Your Natural Hair Journal

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Cheryl Simms, the author of YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNAL. Her book is the new go-to manual for all women who are either curious, or in the midst of, making that great leap from permed to natural hair.

I was excited to discover that Cheryl and I embarked upon and recorded our hair journeys around the same time. She documented her experiences in a journal, and I recorded mine on my blog.

In an easy-to-read format, Cheryl writes about the purpose and benefits of keeping a hair journal. In her own personal and humorous fashion, she highlights the never-ending hair struggles that ultimately lead her to go natural.

YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNAL provides readers with hair care tips, websites, videos, natural hair jargons and important product suggestions. This handbook also spotlights the all important emotional aspects related to how women may feel during their transition.

The book includes color pictures throughout, pages to journal about your hair’s texture, health, condition and goals, plus additional sheets to post inspirational photos about your personal hair growth journey.

Clearly, YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNAL is not only an empowering tool for women, but also a must-read for anyone interested in staying organized, motivated and informed during their first year of transitioning.

YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNAL; Cheryl Simms; ISBN: 978-146098278-5; Paperback; Price: $17.99

A Child’s Dream

It’s been a long time coming. A childhood dream almost in place.

There was a lot of doubt. Then I forgot about it. Then I thought about it again. Then I put it off. Then I signed up for a writing class at NYU. 

I put my story in place for others to read. The rejections came pouring in but I am used to that being a publicist and all. A college friend passed along a name and I made the connection right away. Hey, she likes me, a little anyway. She gave me a pile of homework to do. I thought - I am too busy for this but I did it anyway. I am glad I buckeled down and completed the assignment because now I have a literary agent!!

Writing a book and getting it published has been a dream of mine since I was a child and it is finally one step closer to becoming a reality.

My picture book for children is about a little girl who is obsessed with her natural hair. I started writing this piece in class at NYU and currently I am right on time with the topic referencing to the Sesame Street segment and Willow Smith’s new song. Hopefully, one day, folks will talk about my story in the same big way.

BookExpo America – Day 2

The second day at BookExpo America (BEA) was tons of fun as well. Check out the pictures.

Meeting fashion icon, Tim Gunn. His new book is titled, GUNN’S GOLDEN RULES: LIFE’S LITTLE LESSONS FOR MAKING IT WORK.

Tim complimented me on my blouse. I said it was an Ellen Tracy or Tracy Ellen. He looked at me over his glasses, in a way that only he does, and said sternly, “Ellen Tracy.” It was the best!

All smiles with Tim!

Ki-Mani Marley, Bob’s son, is the author of DEAR DAD: WHERE’S THE FAMILY IN OUR FAMILY, TODAY?” Deep! He also performed.

Bestselling author, Rochelle Alers newest book is titled SWEET DECEPTION.

Children’s book authors T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond wrote, ZORA AND ME. Victoria (right) is a natural head. She shared her transition experience with me.

Self published author Q wrote A LESSON LEARNED. She was getting her hustle on.

Well known children’s book illustrator, Eric Velasquez, was promoting his new book, SOME KIND OF LOVE.

What would a child’s world be like if there were no clowns?

“Kris Kringle the Musical” performed both days.

She was getting her hustle on, too.

BookExpo America

Last week I attended BookExpo America (BEA) at the Jacob Javitz Center in NYC. It was a two-day event of books, books and more books.

I had so much fun. I love collecting free books. My main focus was the Children’s section. There were tons of picture, middle grade and young adult books for the taking.

Here are pictures from the first day. Enjoy!

Teen Beauty Queen.

David Ezra Stein author of INTERRUPTING CHICKEN.

Kathie Lee Gifford talk show host and author of PARTY ANIMALS.

I was trying to stop Horrid Henry from digging up his nose. It didn’t work. He is a horrid!

Teresa Giudice from The Real Housewives of New Jersey is also the author of the cookbook, SKINNY ITALIAN.

D.R. Whitney is the next J.K. Rowling. She is the author of THE LAST PRINCESS AND THE CUP OF IMMORTALITY.

With D.R. Whitney’s Wizard.

The most tattooed woman was there with a booth.

Sylvia Browne, Montel Williams’ psychic is the author of, PSYCHIC: MY LIFE IN TWO WORLDS. She is signing my book.

Thank God I'm Natural

This weekend I went to Hue Man Bookstore in Harlem to visit the Children’s section to do research for my class. I am taking a Children’s writing course at NYU and my central character’s passion is her natural hair.

I was kind of disappointed with the selection of Children’s books at Hue Man. I thought there would be tons of titles to choose from but that was not the case. So out of boredom, I wandered to the adult section and saw a book titled THANK GOD I’M NATURAL: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair by Chris-Tia Donaldson. I picked it up right away, ordered a decaf soy latte, plopped in a seat and started reading wondering what kind of experience the author had while going from permed to natural.

The book is very insightful with lots of personality. It includes loads of tips on how to help women go natural and advice by celebrity stylists for Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, to name a few.

In addition THANK GOD I’M NATURAL provides readers with hair care recipes, step-by-step instructions on recreating natural hairstyles, coloring tips, hair tools to use, essential vitamins to take and advice on taking out locs.

If you are new to going from permed to natural as I am, then this is a good reference book to have in your collection.