On behalf of all our staff congratulations to authors Mikal El-Amin & Richard Brown, for winning a 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD, 2010 SAN FRANCISCO BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD, & 2010 NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION for their remarkable novel
February 5, 2011 Award Winning 187 Iz An Art Book Signing at Zahra's Book n Things.
Mikal El-Amin will be signing copies of his amazing novel 187 Iz An Art at Zahra's Book n Things, Saturday February 5th, from 2pm-4pm. Make sure to be present to pick up your copy! Come and be a part of what tons of people already know- Marvelous storytelling at its finest.
Location:
Zahra's Book n Things, 900 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90312, (310) 330-1300
January 14, 2011 Book Signing, Reading, & Q&A with Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin at Adassa's Cafe.
Mikal El-Amin will be having a book signing and reading at Adassa's Cafe on Friday January 14th, 2011 from 5pm-8pm. Come and be a part of this event with Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin, where he'll also be having a Q&A. Oh yeah, Adassa's has very delicious Carribean food also! See you there!
Location: Adassa's Cafe, 4305 Degnan Blvd Suite 103, Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-0043
December 9, 2010
Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin to Throw Spectacular Birthday Bash & Book Signing.
Award Winning Author/Publisher Mikal El-Amin, on the weekend of his birthday, will be throwing a birthday bash and book signing to celebrate with family, friends, colleagues, and supporters. During this event El-Aminwill be signing copies of the highly acclaimed 187 Iz An Art, which he is offering to all of his guest at half price.
El-Amindecided to show appreciation to his supporters by offering them a 2-for-1 deal. Attendees of the event will receive a copy of the multiple Award Winner 187 Iz An Art, as well as a signed copy of Black Geisha, a scintillating erotic tale, authored by his good friend Rachel Blazewho will be a special guest at the event.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday December 11, from 7pm-10pm, at Octopus Restaurant & Loungein Long Beach, California. El-Amin’sevent is slated to bring together an eclectic group of personal friends, business men and women, and community leaders, allowing for his party to be an exciting and unique social gathering. Afterwards, El-Aminand his guests will be heading across the street to Cohibas Nightclub, for an extraordinary after-party.
I Am Royalty Anthology
September 14, 2010 Double-Up Publishing Owner Mikal El-Amin to be Utilized as an Example of Inspiration to Adolescents & Youth in Upcoming Anthology by Label Me Royalty organization.
Label Me Royalty (Seeing Growth), a mission driven organization, was granted rights by DUP owner El-Amin to utilize his story of overcoming adversity and obtaining success; as an example in an upcoming anthology which is seeking to inspire adolescents and youth. The anthology is going to be a collection of inspiring biographies of 52 black men and women, all of whom have exceptional life stories to share.
The LMR organization states "Label Me Royaltywants every child to realize that, we believe that they are the leaders of our future. We want each and every participant to become accustomed to creating positive labels for themselves, being labeled by others as such, and to live their lives as the respected individuals that we all would love to see them become.”
When asked about the upcoming anthology El-Amin stated, “I was extremely honored when asked by this organization, if they could use my story. It is beautiful to see people being proactive when it comes to motivating and inspiring today’s youth.”
“Adolescents and youth today need encouragement and inspiration, more than any other time in history. It is sad but true, that due to harsh environments surrounding them; when presented with historical individuals from the past they simply can't relate. Thanks to organizations like Label Me Royaltynow they can. This anthology will be presenting positive individuals that are relevant to their time, which will hopefully allow them to be able to fully relate and ultimately be inspired to be outstanding individuals, who are a positive addition to their communities.”
September 01, 2010 Double-Up Publishing Owner/Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin Attending A.C.W.U. Mixer to Exhibit Remarkable Novel 187 Iz An Art.
Double-Up Publishing owner Mikal El-Amin is scheduled to attend an upcoming A.C.W.U. Mixer, where he has been invited to conduct a book signing of his Award Winning Novel 187 Iz An Art during the event.
All Children World United is a non-profit organization that provides valuable resources and supplemental funding to schools in need. It offers programs such as soccer training, mentoring & tutoring, nutrition education, child abuse prevention, and physical wellness.
A.C.W.U. reached out to El-Amin to utilize his success story, as a prime example for the children of their program. The upcoming A.C.W.U.Mixer will be held on Thursday, September 2, from 6pm-9pm at the Catalyst Community Center.
El-Amin will be giving a brief book signing during the event, to introduce his self to all of theA.C.W.U. staff, and the many other non-profits and organizations which they are partnered with. Afterwards, A.C.W.U.and El-Amin are working on a schedule for him to join them at future events, where he will be talking with their children to give them further inspiration.
July 1, 2010 Double-Up Publishing has Officially Authorized Follett Library Resources to Distribute Its Titles to Libraries, Institutions & PreK-12 Schools.
