FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rae Jones
323.294.5280 and 323.294.5258 (fax)
raediantcommunications@hotmail.com

FIRST LEIMERT PARK BOOK FESTIVAL TO HONOR MEMORY OF BEBE MOORE CAMPBELL
Authors, Poets, Panelists and Volunteers Needed

(Los Angeles, CA) – Few authors could touch the spirit the way best selling novelist and journalist Bebe Moore Campbell did. During her short tenure on earth, she was able to weave words into four best selling novels.
Offering up hearts, lives and souls in her bestsellers, “Brothers and Sisters,” “Singing in the Comeback Choir,” “What You Owe Me,” and “72 Hour Hold,” Ms. Campbell provided the world a poignant, but pleasurable peek at issues impacting African Americans.

Before her passing in November 2006 at age 56 years, Ms. Campbell also contributed her creativity and resources as a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, having won their 2003 Outstanding Literature Award and, in helping found the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill chapter locally.

For all that she did as a writer and an activist, Bebe Moore Campbell will be paid homage during the historic first Leimert Park Village Book Festival.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2007, “Celebrating Our Literary Legacy: Our Heritage, Our Words, Our Stories,” will be held in the Leimert Park Village Visions Theatre Parking Lot at Degnan Blvd. and 43rd Street, Los Angeles.

Produced by Cynthia E. Exum and Associates, in conjunction with 8th District City Councilmember Bernard C, Parks. Eso Won Books and Helping One Another Progress, Inc., Leimert Park’s inaugural literary festival will feature authors, storytellers, spoken word artists, poets, publishers, booksellers, literary vendors, workshops, panel discussions and musical entertainment. And, it will honor Ms. Campbell.

“One of my fondest memories as a student was attending a book signing featuring Bebe Moore Campbell and her newly released book, ‘Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine.’ I still have my signed copy and I will always remember her legacy as a wonderful storyteller,” commented event creator, Cynthia E. Exum. “In honor of that legacy it is our desire to create a festive and fun program aimed at inspiring and promoting interest in and support of the literary arts. The Leimert Park Book Festival will cater to lifelong readers and literary novices alike. It is our ultimate goal to share the joy of reading with the entire community.

Also being held in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Leimert Park Merchant’s Association and the City of Los Angeles, the Leimert Park Book Festival will be sponsored in part by Washington Mutual, Starbucks,
KABC-7, Time Warner Cable, the United States Postal Service and Cost Plus World Market.

Opportunities still are available for authors, storytellers, spoken word artists, poets, publishers, booksellers, musicians, literary vendors and workshop and panel discussion participants in the first Leimert Park Village Book Festival.

For details contact Cynthia Exum at 323.828.7997, forward questions to info@leimertparkbookfair.com

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The Leimert Park Village Book Festival is free and open to the public.

For more information on involvement opportunities and author/vendor registration
please contact: Cynthia Exum - 323.828.7997.