Introducing Ella Curry of EDC Creations (Lit Spotlight)

Many of you have heard of Ella Curry and/or EDC Creations, but some of you may not have, so in this month’s literary spotlight, we’d like to share a One-on-One interview I did with her recently.

RAW: Thanks so much for letting us share more about you with our members & site guests.  I met you a few years ago when you came on the online scene, but for those who are not familiar with you, tell us who Ella Curry is and how you started your business(es).

Ella Curry: It’s kinda hard to really talk about yourself … huh? Well here we go… I am owner and CEO of EDC Creations, a marketing and branding firm in Prince George’s County Maryland.  EDC Creations is the publisher of Black Pearls Magazine and the the force behind the Black Authors Network Radio Show. As the founder of Sankofa Literary Society, which empowers independent and/or self-published authors through mentoring programs, Internet workshops, marketing and branding coaching, I get to pay forward all the things that were blessed upon me. The Sankofa Literary Society sponsors the Give the Gift of Knowledge program which offers new authors a chance to showcase their books and articles on the Sankofa Literary Society’s site along with book and branding coaching that will help them present themselves as professionals as they enter literary circles.

I started out as a corporate event planner and website developer and later became a buyer for the legendary Karibu Bookstore chain. My career now includes services such as blog tour coordinator, book coach, video journalist and literary publicist.  Most importantly, I have been able to realize my dream, of owning my own media firm, catering to the literary and arts community.

RAW:  It is definitely a blessing to be able to do what you love!  Tell us more about EDC Creations and the services you provide.

Ella Curry: Primarily, I offer Internet Publicity opportunities for published authors. My company provides coverage for  major literary events like the Congressional Black Caucus Author’s Pavilion, as well as showcase some of today’s hottest authors!  My  freelance graphic design work has been featured in boardrooms of companies such as Pzier Corp., Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies and Dell.

Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to have interviewed community leaders and celebrities such as: 60 Minutes Journalist Bryon Pitts,  American film director and writer Gina Prince-Bythewood, actor Hill Harper, Dr. Maya Angelou, actors Tristan Wilds, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning,  and International motivational speaker Lisa Nichols of the Secret DVD. It was so exciting to interview community leaders along with bestselling authors  Mildred Muhammad, the former wife of the DC Sniper, Breena Clarke,  Nathan McCall, Mary B. Morrison, Francis Ray, Walter Mosley, John Kremer, Sue Monk Kidd, Farrah Gray, Lutishia Lovely and Donna Hill. World famous musician Russel Blake is among the many artists to grace BAN Radio. We were proud to accept the 2009 award for the Best BlogTalk Radio host presented by Tifany Jones, founder of the Black Book Club Rock Awards.

RAW:  Congratulations! Why did you decide to enter the literary world as opposed to another field?  Did you have mentors along the way?

Ella Curry: As the president of EDC Creations, I  bring more than 19 years of PR and marketing experience to clients in film, music, publishing and corporate event planning.  Before going to work at Karibu Books as a buyer, I owned  a corporate event planning business.  It was an easy transition to go from planning book release parties to promoting the actual books online. Reading is my passion. I believe in the power of books changing lives!  It wasn’t hard to devote my life to the promotion of quality literature.   The owners and admin staff of Karibu helped me to launch EDC Creations. Yao Glover and Simba Sana instilled a great deal of Black pride in me and helped me see the need for books in the lives of Black people. My life mentors are Samuel Barclay and Henri Edmonds. Both have contributed to my life as a mother and business owner, as well as financial needs.

RAW:  Of all the authors you’ve had as clients, which two stand out the most and why?

Ella Curry: Wow that is a hard one Tee, considering I have worked with over 140 authors!  Let me name three, I would have to say Lutishia Lovely, Donna Hill and Lyah Beth LeFlore. All three of these women have extraordinary careers and produce books that make Black women proud!  I admire them for being visionaries and leaders…becoming the leaders we need today. I can’t leave this session without giving mad props to Pat G’ Orge Walker and Henri Edmonds for becoming the closest things to moms for me!

RAW:  If you could only give one piece of advice to a new author, as it relates to promotion and/or the literary industry what would it be?

Ella Curry: My advice would be to respect yourself and others!  Be true to who you are and don’t let anyone take that away. YOU define who and what you will become. Readers will embrace your originality.  With this age of a tell-a-world I see so many people mar their brand and their image with pettiness on the web.  Handle business in the office, settle disputes in court and use the web for what it was meant for—to distribute information with rapid speed. I said information, not hate, jealousy and definitely not malicious lies and gossip!

RAW:  Amen, amen! That’s a great piece of advice and I hope folks are listening (reading) closely.  So often we get caught up in online “drama” that really is unnecessary.  Speaking of unnecessary, what one thing annoys you most about the literary world?

