Blog Archives

Brandon Tatum Photography

1/25/2014

In the past couple of months many people have complimented me on my photos and have asked the question, “who is the person taking them?” It is for this reason that I thought it would be nice to introduce you to my photographer, Brandon Tatum. Below this post I’ve included some of his prized work. We would love to know what you think! Which one is your favorite?

Brandon Tatum

Bio: Brandon Tatum specializes in documenting the creative process of an author’s spirit through pictures. He believes writers are interesting people and that there is more to author photography than positioning one in front of a bookshelf. Brandon’s work invites you into a novel’s different social backdrops and visually connects the author to their work. In the past year, he created engaging author/book promotional material for Yvonne Brown. This included filming the Crying Girl book trailer and shooting various eye-catching poses, which caught the eye of plus size fashion conglomerate, Lane Bryant. Currently, Brandon is preparing a cross-country photo tour covering a host of literary festivals and conferences.

January 2014

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January 2014

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10 Resolutions for Writers

1/10/2014

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1. Write a Writer’s To-Do List-
In the same way that you organize other aspects of your life: 1. Going to the dentist 2. Stop by grocery store to buy milk 3. Call Grandma to see how she is feeling today. What would your Writer’s To-Do List look like? 1. Rewriting a scene? 2. Zapping out passive words/voice 3. Sharpening dialogue?

2. Pace yourself-
As you know, Rome was not built in a day and neither was the great American novel. Do you want to publish something for the sake of saying “I’m published!” Or do you want to be published with integrity and respect? Anything worth achieving is never easy to obtain, including the patience you need to write your masterpiece.

3. Soar with the eagles!-
Get out of your comfort zone and push through your boundaries. Find the experts in your niche and read as much as you can about how to excel. Take a workshop on how to improve your writing and your reading skills.

4. Make Time to Read Everything-
That’s an exaggeration, but the point here is that you have to make time to read and accept the fact that it will help you be a better writer. Does an omniscient narrator tell your story? It might be a good idea to focus your reading on best sellers with an omniscient narrator.    Is your story told with a historical backdrop? Then read books about that part of history.

5. Make Writer Friends:
The best editor to a writer is another writer. Same goes for a reader. The best beta reader is another good reader who is also a writer. Writing can be an isolating profession, but it doesn’t have to be. Make friends!

6. Get Social:
Building your social media platform can be an overwhelming task. Just beginning? Find 1 or 2 social media outlets like Face book and Twitter and build followers. Already somewhat established? Refine your platform with updated material and share it with your readership and other writers.

7. Take a Vacation:
Consider something different this year. Plan your vacation where a notable Literary Conference will be. This is a great way to meet agents, publishers, and of course fellow writers.

8. Create a writers group:
This is vital to your success as a writer. One can also save money in editing by getting the counsel from fellow writers. This is a place that should also be nurturing to the writer’s soul.

9. Be like Nike and Just Do It!:
After you have revised and done your best work-Submit it somewhere! To a publisher, beta-reader, or an agent.

10. Find inspiration:
Exposing yourself to performance and movies can jumpstart creativity.

What would you add to the list?

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Zora Neal Hurston Birthday Celebration

1/8/2014

16 Comments

Eatonville Restaurant Est. 2009
in Washington, DC

Photogarpher Brandon Tatum

Brandon Tatum Photography

What better place to celebrate Zora Neal Hurston’s birthday other than Eatonville? Restaurant owner, philanthropist, and Washington, DC mayoral candidate, Andy Shallal’s homage to Hurston is unlike any other restaurant in the city.

I had what author Terry McMillan ate: the catfish & grits, collard greens, and corn bread. Eatonville is named for Hurston’s Florida hometown and the country’s first, post-Civil war, African American incorporated town and the focal point in her most famous work, Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Happy Birthday Zora Neale Hurston!!! Thank you for gracing the world with your literary genius and your infectious smile!

In 2005, Halle Berry and Michael Ealy starred in a movie based on Hurston’s classic and did the story justice. Born in Washington, DC and raised in Silver Spring, I wonder if Ealy or Berry has visited Eatonville. If not, I highly recommend it!

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Crying Girl Promo Postcard

1/2/2014

51 Comments

What do you think? I'd love your feedback!

I recently commissioned artist Jelani Armstrong to do this piece to market my upcoming book. I hope you like it! If you are interested in contacting him please let me know and I can connect you!

Jelani Armstrong is an artist and freelance illustrator who attends The Art Academy of San Francisco, California. His expertise ranges from custom caricature illustrations to working with various authors on book cover designs and advertisements for local government agencies. In 2009, his rendition of the slave experience was showcased in the Black History Museum. Jelani was an illustration finalist in the Save the Planet Tri-Transit Competition where his artwork was showcased in the Washington DC Metro system. Currently, he is aspiring towards his dream of working with Walt Disney.

51 Comments

Brandon Tatum Photography

10 Resolutions for Writers

What would you add to the list?

Zora Neal Hurston Birthday Celebration

Eatonville Restaurant Est. 2009 in Washington, DCPhotogarpher Brandon Tatum

Happy Birthday Zora Neale Hurston!!! Thank you for gracing the world with your literary genius and your infectious smile!

Crying Girl Promo Postcard

What do you think? I'd love your feedback!

Yvonne Brown

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Eatonville Restaurant Est. 2009
in Washington, DC

Photogarpher Brandon Tatum