God Saved His Life

By Rose Jackson-Beavers

In Kareem’s words, It doesn’t matter how, why or when you find God, but it’s important that you do find Him.” Now, he wants the world to know that he knew God even before he was ever incarcerated. He was young and smart, yet easily impressed by the wrong things. He was this way because he wanted to support his mother and siblings. After his father left his family to fend for themselves, he felt he had to be a man, so he turned to the streets to save his family from economic depravity. Kareem graduated from being a sweet, honest young man to a hardened street thug. He sold drugs and did whatever it took to make a dollar. It didn’t start that way for him, but the more seasoned thugs told him that in order to survive Charlotte’s hard streets of crime he would have to become coldhearted. See, if you are coldhearted you can’t feel the pain of what your negative choices have done. Unfortunately, for the young seventeen-year-old, being in the streets and being a part of a powerful negative element made him realize that if he didn’t do something he was going to die early.

Knowing no other way to undo his negative ways, he got on his knees and asked God to save him, to take him off the streets. He needed God to help him because the streets consumed him with all of its evilness. God answered his prayer, and three months later he was arrested for selling drugs and being a part of what was called the West Charlotte Posse street gang.

Kareem informed Rose Jackson-Beavers that he had no regrets about being incarcerated. He was paying for his sins, and God saved him from certain death. That is where he felt he was heading, if God had not intervened. The kind of life he was leading would eventually land him in one of three places—the grave, jail or hospitalized in a perilous condition.

Although God gave him another chance, unfortunately for Kareem the system didn’t. He wasn’t treated fairly. As most young African Americans are unjustly convicted, so was he. For one thing, he was transferred from juvenile to adult status illegally. With nearly seventeen years in prison, he was known as the youngest member of the alleged notorious West Charlotte Posse of Charlotte, North Carolina. Robbing drug dealers, selling coke and even heroin, Kareem appeared before a federal district court judge as a juvenile. He received forty-five years and was sent off, not to a Federal Juvenile Correctional Institution, but to a Federal United States Penitentiary where the government sent all alleged hardened criminals. He has been incarcerated for an extended period of time as a direct result of unjust laws and a district court judge abusing his discretion by illegally allowing him to be tried as an “Adult” defendant and not as a “Juvenile” defendant.After settling down enough to see his way through the fog of the underworld life and ways of thuggism, Kareem devoted himself to a life that leads to positive growth and development. He credits his journey of change to his personal relationship with Jesus Christ and The Autobiography of Malcolm X…. Now with a passion for writing, Kareem has completed his first novel, Death, No Exceptions!

Death, No Exceptions! is a story of uncompromising revenge. The story is not an attempt to glorify the street way of life, but to paint a picture to readers about how far some human beings will go to hurt and harm others over material things that are here today and gone tomorrow. Tomblin wanted to show just how much damage and pain an individual can cause when he/she is being motivated by the negative spirit of uncompromising revenge.

Kareem said he wanted to help others stay out of jail and do the right thing. He encourages fathers to remain visible and involved with their children. He does feel that if his father was in the home and had pulled his coattail he would be a different person today.

He also feels that God works in mysterious ways. He asked God for a publisher and a way to make an earnest living. He went back to school to get his General Education Diploma and earned a certificate equivalent to an associate’s degree and he spends more than three hours everyday in the library studying law or anything he can get his hands on. He believes that education is the key to success in life. Though he knows that had it not been for imprisonment he would still be an uneducated young man. In wanting to help other teenagers navigate away from the streets, he works with and counsels young men entering into the prison system. For some it is not too late to change.

Another thing that God did for him was send a prisoner to where he is housed who hailed from East St. Louis and often read the East St. Louis Monitor newspaper. It was the East St. Louis Monitor that contained an article requesting submissions for Prioritybooks Publications. Not only did the publisher reach out to him, he found that he was working with a Christian who not only talked about God, but encouraged him to remain faithful to Him. Now, almost ten months later, he is a published author with several books coming out to help teens remain focused on the positive way of life. He does intend to write about thug life but not without telling the truth about how the streets will wax your heart cold. All of his work will lead people to understand that God is calling them to save their lives.

Kareem is thankful for God, his family, Prioritybooks Publications and the East St. Louis Monitor. He is grateful that God made it possible for the newspaper to be in the hands of another prisoner at the right time. He also prays that God will lead an attorney who is willing to look at his case and the documented evidence to free him from bondage. Finally, Kareem hopes that readers will enjoy his books and put them in the hands of young men who need to know that all that glitters is not gold. If pure gold is what they desire, they should look to God who promised us that if we live for Him we can walk on Heaven’s Golden Streets.

For more information about Death, No Exceptions! or to schedule an interview with Kareem Tomblin call Prioritybooks at 314-306-2972 or write to info@prioritybooks.com. You may also contact the author: Kareem Tomblin #10119-058, Federal Correction Center, Post Office Box 52020/Unit B-2 Bennettsville, SC., 29512. Death, No Exceptions! is available at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If it is not on the shelf, ask for it.

Coming February 2009

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**November 19, 2008

Prioritybooks signs Kareem Tomblin

For more information or interviews contact:
Contact: Rose Jackson-Beavers
Phone: 314.306.2972
Publisher’s website: http://www.prioritybooks.com/
Email: rose@prioritybooks.com

LOCKED UP BUT NOT DOWN

With nearly 17 years in prison, he was known as the youngest member of the alleged notorious “West Charlotte Posse” of Charlotte, North Carolina. Kareem Tomblin was sucked into the thug way of life at a young tender age. Robbing drug dealers, selling coke and even heroin – Kareem found himself before a federal district court judge as a “Juvenile”, received 45 years and was sent off to not a federal “Juvenile” correctional institution, but to a Federal United States Penitentiary – where the government sends all alleged harden criminals. He has been incarcerated so long not just on the basis of being a hard-core young ex-thug, but as a direct result of unjust laws and a district court judge abusing his discretion by illegally allowing him to be tried as an “Adult” defendant and not as a “Juvenile” defendant.

