“I want to help people of color
realize that their dreams do have potential
and they don’t have to continue to be
enslaved in a close-minded society.”
Captivating the mind with spellbinding,
provocative and ingenious storytelling,
author/publisher Richard Jeanty is
a master craftsman--and tireless crusader--in
the burgeoning arena of “urban literature,”
as well as in life. Founder and President
of his own RJ Publications, Jeanty
turns words into vivid images, painting
well-formed characters that compel
the reader to become involved in their
sagas.
The prolific New York City-based
contemporary wordsmith and visionary
founded his publishing company to
both publish his own works and to
provide an invaluable conduit for
talented writers of color to have
their works published. He provides
encouragement and support to his fellow
writers, assisting them with stretching
their creative souls and making their
own indelible mark on the literary
landscape. Says Jeanty, “I want to
give each author or artist the exposure
they deserve.” Social activist as
much as he is a literary crusader,
Jeanty’s mission is to foster change
in people and society as a whole.
That is always his motivation in all
his undertakings.
Jeanty’s last project tackled police
brutality and the devastating state
of Black men. In his release “The
Most Dangerous Gang in America: The
NYPD,” Jeanty gave voice to a crying
community as well as addressed the
reasons why Black men are targeted
by police everywhere where most of
the situations involved unjustified
shootings and civil rights violations.
The Most Dangerous Gang In America:
The NYPD is the book that Jeanty hoped
will propel change in people’s views
and attitudes. His latest project
is the second and possibly last installment
to his best-selling book, Sexual Exploits
of a Nympho. In Sexual Exploits of
a Nympho II, Jeanty further explores
the relationship between Tina and
her boyfriend Darren. He dares to
force his readers to question themselves
whether the pursuit of happiness and
perfection in a mate is endless.
While attending the University of
Massachusetts, Richard discovered
his passion for prose. He initially
pursued a career as a social worker
in the Boston metropolitan area, then
later served as the academic coordinator
for Boston University’s Upward Bound
Program. However, due to his unique,
narrative writing style, laced with
bursts of cinematic flair, Richard’s
professors urged him to focus his
considerable talents on writing while
attending graduate school.
Shortly after earning his Bachelor
of Arts degree and moving to New York
City, Jeanty began to teach at Morris
High School in the Bronx, also working
for the Department of Social Services’
Administration for Children’s Services.
Richard also worked as a Program Director
at The Hudson Guild in New York City
helping underprivileged kids. Richard
has always been--and still is--dedicated
to helping underprivileged children
and their families. I was brought
up in an abusive surrounding as a
young child and was on my own at fourteen,”
says Jeanty. “My life serves as a
solid foundation for what RJ Publications
signifies. Nothing but my sheer determination
and will pushed me to succeed.”
In the Fall 0f 2004, Jeanty self-published
his first novel, Neglected Souls.
This book spoke of shattered urban
lives and the choices made by those
in that predicament. The compelling
tale was Jeanty’s initial tour-de-force,
garnering him widespread accolades
from readers and critics alike. This
book was also the first in a fascinating
Jeanty-made trilogy. Well on his way
toward becoming a memorable name on
the urban literary scene, Jeanty continued
to pen his fascinating lore, while
also keeping an eye out for other
authors whom he could publish. His
second book was Meeting Ms. Right’s:
Whip Appeal, a story that tells the
tale of two wealthy young men and
how each deals with his life while
struggling to find the right woman.
After that release, Jeanty toiled
further, and produced his next notable
saga. Sexual Exploits Of A Nympho,
Jeanty’s third offering, tells the
tale of a life ruled by lust, addiction,
its repercussions and how to overcome
it all. Following that release, Richard
turned his sights toward presenting
the work of another author. He decided
to publish, via his RJ Publications,
a fictional tale penned by author
K.M. Thompson, titled Me And Mrs.
Jones; Thompson’s book was the first
book by an author other than himself
that Jeanty published. With that release,
RJ Publications was then well on its
way toward becoming a welcome haven
for other prolific urban writers.
