Tray Chaney of HBO's The Wire named National Spokesperson for The Write Stuff

Shadow Play Entertainment and its literary sponsors are proud to announce that Actor/Author/Recording Artist Tray Chaney has been named one of the national celebrity spokespersons for The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign.

"Tray is just the type of individual we need to be part of the face of our movement," says Cyrus A. Webb*, President of Shadow Play Entertainment, host of Conversations LIVE! Radio and Founder of The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign. "He has been living proof of the importance of education and reading, and the success he has enjoyed goes to show what is possible with hard work." Chaney joins Derrick Hargrove and Nikki Shallwani from MTV's 50 Cent: The Money & The Power in supporting the cause of reading.

Tray Chaney has been building his brand since the age of eight, having appeared on Showtime At The Apollo, written the autobiography The Truth You Can't BeTray and starred as Poot in the hit HBO series The Wire. Currently he is working on several projects including his debut album featuring the single Delima with Jazz from Dru Hill.

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign is a national project geared at bringing awareness to not only reading but areas where extra help is needed in The United States. As part of his relationship with The Write Stuff, Chaney will be one of the most visible aspects of the project's message.

To find our more information about The Write Stuff or Tray Chaney visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com or contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852.

* Webb interviewed Tray Chaney for Conversations Magazine as well as Conversations LIVE! Radio. To read the print edition, click here: http://thewritestufftvofficialblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/mulit-media-personality-tray-chaney.html . The radio edition of the Tray Chaney interview is here: http://tinyurl.com/dnzezp .

BrieAnn L. Avery of Vaughn, MS to be honored by For The People, her ho metown

At a time when the news is filled with negativity and the troubles that so many are facing, it is always good to hear some good news.

That is what is happening in Vaughn, Mississippi thanks to the hard work of young people such as 17 year old BrieAnn L. Avery. On Sunday, May 17, 2009 she will be honored at the Strangers Home M. B. Church for her dedication to education as well as the example she has been setting in her community.

"BrieAnn is one of the success stories of our area," says Essie Queen Young. She has known the young lady all of her life. "Our children don't get enough attention when they are doing something right, but we talk about them all the time when something is wrong. We are glad to show BrieAnn and all young people like her that we care."

This sentiment is mirrored by Stanley Clark, a businessman also from Holmes County who through his PR firm For The People Productions (www.forthepeopleproductions.com) has made it a goal to show the positive side of the world that is sometiimes forgotten. He will be doing a special presentation for Avery during the ceremony. "I have always tried to show the young people in this area that they haven't been forgotten," says Clark. "We are all busy, but our children are the future, and they need to know we are there with them no matter how hard times get."

Clark is also a Asst. Producer on a literary reality show called The Write Stuff that is coming to select markets across the country this summer. The project is aimed at aspiring writers as well as showing how important it is to encourage reading. (see www.thewritestufftv.com). In addition to this, he is working on a nationwide literary tour that will showcase the importance of reading across the country.

Parties Scheduled Nationwide to Encourage Reading

With all the talk of change in the United States, one thing that is not improving or getting the attention it deserves is the importance of reading and the seemingly never-ending problem of illiteracy. To combat this dangerous trend,Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club and those associated with The Write Stuff literacy campaign will be hosting reading parties across the country beginning Thursday, May 21, 2009 through Saturday, June 27, 2009. The theme for these events is "JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get Hooked on Books".

Hosted by Cyrus A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and host of The Write Stuff Reality Show, each party is designed to allow book lovers to come together for networking, to meet authors from the area as well as to discuss how they can work together to promote reading.

Parties have been scheduled in Little Rock, Memphis, Miami, Atlanta, Raleigh, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Flint, Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Washington D. C., New York City and Seattle. Each is free and open to the public, however, those who attend are asked to bring a new or gently used book as a donation that will go to either the Read Across America Project, CityKids Foundation, the Common Ground Foundation, Everybody wins, Adele's Literary Library, Reading Tree or a library in need within that particular city.

These events are sponsored in part by For The People Productions, Hype Magazine, Industry Standard Magazine, Poetic Monthly and Crunk Magazine. Special guests include Derrick Hargrove and Nikki Shallwani from MTV's 50 CENT: The Money & The Power, New York Times Bestselling author Scott Sigler, author Mark Eller and author Richard Emmell.