Ella Curry: I am totally fed up with the whining of authors in relations to their publishers and others not supporting their dreams.  Nothing makes me madder than for authors to go online and spread all their business for the readers!  The individual authors are solely responsible for the promotion and success of their books, in my opinion. Even if a publishing house spends thousands of dollars on a mean-spirited, lazy and unprofessional author, they still might not become bestsellers!  However, you can take a warm, inviting, social butterfly and sell thousands of copies on a low budget. Creating loyal, lasting relationships makes for top-selling authors. Being consistent and adaptable makes for top-sellers. A well-padded budget might help some, but it will not over-ride fans who LOVE you and believe in you, no budget can buy that. It comes with hard work, being in the trenches and understanding what the spirit of Sankofa really means.

RAW:  Another great piece of advice, Ella.  Why do you think some authors don’t plan ahead for their literary career? For example, some don’t understand the importance of editing, marketing & budgets.

Ella Curry: Most people see only the end results or what they perceive the life of the celebrity author to be. They truly do not know to research their craft and the industry they are entering.  Tee, I have had many new authors tell me they thought if they got the book on the shelves they would wait on the money to roll in! Many do not have any clue that publishing a book also means starting a business. My advice to every new author is to attend conferences where other authors are speaking, workshops, panel discussions and buy books on the writing game and the publishing industry.  I attend several workshops per year just to stay abreast of what’s transpiring in the book world.  Online conferences are great!  There is so much free information readily available, it breaks my heart that people don’t take the time to utilize it.

RAW:  I can definitely relate here as I’ve run across many authors who feel the same way.  Thankfully, there are just as many who know and study the business and treat their writing as a business.  Kudos to them!  Now, when you’re not working with a client or updating your many sites, what do you do for fun?  What do you read?

Ella Curry: Well, I read a lot of erotica and laugh at the foolishness on Youtube!  I must admit I am the biggest  Clifford the Big Red Dog, Tyra Banks and Wendy Williams fan, so I watch them daily and now Monique at night. After sometimes 16-hour days of stressing with finding new avenues to promote books, I need carefree TV!  My teen keeps me busy too. She is now on the step team  and asking to date, so we will be traveling to ball games, movies and events weekly.

RAW:  LOL, not the Youtube videos.  You can truly get caught up watching things on Youtube.  And, I won’t even laugh at Clifford the Big Red Dog because I can relate, but I like the Fairly Odd Parents & Jimmy Neutron, but that’s our secret.  I can’t imagine a teen, so I won’t even touch that one. But, moving on…

I hate the favorite author question since I can’t usually name just one–actually, I refuse.  LOL.  So, I’ll just ask what are some of your favorite books from this year?  Please include the author and genre.

Ella Curry: You are going to get me in trouble Tee.  My favorite author of all time is Sidney Sheldon and his two books, The Other Side of Midnight and Memories of Midnight.  Before I name my favorite book of this year, please know this is a very short list because I am on your site. I have a master list on my own sites.  Here are my top 5 books for Jan.-Sep. 2009:

1.  Black Pain by Terrie M. Williams
2. Who Is He To You by Monique Mensah
3.  The Man Plan by C. J. Jeep
4. In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
5. Beautiful Ugly by Shelia Lipsey
6.  No More Tomorrows by Rodney Lofton

RAW:  Ummm hmmm, put that disclaimer out there, Ms Ella.  LOL.  I totally understand though, but thanks so much for sharing your list.  I see a couple I’ve been wanting to read.

With the age of electronic books upon us, which do you prefer:  Kindle, Sony Reader, or the actual book?

Ella Curry: My partner has blessed me with the funds for a Kindle. I am waiting to get the one coming out soon with color. However, I still want to hold a signed copy of Dr. Maya Angelous next book!  All my homes have been filled with books!  Books make me fill safe and comfortable; I’m not sure a Kindle can do that.

RAW: I don’t think they can do that, Ella, but I will say I’m looking forward to all the gadgets.  LOL.  I’m eying that Nook.  But, we shall see!

What’s next for Ella Curry & EDC Creations? Any major events or activities on the horizon?

Ella Curry: I am taking on more and more live events and non-profit organizations, so I think EDC Creations will be leaving the Internet in 2010. My company is going on retainer services only in February 2010.  My first book will be coming out in the Spring of 2010 and I want to start my own literary show on AM radio next year. It has been in the works for 2 years, but this year, we will make it happen.  In September 2010, I will be hosting a black-tie literary event; follow me on the web for more details.

RAW:  Well best of luck with all your future plans, Ella, and thanks so much for taking the time to hang out with us.  Please tell our readers how they can reach you.

EDC Creations – http://www.edc-creations.com
Black Pearls Magazine: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com