Jeanty’s next novel, released in
November 2006, wass the sequel to
his earlier work, Neglected Souls,
and it added another layer to his
body of work. Titled Neglected No
More, the opus represents the second
part of his trilogy. He also published
the books of Brooklyn-based author
W.S. Burkett on September 30, 2006
titled “Chasing Satisfaction” and
Atlanta based author Cereka Cook in
February titled ”Extreme Circumstances”
Richard Jeanty is a gifted, compassionate
literary innovator. His compositions
and those of the authors he publishes
are both entertaining and educational
for readers, lying bare on the page
varied slices of an array of urban
lifestyles and personalities.
To add reality to fiction, Jeanty,
via his RJ Publications, is further
striving to educate and enhance the
community by offering scholarships
and other financial assistance to
any student who plans to study art,
journalism or communications in college.
Putting his money where his mouth
is, he wants to encourage and empower
a new generation of creative minds.
Jeanty fully, deeply understands the
importance of education and maximizing
the potential of raw urban talent;
that realization drives him to consistently
keep his eye on the prize of uplifting
others. He is determined, via his
work, to improve urban America’s minds,
souls, spirits and condition, to assist
in ameliorating the circumstances
that too often befall them.
To be sure, he is multi-faceted,
but to describe Richard Jeanty in
two words, he’s a literary warrior
for change.
BACK
Shawn Black is a living testament
to the rewards of faith, perseverance,
and self-determination. A former
drug dealer and convicted felon,
Shawn Black found a way to channel
the energy and experiences gained
from his life on the streets into
fictional literary masterpieces
that provide readers an opportunity
to see life through the eyes of
a hustler.
Shawn Black was born in the Bronx,
New York and raised in Scranton,
South Carolina. His life as a child
was normal by most standards, rooted
in a strong religious faith and
a loving family. However, after
joining the Navy he was exposed
to the fast life and became as much
of an addict to the lifestyle as
the addicts he sold his product
to. He managed to avoid death and
prison for 10 years while building
his “empire.” However, in January
2001 his life in the fast lane came
to a screeching halt. A deal to
an undercover federal agent landed
him in federal prison.
His mantra from the beginning was
to “do my time, not let my time
do me.” With that, while incarcerated
he found his passion in writing
and focused all of his energy on
penning vivid, dynamic and spellbinding
fictional tales of life in the drug
game. He is currently a published
author with RJ Publications with
another book set for release next
year.
Shawn Black is a single, proud
father of Devon and Asia. He currently
resides in Atlanta, GA. He credits
his success to his belief in God
and never giving up on himself.
For comments or questions go to:
http://www.myspace.com/authorshawnblack
BACK
Yusuf Woods is a Pennsylvania
native and author of Blood of
My Brother. With an ever present
flair for entertaining, Yusuf
began his writing while serving
time in prison. At a point in
life when he realized that his
personal experiences, the consequences
he paid, and his knowledge of
the street life could be used
creatively with the possibility
of enlightening those who are
headed in the same direction where
he once was, he penned his first
novel. Knowing firsthand how the
death of people’s dreams, relationships,
and spirits could happen so quickly,
Yusuf used an innovative approach
to present this story to show
the dark side of living the fast
life as well as the temptations
that seem so fascinating, yet
only consuming. Not only does
he aim to provide literature that
captivates and excites, he also
unleashes his distinct creativity
to portray scenarios that are
happening in some urban cultures
today. In addition to writing,
Yusuf devotes his time to studying
Islam, his family, being a father,
and counseling others. He and
his wife Zoë are currently at
work on other upcoming projects,
including the sequel to Blood
of My Brother.
BACK
Zoë Woods, co-author of the
newly released novel Blood of
My Brother, has roots in Virginia
and Pennsylvania. She has a
passion for literature and the
arts. She was ecstatic when
presented with the opportunity
to assist her husband, Yusuf
Woods, with their debut novel
and future works. Zoë is a witness
to the power of attraction to
the street life and the strength
that it takes to transform and
learn from experiences once
involved in it. Her collaboration
with Yusuf brought forth an
element of expression beyond
imagination, revealing perspectives
from both the inside and out.
