Lati`a D. Johnson is the self-published author of her debut novel, "INSIDE~OUT". She is both a poet and fiction author; A fan of contemporary African-American authors (including Sister Souljah and Terry McMillan.)

She joins the burgeoning club of female, African-American self-publishers (including Zane "Addicted" and Terri Woods "True to the Game" fame) Johnson Productions Press. Johnson is a graduate of Cheyney State University and Springfield College of Massachusetts with a Masters degree in Community Psychology. While working as a Therapist for the past four years Johnson has helped several of her clients through tough times. She specializes in helping people reach their fullest potential, and she plans to continue doing so through her writing.  She is in the process of starting an inner city youth mentoring group that gives children an opportunity to develop writing skills.

Although writing has not been one of her educational paths, she has a passion for story telling through poetry and novels. Johnson grew up on the mean streets of North Philadelphia. Her rough surroundings and street wit flows freely through her writing. She holds nothing back as she places her readers' right in the middle of each scene.

She is a young entrepreneur that has overcome many obstacles in her life. As a new author and CEO of Johnson Production Press (also known as Johnson Publications). She has created an environment where authors can be apart of the publishing process from manuscript to distribution.
In addition to the" INSIDE~OUT" book series (Part II Summer 2008, Part III due Spring 2009) she will publish Mind, Body & Soul (Book of poetry TBA). Late summer of 2009 she will introduce another novel (Blue Mirage).

Visit Author Lat'ia on Myspace

Ask Lady LJ Advice Blog Coming Soon!

Author Tavy Day

Poet, spoken-word artist and mother, 22-year-old Tavy Day transformed her insight of parenting into a beautiful, funny and instructive children’s book for both parents and children. Artist, Anthony B. Carter, painted (12) colorful and poignant original paintings to illustrate the dynamic mother-daughter relationship told in the book.

"Love x’s 2" fills the current gap of African-American children’s literature addressing the challenges and rewards of single-parenting in a fast-paced world. It’s a book that can be used repeatedly as a bedtime story and quiet-time picture book. "Love x’s 2" will soon reach reading lists of elementary classrooms in cities around the country.

Read in one seating, "Love x’s 2" teaches young and newly single-parents and children valuable lessons while captivating their imaginations with lyrical, poetic prose. Sentences are short and simply constructed.

Visit Author Tavy Day on Myspace

BELLFLOWER, CA – Melissa Burkes (Mimi Renee)

The newest face of JP, celebrates her debut African-American novel “HUB CITY”. A story of a young girl ‘s hurtful past leading her down the wrong path. Mimi explores every day living in the life of a hustler. She expresses the known gang problem that has been televised and depicted in stories such as Boyz in Da hood in the California area.  This street tale told through the eyes of “Keisha Cones” of dishonesty, fast living and the affects of gang banging informs as well as entertains. Being from the same hood Mimi describes so vividly in Hub City, she knows the highs and the lows of the gang life all too well. Her debut novel Hub City is here, setting a mark in the industry with something that she feels is missing…. “That West Coast flavor”. *June 2009