshop page for more information.

Fall 2011 Events

2011-08-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

BOOK SIGNINGS IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
Chatmon's Books has returned back to the Vallejo Farmers Market with some new additions for book lovers. September 24 is a day you definitely don't want to miss as we reveal the names of local authors who will sign books with us.

WRITERS WORKSHOP
Once again, we're holding another one of our successful and informative writers workshops inside the Vallejo Community Center (Teen Room) on Saturday, October 22 beginning at 11:00am.

In this two hour workshop, new and aspiring authors will learn what motivates them to write, learning the different publishing options available, and understanding what a platform is and how it can help with book promotion and marketing. Details are explained on the blog's Writers Workshop page.

In Case You Didn't Know, Chatmon's Books is Here

2010-12-01T01:50:00.000-08:00

From Charles Chatmon's 'Thoughts On A String' (5/26/10)

Back on the blog after taking a long break working hard on the L.A. Black Book Expo with a few things in place, and some surprises coming up. There's too much to describe here so I invite you to check out the LABBX blog from time to time so you can get caught up.

While I celebrated my 44th birthday today giving thanks for the Creator for allowing me to make it this far, this coming July is another celebration I'm eagerly awaiting; the two year anniversary of Chatmon's Books in the city of Vallejo, California. As described beautifully by my partner-in-crime who's also the co-owner, Chandra wrote in her blog Sweet Home Vallejo what the premise of our roving shop is and our reason for setting up as a mobile bookstore which I have been told is a good idea by local residents.

Yes, after all the cold, rainy days in the Farmer's Market and other challenges, the bookstore is still going strong and on our two year anniversary, we continue to provide city readers with a valuable space to purchase books. Of course there are challenges with the online bookstores, retail giants and changing reader tastes, but if you're in this for the long term and if you're willing to fight for a dream despite all difficulties, then it's all worth it. I have regulars, a mailing list and a plan to make it all happen for this new city I'm living in now.

But although we've been embraced by a few thanks to the local newspaper featuring our mobile bookstore in the past, we have not been embraced by all. This is something I would like to briefly mention for a minute of your time.

There is no doubt Chatmon's Books will not be warmly embraced by the masses. I understand and accept that. I must admit due to my duties running a book expo in Los Angeles plus other literary programs I'm involved in, we have not been as prominent as we would like, but we are still here. We will continue to be here for as long as we decide, period.

Recently I had the opportunity to have the bookstore featured on the local Vallejo cable station VCAT, discussing with the host our plans with the bookstore, writers' workshops and even a book fair of some kind in the North Bay. With that in mind, I also know there will be doubts whether or not these things will happen, maybe to the point of encouraging failure in these endeavors. To that I say, whatever. As in whatever shall be, shall be. Chatmon's Books is for the community and to help aspiring authors achieve their goals of becoming published. Perhaps these goals are a bit lofty, but most of our great leaders also faced a bit of adversity, a touch of skepticism, so why should those of us willing to follow their example expect any less?

Chandra and I are proud of Chatmon's Books and the associations we've made. I'm sure no one notices it now, but in the long run they will.

Stay tuned.

First Post

2010-11-18T23:04:00.001-08:00

All right,

This is our first post of our new blog. Let's see how it works out.