Currently, Zoë is continuing
her college education with specializations
in Computer Information Systems
and Business Management.
She also divides her time between
motherhood, utilizing her artistic
abilities in design, and promoting
awareness and prevention of
domestic violence.
BACK
During her younger years, she
wrote a lot of short stories
and
a children’s theatre production.
Most of her creativity came
from
reading. Her mother first introduced
her to reading at a young age.
Although her mother stressed
the importance of reading, she
found herself immersed in the
stories.
It wasn’t until 2002 that she
became serious about writing.
A meeting by chance with James
D. Jackson of Regal Publishing
brought to life her first book
Extreme Circumstances. The book
soon went to print via way of
Print On Demand. Finally, at
another chance meeting, (this
time) with best-selling author,
Richard Jeanty, an agreement
was met and the book was republished
by RJ Publications and made
available to mainstream audiences.
A much needed facelift was given
to the book and she captured
audiences everywhere.
Aside from writing, she also
loves animals. She hopes to
one day open a store that caters
to cats, which is her second
passion.
BACK
One of the hottest new authors
on the literary scene, Jeff
Robertson was born and raised
on Chicago's south side. Growing
up in a city that is traditionally
known for it's reputation
in the mob and gang syndicates,
Jeff has effortlessly captured
slices of a lifestyle that
is all too familiar to young
men growing up on the inner
city streets. A creative touch
that started with short stories
shared only among friends,
has now developed into an
epic tale of street survival,
power, money and respect.
Jeff Robertson is well on
his way to the bestsellers
list and beyond.
BACK
Born December 8, 1967, Sonya
grew up somewhat shy loving to
draw and design clothes while
enjoying writing poetry and short
stories. She also showed interest
in Psychology but her plans was
to become a fashion designer/writer.
At seventeen, she became pregnant
with her first child. With a seven-year
gap between she and her boyfriend,
she put off marriage until she
turned eighteen. Feelings of shame,
embarrassment and disappointments
caused her to quit high school.
She soon followed her husband
throughout his military career
around the world. She started
her first novel before the age
of twenty but pushed her dreams
aside to raise her children with
the attention, love and care they
deserved. Even though there were
marital problems, she was determined
to hang in there and make it work.
Fighting for respect, her own
identity and feelings of failure,
she went back to school and completed
a two-year course in Computer
Operations.
Ten years of marriage and four
children later, Sonya decided
it was time to end the marriage.
She became pregnant once again.
For the first time she was alone
with her children. She found herself
staying overnight in a homeless
shelter with her children in order
to receive housing because she
never receive her child support
on time. Determined not to get
caught up in the system, she began
working three jobs to take care
of her family. She soon lost custody
of her children to her husband
because of the long working hours.
Believing everything happens for
a reason, she was now more than
ever determined to succeed and
making it on her own. Over the
next few years she dedicated herself
in giving her children love, support
and everything they needed, in
spite of the fact that she was
a part time mom to four of her
children.
At thirty-seven, Sonya began
praying and asked GOD to lead
her in the right direction. She
finally agreed to give her relationship
with her ex husband another try,
leaving the life she had built
for herself behind. She has always
held strong religious beliefs
in GOD and stayed true to the
teachings of the bible.
While going through old pictures
and documents, Sonya discovered
portions of the first novel she
had attempted to write, which
turned into her first published
piece of work, Too Many Secrets
and Too Many Lies. She currently
lives a fairly private life in
Georgia with her family.
BACK
W.S Burkett is an avid reader
and writer. He grew up reading
some of his favorite authors,
while honing his own skills
as a writer. He hails from Brooklyn,
New York, but currently resides
in Pennsylvania. Chasin' Satisfaction
may have been W.S. Burkett's
debut novel, but his plans is
to keep his readers wanting
more with each book he writes.
Miami Noir, the sequel to his
debut, will be available in
the Fall of 2008. Burkett dreams
of becoming a National Best-selling
author one day, and he's well
on his way.
BACK
Blood
of My Brother II
YUSUF
WOODS
ZOE
WOODS
CEREKA
COOK
