African American Author/Entrepreneur Redefines Publishing On His Own Terms

Would you turn down an offer by major publishers to print and sell your first novel? You do if you care as much about your work as author/entrepreneur K. Elliott, who has been taking the urban fiction community by storm with the release of his debut novel, Entangled. In less than a month after release, distributors are having a hard time keeping the book in stock.

CHARLOTTE, NC -- African American entrepreneur and author, K. Elliott, has taken publishing - and marketing - onto a whole new level by forming his own publishing company. And his debut novel is getting some rave reviews from within the industry.

"It's about doing what I love and keeping the vision in tact throughout the entire process," said Elliot.

After writing his novel Entangled, Elliott published the novel with his own publishing company, Urban Lifestyle Press. He collaborated with local artists to produce the cover and website and hired an interactive marketing firm to help spread the digital word.

It wasnt as if Elliott hadnt received offers from traditional or national booksellers. Independent Publishers Group, a committee made up of Barnes & Noble, Borders and Ingram wholesalers representatives had selected him in August of 2003 to inform him his work had been selected for distribution through their book program. The reason? The group had critiqued his book and decided it had an excellent chance for national success. But Elliott opted not to accept.

Other offers came from Triple Crown publications, based in Ohio, and from Kensington Publishing, a major publishing house in New York. But Elliott did not believe that another publisher would put the same energy into the project that he could, so he decided to instead finance the entire project on his own in order to pursue his dream, publishing his first fiction piece through his own company.

They were good offers, but not quite what I was looking for," says Elliott. I wanted the book to first be seen by my peers and grow in popularity organically. I had a sense I was handing over my book to a process and not giving it the attention it deserved. I knew when I finished the book that I had something special."

Special indeed; author Carl Weber, of the best-seller Baby Momma Drama, touts Elliott as the new force to be reckoned with in the urban market."

Author, Hallema, of the highly-acclaimed novel, Mass Deception, writes, "BRAVO! Mr. Elliott you have outdone yourself! Entangled is one of the hottest books on the shelf right now. (Entangled) took me on a journey through the hood, the prison system, the domino effect of making bad choices and then landed me in a classroom right next to Dream Nelson for a lesson learned. I got schooled! Entangled plays with every emotion you have. One minute the characters are getting on your nerves the next minute you're praying nothing happens to them. K. Elliott has shown us what happens to a dream deferred! Pun intended! I am proud to call you a fellow author. Keep them coming!"

Amazon book reviewer and AA book club president, Rita Hopes, raves, K. Elliott is more than just talented, he is truly blessed with a gift! K. Elliott weaves and turns this novel inside out ... leaving you thirsting for more. If you buy this book, you will not be dissatisfied. Trust me!"

The book, a multi-plotted suspense novel, chronicles fictional drug dealer Jamal Stewart following his release from prison and his re-acquaintance with the perils of the streets. His rehabilitation, if any, can only be seen through the eyes of his new love Dream Nelson, a middle school teacher.

Living in a world filled with violence, payoffs, unprotected sex, disloyalty and drug dealing, Jamal becomes the focus of a manhunt. Vowing to never return to prison, he decides he will hold court in the streets. He soon learns how some things can be caught ... without a chase.

A spokesperson for New York distributor, Culture Plus, told Elliott his book was already almost out of stock, despite having been released only a few weeks ago.

Fortunately, the book is available online for $13.95 + shipping at http://www.k-elliott.com

Other distributors and bookstores should contact Elliott via his website to ensure orders are received in time for the holidays.

The K-Elliott web site provides background on the author and contains information about events and book-signings. Urban Lifestyle Press is offering specials for bookstores and clubs as well.

Urban Lifestyle Press is a Charlotte, NC, area publisher specializing in modern, urban themes.

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Contacts:

Media Relations:
Jeff Dietrich, Plug Media Group
281.913.0337
http://www.plugmediagroup.com

For review copies and book orders:
K. Elliott, Urban Lifestyle Press
1-866-305-5874
http://www.k-elliott.com