Features

The Ru Report #144

The Good Doctor
Dr. Ian Smith is no joke.

He may be media savvy, but the award--winning “Today” show correspondent and New York Daily News columnist doesn’t like to talk his personal business to media pals. He will, however, wax poetic about topics such health and fitness, and anything related to the medical profession.

And of course a lot about his latest book, The Blackbird Papers, a mystery thriller, which arrived on bookshelves across the globe in late June via Doubleday publishing.

A native of Danbury, Connecticut and a half of twin brothers, Dr. Smith started his medical degree at Dartmouth and graduated from the University of Chicago’s medical school. He has also contributed to Time, Newsweek, and Men’s Health, over the past few years. As the author two medical books, The Take Control Diet and Dr. Ian Smith’s Guide to Medical Websites, he is one of the most distinguished Black medical professionals in his chosen field.

The Ru Report checked in with the very busy and in-demand doctor to talk about the method to his madness… and his mystery.

What sparked your interests in publishing?

I’ve always wanted to write since my AP English class in high school when I found myself lost in some of the great classics. I appreciated a good story at a time when most students preferred a movie or some other social activity. I enjoyed it all. It wasn’t until college, however, after I read John Grisham’s The Firm, did I decide that I was actually going to write a book rather than just talk about it.

This is your third book. The others were medical related. Why the novel form, and mystery of all things?

Fiction writing is much more creative and free-spirited. The story comes from my head and I’m allowed to go to places and create characters that I have never been or met. The freedom to let your imagination run is so satisfying to an author. Writing medical non-fiction books is also satisfying, but in a different way. There’s less imaginative freedom, but a greater sense that the information you’re imparting can directly benefit someone’s health.

I wanted to write a fast-paced, page-turning thriller like I had come to love to read, and I figured why not do it against this perfectly charming backdrop. I had the title first (which is not often the case) then I did some research on blackbirds and discovered this amazing controversy that’s still brewing in our country. The issue was fascinating, so I decided to weave my murder mystery around this environmental controversy.

How much does your life parallels [lead character] Sterling Bledsoe's?

Unfortunately, my life doesn’t parallel Sterling’s at all. His life seems to be much more exciting and unpredictable. It always seems to be the case that an author will create a great character and put into that character and his or her life qualities and adventures that the author wishes was his own.

So how has the fiction publishing industry been treating you?

This has been a great experience… Many insiders and publishing veterans have sent me great notes of praise and the book readers have been extremely responsive. I’ve gotten hundreds of e-mails from fans... I hope this response continues!

How did you get the deal?

I was lucky. Doubleday was the first publishing house to see The Blackbird Papers and they made an offer for it right on the spot. Not only did they make the offer for that book, but bought the second book, which I hadn’t even written. That book, a medical thriller set in Chicago, is almost done and will be released next summer or fall.

You’ve trekked the country promoting the book. How’s the reception?

Getting out and talking about the book has been a rewarding experience. It’s always great to meet other book lovers and avid readers. They are affirmation that good stories will always find an audience. They inspire me to keep writing.

What lessons have been learned from this whole experience?

One of the biggest lessons is that an author must be as avid about getting his or her book out in the public’s consciousness as he is about writing the book. Writing a good book is only half the battle. This is a competitive marketplace. Look at how many books are on the shelves the next time you go to a bookstore. The other half of the battle is getting people interested in at least sampling your writing. I believe if you’ve written a good story and you can get people to read it, then the good word will then spread from there. Authors must not be shy about asking readers to taste some of their art. You have to be the biggest believer in yourself!

Talk about your craft, your method.

Writing for me has been a visceral and completely enjoyable experience. I’ve had a blast creating things out of nothing and twisting plots and developing character. I am a person who likes to create, likes to be in other people’s minds, like to go on a ride when hearing or telling a story. I have never looked at writing as a chore but simply a love. Maybe that’s why I’ve had so much fun and it has come so naturally to me. I like stories, whether movies, TV, or books and I like telling them. Writing has been a natural offshoot of what I have enjoyed for so many years.

How did you dream up this story?

The idea for The Blackbird Papers came to me like a vision. No, seriously, don’t laugh. I was a first year medical student at Dartmouth adjusting to life in the cold mountains after spending a tremendously exciting year in New York City. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been to Hanover, New Hampshire before or any of the surrounding communities, but there are two things that immediately strike you. First, it’s one of the most naturally beautifully and preserved environments in the country. Second, after about 48 hours there, you stand there in the middle of wilderness and wood-paneled Jeep Wagoneers and ask yourself, ‘So, now what do I do?

