Respect the Jux Virtual Book Tour January & February 2011

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Join Frank C. Matthews, author of the urban fiction novel, Respect the Jux, as he virtually tours the blogosphere January 3 – February 25 ‘11 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Frank C. Matthews

Prodigious and profound author Frank C. Matthews’ triumphant transformation from inmate to novelist has established him as a leading force in the world of urban literature. Armed with his mastery of the written word, Matthews has achieved feats that are only reserved for the most seasoned of writers, selling an unprecedented amount of books as a first-time author and self-publisher. When it comes to putting the urban voice – the human voice – on the page, Matthews has no peer. His unprecedented journey demonstrates that even when confronted with a web of trials and tribulations, creativity has the ability to flourish. As a New York City native, Matthews grew up with aspirations of one day becoming a household name as an NBA Superstar. His dream took a detour, but his resilience and determination allowed him to persevere.

The lure of the streets and its fast money took Matthews away from hoops and into another game – the drug trade – where he found instant success. But a deal gone bad eventually landed him behind bars. Once incarcerated, Matthews had few options of how to spend his seemingly unending time in what felt like a black hole drawing at all happiness. Taking advantage of the still and silent nights, Matthews spent hours plunged into two of the world’s most renowned, contemporary African-American storytellers, Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines.

The books empowered the now bright-eyed and enthusiastic Matthews and awakened a creative bug to tell the stories locked inside him. “Incarceration transformed me,” said Matthews. “I went from a young, frustrated, and confused boy to a mature, humble, and pensive man.” Much the way Malcolm X used the power of words to transform himself in prison, Matthews used the power of the pen to write his way to freedom, real freedom. While the calamities of his past may have blackened his vision they did not still his pen. He found his purpose. He would write his stories in notebooks, on torn-open envelopes, and anything he could get his hands on and would pass them around through the system. While some traded cigarettes, Matthews traded his highly demanded stories, which inmates clung to like emotional life rafts.

Matthews delved into the business of publishing, an industry he now planned to one day master. He found his style of writing to be unique, labeling it as “true fiction,” an alternate take on real events he had witnessed firsthand. He honed his craft and further developed a distinctive writing style that was uninhibited, dramatic yet cinematic as his readers traveled to adventurous sonic territory. He had a burning desire to share his rare experiences in the underworld of crime with anyone who would listen. Matthews’ drive and passion was reinvigorated. He would be relentless in his pursuit to share with the masses his tales of underworld crime, drama, brotherhood and love.

Upon his rebirth in 2005, Matthews discovered that he could put his past behind him and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and unwavering determination. The resilient author took his astounding gift of writing “true fiction,” coupled with his compulsion for words and decided to pursue his passion. Even after numerous failed attempts at landing a publishing deal, Matthews did what he learned to do best – create opportunities for himself. He knew that there was an untapped niche audience eager to hear his voice, and he was steadfast in his desire to supplant the current favorites in the urban lit arena.

Matthews self-published one of his first novels, Respect the Jux, and it caught fire, selling over 20,000 thousand copies. The book catapulted Matthews into the sphere typically reserved for seasoned literary greats while capturing the attention of everyone from rappers Jay-Z, Ghostface Killer, and 50 Cent (who rapped on Lloyd Banks’s single, “Hands up, if you want to party with crooks you have to learn to Respect the Jux!”) to literary powerhouses like bestselling author and publisher Karen Hunter.

The gripping tale borrows from Matthews’ recollection of urban legends through the saga of Cat, who journeyed from Jamaica to the United States as a teenager. After a stint in the military, Cat returned with newfound skills and a desire for his own version of the American Dream—by any means necessary.

Using his extensive military background in weapons and intelligence, Cat formed “The Order,” a band of thieves that specialized in pulling off juxes, which Matthews defines as emulating and acquiring another’s style, intellect, or swagger for personal advancement.

Captivating, intriguing, mesmerizing – all words that describe Frank Matthews’ uncanny ability to bring readers into the worlds that he creates. His first auspicious debut Respect the Jux, a dynamic tale of brotherhood, greed, and power, hits the shelves nationwide in September, the style made famous by Slim and Goines will be revived…with a 21st century twist!

Visit his website at www.frankmatthews.com.

About Respect the Jux

In Jamaica, “Cat” learned the art of the “jux”: robbing people by studying their everyday movements. By the age of eight, Cat was shoplifting and purse-snatching. By ten, he had his first gun. At fifteen, he committed his first murder.

In New York City . . . he created The Order: a secret society of thieves who played by Cat’s rules. He taught his crew how to pull off the perfect jux. Made them swear on a bible and a bullet. Robbed dealers, pushers, thugs. And raked in millions. Then Cat was betrayed—by one of his own men.

In Miami . . . he set up a new operation. Bigger game, bigger stakes. The targets are prime—athletes, politicians, drug lords, celebrities—and the payoff is huge. But the party scene is as dangerous as the ladies are beautiful. Cat has to watch his back and remember the rules: Never trust a thief. Never get caught. And always . . .RESPECT THE JUX.

Watch the Trailer!

Here’s what critics are saying about Respect the Jux!

“It’s an unapologetic look into the dangerous minds of the modern criminal. It’s gritty, seductive, and horrifying, all at the same time,” exclaimed Gray, whose credits include box office hits Law Abiding Citizen, Friday, Set it Off, The Negotiator, and The Italian Job. Known for his all-star casts, Gray’s films feature seasoned thespians, including Ice Cube, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Samuel L. Jackson, Edward Norton, and Mark Wahlberg, as well as Academy Award winners Charlize Theron, and Kevin Spacey. “Frank’s gripping writing style pulls you into the depths of this shadowy underworld, providing an addictive… yet frighteningly educational read.”

— Gary Gray, Film Director

Respect the Jux Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, January 3
Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz

Tuesday, January 4
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Interviewed at Let’s Talk Virtual Book Tours

Thursday, January 6
Book spotlighted at The Writer’s Life

Monday, January 10
Interviewed at Blogcritics

Friday, January 14
Interviewed at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, January 20
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report

Friday, January 21
Interviewed at Shine

Wednesday, January 25
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn

Friday, January 28
Interviewed at The Book Connection

Tuesday, February 1
Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Wednesday, February 2
Interviewed at Cafe of Dreams

Monday, February 7
Interviewed at American Chronicle

Friday, February 11
Guest blogging at Pitching Pencils

Tuesday, February 15
Guest blogging at Night Owl Reviews

Wednesday, February 16
Book spotlighted at Book Tours and More

Thursday, February 17
Interviewed at The Writer’s Life

Monday, February 21
Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, February 23
Book trailer spotlighted at If Books Could Talk

Friday, February 25
Book reviewed at Black Diamonds Book Reviews

Frank C. Matthews’ RESPECT THE JUX VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘10 will officially begin on January 3 and end on February 25 ’11. Please contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife@yahoo.com if you are interested in hosting and/or reviewing his book or click here to use the form. Thank you!

If you would like to book your own virtual book tour with us, click here to find out how!

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Maria Andrade, DEFIANCE AND REDEMPTION

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Irene Woodbury, HONEYMOON ROULETTE

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

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Lena Gregory, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

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Jennifer Chase, FLOWERS ON HER GRAVE

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Miri Leshem-Pelly, SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR

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Bacon Press Books

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach