Bronx Man Writes A Recipe For Success

Aug. 15, 2008 - PRLog -- FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

SHAWN JAMES
1294 GRANT AVENUE APT #5A
BRONX NY 10456
Phone (718) 681-3309
E-Mail: sjsdirectny@aol.com
shawnsjames.blogspot.com

BRONX MAN WRITES A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Bronx, NY August 15, 2008 – Lifelong Morrisania resident Shawn James has self published his second novel, The Cassandra Cookbook. A delightful African-American romantic comedy, the story follows Cassandra Lee as she deals with the growing pains from expanding her parents’ Downtown Brooklyn bakery into a corporate brand. With a pinch of hard work and a dash of determination Cassandra learns she must create her own recipe for success in the corporate world.

A free-lance writer for over fourteen years, Shawn has worked hard towards creating his own recipe for success. Writing stories since he was nine, the 34-year old Monroe College graduate never gave up childhood dream of becoming a published author. After submitting the novel to over 400 literary agents and getting rejected 400 times, he decided to follow in the footsteps of other successful African-American self-published authors such as Michael Baisden, Terri Woods, and Mary B. Morrison. “A lot of the literary agents I was submitting to were giving me positive responses in their rejection letters and e-mails.” James says. “When you’re getting personalized letters from literary agents it’s a sign that you’re doing something right. I believed in Cassandra’s story so much I felt it was worth taking the risk of bringing it to the market myself.”

While writing the novel Shawn did extensive research. To make the fictional businesses look and sound realistic, he studied the histories of major foodservice corporations such as Sara Lee Foods and Tower Isles Beef Patties. The Bronx resident also traveled to Brooklyn neighborhoods like the Fulton Mall, Brooklyn Heights, and DUMBO to do research on background locations. “I really wanted to capture the spirit of the neighborhoods when I described them.” James says. “I wanted to take readers to a unique part of New York they hadn’t experienced.”

For additional information on The Cassandra Cookbook contact Shawn James e-mail him at sjsdirectny@aol.com. To read a sample chapter of The Cassandra Cookbook log on to shawnsjames.blogspot.com