It’s a vivid story. How did you shape it? Any research?

I had driven those dark, narrow streets for many months, but for some reason that afternoon, trying to think about anything else other than nerves and muscles and tissue cultures, a thought popped into my mind: ‘What a great place this would be for a mysterious murder.’ Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘What is a doctor-in-training doing thinking about murders and such, especially in the middle of a peaceful and bucolic place?’ But that’s one of the amazing things about the brain; some ideas freely pop into our heads that we have no control over, stay for a while and then fly away as fast as they entered without us ever knowing why we had the thoughts in the first place. So that was the start--a mysterious murder of a professor in this small college town hidden in the cold mountains, seemingly worlds away from ‘civilization.’ The rest of the plot for The Blackbird Papers filled in over time through Internet research and phone research with everyone from conservation societies to law enforcement officials.

Now that you've accomplished this mystery novel, what else is in store for your literary pursuits?

I am putting the finishing touches on my second novel…It’s about two first-year medical students who make a grim discovery and that discovery leads to several murders. The story is completely original in the sense that there’s never been anything like it before. The characters are vivid and the tension is palpable. I think this will be another book that will have people helplessly turning pages to find out who did it and why.

How would you best describe yourself?

I’m a deeply passionate person who dreams big, never gives up, and always try to follow my heart. I have varied interests and I just hope that I can accomplish even half of what I want to do in this too short of a journey called life. One of my favorite expressions to live by is: Carpe Diem, which means Seize The Day! in Latin.

Pages
The controversial best-selling author J.L. King is on a roll. His wildly popular On The Down Low book has sold upwards to 200,000 copies in the span of just four months of release and the groundbreaking part-memoir/part-educational page turner is in its 15th printing. His publicist confirms that a “20/20” segment has been taped with an airdate pending. Can someone say “sweeps”?

Meanwhile, Mr. King is the publisher of his own burgeoning literary empire, Chicago Moon Publishing. The company’s first offering is an insightful ‘trade’ paperback edited by Windy City politico Max Smith titled Staying Power! The Unofficial Guide To Maintaining Positive African American Male Relationships. The near 300-page paperback is packed with proverbs, affirmations and illustrations juxtaposed with 25 chapters ranging in topics dealing with self-esteem, long distance relationships, penis size, Internet dating, homosexual on homosexual discrimination, relationship longevity and the like.

“I know that there are many Same Gender Loving (SGL) men and women who are talented writers who have expressed their feelings about love and life on napkins, in journals and on sheets of paper that never get to be shared with others,” says Mr. King. “I wanted to give these individuals a way to follow their dreams and see their work become a published book.”

Eric Jerome Dickey, another one of my favorite best-selling authors is becoming a multimedia entity. His best-selling novel Friends and Lovers have been morphed into a traveling stage play of the same name.

According to Los Angeles-based publicist Lisa Sorenson, Black Hollywood notables such as Leon, Monica Calhoun, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Mel Jackson, and Maia Campbell will star in the show, which kicks off on September 7 in Jacksonville, Florida, and will sweep the country until November 23 in Philadelphia. The Houston-based I’m Ready Productions, which broke box office records in several cities with the national tours of their previous stage musicals, “Men Cry In the Dark” and “Maintenance Man” (both based on best-selling novels by Michael Baisden) is helming up this latest novel turned play.

Mr. Dickey, who is a New York Times best-selling author of ten novels, tells The Ru Report that he is looking forward to the transformation. “I'm excited to see the book in a different medium…The people at I'm Ready have been wonderful and have allowed me to see versions of the script while it was being developed, as well as asking for my input. Comedy. Music. Poignant moments. It should be phat.”

This November, Amistad/Harper Collins will release I’ll Find A Way Or Make One a commemorative gift book chronicling Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Written by author and news correspondent Juan Williams and Dwayne Ashley, President of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, the 448-page book is filled with photos, historical narratives, personal memoirs, archival and contemporary materials, and anecdotal and resource information on each of America’s 107 HBCUs including Howard University, Florida A&M University, Tennessee State University, and Hampton University. “60 Minutes” anchor Ed Bradley, who is a graduate of Cheyney State University, has signed on to write the Foreword for the book. All royalties from the sales of I’ll Find A Way… will be donated to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.

