Author Mark Eller Endorses The Write Stuff Reality Show

Since the concept for The Write Stuff Reality Show debut in October 2008, authors and book lovers from all over the country have been talking about America's first literary reality show. Of all the comments the producers of The Write Stuff has received, none have impacted us as much as the words of author Mark Eller.

Want to know what he said? Find his endorsement below:

"Writing a book is hard work, but I promise you, it is only a small part of the work. Revising, editing, finding a publisher, editing again, marketing, these are all aspects that authors face if they want to be successful. For most authors, it is only after all this is finished that they will learn if the public likes what they have bled over. Well an opportunity has arrived for fourteen people to have help with this grueling process. In June 2009, Cyrus Webb of Conversations Live is hosting a new reality show on MTV titled The Write Stuff. The winner will receive a book contract, a marketing plan, a marketing campaign, and an number of other prizes.

"Look, I've written a number of short stories and a few books, the first of which is about ready to be published. I have a couple podcasts, and I've done a few live interviews. With each of these I have put myself out there to be judged by a few thousand people, most of whom I will never meet in person...They will never know me beyond my voice or my written words. My face will be a mystery. My personality quirks unknown. Even so, this was hard stuff for me. Like most writers, I fall firmly into the introvert classification, I had to push past ingrained habits and my natural preferences to pursue this thing I love, to present myself to a few thousand people I will never meet...Think how much harder it is for these fourteen writers to put themselves and their work up before millions of people, millions. Every word they write will be judged. Every action they take will be seen. Do they dress right, does their personality match their writing, are they manipulative, honest, delusional, or are they uniquely talented people who are finally getting a chance at success. Every aspect of their personalities and talent will be seen and judged by millions of people. This takes the courage to face rejection, criticism, and most of all, the courage to reach for success. In other words, I will be cheering for the contestants on The Write Stuff. Thank you Cyrus Webb for giving them this chance and for letting us see it."

Mark has also been instrumental in bringing more attention to The Write Stuff literacy campaign as well as other authors. Thanks to his efforts, New York Times Bestselling author Scott Sigler has joined the project and many others are voicing their support.

Look for his book TRAITOR to be released in later April 2009. To find out more about Eller and his other work, visit http://www.hellholetavern.com.

CityKids Foundation of New York Partners with The Write Stuff Reality Show to encourage literacy

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club and The Write Stuff Reality Show are pleased to announce their support for The CityKids Foundation of New York and its partnership with The Write Stuff's literacy campaign.


CityKids is an orgranization that uses the arts to engage and train young people to create positive and powerful solutions to issues impacting their lives and offers programs suitable for hundreds of teens each year so they can use their voices for positive change. CityKids came to the attention of Cyrus A. Webb, President of Shadow Play Entertainment, and he knew it was a cause he wanted to support.

"The arts have been a major focus of my life for the past decade," says Webb,33. He began Conversations Book Club in November 2006 and now there are 10 chapters in four states, each serving book lovers of all ages, races and reading tastes. His newest project, The Write Stuff, gives an opportunity to aspiring writers to compete for a one-book deal as well as equip them with everything they need to be successful in the business. "The work that I have been privileged to do is because of organizations like The CityKids Foundation. We are pleased to offer them our support and our thanks."

During a taping of The Write Stuff Reality Show in New Orleans, Webb, along with authors Joseph Henderson (I Don't Want To Die All Alone), Sherry Hill (The Marquise Hill Story: From The Cradle To The Bowl) and Mark Curry (Dancing With The Devil: How Puff Burned The Bad Boys of Hip Hop), Derrick Hargrove & Nikki Shallwani of the MTV reality show 50 CENT: The Money & The Power, and the contestants of the show will present representatives of CityKids Foundation a donation of $1000.00 in books as well as 100 picture frames for their upcoming events. "It's not much," says Webb, "but it is something that we challenge other organizations to do as well. If you don't do it for CityKids, do it for some worthy cause in your area."

Kirsten Connor, Executive Director of CityKids Foundation, had this to say: "CityKids is delighted to be the recipient of such a generous and thoughtful donation and to partner with The Write Stuff Reality Show. It is important that young people are exposed to positive role models, like the contestants on The Write Stuff, who are striving to reach their dreams and doing it with creativity and ambition. We are grateful for your support of CityKids arts and educational programs."

To find out more about The CityKids Foundation visit http://www.citykids.com or call 1.212.925.3320. For more about The Write Stuff Reality Show, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com, contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852 or Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com.