As of July 1st 2010 Follett Library Resources has been authorized by Double-Up Publishing to distribute its titles to libraries and institutions globally, thereby enabling DUP to have two separate distinct distribution deals.
Follett Library Resources will be utilized for these specific target distribution areas, since it is a reputable supplier of books, eBooks, and audiovisual materials; to libraries and institutions, including Pre-K schools.
As stated from FLR’s website “The Follett Corporation began in 1873 as a small bookstore in the Wheaton, Illinois, home of C.M. Barnes. As the business grew, other employees were hired, among them C. W. Follett in 1901. After Barnes’ son, William moved to New York to launch another company with a gentleman named Noble, Follett purchased the Barnes family’s ownership interest. Currently, Follett Library Resources is the largest supplier of books, eBooks, and audiovisual materials to PreK-12 schools.”
This distribution method authorized by Double-Up Publishing has great promise for the publishing house, and it continues to position itself as a fast up and coming book publisher.
June 28, 2010 Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin Proclaims Leimert Park Book Festival as a Huge Success.
Award winning author Mikal El-Amin exhibited his remarkable debut novel 187 Iz An Art at this year’s 2010 Leimert Park Book Fair, and he says that the festival ended up being a big success. The Leimert Park Book Fair is an annual literary and culture event which was held at the historic Leimert Park in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, June 26 from 10am-6pm.
El-Amin says that not only did he sell dozens of books but that he also was able to make many important connections while networking at the event. The author also mentioned that “This was a great event. The people who attended the festival were beautiful and receptive, and many of them mentioned that seeing so many African-American authors, publishers, actors, etc. in one place was encouraging to them.”
“I was equally inspired by some of the people’s stories. For instance one beautiful lady told me her life story of beating a crack addiction and ending a life of prostitution.” El-Amin also says he did interviews about his award winning novel 187 Iz An Art with People Plus Magazine which is an international publication for young professionals and humanitarians around the globe; also CNE TV which is a community news and entertainment television show.
This year’s festival had an all-star roster of actors and prolific authors such as Louis Gossett Jr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, Eric Jerome Dickey, Tananarive Due and many others.
June 21, 2010 Award Winning Author Mikal El-Amin to Exhibit Debut Novel at Leimert Park Book Fair Alongside Movie Stars & Prolific Authors.
Award winning author Mikal El-Amin is scheduled to exhibit his remarkable debut novel 187 Iz An Art, at this year’s 2010 Leimert Park Book Fair. The Leimert Park Book Fair is an annual literary and culture event which is held during the summer at the historic Leimert Park in Los Angeles, California, and is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 26 from 10am-6pm.
As stated by the Leimert Park Village Book Fair “Leimert Park was chosen as the host venue site because of its importance as the cultural/artistic center of the African American Community in Los Angeles. Today, the Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair attracts over 200 authors, poets, spoken word artists, storytellers, performers, and literary/educational exhibitor participants – and boasts an audience of over 5,000.”
This year’s festival has an all-star roster of actors and prolific authors such as Louis Gossett Jr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kim Wayans, Eric Jerome Dickey, Tananarive Due and many others. Mikal El-Amin is also a confirmed author for this event and states he plans to exhibit the award winning 187 Iz An Art so that he can continue to gain exposure for his title.
El-Amin describes 187 Iz An Art as “a fiction novel that provides the reader an extraordinary true glimpse of why youths in urban environments turn to a life of street activities. 187 Iz An Art mirrors the reality of many urban environments without glorifying any of the events which typically take place in such a setting. We achieved this by starting the characters out at an early age to show what made them get immersed into the streets. So whether a person agrees or not with the idea of drug dealing they understood why the characters in the novel lead that type of lifestyle.”
June 02, 2010 Award Winning Novel 187 Iz An Art Receives an Honorable Mention in New York Book Competition.
New York Book Festival judges announced this year’s winners and authors Mikal El-Amin & Richard Brown were given an HONORABLE MENTION at the 2010 NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL. The remarkable debut novel 187 Iz An Art received the honorable mention by the festival’s judges in the teenage category of this year’s competition.
The New York Book Festival has two events scheduled next week to honor the winners, runner-ups and honorable mentions. The first is a party at the Cornelia Street Cafe on Thursday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where event organizers and competition participants will have cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and readings by competition winners. On Friday, June 11, the festival awards ceremony will honor the attendees with a reception at the famed Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhattan from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Congratulations once again to the two outstanding authors whom are accomplishing major achievements for their debut novel. Everyone at Double-Up Publishing is excited and confident in their continued success as authors.
May 24, 2010 Attending BookExpo America this year?
