Featured Episodes
See all episodes on our Media page!
Marcel Fable Price isn’t just a poet, he is a living sonnet in rhythm with the challenges and triumphs of a complex life that only he can sing. In his new book, “New American Monarch,” is the TRUTH. In this candid interview he shares how he overcame addiction, the loss of his wife to cancer, the loss of his organization to deception, and more.
Learn more about Marcel HERE!
Check it out!
Tech mogul Stacy Spikes shares how his rollercoaster life journey went from a downward spiral of drug abuse, to elevated success in the entertainment industry in this inspiring interview.
The author and founder of MoviePass, UrbanWorld Film Festival, and upcoming movie-tech ventures, shares how creativity and determination are keys to his success.
Learn more about Stacy HERE!
Check it out!
When a child is abused, who can they trust? How do they overcome? Eva Robinson Schley answers these questions and more as she shares how her childhood trauma led to her passion to help children through their own sexual and physical abuse.
Today, Eva is an author whose books Brice’s Brain is Brilliant Bootleg Heart , and Little Eva Teaches Good Touch Bad Touch
Check it out!
Remember the pandemic? Lol! Of Course. But, did you discover your true passion during the nearly two years of sheltering in place? Ciera Butler did.
Once a techie for publishing software firms, she jumped out and started her own self publishing consulting firm, Prim & Sable.
Now, she helps hundreds of authors take control of their publishing dreams through her company Prism & Sable .
Check it out!
Using Words to Inspire
Toni Morrison said it best: “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” My journey in storytelling began in fourth grade when my grandmother bought me an electric typewriter. Her dream for me was to become a secretary. But, I have bigger dreams. I wanted to tell the stories of my community.
Today, I am an award-winning journalist, author, and publishing consultant on a quest to tell stories that inspire others. This passion for writing led me to found the Merze Tate Explorers, the world’s only all-girl travel writers organization. Now, I want to use my powers for even more good, by providing a platform for diverse authors and professionals in the publishing industry.
What are the challenges to sharing stories that celebrate, inspire, and educate the world from a diverse perspective? What barriers do authors of color face in effort to get published?
This is what “Girls Talk Books” is all about. Get ready to be inspired!
Let’s go Write, Now!
Sonya
*Pictured: Jazz great Branford Marsalis (center) poses with Sean and Sonya Hollins, Edward Callahan, and the staff of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra during the unveiling of Jammin’ in Kalamazoo.
Jammin’ in Kalamazoo
When you combine an ensemble of writers, artists, designers, Grammy-winning composers, and an orchestra, they Jam! Musical magic was created with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra commissioned Sonya Hollins and Season Press LLC, to create a musical story that celebrates community, music, and the power of youth voices. Dennis Reid brought the story together through his creative characters.
The book, Jammin’ in Kalamazoo, was the set to music by Branford Marsalis, former Tonight Show band leader, Grammy-award-winning composer, and more! More than 1,000 community members of all ages and backgrounds came out to support the debut of Jammin’ in the fall of 2023. Since then, the book has been a best-seller on Amazon and continues to bring joy to children throughout Michigan during KSO school visits where the story is read while KSO musicians perform.
Praise for Jammin’ in Kalamazoo:
“It was such a fun experience to bring together music and storytelling in Jammin’ in Kalamazoo; it stimulates kids’ imaginations through words and sound.” – Branford Marsalis – Grammy-Winning Artist and composer of Jammin’ in Kalamazoo.
“I deeply appreciate the tribute in Jammin’ in Kalamazoo to my best friend and sister Velvelette, Bertha Barbee-McNeal Bertha co-founded the Velveletters and retired as a music teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools. In Jammin’, her legacy lives on.” –
Cal Street – International vocalist and original Motown Velvelette
“John (Stites) would have been very happy to know that the storybook is already enriching the lives of many potential jazz fans,” –
Sandy Schaefer – Board of Directors, John Stites Jazz Artist Organization
Girls Talk Books Jr.
Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall
What happens when a little boy takes an adventure with his music teacher to New York’s Carnegie Hall? Musical magic! Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall is the story of Little Eddie, who accompanies his music teacher to an audition at Carnegie Hall. What Little Eddie learns along the way, and on the stage, inspires him to dream BIG! Merze Tate Explorer Cianna Hobson takes viewers on a visit to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to meet the real-life Edward Callahan in this musical book performance.
Watch more Girls Talk Books Jr. episodes on our YouTube Channel!
Edward Callahan, the inspiration for the book, performed to the reading of the book during a Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Storytime concert. The story, read by Von Washington, Jr., features Callahan, who earned a #1 Billboard rating for his classical album, Crazy Etunes. Check out the performance here!
Order your copy of Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall TODAY!
And, check out Crazy Etudes BUY HERE!
Resources
You have an idea scattered throughout old notebooks, floppy discs (yes, that’s old!) and computer files. How do you get those ideas into the book you dream of sharing with the world? Sonya Hollins can help! Check out one-on-one and group virtual and in-person sessions.
Networking with a community of writers can motivate you toward completing your book. Check out these writers organizations and learn how to polish that book and prepare it for publishing.
From poetry to short story competitions, the world is waiting to see how you use 26 letters to tell a story. Check out upcoming contests and other opportunities to get one step closer to publishing success.
As you work on your book or seek to meet other authors, check out book events that will get you one step closer to sharing your story with the world.
Keep Writing: Words of Encouragement
Today is the first day of Girls Talk Books! Hooray! I decided to kick this off during Women’s History Month because so many of the women we feature have made history in…
Please stay tuned!