Welcome to my blog on topics relevant to the literary community. Here I intend to post updates on my literary-related activities and share information that may be helpful to other writers, readers, editors, agents, publishers, and filmmakers. [Last updated October 2024.]
1. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been busy researching and writing about the cultural and historical relevance of the images and inscriptions that appear on our coins and medals. Historians and anthropologists have long known that such items represent a great deal more than just money (currency) used in commercial transactions or an acknowledgement of a particular individual’s achievement. They also are enduring miniature monuments testifying to a society’s values and ideals. They tell us who and what were most highly regarded by a given civilization during specific periods of time. Regrettably until very recently and with rare exception, the images of accomplished women, people of color, and marginalized minorities have not been reflected on America’s currency and medals. Based on an analysis of America’s official numismatic items, one would conclude that there were no significant contributions made to society by people of color or women from colonial times through the late twentieth century! Thankfully, this oversight is now being addressed. Previously ignored historical events and classes of people are now being recognized. Two of my recently published articles highlight the very first-known Black American (Roberto Clemente in 1973) and very first-known Muslim (Muhammad Yunus in 2013) to appear on the Congressional Gold Medals (America’s highest civilian honor) that were conferred upon them. See, respectively, “Major League Man” (The Numismatist Magazine, Aug. 2024, p. 41) and “Honoring Our Legacy Through Medals and Coins” (Islamic Horizons Magazine, January/February 2023, p. 22). As an advocate for equality and a former Black Studies major and scholar, I find the emerging practice of removing monuments dedicated to injustice and oppression and replacing them with more acceptable monuments, whether they are massive structures of bronze and marble or miniature engraving on coins and medals, both fascinating and long overdue. I am in the process of completing an illustrative book on the subject of African American-related images on U.S. coins and medals (from 1946 to the present) that will include in-depth treatments of select individuals. Let’s hope there is at least one publisher who shares my commitment to close this gaping hole in the canon of American numismatic literature.
2. My earlier article about Juneteenth, linked below, is published in the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of Islamic Horizons at page 24 as part of its recognition of Black History Month. It is entitled “Juneteenth Day is a Day for All Americans” (click title to read it). It stresses the validity and importance of for Americans across the spectrum of diversity to embrace the symbol of freedom that the holiday stands for.
3. “Ramadan: Fasting as One Nation.” (click title to read the article). This article is published in the March/April 2021 issue of Islamic Horizons, p. 18-19. It chronicles the quest for unity by America’s Muslim community as exemplified by the 1975 observance of Ramadan in America. The following document (click PDF below) provides additional historical insight into that important transitional event: PDF
4. 1993 and 1997 Presidential Inaugurations. My recently published article entitled, A Retrospective: Imam W. Deen Mohammed and the Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service, appeared in the Jan. 1, 2021 issue of Muslim Journal. Space limitations would not accommodate the extensive reference notes, comments, and additional photos that I wished to provide so I’m posting them in this linked PDF (click to open). This article is part of my ongoing effort to produce intercultural literature (fiction and nonfiction) highlighting the intersection between mainstream American culture and Muslim Americans, Black Americans, and marginalized communities. The C-Span photos included in the article and notes are used with their permission in support of my ongoing indexing project of the imam’s literary legacy.
5. My most recently published article is entitled: A Seat at the Table of American Democracy—Imam W. Deen Mohammed and the Carter White House: A Model for Engagement. (Islamic Horizons, Jan/Feb 2021, p. 34-35; posted here by courtesy of IH). Space limitations would not accommodate the extensive reference notes, comments, and additional photos that I wished to include in the article. Since I’m a firm believer in providing support for one’s work, I prepared a separate document with that material. To access it, click on the linked PDF at the very end of this section. I hope you find the article and other material of interest.
A Seat at the Table of American Democracy is part of my ongoing effort to produce intercultural literature (fiction and nonfiction) highlighting the intersection between mainstream American culture and Muslim Americans, Black Americans, and marginalized communities. If you would like to support this effort, it’s easy and relatively inexpensive. Just buy one copy of my currently available eBook entitled, “Dash: Young Black Refugee and Migration Stories” for about $6—even if you don’t usually read eBooks. And if you can, buy at least one copy of the print edition of “Dash” which may now be preordered from the publisher. It will be formally released on April 1, 2021, at which time a host of vendors will be selling it. It would also help if you encourage others to support “Dash.” Doing this will assure continued support from my publisher for it and any future books that fit within the scope of my literary focus. Thanks in advance for any support you’re able to provide. Visit my homepage for a list of book vendors that are distributing “Dash.”
Click the title link below to download a PDF of the Islamic Horizons article:
A Seat at the Table of American Democracy
Click the title link below to download a PDF of my notes, photos, and other content relating to the A Seat at the Table article.
A Seat as the Table of American Democracy–Notes, Comments, and Photos
6. During my August 6, 2020 virtual book launch for Dash!, I briefly spoke about resisting the urge to give up if you’re repeatedly rejected by literary agents or publishers. You’ll recall that I shared that I had pretty much given up on getting Dash! published in the near-term after about 10 rejections when my publisher contacted me. (As you’ll see, 10 rejections are virtually nothing compared to the work of some well-known authors!) While each rejection stings, and can even be depressing, the process of seeking and achieving publication can routinely involve dozens, even scores, or rejections, and many, many years of trying. So, never take them personally or internalize rejection. Below is a link to a listing of successful books & authors that were repeatedly rejected. Lastly, self-publishing is always an option, but it may cost thousands of dollars to do so. Whether to do so depends on your objectives.
So, here’s the link . I think you may find this information helpful, if not inspiring.
[First Posted: August 29, 2020]