The Official LAZARUS by Rashid Darden Thread
 

Okay, so I decided to start a new thread about my upcoming novel so it will be easier to post announcements and later, have discussions about the novel!

Here is the latest update:

Guess what? My debut novel Lazarus is available for pre-order, a month ahead of schedule!

Please click here to pre-order: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/order.html

Publishing a novel on my own has been a challenging, yet rewarding experience. I have learned how to be my own publisher, agent, and publicist all in one. However, such an undertaking has not been accomplished alone. I’ve had great editors, web designers, and a cover designer who will blow you away. In two weeks, the cover of Lazarus will be unveiled!

Pre-ordering Lazarus is extremely important. Sure, order it because it will be the best novel you read in 2005. And yes, order it because you like to read, especially African American literature. But also, please know that by supporting this novel, you are investing in a young artist’s career.

Please consider pre-ordering a copy of Lazarus for yourself, friends, or family. Discounts are available for group orders as well. Wouldn’t it be great if Lazarus sold out before the official publication date of March 31?

Thanks in advance!



Sincerely,

Rashid Darden

www.oldgoldsoul.com

Ooh... new reading material.
(A request - how about an RSS feed for your updates page?)

Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading it.:)

I know you can get an RSS feed to my blog, which will also include updates about the book....can you send me a PM or an email about that so I can give you the feed? (I have to ask my webmaster about it first, because I can't remember what the link or whatever it is....is..:))

Thank you! Hope you get to pre-order before they sell out! :eek:

MY FIRST INTERVIEW!!!!!

http://www.sunpiperpress.com/rashid.html

Actually, I found your blog from the original link: I just dropped the subdomain from the URL. You've made my Bloglines feed - congratulations! :D

Just made my order!:)

First of all, thank you to those of you who have pre-ordered so far!

Here is the cover! It's finally ready!

http://oldgoldsoul.com/frontcover.jpg

Hey buddy, Congrats man

Assuming you were once dardener on here I once dug your poetry...are you including any of that stuff in there? cheers mate

cory

Cory! Yup, that's me man. YES, there just so happens to be some poetry in the novel. One of the characters, Savion, is a poet and has three or four pieces in there that will knock your socks off.

As a matter of fact, I'll just go ahead and give you a small spoiler...the text you see on the right side of the cover is actually one of Savion's poems.... :)

If you’re not doing anything on February 3 at around 6:30pm, it would be extremely great if you came to this event! Please share with your friends, colleagues, students, fellow alumni, frat, sorors, and those interested in supporting young black writers.



Come join Rashid Darden and other emerging black male writers in a panel discussion sponsored by the American University chapter of the NAACP. These talented and energetic writers will read excerpts from their work and will be discussing the creative process with all who attend. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to hear never-before heard selections from Lazarus and to meet the author!


Thursday, February 3, 2005
6:30pm
FREE

Mary Graydon Center, Room 245
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Are you ever bringing your hot, I mean talented, self to NYC? ;)

Well.....nobody from NY has really pre-ordered the book so far. :(

I got a GREAT review of my novel from Sunpiper Press (www.sunpiper.com)! Here is an excerpt:



When this book was turned over to me, I was told it was a “quick read”. This is true, not because it is a short book, but because when you pick it up—you can’t bear to put it down! By the time you finish it, you will realize how much we are all ‘slaves’ to society. You will also recognize just how much masquerading we do in everyday life just to “fit in”. Rashid Darden paints an exquisite portrait of college life, urban youth and the secrets we all hold from the world to maintain the image we wish to portray.



You can follow this link to download the full review in PDF format. Feel free to print it out: http://oldgoldsoul.com/sunpiperreview.pdf

And don't forget to check me out this Thursday at American if you're in DC during that time!

I'm late to the party but I finally put my order in!

Now how about a trip to Chicago on the book tour? :D

Darden holds no punches. It is this true and raw emotion that makes you eager to keep reading, even after the story has ended. Every word on the page is real, breathing life into each character and emotion into each experience. You become attached to the characters and invested in the experience as if you were right there when it all happened.
-- A Zeta in Washington, DC

Darden presents many pressing issues including fraternity pledging, connecting with family, finding love and soul searching all with astounding accuracy. I am willing to bet most student leaders at any college campus can relate in more than one way to the struggles that Adrian endures throughout the novel. This work is a masterpiece for those entering college, current college students, and college graduates alike.
-- Alumnus, St. John's University

