Ms. Hudson-Payne was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At the tender age of seven she began using writing as a therapeutic remedy whenever spoken words weren’t enough to quell the “growing pains” many of us have experienced from childhood to adulthood. As a way to share her whimsical gift of writing with the rest of the world, she infuses humor, imagery, compassion, creativity and emotional depth, so readers can take their minds on a mystical journey that provides mental stimulation and nourishment for the soul. Please sit back and enjoy this interview. James Lisbon: Why did you choose to write about love? Sanya D. Hudson Payne: Many people, men and women, believe love is something they will never experience. We as a society are becoming comfortable with the notion that if we are single, then so be it. I wrote the book, The Seasons of Love, as a testament to love's tenacity and necessity in today's day and age. As the story unfolds, readers will be yearning for a simple kiss, touch, or smile from a person they love, dream of loving, or a love that was lost. My book will serve as a reminder that even though we are constantly getting images of love being taboo, love in its different seasons can remind us of how it felt to be loved when we were children, unconditional and transcending time. Also, in my opinion, the majority of the books I have read dealing with relationships either show two people falling in love and then conflict comes and the relationship is over. Or, it shows two people falling in love and staying in love without encountering any problems. I wanted to show how love fosters emotional growth and how a crisis can be used as a stepping stone to move forward. That's deep. Why did you make the transition from Brooklyn to Florida? I moved from Brooklyn to Florida because I knew I wanted to see progression in my life. I needed to be in a place that provided me with a sense of serenity so I could gather my thoughts. After living in NY, I felt like I couldn't hear my inner spirit talking to me. All I kept hearing was the noise New Yorkers experience on a daily basis. Noise we become immune to over time. Sometimes a person has to take a step back and reflect in order to take many steps forward. Peace and quiet is a rarity in NY, I concur. Are you nervous about upcoming book signings and tours? Yes, but that is a good thing. Whenever I am nervous it drives me to do my best. I've come too far to be defeated. And, I'm just getting started. There is still so much more I would like to do in my lifetime. I hear you! Definitely keep us abreast when you come back home to the Big Apple. Are Taylor and Brandon fictional or do they resemble people you know or have known in the past? The characters are fictional, but there are a few personal experiences sprinkled throughout the book. What community or educational programs are you affiliated with? I am presently the sponsor of an organization named A.C.E.S which stands for Accepting Challenges Experiencing Success. This organization is for high school students who have a commitment to the betterment and upliftment of their communities. I am also the founder of a women's group called Sistah Circle. The purpose of this club is to empower, encourage, and educate women on issues that affect us in today's day and age. I chose to be affiliated with both organizations because it is community service oriented. I believe I am blessed with the tools to help those who can not do it by themselves. I have had many positive role models in my life and I know it is my duty to give back. I try to lead by example and positivity. I live by the motto, "You may be the only bible someone else gets a chance to read." That's great. It is so important that we lend ourselves to our young people. Does your education and career ooze into the characters of my book? Not my career as a teacher doesn't, but definitely my education in psychology. My degree in psychology has helped me understand the complexities of people in a more profound way. Since my book, The Seasons of Love contains explicit nature, I cannot attribute any of that to my teaching career. Teachers are often looked upon as stoic, rigid, and lacking humor. My book shows another side of teachers. It shows we should not be stereotyped and pigeon-holed into one category. We love, laugh, and are entering the profession at much younger ages. We are just as multi-faceted as the next person. Indeed. How long did it take to complete the book? I began writing in September 2004 and finished in May 2005. So, it took me 8 months to write it. Do you think erotic is a must for todays new author? No. I think it is a reality. There are many topics writers can choose from. I think a writer should choose a topic that will send a message to society. Yes I do have explicit love scenes in my book, but I think love is the most beautiful thing in the world and it's also what is missing and yet desperately needed. When I wrote The Seasons of Love, mentally and physically, I was in a very low place. I had just moved to Florida and one month later was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. I lost almost everything and was basically homeless. I was upset over losing some of my material possessions as any person would be, but I mostly upset because I lost a lot of of personal items like my daughter's baby pictures and other mementos. Every person I loved was back home in New York. I felt emotionless and void of love. I blocked myself off from giving love and receiving it because I couldn't believe I was dealing with such a tragedy. Although I was in a chaotic state, I knew I had to rebuild mentally. spiritually, and physically. So, I decided to create the world I wanted to bring in existence for myself. I needed to believe that I could feel again. While writing my book I was able to forget about my present condition and get back to what I always knew I could have. I was able to explore the various temperaments of love and that strengthened my healing process. Wow. I am very sorry to hear that but I am glad to see you have persevered. Could parents use your book as a guiding tool for their of-age children? Definitely! The Seasons of Love is a blueprint for the way love should be. It shows men and women how to be respectful, nurturing, honest, passionate, compassionate, trustworthy, reliable, and emotionally supportive to one another. Thanks for your time-it is definitely appreciated!

