Top Local Authors In Philadelphia
www.solomonjones.com
Solomon Jones has been a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Tribune and has taught creative writing at Temple University. Jones is a best-selling author of the magazine Essence and has also written several crime thrillers. Much of his material is based on his own experience living in Philly; topics include fighting hard times and rebuilding oneself. In fact, while Jones was working his first writing gig with the Philadelphia Tribune, he was living in a local homeless shelter. Four years later, he graduated from Temple. His most recent book is entitled "The Dead Man's Wife," and it's part of the new Coletti series, which follows the stories of detective Mike Coletti. Solomon is also the creator of the "Words on the Street" literacy program to help at-risk youth in the Philadelphia School District.
www.salon.com/stephan_salisbury
Stephan Salisbury is a prize-winning reporter and cultural writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer. His most recent book is titled "Mohamed's Ghosts: An American Story of Love and Fear in the Homeland." This book discusses the fears and paranoia of today's post-9/11 world. His political work is often themed "the more things change the more they remain the same." In "Mohamed's Ghosts," comparisons are made between prejudices relating to Muslims and the way people feared Catholics many decades ago.
www.loritharps.com
Lori L. Tharps is a freelance journalist and author who has written for such poplular publications as Vibe and Entertainment Weekly. She has published three books, two of which are non-fiction, and is also an assistant journalism professor at Temple University. Her most recent book, "Substitute Me," and is her debut novel. "Substitute Me" tells the tale of two women in New York city, an educated nanny and her employer, and their own challenges and journeys of self-discovery. Tharps pulls much of her content from her own experiences as a well-educated African American woman. She is a sought-after public speaker as well.
www.scottoline.com
Lisa Scottoline is an award-winning writer and the author of over 20 books who has reached millions of readers in the mystery genre. She is also the president of the Mystery Writers of America. Her latest book is called "Don't Go." It is an emotionally charged story about a solider in Afghanistan and how that affected him as not only a solider and hero, but a father. Another one of Scottoline's books, "Look Again," was named "One of the Best Novels of the Year" by the Washington Post.
www.karenequinonesmiller.com
Karen E. Quinones Miller is not only a best-selling writer but an inspiration for anyone who has had a difficult beginning. Despite dropping out of school in the eighth grade and getting an education on the hard streets of Harlem in the 1970s, Miller became the master of her own destiny after working at the Philadelphia Inquirer. She went back to school for journalism and eventually, began writing books. She was nominated by the NAACP for a literacy award and has a long and impressive career. Her most recent book, "An Angry-Ass Black Woman," is an autobiographical novel. This hard-working author also owns her own small publishing house called Oshun Publishing Company Inc. and has helped start the careers of many other authors.