The Write Stuff Reality Show welcomes NYT Bestselling author Steve Berry

Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club are pleased to announce that New York Times Bestselling author Steve Berry has joined The Write Stuff Reality Show (http://www.thewritestufftv.com) as a guest judge and mentor.


"We are honored and humbled to have someone of Berry's caliber working with us on this historic endeavor," says Creator and Executive Producer Cyrus A. Webb, 33. "His resume is something that is not only impressive but should do much to inspire our contestants as they compete for the chance of their literary dreams coming true."

The Write Stuff Reality Show is America's first literary competition that allows the contestants to compete for a book deal by AG Press as well as a host of other prizes to aide in their journey as a published author. The show will be seen in cities across the country on the CW Network and worldwide through its special Youtube channel. Three contestants will advance to the final round where they compete in one final challenge and here they will be introduced to a special panel of judges including guest judge Steve Berry! These three will also get one-on-one time with the celebrated author as well as particpate in other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with him before the winner is finally announced.

What has been Steve Berry's experience in publishing? Well, it took him twelve years and eighty-five rejections over 5 different manuscripts before Ballantine Books finally bought a manuscript. Like he says, "I’m the poster child for the phrase, ‘It can be done.’" His first two books, The Amber Room and The Romanov Prophecy, were both national bestsellers. His next novel, The Third Secret, became an instant bestseller, debuting at #13 on The New York Times hardcover list and climbing to #5 on the Times paperback list. His fourth, The Templar Legacy, entered at #4 on The New York Times list and spent 8 weeks in the top 10. It also climbed into the top 10 on the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Booksense bestseller lists.

The Alexandria Link debuted on The New York Times hardcover list at #2. The Venetian Betrayal, became an instant New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. His latest is The Charlemagne Pursuit, which opened in the top 10 on both The New York Times and Publishers Weekly lists. It also was a USA Today bestseller and was selected as one of the 5 Best Thrillers for 2008 by Library Journal. There are nearly 8,000,000 copies of his books in print worldwide.

For additional information about The Write Stuff Reality Show, the judges, contestants or about how you can be involved, contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852 or Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com.

Coca-Cola's Vitaminwater joins The Write Stuff Reality Show

Shadow Play Entertainment is pleased to announce that Vitaminwater, made by Coca-Cola-owned Glaceau, is now the official enhanced water product of The Write Stuff Reality Show.

"This is a big deal for The Write Stuff project and Shadow Play Entertainment," says Herschel Dixon,30. Dixon is a Production Consultant for Shadow Play Ent. and negotiated the deal on behalf of the company. Working with the Area and District Managers of the Louisville, KY offices of Glaceau, the confirmation came in on Monday, March 23, 2009.

Created by Conversations Book Club Founder Cyrus A. Webb The Write Stuff is America's first literary reality show and will show the world what aspiring writers endure in order to make it in the world of publishing. Other companies and products that are supporting the historic project include AG Press, HunidRacks Energy Drink, Crunk Magazine, Hype Magazine, Industry Standand Magazine and Poetic Monthly.
Vitaminwater, which is endorsed by entertainment heavyhitters 50 Cent, David Ortiz and Carrie Underwood (seen below), was launched in 2000 adding vitamins and natural flavors with Smartwater.

Designed to fill the gap between soft drinks and water for people who knew they should drink more water but weren't. With fewer calories than soda, Glaceau believes that the drink both hydrates consumers and provides nutrients consumers are likely to be missing. As the official water product of The Write Stuff, Vitaminwater will be used by the contestants and judges and represented at events hosted by Shadow Play Entertainment. This will include commercials and advertising done to promote the reality show.

For more information about Vitaminwater and other products by Glaceau, visit http://www.glaceau.com. To discover more about The Write Stuff Reality Show, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com.

Hip Hop Hall of Fame Founder Announces "Greatest of all Time" Project

FOR IMMEDIATE REALEASE
Hip Hop Hall of Fame Founder Announces "Greatest of All Time" Project


On the eve of celebrating the 17th anniversary of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame, founder J. T. Thompson is pleased to announce that he will be releasing the book "Hip Hop Hall of Fame's 500 Greatest of All Time".