To find out more about the reading parties, when and where they will be held and the work that The Write Stuff is doing in general, visit http://www.thewritstufftv.com. For more information about the project and how you can get involved, contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852 or Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com.

Boris to show The Write Stuff contestants what they "Can Do"

Boris from I WANT TO WORK FOR DIDDY to show THE WRITE STUFF contestants what they "Can Do"

The life of twenty-one year old Boris "Can Do" Kuperman has not been the easiest. Finding himself in trouble with the law at an early age, he was able to rise above the negativity aground him and mature into a young man that many young and old can look to for inspiration. In 2008 he was seen nationally as one of thirteen candidates competiting on national television to be the assistant of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs on VH1's I WANT TO WORK FOR DIDDY. Now in 2009 among the many endeavors he finds himself involved in, Kuperman is lending his support to America's first literary reality show The Write Stuff (http://www.thewritestufftv.com).


"Boris and I were introduced to each other while I WANT TO WORK FOR DIDDY was airing," say Cyrus A. Webb, Creator and Executive Producer of The Write Stuff. He interviewed Boris several times during the show (see http://bloggingiwanttoworkfordiddy.blogspot.com) and the two later worked together on the Hip Hop and Books Literacy Campaign that launched during the summer of 2008. "He is one of those people who you can't help but be impressed with. I'm glad to call him not only an associate but a friend as well."

Since appearing on the hit reality show he has continued networking with movers and shakers across the country. When Webb asked him about working with The Write Stuff, he jumped at the chance. Why? Kuperman answers this way:

"The Write Stuff serves as an innovative and creative alternative to standard reality shows that focus on individual personalities rather than on skill and/or talent. As a participant in a personality-based show, I have up close and personal knowledge of the pitfalls that exist when a houseful of larger than life people gather to compete against each other in a contest based upon personality, appeal, and who might be the most pushy of contenders."

Kuperman will not only be a celebrity judge on the show but a guest during the finale of the show, sharing with the three finalists about his experience on television. "This show will provide the opportunity to dedicated, young writers to obtain a book deal and receive access to the best in the business with regard to improving writing skills and becoming established in the writing profession," he says. "Although the lights and fun of television can be exciting and captivating, finding ones-self in the spotlight of public life can also lead to a quandry of questions with regard to self-fortitude, staying on task, and commitment to one's goals."

He will let the finalists know what to expect when the taping of the show is over and it is seen all over the world on television and the internet. "I believe this is the toughest test of being a reality television show contestant...staying grounded in plans for the future while enjoying the present acclaim of quick celebrity status. While living in the house on my reality show, tempers would frequently fly and unlike minded personalities would often clash. However, ultimately, we all must put ourselves back in the real world of our daily lives and can take the opportunities, lessons, and challenges of reality television with us to serve our lives and the lives of others for the better. I can contribute to the Write Stuff experience by providing the contestants with perceptions and observations of the reality show experience that they will likely not find elsewhere."

Kuperman will be joined by other celebrity guests including New York Times Bestselling authors Steve Berry and Scott Sigler. Additional information about Boris can be found at http://www.myspace.com/toplaw or http://www.boriscando.

To find out more about The Write Stuff Reality Show and how you can join its literacy campaign, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com.

(Sat. March 21, 2009) Meet the entire cast of The Write Stuff Season One

 

(Saturday, March 21, 2009) Just weeks after being chosen, the entire cast of the new literary reality show The Write Stuff will be in Pearl, MS for their first challenge and a meet and greet held at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS.

The host and Executive Producer of the program, Cyrus A. Webb, is a native of Mississippi and wanted to bring the entire production to the state in order to kick off the history-making project. This is the first time that the contestants would have met each other as well as the public's first look at the entire group.

Also present will be some of the judges of the show as well as some surprise guests that will be on hand to congratulate the cast. The Write Stuff will take you into the lives of 14 aspiring writers as they compete for a book deal and other prizes to show they have what it takes to make it into the world of publishing. The show will be seen online via Youtube and as a Paid Program on select CW Networks worldwide.

The public and press are invited to the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 2-4p.m. to meet the cast and other members of the show. Admission is free. For details contact Cheryl Pillsbury of AG Press at 1-978-300-5178 or Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com. Additional information can also be found at http://www.thewritestufftv.com.