Greetings. As you certainly know by now, I have written a novel entitled LAZARUS. It is the story of Adrian Collins, a gay, black college sophomore who is pursuing membership in a fraternity while trying to keep his relationship secret. That plot probably sounds similar to people you may know – it might even be similar to your own experiences. I feel that I’ve written one of the best novels of 2005. In addition, the early reviews for my novel have compared me to Pulitzer prize-winning novelists. Many have said that I have surpassed E. Lynn Harris in storytelling. The synopsis of LAZARUS can be found here: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com More advanced reviews can be found here: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/praise.html

As you also know, I am self-publishing LAZARUS. My intent is not to try to become rich off of this novel – that would be nearly impossible for any first-time author. After years of trying to find an agent and being told that the market was oversaturated with “black” fiction, I decided to forge my own path. My objective in self-publishing this novel is to get my work out there to the public and publishing industry professionals. I figured if agents wouldn’t take a chance on me, I would take my work directly to readers and let my work speak for itself.

But friends….I still need your help. My deadline to submit materials to my book manufacturer is rapidly approaching and I am in danger of having to postpone production because of a lack of pre-orders. The book manufacturer is sympathetic to self-published authors and they are giving me a reasonable quote for a modest number of copies. I am contributing nearly my entire savings and have taken out a loan to defray the costs, but I still need pre-orders to make LAZARUS a reality.

By self-publishing my novel, I hope to get attention to my talents and skills as a writer, not make a profit. All proceeds from this novel will be reinvested right back into my career. All I’ve ever wanted to be is a writer, and I hope you can help. If you are interested in pre-ordering LAZARUS, please visit: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/order.html

Thank you very much for even reading this far. I hope you are moved to support this endeavor. Feel free to forward this email to anyone you feel would be interested. A new visitor to my website is just as valuable as a pre-order.

Thank you so much. God bless.

Thank you for updating. My computer now blocks your website:mad: I wish you much success!

Hey folks, today is the LAST DAY to pre-order LAZARUS! Get yours now!

http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/order.html

Rashid Darden
Author of LAZARUS
www.oldgoldsoul.com

Hey everybody! Thanks for the well-wishes on LAZARUS!!! I had a great weekend with my Alpha Phi Omega Brothers at Georgetown as we welcomed 14 neos into our brotherhood. I also celebrated the sixth anniversary of my line’s initiation! It was an awesome weekend, and I updated my photo gallery with pictures. If you’re still an undergrad, seriously consider becoming part of Alpha Phi Omega – it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.



www.oldgoldsoul.com is constantly being updated! In addition to plenty of photographs, the diary is updated nearly every day! People tell me it’s funny – I just tell it like it is, I suppose.



For the latest updates on appearances, click here: http://rashid.oldgoldsoul.com/appearances.html If you’d like to arrange a book talk, signing, or include me on a panel discussion, just shoot me an email! Also, even though I don’t currently have the resources to travel EVERYWHERE in the US, please let me know of any annual festivals or fairs that happen in your area, no matter how big or small. That kind of information is invaluable to me, especially for advanced planning.



New praise has been added! Come see what people are saying about LAZARUS! http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/praise.html



As always, you may order LAZARUS at this link: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/order.html. They are still $14.95 plus shipping, and I hope you’re able to purchase one – it’s not too late!



LAZARUS is on the way! We are still aiming to send books out during the first week of April, as advertised, but I must admit there have been slight delays with our printer. However, I highly recommend them! Shoot me an email for their contact info if you are considering publishing your work on your own.



Thanks for all the support! Keep checking the site out for all the latest updates!

How do we get a signed copy? :)

If you pre-order, I will sign your copy. :)

<----- Still practicing my signature, because that thing is pure d. chicken scratch.

I have to go pick up my lunch, but I'll be sure to get on that when I get back. I read your preview, and it sucked me in. :D

ETA: Done!

Dangit, I have to wait until my next payday to order 'cause I am flat broke.

But when it comes, I'll definitely be ordering a copy. I loves reading.

Save the Date



Old Gold Soul Presents:
A Toast to LAZARUS
The Debut Novel of Rashid Darden



Saturday, April 30, 2005
7pm
Takoma Station
6914 Fourth Street, NW
Washington, DC



Just one half-block from the Takoma Metro



RSVP: rashid@oldgoldsoul.com

Yay! I just ordered! :)

Thursday, April 21, 7:30pm
Black House Book Club: Lazarus
Georgetown University (37th & O Streets, NW)
White-Gravenor Hall, Room 311

Join us to discuss the new novel Lazarus alongside
Rashid Darden, a native Washingtonian, former
Black House resident (1999-2000), and alumnus of
the College of Arts & Sciences (2001). A light
reception with the author will follow the event at
the Black House, located at 1410 36th Street.