"The book will feature artists, groups, community leaders and more that have been a part of shaping the music and culture of Hip Hop," says Cyrus A. Webb, lead publicist for the project. Webb, the President of Shadow Play Entertainment, began working with Thompson in 2008 through the Hip Hop and Books Literacy Campaign (see http://www.hiphopandbooks.com). "No one is more equipped to put together a list like this other than Thompson," Webb explained. Thompson will be allowing the public to aide in his list through the website http://www.hiphophof.com.

Look for the book to be released during November 2009 in recognition of Hip Hop History Month along with the introduction of a new DVD series. There will also be more details available soon about the return of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame to television and other upcoming events scheduled for the summer. For more information or to schedule interviews with J. T. Thompson, contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or cawebb4@juno.com.


ABOUT J. T. THOMPSON

The Brooklyn born, Queens and Harlem raised Hip Hop connoisseur transplanted to Los Angeles in his early years where he entered the business as a concert promoter and television producer as a guest of former MCA artist, Pebbles, and the group The Deele that featured multi-Grammy award winning artists/producer, Babyface, and L. A. Ried. While a free agent professional athlete and businessman, west coast legends Eazy E, Ice Cube, and Yo Yo gave J.T. his big break in promotions and productions, and went on to emerge as a major force in the "Hip Hop Fight the Power Leadership" era.

Originally created in 1992, the awards show was the first independent Hip Hop show on the BET network syndication arm in 1995 and was once television label mates of the Source Awards. The first award show inducted the true God-fathers of Hip Hop: Kool Herc, Run DMC with Jam Master Jay (also an original supporter and board member of the HHHOF), Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Red Alert, and Eazy E.

When Hip Hop took a negative turn during the East-West coast turmoil the positive HHHOF Awards fell victim to the downtown, but it returns today with a vengeance. To date, the HHHOF team has co-produced albums, movies, and concerts including the NBC McDonald's Heritage Bowl concert, black college step shows and battle of the Bands, and touring events with major hip hop artists.

The Praise Continues for The Write Stuff Reality Show

http://www.crunk-magazine.com/

"Inspiring people to express themselves through writing is a wonderful goal, and I hope The Write Stuff becomes the American Idol of literature. I am looking forward to watching the show." -----Gary Andrew Poole, author of the acclaimed biography The Galloping Ghost: Red Grange, an American Football Legend. http://www.garyandrewpoole.com


"[We] always encourage opportunities that help promote the growth and advancement in the career of an individual trying to make it in their respective field. Finally, the first literary reality show that shows the people behind the people. The Write Stuff will highlight the most important components, most books that we read or television shows that we watch all require an author of some sort, from writing scripts for actors to contributing articles for your favorite magazine. The write stuff is definitely on the right track and we are excited to take part in the next best thing!" --- The Lyfestyle Group, publishers of Industry Standard Magazine


http://www.industrystandardmag.com


“With so many programs on TV that promote violence and other negative aspects of our society, it is very exciting for me as an author and avid book reader to see a marvelous program that explores education and literacy. I believe that The Write Stuff will soon become a program that will be impossible to forget. Cyrus Webb is a master craftsman, and I hope this program will encourage many new writers to put their “pen to paper”. Countless people have a story they want to tell but are afraid to write. They are either afraid they don’t have the talent or they put their writing off until “another day”. They never get around to it. What better opportunity to start that book? Cyrus has meticulously constructed a TV program that seems to have something for everyone – participant, viewer and publisher. In creating The Write Stuff, Cyrus Webb and his associates have created a program that will let those involved follow their dream of becoming a published author. I look forward to seeing how many new careers it spurs. I am honored to be able to endorse this exciting new reality show and wish all those involved the very best of luck!” ---Kimberly Cheryl,Author (Shattered Reality/Escape from the Pharma Drug Cartel)

http://www.kimberlycheryl.net

Listen to Conversations LIVE! Radio's interview with author Kimberly Cheryl here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/18/Author-Kimberly-Cheryl-talks-SHATTERED-REALITY

The Write Stuff, MTV reality star Derrick Hargrove in this week's Crun k Newsletter

Monday, March 2, 2009 --- This week's Crunk Magazine Newsletter features Industry News on the historic literary reality show The Write Stuff as well a feature on Derrick Hargrove from the MTV reality show 50 CENT: THE MONEY & THE POWER.  (see below)

Crunk Magazine is a proud sponsor of The Write Stuff reality show and will feature the winner in its online and print editions later this year. To read this week's edition of Crunk Newsletter, visit this link: http://magazinecrunk.powweb.com//march/crunk_weekly_march.html