Readings
Giving credit where credit is due, I must applaud former Vibe magazine staffer Craig Seymour on his literary debut, LUTHER: The Life and Longing of LUTHER VANDROSS (Harper Entertainment, $24.95). Aside from Natalie Cole’s gripping memoir, 2000’s Angel On My Shoulder, I have never tore through a biography as quickly. LUTHER… is well researched (I’ve never seen a biography with such an extensive bibliography), tantalizing (offering informative back stories on Mr. Vandross’ feuds with divas such as Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and EnVogue) and at times very, very safe (While touching upon Luther’s much guarded romantic life, the author chose not to be as forward as he could’ve been about sexual matters.) Other highlights include: Mr. Vandross’ humble, early days at the Apollo Theater, his early encounters with Bette Midler, his big break with David Bowie, Roberta Flack firing him, family tragedies, personal triumphs, lots of overeating, lots of wanting mainstream acceptance, lots of extravagant and ostentatious living, the questionable deaths of close male friends Yogi Horton and Larry Salvemini (resulting in a vehicular manslaughter trial for the singer), his sharp business acumen, and lots of inside information on his stroke and subsequent coma. It’s a safe job well done.

Denise N. Wheatley’s first book, I Wish I Never Met You: Dating The Shiftless, Stupid, and Ugly--A Novel (Touchstone; $12.00) is the most chilling book I’ve read all year. Unlike some other light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek Black Chick Lit that’s cropping up on store shelves, this page-turning “novel” is as raw as having a blunt conversation with a brazen broad from the lower trenches of Brooklyn--or any other notorious inner-city enclave where the sisters give as good as they get (and then some!) for that matter. Clearly the narrator of the book is a “single black female addicted to retail” with the idea that her Black knight in shining honor could come in the form of a married man, a man she met in a club, a man with a girlfriend, a disco-loving “Undercover Sugar Booty,” or even a foul fiancé. Sad to say, he won’t. The scenarios presented and the psychotic psyche of the narrator is enough to put readers on edge--getting into the complex mentality of a single woman with L.S.E.(low self esteem) and unrealistic and unattainable goals. She has Fatal Attraction tendencies throughout the book, which is an uncensored, sexually adventurous romp. Think Bridget Jones’s Diary, written in magic marker--south side Chicago style!

Five On It; five books to read this season
Gotham Diaries by Tonya Lewis Lee and Crystal McCrary (Hyperion; $21.95) is a look into the world of high-stakes real estate, charity, and ambition in Manhattan’s elite Black society. With a colorful cast of characters including billionaire businessmen, middle class Midwesterners, ballplayers, models and music moguls, the authors spin a cautionary tale about the limits of money and status.

The Wendy Williams Experience by Wendy Williams with Karen Hunter (Dutton; $24.95) takes readers behind the scenes and past the velvet rope with a V.I.P. pass into the hip hop world as New York radio shock jock delivers the good, the bad, and the ugly. The infamous interview with a very irate Whitney Houston appears as its own chapter (#13) in the book, and discussions with hip-hop giants such as Suge Knight and insiders such as Misa Hilton-Brimm, stylist to major names from Mary J. Blige to Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot and P. Diddy’s very first baby’s mama, are printed too. A chapter on hip-hop homosexuality (“How You Doin?”) is very in-your-face, while black and white photos chronicling Ms. Williams rise (with Mo’Nique, Janet Jackson, Queen Pen, The Wu Tang Clan, Cam’Ron, Steve Manning, Public Enemy’s Flava Flav and some hysterical captions) round out the book. A 5-disc abridged audio component read by Ms. Williams is also available.

NO WOMAN NO CRY: My Life with Bob Marley by Rita Marley with Hettie Jones (Hyperion; $22.95) is a no-holds-barred account of life with one of the most legendary musicians of all time. For the record: the telling memoir is by the woman who knew him best, who was his only wife, and who remained married to him until his death in 1981. “When we got to New York, a new element was added, because it was a record company recommendation that you shouldn’t let your fans know you were married,” Mrs. Marley writes. “They thought, how could you be a devoted husband and sell records? I didn’t know this until I read, in a newspaper interview: ‘Bob, we hear you’re married--is it true you’re married to Rita?’ And his answer was, ‘Oh, no, she’s my sister!’” Mrs. Marley also details the many affairs the reggae legend had with other women: "So what that he had children with other women? He was always truthful, he always told me when another child was on the way. He would even bring the babies to me when they were born, and sometimes I would even bring them up myself." This and much more drama is included in this poignant, compelling, and uncommonly candid book.

A Love Story by Denene Millner and Nick Chiles (Dutton, $23.95) is the third novel by the best-selling husband and wife team. The hardcover book is presented in their trademark he said/she said alternating chapter approach about Aaron and Nina, childhood playmates who in adulthood find themselves faced with the difficult proposition of being more than just friends.

How To Make Love Like A Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale by Jenna Jameson with Neil Strauss (ReganBooks; $27.95) is the memoir from one of the biggest names in the adult entertainment industry. The 580-page tome is a frank and unflinching self-examination about a downtrodden woman-child who beat the odds and plays by her own rules. Loaded with gorgeous stylized photographs, candid pictorials, sexy cartoons and diary entries, “…Porn Star” is must see literature!

Stages
We should call her “On The Rebound Ramona.” Ramona Keller--one of the singing soul sisters of the soon-to-shutter Broadway musical, “Caroline, Or Change”-- will next star in “Brooklyn: The Musical,” which officially opens at Broadway’s Plymouth Theater on October 21. According to production notes, the story centers on a band of soulful street-corner singers and storytellers from BK, who set a stage and tell a wondrous sidewalk fairy tale about a young girl searching for fame and the father she never knew. With just one clue to lead her, she lands in the city that bears her name. Direction and musical staging will be by Jeff Calhoun with music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by John McDaniel. Ms. Keller has also starred in the Broadway production of “Smokey Joe’s Café” and has shared the stage in “Dreamgirls” with Jennifer Holliday. Before “Caroline…” she starred in the premiere run of “Brooklyn” at the New Denver Civic Theatre, in the spring of 2003.

Court TV will air the cinematic adaptation of the award-winning off-Broadway play, “The Exonerated,” next year. The film will feature Academy Award winning actor/director/producer Susan Sarandon, alongside Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Delroy Lindo, Aidan Quinn, and David Brown Jr. “The Exonerated” focuses on the stories of six innocent people who spent years on death row before being set free. Award-winning actor/director/producer Bob Balaban, who developed and directed the stage production, serves as director and executive producer for the screen version.

One of my favorite leggy blondes will be making their debut on the Great White Way. Well, somewhat. A newly-revived RuPaul will co-star in a One Night Only revival of the legendary musical “Hair” on September 20 at the New Amsterdam Theater. The concert event is the annual benefit for the Actors' Fund of America and will also feature the talents of Kathy Brier, Darius de Haas, Harvey Fierstein, Hunter Foster, Norm Lewis, Idina Menzell, Adam Pascal, Billy Porter, Jai Rodriguez and Lillias White, amongst others.

And while on the subject of that incomparable Tony Award winning diva, it’s rumored that she has been cast in Showtime’s comedy pilot, “Pryor Offenses” about legendary comedian Richard Pryor, starring Eddie Griffin in the lead role. Ms. White is also in talks to return to Broadway in the very near future.

Around Town
Twenty years and still going strong, Black media titan Angelo Ellerbee recently celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his public relations firm, Double XXPosure, at the Pantheon Day Spa on Manhattan’s tony Fifth Avenue. More than forty specially invited media personalities and journalists were pampered with manicure and pedicures while sipping on champagne and eating chocolate strawberries. The firm’s Vice President Brandon Himmel offered me a cookie when I walked through the door. A f@#%ing cookie! But it was all in good fun. He’s a great guy, who really takes care of people. Mr. Ellerbee, who has been taking care of the images of an assortment of entertainers such as Mary J. Blige, Nina Simone, DMX, Grace Jones, Dru Hill and Dionne Warwick over the years, was in great spirits during the event, adorned in a sear-sucker robe. "It was a chance to give back to some of the people who supported me over the last 20 years,” he offered. “It was glorious, enjoyable, and meaningful." Sister 2 Sister magazine publisher Jamie Foster-Brown yukked it up with a few of her staff members, bringing much zeal to the event while singers Melba Moore and Lumidee, and DJ Wayne Williams, also partook in the festivities. Mr. Ellerbee is preparing to do a Public Relations/Image Control workshop at the Learning Annex in November. Catch it!

Boyz II Men’s celebratory party for their new Koch Records album Throwback lived up to its title on Tuesday night. Porn star Heather Hunter and radio personality Eddie Love seemed to be the only celebrity notables spotted at the event for the one-time R&B super-group, held at hot spot Suede where invitees had to drink from a cash bar. Perhaps someone should’ve called my friends at Martell!

