- - - READING OUT LOUD: AN AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY RETREAT DEBUTS FEBRUARY 15-17, 2002 IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC Dateline: September 14, 2001 ... Myrtle Beach, SC Contact Names: Sharon McCants or Dorothy Terry Contact Phone: 1-866-728-1045 Web Address: http://www.rolliteraryretreat.com Actress and New Millennium Studios Co-Founder Daphne Maxwell Reid is Keynote Speaker MYRTLE BEACH, SC - September 14, 2001 - A variety of books by and about African-Americans are rolling out the publishing house doors in record numbers. But in Hollywood, the story is still the same. Comedy and action-adventure flicks featuring African Americans (i.e., the Chris's, as in "Tucker" and "Rock") seem to be the staple. But where are the romances and the dramas? Actress Daphne Maxwell Reid hopes to add some variety to the big screen with the release of "Asunder", produced at New Millennium Studios (http://www.nmstudios.com) by Reid and husband, Tim Reid. The film stars Blair Underwood ("City of Angels"), Debbie Morgan ("Eve's Bayou") and Michael Beach ("Third Watch"). The movie is based on a book by Eric L. Bowers (2000, New Millennium Books). Daphne Maxwell Reid will talk about the challenges of getting the African-American story told in Hollywood at "Reading Out Loud: An African-American Literary Retreat", set for February 15-17, 2002 at Kingston Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Registration begins Friday and the retreat kicks off on Saturday with a Beachside PowerWalk, led by Becky Singleton, a fitness expert who knows and understands the fitness issues of the African-American woman. She also will host a seminar and her fitness video will be available at the retreat. Later in the morning, attendees will have a chance to meet their favorite authors up close and personal during Author Parlors led by experts who have written books on such issues as relationships, careers, health, money, family and social concerns as they relate to the African-American woman. Featured authors include: Tajuana "TJ" Butler - Author of "Sorority Sisters", Butler's latest work of fiction, "Hand-me-down Heartache", is slated for release in October. Beverley East - graphologist and author of "Finding Mr. Write: A New Slant on Selecting the Perfect Mate", reviewed by USA Today as best summer read. East also appeared on Good Morning America, Later Today and the MSNBC Homepage. Jaki Shelton Green - Her most recent collection of poems, "Conjure Blues", was published in 1996. She is currently completing a collection of short stories, a new poetry manuscript, and navigating her way into writing her first novel. Kalyn Johnson & Tracey Lewis - authors (along with Karla Lightfoot and Ginger Wilson) of "The BAPS Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess". Elaine Stevens - She is the author of "The Readiness Factor: Preparing Yourself for the Ultimate Relationship". She is also the developer of The Relationship Readiness Test, an assessment tool that determines relationship readiness. Eleanora Tate - This children's book author's South Carolina Trilogy "The Secret of Gumbo Grove", "Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!" and "A Blessing in Disguise" are considered classics in South Carolina children's literature. Kimberley Wilson - She says she wrote the book, "Eleven Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men: A Few Good Words On Love, Black Men, and Marriage", "because I saw a serious need. Relations between black men and women have soured to such an extent that it's endangering our communities and our families." Daphne Maxwell Reid - Actress of such TV hits as "Frank's Place", "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air", "Snoops" and "Linc's" is the Saturday keynote speaker. Reid, who is co-founder with fellow actor, husband Tim Reid of New Millennium Studios, will talk about the challenges of getting a variety of African-American stories on the big screen in Hollywood. The evening Book Club Meeting will be led by Omar Tyree, who is currently touring the country promoting the release of his latest novel, "Just Say No!". This makes eight novels for Tyree, whose works include "FLYY-GIRL", "Capital City", "BattleZone", "A Do Right Man", "Single Mom", "Sweet St. Louis" and "For the Love of Money". The retreat ends on Sunday with a Motivational Brunch featuring Gullah linguistics expert Marjorie Jenkins. Throughout the weekend, vendors will be on hand in the Vendor's Pavilion to entice attendees with quality goods and services in keeping with Reading Out Loud's retreat theme. Partly spurred by the popularity of such books-turned-movies as Terry McMillan's "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back", and Oprah Winfrey's ever-popular book club, more books by and about African Americans are finding their way onto book store shelves. Whether reading for pleasure, information or inspiration, African- American women are purchasing these books in record numbers and major publishing houses have taken notice. Sharon Eagles McCants and Dorothy Givens Terry, partners in D&S Productions and co-producers of Reading Out Loud, seek to combine their love of literature with their goal of bringing more culturally diverse events to the coastal Carolinas with this premiere event. With the beauty and serenity of the Atlantic Ocean as its backdrop, Reading Out Loud presents the perfect opportunity for Reading Out Loud's ideal attendee - who is an educated woman who keeps abreast of the issues, enjoys reading, and who may belong to a book club - a get- away weekend with a purpose. Registration for this event has been extended and vendor booths are still available! College and university students and faculty, ask about the special "student" rate! ATTENTION MEDIA: Interviews can be arranged with Daphne Maxwell Reid and all of the authors mentioned in this release. Contact Dorothy Terry or Sharon McCants toll-free at 1-866-728-1045 or visit their web site at http://www.rolliteraryretreat.com for registration, vendor and hotel and travel information or to arrange interviews.