When he walked in the house, I had no idea what to expect. He was cold, quiet, contemplative. But, hell, that's Marcus. There's been more than one time when he's come home in one of his moods. Still, today was different and I knew it had everything in the world to do with me.
"I’m sorry," doesn't cut it anymore. "This was never the plan," can't possibly express my true emotions. It's all I have, though. Empty words, vague explanations, tears, sorrow; they’re all I'm left with. So, what should I do? Run to him and throw myself at his feet, beg for the Most High Court of Marcus to spare me, have mercy on me? I wish I could. I wish he could hear that, hear me. But you know Marcus. You know his temper. And what I've done... there's no forgiveness for.
When the smoke clears... there's nothing left but the truth
Blue Planet Publishing and Avah LaReaux present...
Smoke and Mirrors
Coming Fall 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Birthday, Marcus
Avey World is celebrating Marcus Clayton's birthday with a 24-hour special. The first reader to identify one character from the debut novel and share why you love or hate that character will receive an autographed copy of Bastards. See entry guidelines below. Good luck to you!
Birthday Contest Guidelines:
* Include character name
* Include your name, email address, and mailing address with entry
* Email all entries to
* Entries will be reviewed at the end of 24-hours, i.e. after 3:00 p.m. CDT
* One entry per household
* Avey World employees, contractors, and associates are ineligible to apply
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Counselor's Journal - Spring Break Debut
The Counselor's Journal debuts this weekend. Only Avey World Insiders have access. Don't be left out. Join the Avey World mailing list at www.avahlareaux.com to get this literary exclusive.
Already on the mailing list and have received your copy? Leave your comments here. I love to hear from you.
Hugs & kisses...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
February Salute to Artists
This February, I will be saluting African-American literary artists on my FaceBook page. Come by and read interesting facts about some of your favorite literary personalities. Hopefully, you'll see some names that will spark your interest. It's all for you in Avey World FaceBook. See you soon!
Avah's FaceBook Page
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Well I'll Be Huck Finn
For the last two days, I've been involved in discussions concerning the "Huck Finn situation." I won't recount the matter here, as I'm sure most people have heard enough of it in the news. The long and short of it surrounds the use, and changing thereof, of the N-word in the classic Mark Twain novel. Here's my take...
I have loved words and literature for as long as I can remember. My parents owned a huge wooden bookcase that was filled with everything from Sir Author Conan Doyle to Encyclopedia Britannica. Needless to say, Mark Twain was among the plethora of authors collected, as was Edgar Allen Poe. And right beside my hard-back copy of Tom Sawyer sat my copy of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Did I read it? Yes. Was I offended? No. To date, I am still not offended.
As an author, I have a great appreciation for what my forefather writers did for the literary field. Whether it be William Shakespeare and his tale of Othello the Moor (look that term up for editing) or Mark Twain's use of the same word in Huck Finn, how can we as a culture even consider editing such works? In order to appreciate literature in its purest form, we must take time to understand and teach the premise on which the classics were written. We must embrace the prevailing thought processes and beliefs of the time period in question, in order to properly understand the picture being painted.
The job of an artist is to paint a compelling masterpiece in such a way that anyone who dares to enjoy the piece is touched by some aspect of the work. The duty is the same for an author. Through our pens, we paint scenes and characters and timelines of history that engage readers and ignite emotion in them toward the work. It was Mark Twain's job as an author to develop Huck Finn's character in such a way that even his language evoked feeling in those who read it. Had he not done is job well, we would not be having this conversation.
I do not believe the word used be changed, edited, or "fixed." To undo the language is to undo a piece of history and deny the power of evolution of a race of people and a nation. If that work be changed, then so should all works, wholesale, that may be disparaging in anyway. Changing this one work, means forever rethread history, undermining the present, and neglecting the future. The little fox will indeed spoil the vine and the art of writing will be forever redefined.
I have loved words and literature for as long as I can remember. My parents owned a huge wooden bookcase that was filled with everything from Sir Author Conan Doyle to Encyclopedia Britannica. Needless to say, Mark Twain was among the plethora of authors collected, as was Edgar Allen Poe. And right beside my hard-back copy of Tom Sawyer sat my copy of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Did I read it? Yes. Was I offended? No. To date, I am still not offended.
As an author, I have a great appreciation for what my forefather writers did for the literary field. Whether it be William Shakespeare and his tale of Othello the Moor (look that term up for editing) or Mark Twain's use of the same word in Huck Finn, how can we as a culture even consider editing such works? In order to appreciate literature in its purest form, we must take time to understand and teach the premise on which the classics were written. We must embrace the prevailing thought processes and beliefs of the time period in question, in order to properly understand the picture being painted.
The job of an artist is to paint a compelling masterpiece in such a way that anyone who dares to enjoy the piece is touched by some aspect of the work. The duty is the same for an author. Through our pens, we paint scenes and characters and timelines of history that engage readers and ignite emotion in them toward the work. It was Mark Twain's job as an author to develop Huck Finn's character in such a way that even his language evoked feeling in those who read it. Had he not done is job well, we would not be having this conversation.
I do not believe the word used be changed, edited, or "fixed." To undo the language is to undo a piece of history and deny the power of evolution of a race of people and a nation. If that work be changed, then so should all works, wholesale, that may be disparaging in anyway. Changing this one work, means forever rethread history, undermining the present, and neglecting the future. The little fox will indeed spoil the vine and the art of writing will be forever redefined.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Avah's Holiday Pack
I've got a special holiday offer for all my friends in Avey World! Get caught up on the saga with all the drama of a TV series in book form and save money in the process. Visit Avey World now until December 31 and purchase all three titles in the Lost & Found saga series at a special low price. Click Holiday Pack on the homepage. It's all for you for Christmas. Happy Holidays from Avey World!
Avey World is www.avahlareaux.com
Monday, December 13, 2010
12 Days of Marcus
What could be better than one day of Marcus? Twelve Days of Marcus, naturally. I've got just the 12 for you...
Join my extended Avey World family on FaceBook as we celebrate the season with the main character of the Lost & Found saga series. Marcus Clayton makes a holiday appearance just in time for a special Avey World offer and in anticipation of the release of book four. Visit me and join the discussion in FaceBook. Search Avah LaReaux and get in on the fun.
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