Knowing how to really treat their guests, Sony Legacy held a swank affair on the rooftop of The Hotel Gansevoort in celebration of the new album, Taken To The Next Phase, which features up to date, hip-hop savvy renditions of The Isley Brothers classics like “Footsteps In The Dark,” “The Lady,” “Summer Breeze” and “Between The Sheets.” Mos Def, will.I.am of Black Eyed Peas, Raphael Saadiq, Onda, Stuart Matthewman, ?uest Love of The Roots, Steven “Lenky” Marsden, Gabriel Rene, De La Soul, and Ignorants all contribute to the album, which was conceived by Rene Arsenault of the newly formed Onda Entertainment, a division of Onda Productions. The production, songwriting and music supervision collective has built a name for itself by creating, developing and scoring music for television commercials, films, and fashion shows. That explains why fashion design house Valentino co-sponsored the event, where Moet Chandon steadily flowed.

Legendary media specialist Steve Manning is all excited about the upcoming roast for his client, basketball star Mark Jackson. The event will be held at the Lexington Avenue W Hotel on September 14 and the likes of Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Houston, Jeff Van Gundy and Rod Strickland are expected. Musical genius Wyclef Jean has been deemed a special guest for the festivities honoring Mr. Jackson--who now plays point guard for the Houston Rockets.

Is former MTV vee-jay Bill Bellamy getting into the liquor business? Sure looks that way. On September 16, the sometimes comedian will play a rare stand up comedy gig at the World’s Famous Apollo Theater. According to a spokesperson, the How To Be A Player will perform to a invitation-only crowd at the private show, presented by B&B Cognac. Ka-Ching!

On September 22, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn College, and The Brooklyn College Women's Studies Program will welcome pioneering African American Congresswoman and 1972 Presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm. A free screening of the documentary Chisholm '72-Unbought & Unbossed will be held in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House with remarks by Ms. Chisholm, along with other special guests. Originally premiering at The Sundance Film Festival, the documentary will launch its east coast theatrical engagement at the BAM Rose Cinemas from September 24-30.

Video View
Purple Rain: 20th Anniversary Two Disc Special Edition. The breakthrough ‘musical’-based movie debut of rock n’ roll legend Prince has finally debuted in DVD format with an all-new digital transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and wide-screen presentation. Loosely based on his Midwestern wonder years, Purple Rain, centers on an ambitious young musician’s struggle to secure his success in the music industry while overcoming personal strife. The very sexy romp starred Prince, Apollonia, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos, and Clarence Williams III and served as the soundtrack of the time. In addition to the near two-hour film, the DVD package includes filmmaker commentary, three new featurettes on the making-of the film and its impact, eight classic Prince music videos (“Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain”) and much more. Purple Rain earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, and the soundtrack went on to sell more than 13 million albums to date, and stayed 24 weeks at #1 on the music charts. It was one hell of a debut. Two additional Prince films, Graffiti Bridge and Under the Cherry Moon, are also now available on DVD, too.

Line items
Hip hop fans can get a load of what “beef” is all about in Beef II (Image) executive produced by Quincy Jones III and narrated by actor Keith David. Featuring interviews with 50 Cent, D12, Redman, Method Man, Canibus, Royce Da 5'9", KRS-One, Nelly, Ice Cube, Mack 10, Cypress Hill, DMX, K-Solo, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Parrish Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Angie Martinez, DJ KaySlay, Big Daddy Kane, Davey D, Cold Crush Brothers, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, Kangol Kid, Kevin Powell, Afeni Shakur and exclusive archival footage of Eminem, LL Cool J, Westside Connection and Cypress Hill, Beef II explores the battles that rages behind the scenes of the music industry.

Kids will get a kick out of the magical tale of Ella Enchanted (Buena Vista) starring Anne Hathaway about a world where children are given a gift from a fairy godmother at the moment of their birth. The light-hearted fantasy film also stars Minnie Driver, Vivica A. Fox and Joanna Lumley.

And Cedric The Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Lil’ Bow Wow and Solange Knowles star in Johnson Family Vacation (Fox), which is a feel good, funny family comedy centering on a family's cross-country trek to their annual family reunion, which goes awry.

“I ain’t been licked.”

©2004 The Ru Report™. All Rights Reserved~~P.O. Box #25 Bushkill PA 18324

Message Karu F Daniels or email him directly at therureport@aol.com