Exclusive Interviews
Growing up in Russia, Vera’ Spiller’s earliest influences were that of classic Russian literature. Her debut novel, Pride and Punishment, is an impassioned look at the revolutionary deeds of the famous men and women in Russian literary history, the violent conspiracies they hatched and their successes and failures in the process of creating what they believed would be an improved Russia. Vera has taken classic Russian authors and combined them into a fictitious story of history and rebellion. With twists and turns, she speaks of a revolution that left society stunned and the people behind the unrest to face the consequences of their actions.
Ageism is the last acceptable prejudice in society and renowned novelist, Rich Marcello, is out to firmly change this in his latest novel The Latecomers. Rich is the author of four novels (The Color of Home, The Big Wide Calm, The Beauty of the Fall, The Latecomers) and the poetry collection The Long Body That Connects Us All. He also teaches creative writing at Seven Bridges’ Writer Collaborative. Rich’s novels are always intelligent, timely and deal with life’s biggest questions including self-discovery, love, loss, and in The Leftovers, aging.
When Tyler Unknown found out he was signed to the record label Star Child Management Group (SCMG), he knew his dreams were starting to become a reality. SCMG, in affiliation with One Mic Productions, are owned and operated out of Delaware with multiple headquarters throughout the United States including Los Angeles and right now pushing into the South Florida demographic. SCMG also has a plethora of global locations including Dubai, Rome, Greece, France, Prague, Croatia and South Korea. Spearheaded by David Bloom, it is one of the most important industry players in the South Florida, Miami it is one of the most reliant labels and management teams.
Randall Mella is a hip hop dancer and choreographer from Edmonton, Alberta. He has competed in world-class competitions such as Hip Hop International, Artists Emerge and World of Dance. Randall has danced on set for the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms and performed alongside Lia Cole for multiple music videos and live shows including a tour in Asia. His dance crew, Cool Giraffes, have made their mark on the hip hop competition scene finishing in first place at Hip Hop International Canada 2019 and in the top ten at Hip Hop International 2018.
Marsha James provides women the motivation to change the game plan of their lives in her debut book, The Making of a Phenomenal Woman: The Ultimate Belief to Move Ahead: Chess or Checkers. Just like planning out the next move in a game of chess or a checkers match, the book is a tactical course of action in effective strategies for the future. Marsha provides actionable steps for self-improvement, triumph and victory. The self-help guide book also gathers anecdotes, excerpts and stories of life-changing experience by women who have become successful in their respective fields.
Whether it’s expressing our personalities or shaping our confidence, our personal style is the ultimate form of self-expression. However, what if the clothes that speak to you don’t come in your size? This is a problem that many plus size women face — one that the $2.5 trillion global fashion industry is still learning to solve (or, in some cases, recognize). But, as the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” So when 27-year-old Jazmin Lee couldn’t find clothes that made her feel good about herself, she decided to take matters into her own hands and create them herself — and the plus size brand Plus Equals was born.
The Indie Directors Spotlight left its debut footprint in the snow at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Invite-only industry members enjoyed an appreciation brunch and filmmaker panel moderated by Denver Robbins of the Brute Squad Production Company. Panelists included Ericka Nicole Malone, Powerful-U creator/ director James Purpura (Perception: Seeing is not Believing) and Sundance alumni Matty Rich (Straight Out of Brooklyn / The Inkwell).
“I launched The Indie Directors Spotlight 2020 to introduce the Sundance community to a few of the talented directors, their independent short films, and to premier the Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment brand.”
Author Bill Pinnell reminds us that secrets never stay hidden for long in his new novel The Offspring. It is a tale filled with horrifying secrets and a macabre, deadly consequence. The novel follows Hughie Decker, a man on the road to a striding career who, after an ominous circumstance, leaves him with no alternative but to confront a horrible truth ingrained in his family background. It is a gripping narrative filled with convoluted schemes and a secret that destroyed so many lives.
“I’ve been told writing is therapeutic.
Born in London, Brian Finney is English Professor Emeritus at California State University. He is married to fine art photographer J.K. Lavin and lives in Venice, California. He has published eight books including a biography of writer Christopher Isherwood, winner of the prestigious James Tait Black Memorial Book Prize.
“It is never too late to learn something new.”
Brian’s latest release, Money Matters, was declared a finalist in the Best New Fiction category of the 2019 Best Book Awards. The unconventional novel is firmly embedded in Los Angeles culture, taking place over six days surrounding the the 2010 mid-term election.