Ralph Ellison Library and Families First Foundation will host the first JUNETEENTH LITERARY EXPO during Oklahoma City’s 20th Juneteenth Celebration. We are looking for African American Authors to sale and sign their books as well as share their publishing experience. The event will be held at: Ralph Ellison Library - Oklahoma City, OK Saturday, June 17th, 2006 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The cost of involvement is $25 fee and 3 copies of your book. In order to ensure statewide distribution with our library system your information must be received before March 31, 2006. Those who send registration after the March 31st deadline will have to pay a late fee of $15 (total registration of $40) and we will make every effort to include them in promotional materials. Please email Monique Bruner directly at deltareviewer@yahoo.com before sending payment and/or books. Payment can be made via Paypal (to deltareviwer@yahoo.com) and books can be sent to the following address: Families First Foundation JUNETEENTH LITERARY EXPO 6409 Braniff Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Monique Bruner at (405) 615- 6711 or email at deltareviewer@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for your support. There is power in the word!

ARE YOU FREE? Do you know someone that has been sexually abused? Do you know someone addicted to drugs? Do you know children in a difficult living environment? Is your local school district in turmoil? Do you have trouble maintaining personal relationships? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then you may not be FOREVER FREE. You may not be FREE of past hurts and generational bondage of sexual abuse and drug addiction. Do You Want To Be FOREVER FREE? Dr. Gayle Rogers spent the last four years researching the effects that sexual abuse and drug addiction has on African American females and the relationships that she forms. Once Dr. Rogers received her doctorate degree she heard the call from God to turn her dissertation into a readable non- fiction book to assist men and women in being FREE. In addition to her book, Healing the Traumatized Soul, Dr. Rogers is in the process of developing a workbook to help people process the trauma, release the pain, and regain the self-respect/self-esteem that they deserve. But What Does Research Say about Sexual Abuse and Drug Addiction?

Recently the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble performed in my area and they were AMAZING! The choreography, music, original costume design and talent were awe-inspiring. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) began as a grass roots organization in 1970. Today CPRD is a non-profit organization serving the community with its year round dance school, serving 350 students; Season of Schools program that works in corporation with Denver Public School District; International Summer Dance Institute which hosts master teachers from around the world; Project Self Discovery which is a grant program used as an alternative to substance abuse and gang violence; The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, a renovated 24,000 square foot theatre located in Downtown Denver. If you travel to the Denver area check them out or if you are need of entertainment for your next cultural event check to see if they are available.

THE 1st ASPICOMM SELF PUBLISHING SYMPOSIUM & 1ST S’INDIE AWARDS PRODUCED BY RENEE FLAGLER DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH IS A LITERARY SUCCESS! Courtesy of www. Disilgold.com Where were the next top self-published authors from around the nation during Women’s History Month like Marc Lacy; author of (The Looking Heart & Reflux CD), Rodney E. Daniels (Only God Can Create a Woman), Sherry Brantley (Best of Friends), Shirley Green (God Within a Shadow), Vernelle Edwards (Missionary) James Nash (Truth Told), Naomi Douglas Davis (Write 1.com), Mel Hopkins (Sleeping With the D-Man), C. Renee West (Caught in the Struggle), Joan Robertson (In the Winter of Her Season), Sherry Brantley (Choices the Power Within You), Leon Dickerson (Dr. Dickerson, His Dissertation, and God), Shirley Green (God Within The Shadow), Vernelle Edwards (Missionary) and Lonetta M. Taylor (Fia and the Buttefly) on March 12, 2006 from 8:00am- 5:00pm? These next happening authors fast on their way to the top of the African- American literary scene as many guests got to know about their lives and stories one- by- one were at The 1st Aspicomm Self- Publishing Symposium and S’Indie Awards, held at the monumental and historical Schomberg Center of Research in Black Culture and founded and produced by Ms. Renee Flagler (Aspicomm.com); Best Selling Essence Author of Mountain High, Valley Low and founder of Futures by Design; a non profit organization with “a mission to mentor and coach at risk teens for brighter futures.” Monumental history was made on this day! The Aspicomm S’Indie Award winners were selected with much anticipation, nervousness and excitement in the air. Sherry Brantley; author of Best of Friends won for Best Fiction Novelist, Kevin Wayne Johnson; author of Give God the Glory (not present) won for Best Non-Fiction, Marc Lacy; author of The Looking Heart won for Best Poet of the Year, Joan Robertson won for Best Spiritual/ Inspirational Novel, Lonnetta M. Taylor; author of Fia and the Butterfly won for Best Children’s Book and Shirley Green; author of God Within the Shadow won for Best Cover. Heather Covington (President of the YOUnity Guild of America; editor-in-chief of Disilgold Soul Literary Review (Disilgold.com), EMCEE and judge of self- publishing contest, was awarded with the Aspicomm Trailblazer Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in publishing, media, marketing and support of the literary community. The self-published authors were asked to introduce themselves and share insight about their books.

You have been exclusively invited to the celebration of the new multi-media phenomenon for African American men and people of color. Come Ready! TO POWER NETWORK EXPOSE YOUR BUSINESS AND ENHANCE YOUR LIFE & STYLE While socializing with New York's most culturally diverse group of entrepreneurs & like minded business professionals in R Man Style! No Cover Charge, it's Free Just RSVP via email and dress your best! Negril Lounge- Downtown 70 west 3rd street New York. NY 10012 Tuesday,April 4th, 2006 7:00PM-10:00PM De'Angelo James Co-Founder HJW Media Group LLC. 917-907-4012 Djames@renaissancemanmagazine.com

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