Released on = July 22, 2006, 10:44 am

Press Release Author = By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Local writer and publisher Terry a. O\'Neal has been named
among the most popular African American female writers of our time.


Press Release Body = Local Author Featured In \"Literary Divas\"

Local writer and publisher Terry a. O\'Neal has been named among the most popular
African American female writers of our time.

O'Neal, the author of "Good Mornin' Glory," "Sweet Lavender," and "In A World of My
Own," is featured in a new book "Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African
American Women in Literature."

Released June 15, the book written by educator Heather Covington, pays tribute to
African American women whose roles in the literary world have made an impact on the
larger world.

With the 250-page paperback Covington has captured the essence of more than 100
literary divas who have shared their pain, struggles, desires, and triumphs, through
their written words as messengers of time and circumstance.

Other writers on the Top 100 list include Alice Walker, Bebe Moore Campbell, Bernice
L. McFadden, Gloria Naylor, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kimberla Lawson
Roby, Marita Golden, Mary B. Morrison, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Ntozake Shange,
Rita Dove, Rosa Guy, Terry McMillan, Toni Morrison, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Zane.

The book also pays tribute to authors who have passed, but whose legacies live on
through their work. They include Alice Childress, Coretta Scott King, Gwendolyn
Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Octavia Butler, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisholm and Zora
Neale Hurston.

Among those included on a list of editorial divas are Oprah Winfrey, Essence's Susan
L. Taylor, editor/writer Adrienne Ingrum, Pocketbooks senior editor Malaika Adero,
and Black Issues Book Review Executive Editor Angela P. Dodson. These women are
highlighted, the author says for keeping "the works of Literary Divas at the
forefront of the publishing industry."

Covington is an educator of kindergarten children. When not teaching, she serves as
the president of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, editor-in-chief of
Disilgold Soul Literary Review, and is noted as one of the nation\'s top media
personalities and promoters of literary artists. Heather works as a poet, author,
producer, publisher, promoter, educator and humanitarian.

She is also the author of "Lil PerSoulnalities: A Children's Book for Parents and
Teachers," "Persoulnalities: Poems for Every Kind of Man, "Persoulnalities: Poems
for Every Kind of Woman," and "Disilgold Way: Countdown 101 From Writer to Self
Publisher."

"Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature" is
available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.






Web Site =
http://www.sacobserver.com/soul/poetry_literature/071206/literary_divas.shtml

Contact Details = Michael Luther
916-919-6066
www.TerryONeal.com