Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

My publisher is small and cannot afford a tour right now. However, I do expect to be in NY and Florida, some time this year.
I was in Florida in December, trying to organize a launch for later this year.

[mountaingal]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Originally posted by HoraneSmith:
[qb] Mopuntaingal, sounds as if you should be a writer. Yes, and no to that question. I believe though I could have been influenced by louis L'Armour. Someone who read Port Royal wrote to tell me he picked up a style of Louis.
However, I think I have reached a stage where I'm fully aware of my style and not easily influenced.
Great question for any would be writer. [/qb]

you flatter me...thanks, i love it.. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

how do you manage to combine family life and writing life?

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Here this: I'm bombarded with tghat question. I do a lot of church work, I have a full time job, write two novels a year - 130,000 words. For me writing comes natural so it's not so difficult. In addition, my first two publishers are out of business so I have personally taken over control of Lover's Leap and Port Royal, handing supllies to Jamaica and the U.S. And believe me it's demanding.
I write a lot in winter and use the summer fofr appearances and I can do up to 20 a year. I also rwead a book a week.
Time management! That's the key. I budget time and make use of every minute.

[SistahD]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Originally posted by HoraneSmith:
[qb] My publisher is small and cannot afford a tour right now. However, I do expect to be in NY and Florida, some time this year.
I was in Florida in December, trying to organize a launch for later this year. [/qb]

((Horane)) I know many of our Members here can hook you up locally for certain audiences... and some of us [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] do have a direct link to the High Commissioner's Office (and are on their Christmas list) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] as well as memberships within Jamaican Associations (ie Canada wide), NCJSOC etc.

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

SistahD. You know I never thought about Reggae Silver for the screen. But when my editor finished with it she said this was something for the screen - definitely, she said because of the colour and the sounds.
I deliberately tried not to get an agent. But I have to admit I'm beginng to see the ned now and it's something I will have to look into sooner or later.

[mountaingal]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

i have your book, Lover's Leap, and i will read it this weekend and post my comments in this thread.

if you worked at JIS when it was API, that means you were in Jamaica at the height of the Manley years...what is your view of that time in Jamaica?

[evanovitch]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

hi Horane....ur name is familiar in that I must have heard it over the years in the context of news...were u ever on air?...just need to place u before i go further [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

SistahD I have plans to ask the Jamaican Consulate in Miami to host a launch but haven't gotten around to it as yet. Any help from any member in this regard is most appreciated. The Jamaican High Commission here in Canada usually hosts my launches in Ottawa and Toronto.
Hey, I'm promoting Jamaica so much that they are always willing to help. But I haven't been able to make contact witrh Florida. I did ask the one in NY couple years ago and they were already booked.
Can jamaicans.com organize a launch?

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Hi Evan. We,lcome.

Yes, I was a reporter fopr JBC-TV and radio for many years. I once hosted a programme on JBC Radio West. I was all over the news, you could say. I was also chief news producers for the 7.30 news on television.

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Yes, I worked at API from 75-79, in the heart of the Manley years.
I was young out of high school. In fact, it was at API, I wrote my first press release.
They were tough years and one in which the future of Jamaica seemed to have been at a crossroads. I covered Mfr. Manley as a reporter (covered Seaga too)and I think he was trying his best to make Jamaica a better place to live. WE have the resources to be better but somehow we can't seem to get out of that viscious cycle of violence and poverty. It's a pity. maybe we need a whole new breed of politicians.

[SistahD]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

((Horane)) because of your profession, you likely know my good friend here Ewart Walters... (I believe he was a former Press Secretary to Michael Manley) (and Joshua Dockery /Westmoreland was 'Personal Protection')

As for the launches / promos... I know I can definitely arrange something in Toronto, as well as Ottawa, and ja.com will be having a huge party week in Ochi in July.

[evanovitch]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Originally posted by HoraneSmith:
[qb] Hi Evan. We,lcome.

Yes, I was a reporter fopr JBC-TV and radio for many years. I once hosted a programme on JBC Radio West. I was all over the news, you could say. I was also chief news producers for the 7.30 news on television. [/qb]

i thought so...we know some people in common...anyway, i read ur book sometime ago and was impressed ..at the time my interest was music however.... in a previous life, i have organized booksignings for a major chain in this country....if u need some help give me a pm and we can talk...

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Well, I will be in Jamaica in August for a launch and some readings. It's a pity you all will be there in July.
Yes, I know Ewart quite well. He has been of great help in promoting my books. His brother, the late Consie Walters, was my boos at JBC in the early eighties.
A Toronto launch is being planned too but it's in the preliminary stages. We can keep in touch on that. Thanks.

[Horane]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

Thanks Evan.

Go to www.reggasilver.rulestheweb.com, one of my eight sites, and send me an email. Or [email protected].<br />Thanks.

[mountaingal]

Re: Feature Guest - Horane Smith Feb. 13, 2004

I think Jamaica has a lot of wonderful, underrated writers - not given their proper due, perhaps, because they worked in journalism. That field gives marvellous training for writing. Just thought I'd say that, in light of your own start in that area.