Upcoming Reality Show Promotes Reading While Offering Assistance to Aspiring Writers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upcoming Reality Show Promotes Reading While Offering Assistance to Aspiring Writers

 

Contact:          Cheryl Pillsbury, AG Press

                       978-300-5178/ 617-447-1554

                       www.AGPress.8m.net / www.poeticmonthly.com

 

                        Donna Erickson, A Flair For Writing

                        781-857-2396

                        www.aflairforwriting.com   

 

To encourage literacy throughout the United States, Shadow Play Entertainment and its partners are gearing up for a historic literary journey of a lifetime: to find the next big thing in publishing. They realize that reading is not only important, but providing quality entertainment to the masses is also vital. Introducing "The Write Stuff" (http://www.thewritestufftv.com), a new reality show designed to assist individuals in their quest to get their work recognized, as well as network with those who have made it in the industry.

 

This new project will not only encourage creativity but also provide assistance to those who are looking to make it in the world of publishing.  Hosted by Executive Producers Cyrus A. Webb (Shadow Play Entertainment/ Conversations Book Club) and Glenn Toby (Celebrity Sports & Talent Agent/ Precision Pictures & Films), the show will take fourteen (14) contestants who have drive, ambition and the willingness to succeed through 14 weeks of challenges to prepare them for the competitive literary world.

 

Airing in select cities (on the CW Channel and select My Network Channels) and ABC affiliates as a paid program, the show will be seen by a potential audience of over 20 million households. After airing, all episodes will be available on The Write Stuff TV channel on Youtube found at http://www.youtube.com/thewritestufftv. As new markets open, previous episodes will be re-aired with the finale airing simultaneously.

 

"The Write Stuff" will put the contestants in the faces of those who can make it happen for them in the publishing world and those who can give them the tools they need to be successful. At stake is the ultimate prize for those who want to make their mark in the industry: a ONE-BOOK DEAL provided by Hollygrove Publishing! Along with the book deal and recognition of having "The Write Stuff," come a brand new Dell Laptop and a prize package worth over $16,000. There will also be features in Conversations Magazine (online and print), Poetic Monthly Magazine (online and print), Crunk Magazine (online and print), and Hype Magazine, along with other publications across the country!

 

Live auditions began in January 2009 and will take place throughout February 2009. However, online auditions are accepted as well. Details are available at http://www.thewritestufftv.com. Judges include up-and-coming as well as best-selling authors from across the country. There is no doubt that this project will be one for the record books, getting national attention, as well as helping many contestants make a name for themselves---all while encouraging literacy for those watching at home and online.

 

For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Cheryl Pillsbury or Donna Erickson using the information above or contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com.

(Thurs. July 31, 2008) FORUM: Hiphop and Politics: Can the two work together for the good of the people?

 

HIPHOP & POLTICS*:
Can the two work together for the good of the people?

Join us on Thursday, July 31, 2008 for the forum "HIPHOP AND POLITICS: Can the two work together for the good of the community?" This will be held at the Jackson Enterprise Center (931 HWY W. * Jackson, MS),6-8p.m.

Panelists include recording artists Eddie Wright, Big Pap, Jokah the General, radio show host Berlinda White, community activists Valencia Robinson and Shontale Watson, Attorney Martin Perkins and more!

Issues to be discussed include 1) Should we care what entertainers think about issues if we are to separate what they say from what they do? 2) How can the hiphop community best use their influence for the good of the community? 3) What can elected officials do to encourage the hiphop community's support? 4) Is the voice of the hiphop community incorrectly swaying perception about the Presidential candidates and their positions? 5) At the end of the day who should have more influence, the leaders of the hiphop community or the head of the household?

This 4th installment of discussions is brought to you in part by The Hip-Hop Chronicle, The Street Life Series, YoRaps.com, The Hype Magazine and focuses on the power of Hiphop. It will be moderated by Hiphop and Books Founder C. A. Webb. Admission free.

For more information, contact Berlinda White at 601.307.1851 or Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616. You can also reach Webb at cawebb4@juno.com. Additional information can also be found online at http://www.thebestbookclub.info and http://www.hiphopandbooks.com