Ghetto Luv: This book is selling fast....
Urban novel takes you straight to the ‘hood
and leaves you laughing

Sassy. Urban. Funny. Mary Wilson’s Ghetto Luv is “in your face,” with the cat-and-mouse game between the Keke and Libra as the backdrop. Keke is one of the most handsome brothas in the ‘hood, definitely smooth when it comes to the ladies.

Neighborhood diva Libra is described as “every man’s dream and every woman’s nightmare.” She and her two girls rule the streets, but Libra is clearly the standout of the three. She is full of spunk, confidence and street smarts - the mistress of seduction with her drop-dead gorgeous looks. Looking for the queen of St. Louis’ West End? Libra holds the title and the attitude to go along with it.

The novel is soaked with brazen sex and hardcore violence. You’ll understand why when you meet Libra’s girlfriends.
Ghetto Luv is Mary Wilson’s first novel. The St. Louis native is currently working on her second book. Ghetto Luv is published by Prioritybooks Publications of St. Louis. For more information about the book or its author, write to marylwilson2003@yahoo.com or Prioritybooks Publications at rose@prioritybooks.com. The author is available for interviews and book signings. The book will be available on March 1. Currently it can be purchased from First World, UJAMMA and Knowings Bookstores.





Mary L. Wilson works in the St. Louis community. She is a mother who spends her free time writing and reading. Ghetto Luv is Mary Wilson’s first novel. The St. Louis native is currently working on her second book.

Writing Tips

To the point!
• Write what you know.
• If you are incorporating dates, history and research, make sure your information is accurate
• Set a writing schedule that is best for you, and stick to it!
• Read everything you can on character and plot

The Perils of Finding a Good Editor
Why is editing so important?
by Rose Jackson-Beavers

As a publisher I often meet with new authors who want to become published by large publishing houses. Unfortunately many have saved money by scrimping on editing their manuscript. This is a serious no-no. To get your book in the hands of readers and others it must be well written. It's not that the authors don't want to present their manuscripts in the best light, it is simply a challenge in finding the right editor.

I am often asked, "How do I choose an editor?" So many writers have hired friends, teachers, and others who claim to be editors to find out later that they were shortchanged. As an author myself, I have experienced the pains of hiring an editor and later finding so many errors that all I could do was shake my head in anger. After that I rolled up my sleeves, and searched for resources and information that would teach me how to find a good editor.

This is what I learned. There are many types of editing. There are those editors who specialize in various facets of the work such as copyediting, line editing and proofreading. When seeking an editor you are looking for someone who has the skills to help improve sentence structure, punctuation and word usage. A good editor is a person who can line edit or even rewrite the author's text, when needed, to make a book more marketable. This person also has good vision and focus which will help them to evaluate the content of a work while determining what technical problems may exist within the manuscript.

People often want to know, "What should I look for in choosing an editor?" You look at their experience and how many years they have worked as a copy editor and/or if they have taken courses to study this field. You want to know if that person is an avid reader of English language grammar and style books. Before selecting an editor you must ask several questions. Ask about their work experience as well as what formal training they have for the technical elements of editing. Also asked how many books they have edited? Finally ask about their core competency; is it technical or creative? Asking these questions will help you determine if an editor is right for your book. Finding the right editor is so important because poor editing can prevent your voice from ever being heard.

Mistakes Writers Make
You are not alone
by Rose Jackson-Beavers

If you are a writer navigating the publishing world for the first time, you are not alone. Novice authors often experience some challenges when it comes to producing professionally designed books that are error-free. Many mistakes, if not corrected immediately or avoided altogether, could easily jeopardize a new author’s credibility and writing career.

What must writers do to ensure that their work is seen in a positive light? Hire the best people to handle the varied parts of their book production. Seek people who are an expert in the field. East St. Louis nationally known artist and author Edna Patterson-Petty offers this advice: Find people whose livelihood depends on how well they do their jobs.

For instance, if you are looking for an editor, don’t hire someone merely because she has good English skills or works as a teacher. Find out if this person has direct experience in editing books. Before you enter an agreement with a firm, ask if the company focuses on editorial services. Request references. Has this company edited other authors? If so, who? Ask if you may contact these authors. Then do so.

Finally, remember this: You really do pay for what you get. If you want good services, you have to put your money were your words are. Following these simple guidelines will save you a lot of heartache and pain down the road.