Happy 10th Anniversary "Sugar" - A Novel by Bernice L. McFadden

In Brooklyn...heart of Bed-Stuy, I walked into Brownstone Books, a dainty, SOHO-ish African American owned book store.Folks were already attentively listening to Ms. McFadden. The decor of the space gave a feel of a private den in your own home. Bernice L. McFadden, confident & Black Panther-ish (to me) sat in front a back drop of books on wooden book shelves...this is probably her comfort zone. The books stood neatly at attention for her, for her words commanded the evening of guests, Yellow Tail Wine (red & white) and chocolate covered strawberries.

Though a baby, amongst the sea of listeners, added her own ad-lib in the background, McFadden didn't miss a beat. She dove into her words. No life vest, no worry, and proud. She floated over her words and I drifted on the waves of its message. A great writer puts forth the best for his/her audience.

From the brief excerpt she read, I was drawn to its time and place and an era that hosts such intense emotions. As she continued to read, I was introduced to the cause of the pain and its memory. It entrapped harsh truth of a history. A people's history. To me the 1950's holds so much history that telling it in a story like this is all but a deserved honor.



Sugar celebrates its 10th year of publication. A milestone for a debut novel of such magnitude. Who wouldn't want to celebrate it? We're in the midst of a surge of African American authors at their finest. I am extremely happy to say I was a part of this moment, this part of literary history.

I have only tapped into the collection of Ms. McFadden's writing...she's authored many other titles, such as "The Warmest December", "Nowhere is a place", "This Bitter Earth", "Loving Donovan" and "Camilla's Rose" ... a collection that all seem to confirm, that her writing is all that is cracked up to be ... poignant.

After engaging with a few questions of my own to the author, and getting her truth-be-told responses, I prepare myself for the journey, the rejection letters and the ONE letter that will make this all worth while.

My literary journey is on its way ... wonderful role models and examples for me to live up too. Stay with me and in 10 years we too can celebrate my debut novel.

Here's to a great accomplishment, a wonderful author and living history... Ms. Bernice L. McFadden... Happy 10th year anniversary ... may your pen continue to overflow with courage and poignant story lines. We're ALL reading you loud and clear.