Contact Erin Meadors at emm24@georgetown.edu for
more event information. See www.oldgoldsoul.com
for more details on Darden and his work. For more
information on the Black House, see
http://blackhouse.georgetown.edu on the web.

Event Cosponsors:
The Black House
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Mu
Alpha Chapter
GU Pride (In conjunction with PRIDE Week 2005)

***

Saturday, April 23, 8:00pm
School Dayz: The Georgetown University Step Team
Charity Step Show
Georgetown University (37th & O Streets, NW)
Gaston Hall
$10.00

Featuring: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha,
Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Zeta Phi Beta,
Iota Phi Theta, and the Georgetown University Step Team
Special Appearance by Rashid Darden, Author of Lazarus

***

Saturday, April 30, 7:00pm
A Toast to LAZARUS: The Debut Novel of Rashid Darden
Takoma Station Tavern
6914 Fourth Street, NW

Join Old Gold Soul as we celebrate the publication
of LAZARUS at the historic Takoma Station Tavern.
Meet Rashid Darden and pick up your very own copy
of his debut novel. Grab a drink from the bar,
order up some appetizers, and then stay for Takoma
Station's legendary live music!

Sounds great!! Wish I could be there.:)

Just a reminder....
 

Friends,



All of my life, I’ve wanted to be an author.



Now…I am.



Please help me to celebrate the release of LAZARUS, my first novel. We will be convening upon Takoma Station Tavern on this Saturday at 7:00pm. Takoma Station is located at 6814 Fourth Street in Northwest Washington, DC, just one half block from the Takoma Metro.



There will be no cover charge until approximately 8:30pm, so if you’ve never been to Takoma Station, Saturday would be a great time to come try out their drinks and appetizers! Stay through the evening, meet some new friends, come chat with me, pick up a copy of the novel, and then be introduced to a reggae band later in the evening. If you’re not familiar with Takoma Station’s legacy of live music, by all means try them out for the first time this Saturday!



This is the moment of my life that I’ve worked so hard for…all the blood, sweat, and tears shed at Georgetown and American…all the weekends I gave up the past three years just so I could write novels…all of my hard work and what do I have to show for it?



A BOOK!!!!! And I wouldn’t have it any other way. So come celebrate with me!!!!



See you Saturday!!!



Extra special invitation goes to all Coolidge and Georgetown alumni; the Takoma, Riggs Park, and Manor Park communities; Brothers of Alpha Phi Omega; Alphas, AKAs, Deltas, Zetas, SGRhos, and Gamma Sigs; and even the Kappas, Ques, Sigmas, and Iotas.



RSVP: rashid@oldgoldsoul.com



More information about the novel: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/

Reviews: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/praise.html

Excerpts: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/excerpts.html

Order: http://thebook.oldgoldsoul.com/order.html





Rashid Darden
Author of LAZARUS
www.oldgoldsoul.com

By the way....the event at the Black House was very nice! We had about ten people show up all together, and we had great conversation about both the novel and my experiences as an openly gay undergrad who was heavily involved in the black community. Pictures are on my site!

Also, the step show was great!!! I am STILL working on the pics for those, but they will be on my site in an hour or so.

Congratulations! That is so great!

Does that mean I get my book soon?
(tinydancer ducks as Senusret I throws the book at her!:p )

LOL, it's a fair question!

The remainder of my books (51 boxes or two "skids") will be arriving on Thursday. By Friday, all of the preordered books should be sent out!

Woohoo! I can't wait!

I have a coworker who's interested in reading the book. :D

A new review! http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonli...rusem_by_.html

A Conversation with Trent Jackson: http://interviews.oldgoldsoul.com/

Latest Diary Entries: http://rashid.oldgoldsoul.com/diary/

Favorite Links: http://rashid.oldgoldsoul.com/fav/ar...nks/index.html

LAZARUS Event Pictures: http://oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=23

Step Show and Misc. Pics: http://oldgoldsoul.com/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=25

I got my book today! YAY!

Still waiting for mine...I hope I get it soon! :D

Got mine today! :D

Yayyyyyy!!!!

I am so happy they are making it to their destinations!

I just went to order and I'm getting "this page cannot be displayed." I'm not sure if it's the site or my machine. :(

I'm hoping mine arrives today.