Staying true to your calling

I've been down here in NC for a little over two weeks now. It's beautiful, the weather suits me, I'm seriously considering relocating but hmmmmmmmmmmmm...I know this is not the place I'm supposed to spend the rest of my days.

I am an island girl, coconut milk runs through my veins, my heart leaps in my chest whenever I spot a glossy photograph of a palm fringed, sugar coated beach.

I have been known to trail behind Caribbean people in supermarkets and clothing stores....not eaves dropping, just basking in the sound of their voices.

I admit that I have wept uncontrollably in the departure lounges of Caribbean airports. And I will also admit that I fall into a state of mourning after I return home from the Caribbean.

These emotions are akin to the feelings that surged through me every time I walked into an employment agency, filled out a job application or went on an interview.

Something just wasn't right, you know? I knew that that wasn't the life I was supposed to be living...the same way I know that this isnt the country I'm supposed to be living in.

Bernice L. McFadden

It Ain't Easy Being Green Part VVI

It's been a little while, huh? Well if you were going through rejection letter withdrawal - here's your fix:

Rejection Letter #11:


Thank you very much for sending GLORIOUS by Bernice McFadden. This is a beautiful novel, Easter is an incredible character, and Bernice’s reason for writing this is inspired. As I’m sure you know, I adore Bernice and her writing, and would love to see this published well, but I would have a difficult time breaking her out on the(publisher) list, which is just too big. I would suggest sending GLORIOUS to (publisher)

Thank you for thinking of me and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

All best,

Bernice L. McFadden

Summer time and the living is...well..EASY

I'm here in North Carolina and my daughter tells me that summer has been here for a few weeks now. Oh, Spring is still around. She makes herself known early in the morning and then again after five in the evening. But the days belong to summer and she has embraced me and kissed my tawny colored skin a warm honey brown. I can't wipe the grin off my face!

Bernice L. McFadden

32 hours in Boston

I love my readers!
This weekend I spent 32 hours with the most delightful group of people. Imelda Price (pictured in the tangerine blouse) reached out to me back in December. Imelda along with her long time friend Linda (Kente cloth jacket) traveled to Ghana last year with the National Book Club Conference where we all met. So when Imelda reached out last December to ask if I would come to Boston and meet with her book clubs: The Readers Digest Club and The Myrtle Literary Guild I readily agreed.

I've visited a number of clubs over the years and my experiences have always been delightful. But I gotta tell you that Imelda and the rest of the ladies went over and beyond. I was truly moved.

Saturday afternoon found me a little nervous. I had a greed to do a book signing at The Jamaicaway Bookstore. A signing.....and me with no new book. Who would come? Surprise, surprise - I had a fantastic turn out.


(Lisa Braxton - former TV anchor and Myrtle Literary Club member)



The following sunday I was received at the beautiful Nesmith Mansion in Lowell
where I was hosted by the vivacious Lura Smith


I gotta tell you after two weeks of posting rejection letters - these 32 hours in Boston amongst people who appreciate my work was certainly an uplifting experience and a reminder that the audience the houses "claim" don't exist are in fact alive and well and hungry for more!

More Pics

Bernice L. McFadden

It Ain't Easy Being Green Part 10

It seems as though It Ain't Easy Being Green even when you're of the caucasian persuasion.

I guess literary writers across the board are having a rough time. I found two December 2007 articles about author Valerie Martin. In The Washington Post piece Martin's editor Nan Talese says "I remember thinking a number of years ago," says Talese, that "pretty soon we're going to have to put in our contracts: 'And the author promises to tour across the United States with no clothes on.' " read entire article here.

She might not be too far off point.

As per Galleycat, via Bookscan Valerie Martin's last three novels did not break the 6,000 barrier in hardcover. Trespass, her latest novel had only sold 3,000 copies at the time of the article.

Now why is that? I'm familiar with Valerie Martin. I read her novel Property and throughly enjoyed it and from the blurb Toni Morrison gave the author I'm assuming she enjoyed it as well.



Rejection Letter #10:


"I’m a big fan of Bernice’s but I’m not a fan of this particular book so I am going to pass. I really didn’t like any of the characters – even the main one. I found myself not able to make an emotional connection with the story."

Bernice L. McFadden

It Ain't Easy Being Green Parts 7, 8 & 9

I don't remember where I heard this but someone commented that if AA authors continue to be kept out of the national market (in terms of having their works marketed across the color line) and are forced to produce work under "one" genre in order to continue to be published by the major houses then the AA readers would eventually become bored with the same ole stories and begin to drift away taking their hard earned dollars with them and spending it on writers who have a variety of stories to tell. The result of which would throw us twenty years back when publishers claimed that Black folk didn't read. Fewer and fewer AA writers would be traditionally published and the houses new claim would be that Black folk don't want to read anything written by Black folk....

Rejection Letter #7:

"This is really well done; one of the more refreshingly original story lines I’ve seen in years. But there have been no break out black novels in years. The only writers who consistently find their audience are/or have been on the extended list (editor references to major contemporary AA writers) So while I always consider fiction, it’s something I am buying far, far less of these days . Wish I were writing with better news but it’s just reflective of the market, I’m afraid.

Yours, "

Rejection Letter #8:

"I’ve had a chance to read GLORIOUS, and there’s a lot to recommend it. Easter is a great character, and observing the brutal and fantastic era in which she lives through her eyes was as pleasurable as it was painful. That said, it has a quiet quality that I think would prevent it from standing out on our list. Because of that, I don’t think this is the book with which we could help Bernice McFadden make a fresh start sales-wise. I’m going to pass, but thanks so much for giving me an opportunity to consider your accomplished author. I wish you so much luck finding the perfect new home for her soon.

All best,"



Rejection Letter #9:


"I want to thank you for letting me take a look at this. As I mentioned, I have great respect for Bernice’s work and I was extremely excited to read this. I loved the breadth of the idea, the characters sketches, and the time period. I also appreciated that this work will deal with the politics of race, class, and gender (including sexual orientation)......
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to pass on the opportunity to publish this now. However, (and it is unlikely that you won’t sell this as is), if Bernice does go back to the drawing table, I’d love to be reconsidered.....

Best,"

Bernice L. McFadden

It Ain't Easy Being Green Part V & IV

Misery loves company and so I'll admit that I search about the web looking for "rejection" letters/stories by or about authors.

Today I came across Rotten Rejections - The Letters that publishers wish they'd never sent.

Needless to say, I'm feeling less miserable.


Rejection Letter #5:


"Hi, -- Many thanks for (re)sending Bernice McFadden's ms. She has an incredibly impressive list of credits -- so I was very set to fall in love! -- but I have to admit I just couldn't get into the story here. An important factor, as she deserves an editor who will relaunch her properly.

But thank you again for the chance to take a look.

Best wishes, "


Rejection Letter #6:

"... thanks so much for the chance to look at GLORIOUS. I have always admired Bernice's tremendous talent and skill. She is truly an original and this novel seems like it will be another testament to that talent and skill. However, in the end, I did not fall absolutely, irrevocably in love with this in the way I had hoped. And for me to take on publishing Bernice I feel like nothing less than that kind of reaction is appropriate. So it is with regret that I am passing. But thank you so much for the chance to look at her work and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for her in the future as well.

Best, "

Bernice L. McFadden