Walter Mosley Releases New Book with Black Publisher

By Felicia Pride

Once again, Walter Mosley ain't just talking the talk, he's walking it too. The man behind the highly successful Easy Rawlins series is publishing his latest effort, The Tempest Tales, a May Essence book pick, with Black-owned Black Classics Press.

Here's a quick description of The Tempest Tales, which definitely illustrates Mosley's unique imagination:

Tempest Landry, an everyman African American, is "accidentally" killed by a cop. Denied access to heaven because of what he considers a few minor transgressions, Tempest refuses to go to hell. Stymied, Saint Peter sends him back to Harlem, where a guiding angel tries to convince him to accept Saint Peter's judgment, and even the Devil himself tries to win over Tempest's soul. Through the street-smart Landry, Mosley poses the provocative question: Is sin for blacks the same as it is for whites? And who gets to decide?
This isn't the first time Mosley has worked with Black Classics Press, which is owned by Paul Coates. He teamed up with the house twice before for 1997's Gone Fishin' and 2003's What Next. Black Classics Press, a Baltimore-based publisher, was founded in 1978 and is devoted to publishing out-of-print, hard-to-find, yet significant works by and about people of African descent.

Coates likens Tempest Landry, the main character of Tempest Tales, to his "street smart friend who could use logic to get out of any jam." Coates continues, "He was the cousin who looked out for those who were down on their luck. And he was the everyday man who just wanted justice for those who were wronged. Walter certainly gave me a character with whom I could smile, ponder, and root for."

Perhaps another lovable character like Easy Rawlins?

Look for this new Mosley title in May.

Felicia Pride is an author, speaker and welcomed voice of her generation. She's the founder of The BackList (www.thebacklist.net), an organization dedicated to using the power of words to uplift individuals and their communities. Felicia facilitates writing, publishing, and other creative workshops, curates events, and develops community initiatives. Shes a featured speaker at schools, universities, and events around the country, and has written for an array of publications . Her most recent book is The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hop's Greatest Songs. Visit her online at www.feliciapride.com.