Double-Up Publishing has its remarkable award winning title scheduled to be exhibited inside of theNew Title Showcase at this year's 2010 BookExpo America. As expressed from the actual event website "The BookExpo America (BEA) New Title Showcase features shelf upon shelf of new titles being debuted this year. Located in the Lobby of the Jacob K. Javits Center, the New Title Showcase is a not-to-be-missed favorite feature of BEA." TheNew Title Showcase is one of the highlights of BEA and is the first exhibit which can be accessed as soon as event goers enter the Jacob Javits Center. Double-Up Publishing is proud to be a part of this very popular literary event and are looking forward to the possibilities that it may bring to our publishing house. Stop by and familiarize yourself with the award winning novel 187 Iz An Art - 2009 Los Angeles Book Festival Award Winner,2010 San Francisco Book Festival Award Winner.
The BookExpo America is a publishing/literary event that in the event's own words is "the largest publishing event in North America", which is scheduled to take place Tuesday May 25th 2010 - Thursday May 27th 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, NY.
May 7, 2010 Another book award won by Authors Richard Brown & Mikal El-Amin for their outstanding debut novel “187 Iz An Art”.
Double-Up Publishing announced that authors Mikal H. El-Amin & Richard L. Brown have won a 2010 SAN FRANCISCO BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD, for their amazing debut novel “187 Iz An Art”. On May 6, 2010 the San Francisco Book Festival announced its award winners, and “187 Iz An Art” was the winning book in the wildcard category.
The San Francisco Book Festival will honor all the winners during a reception at the Hotel Rex in San Francisco, California on Saturday May 15. Author Mikal El-Amin will be attending along with family & friends.
Authors El-Amin & Brown are batting 1000 right now for Double-Up Publishing, as this is the second major award that they’ve won for the remarkable “187 Iz An Art”. They also recently won a 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD for this novel on February 7, 2010.
Both authors are currently working on their solo releases, and say they are going to bring fresh and exciting ideas to the literary industry. Brown’s next novel is about an all female bike club that engages in very risky and illegal activities in the pursuit of wealth; while El-Amin’s next novel is about a crime scene investigator whom is called to a crime scene that dramatically changes her life.
Congratulations to the two outstanding authors whom are accomplishing major achievements for their debut novel. Everyone at Double-Up Publishing is excited and confident in their continued success as authors.
The AWARD WINNING novel “187 Iz An Art” is an urban-fiction title that held no punches during the storytelling. It provides the reader an extraordinary true glimpse of why youths in urban environments, turn to a life of street activities. “187 Iz An Art” is a good book for at-risk youths to read, because of the way that it mirrors the reality of urban environments without glorifying any of the events which typically take place in such a setting. Like a dynamic movie with world class visual effects “187 Iz An Art's” scenes jump off the page and captivate you!
February 25, 2010 Author Mikal El-Amin at the 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD CEREMONY
Author Mikal H. El-Amin attended the 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD CEREMONY, where he and coauthor Richard L. Brown were honored for their spectacular debut novel "187 Iz An Art". "187 Iz An Art" was the top winner in the teenage genre.
This is a very impressive award for the two authors with it being their debut release, and is a sign of many more great accomplishments to come. Another dynamic is the fact that their novel is an urban-fiction title, and this award was won in a mainstream competition.
When El-Amin was asked about his thoughts of that night's events he replied with the following; "I was pleased to see Bruce Haring's (Los Angeles Book Festival Managing Director) excitement when he announced our novel as the winner in its genre, and thrilled when he gave it a great compliment stating 'If you liked the movie Pulp-Fiction you'll love this book'."
Brown stated "winning this award for our debut novel has strenghtened my passion and love of my craft, and I am highly motivated and optimistic about my future as an author."
February 08, 2010 Authors Mikal H. El-Amin & Richard L. Brown win a 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOKFESTIVAL AWARD for their debut novel “187 Iz An Art”.
Authors Mikal H. El-Amin & Richard L. Brown have won a 2009 LOS ANGELES BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD, for their debut novel “187 Iz An Art”. On February 7, 2010 the Los Angeles Book Festival announced its award winners, and “187 Iz An Art” was the winning book in the teenage genre.
The Los Angeles Book Festival will honor the winners at a dinner to be held on February 25, 2010, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, CA from 7pm to 9:30pm. Author Mikal El-Amin will be in attendance with some of Double-Up Publishing staff, as well as family members and friends.
“187 Iz An Art” is an urban fiction novel which was released by Double-Up Publishing October 1st 2009. It has been featured on various websites which promote quality urban fiction novels, and has received great feedback from its readers.
Many readers of “187 Iz An Art” have said that while reading the book the scenes are extremely visual, and that they feel like they are right there next to the characters. This is attributed to the strong writing voice of the authors, and their attention to details within the scenes. The novel is unique compared to other similar books because of this writing style.
Double-Up Publishing plans on releasing 4 titles this year, and will impress our audience with the uniqueness and range of our titles’ plots. DUP's publishing house has a very ambitious mission of changing the way that urban fiction is viewed, marketed, and accepted; and wants to give the genre a broader mainstream appeal. DUP understands that many other publishers have had similar ideas, but are confident that we have the proper vision and leadership to make this a reality.
