Emmy Award Winner Pens Novel for 1970's Era African American Women

    ATLANTA, GA, December 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Young adult urban drama is the top-selling genre in black fiction today, yet, Emmy nominated author, GregAlan Williams (1534 Cleveland) has set his literary sights on African-American women, forty-plus, with his new novel, Heart of a Woman.

Author of two critically acclaimed books, dozens of essays, and two award-winning public television specials, Williams third book, Heart of a Woman, hits bookstores on November 30th. Set against the backdrop of Motown in its prime, the work spans four decades and three generations of triumphant African-American women. At two hundred and twenty-four pages, Heart, published by Enaz Publications, probes the depths of grown-up love, men's fear of intimacy, and the loving possibilities that await even the hearts of, "so-called" mature women.

The former Marine Corps journalist describes his novel's nearly forty year-old protagonist, Jimi Stone, as a woman of unique gifts-- a polio survivor with the ability to "hear the hearts of strangers"-- a compassionate and powerful woman, courageous enough to protect and, sometimes, punish the people she loves. A mix of historical fact and face-paced fiction, black entertainment icons such as, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, and, Berry Gordy, are among the book's principal characters. According to Williams,"Heart was written to resonate with readers who have fond memories of the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. Right now, there's not much out there for smart, savvy, grown, black women. Lots of African-American book clubs, for example, are reading more books written by general market authors, primarily, because the bulk of black fiction is geared toward young urban readers. "

Also an Emmy Award winning actor, Williams portrays Bishop Ernest King in the January 2010, Warner Brothers', prodigal daughter saga, Preacher's Kid, opposite LeToya Luckett of Destiny's Child fame (www.preacherskidmovie.com). On TBS, he co-stars as Elise Neal's (Hustle&Flow) fun loving father in the new Disney sponsored micro series, My Manny. The CW/BET hit series, The Game, features Williams as Tia Mowry's pompous doctor dad. This coming February, the veteran of more than 150 films and prime-time episodes, guest stars in a recurring role as Special Agent Eli Parson, on the new FOX series, Past Life, airing Thursdays after American Idol. Other recent recurring roles include Lifetime Television's Army Wives and Drop Dead Diva. Of special note was William's work opposite Oscar winner, Denzel Washington in, Remember The Titans, his regular role on prime-time's first black medical drama, City of Angels (Blair Underwood, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union); three seasons opposite Tony Award winner, Lynn Thigpen, on the popular Washington DC based crime drama, The District. and, of course, seven season on the most widely syndicated show in the world, Baywatch/Baywatch Nights. GregAlan is currently in production on the HBCU-based sequel, STOMP THE YARD 2.

Heralded nationally as hero and Good Samaritan for his rescue of a brutally beaten motorist during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, Williams responded to these accolades with his first book, A Gathering of Heroes, hailed as "...a moving illumination on the meaning of brotherhood." (Kirkus Review. Book two, GregAlan's deep and revealing conversation about male values, Boys To Men - Maps for the Journey (Doubleday/Bantam/Dell) was proclaimed, "a powerful parenting resource" for African-American mothers bringing sons to manhood.

In addition to his work with fragile families and regional Head Start programs, as well as lectures and keynotes from Harvard to Howard, GregAlan is long-time host of the, Black College Quiz, the nationally televised academic competition featuring top teams from America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The first two chapers of Heart of a Woman (http://www.heartofawoman.us) can be read and heard via an audio download from the website.

Author of two critically acclaimed books, dozens of essays, and two award-winning PBS specials, GregAlan Williams has starred in more than 100 films and prime-time episodes including, The District, Drop Dead Diva, Army Wives, City of Angels, The West Wing, The Sopranos, The Game, and Tyler Perry, Meet The Browns.

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