After settling down enough to see his way through the fog of the underworld life and ways of “thuggism”, Kareem devoted himself to a life that leads to “positive” growth and development. He credits his journey of “change” to his personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the autobiography of Malcolm X…. Now with a passion for writing, Kareem has completed his first novel, DEATH, NO EXCEPTIONS!

DEATH, NO EXCEPTIONS is a story of uncompromising revenge. The story is not an attempt to glorify the street way of life, but to paint a picture to readers about how far some human beings will go to hurt and harm others over “material things” that’s here today and gone tomorrow – like coke and cash…. Tomblin wanted to show just how much damage and pain an individual can cause when he/she is being motivated by the negative spirit of uncompromising revenge.
Prioritybooks Publications is a book publishing company that started as a result of the owner, Rose Jackson-Beavers desire to control her own publishing destiny. Since its’ inception in 2005, she has published more than 20 authors including herself. Prioritybooks has also expanded its services to include advertisements, Press Kit Preparation, Target Market Press Kit Distribution, Target Market Promotional, Mailings and publishing workshops.

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Editor’s note: For more information about Death, No Exceptions, or to schedule an interview with Kareem Tomblin call Prioritybooks at 314-306-2972 or write to info@prioritybooks.com. You may also contact the author at Kareem Tomblin #10119-058, Federal Correction Center, Post Office Box 52020/Unit B-2 Bennettsville, SC., 29512. Death, No Exceptions is available at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. If it is not on the shelf ask for it.

Back by Demand- Available August 15, 2008

I am re-releasing this book after 6 years. In October 2000, I released my very first book. The book is based on my feelings about many issues such as weight, domestic violence, family issues, infidelity, and so much more. The book also includes poetry. There was a time when I could stand before an audience after I ended a presentation and recite a poem I made up, off the top of my head. I included most of them in this book.

People seemed to enjoy my poetry and many said that they loved hearing/reading my take on various issues. After I wrote this book I was offered a job as a columnist for a magazine and one as a newspaper columnist.

Ironically after releasing the book I found that even though we immediately sold 500 copies I thought that I was finished. I had no information about being an author, selling books, or marketing. Selling 500 books in less than three months without promoting it felt good. It never occurred to me to keep going.

After selling out, I finally decided to read the book again. When I read the book I was embarrassed. I counted more than 30 errors. That's after hiring two editors. Plus the interior design was horrendous. So I put the book on the shelf and forgot about it.

Two years after writing the book, it ended up in many teenagers' hands. Often teens I did not know would show up on my job to discuss some of the essays. There is one about my brothers and how having a good relationship with them impacted my life. At least three 15 year old girls at different times found my job and came on site. As they requested to meet me, two were teary-eyed as they told me how my essays on brothers moved them. On several more occasions teens arrived on my job to tell me how they loved this book. Also several preachers said they used materials out of this book for their sermons. Even with all of this, I still did not know to go back and do a reprint.

During the past years, so many people requested a copy and I would say, sold out. That felt good. When I decided to become a publisher, I studied the craft, study and read everything to learn as much as I could. Still, it never occurred to me to go back and improve this book and re-issue it. That was until last year.

I was selling books at the Black Expo in St. Louis. People were purchasing my other books when a book seller came to my table and asked if I would sign a book for a customer. The book seller said I sold out my few copies that I had in 2000 and didn't even remember having this one. Well, I walked over to the customer and tried to get her to purchase my latest work which I thought was better written. The conversation:

"Hi, I'm Rose the author of Backroom Confessions. It is a novel about social workers and the drama they experienced as they try to solve their clients issues."

"Hello, nice meeting you. Would you sign this book?"

"Sure but that's my early work, and I think you might enjoy this one better."

"I want this one." Looking at me as if she had found a national treasure and I was trying to take it. "I like this book."

I signed the book; she paid and walked away from the vendor engrossed in the book. It was that very moment that I decided that I would redo the book and get it back out.

Finally, I wrote the book for adults. But teens emailed me, sought me out, requested the book at stores, etc. Talking about writing a book that missed the intended audience, I have learned so much........

Coming Soon...................

Meet Xavier Pierre, Jr.

1. Tell us about your novel.
Lovers Anonymous is autobiographical but covers only about 9 months of my life. Those were the last nine months of my active addiction. There are, however, many flashbacks to past events that give important insight into the thinking of my main character. Unfortunately, I can’t say more without spoiling it for my readers.

2. Who should read your books?
Anyone struggling with addiction will appreciate my book because it’s written from the point of view of an addict. My book has also been a blessing to those involved with an addict. Other readers may simply be curious about what goes on in the mind of a womanizer.

3. What was the reason for writing this book? Did you see a need for this book?
Writing this book was intensely personal. I started to write short stories for my fiancée as a means of revealing myself to her. I decided to share some of these with a close friend and she was so impressed that she suggested I turn it into a full-length book and publish it. My initial reaction was, “absolutely not,” but I continued to write for myself as a form of therapy. Over the course of this project, my reasons for completing it have multiplied. I truly believe that telling my story can make a difference in many lives. My first concern is all the addicts living without hope. My message to them is, “If I can do it, anybody can.” But I also want to give a voice to victims and co-dependents. By giving them access to the deepest thoughts of an addict, I hope to convince them that they are not the problem. They are not to blame.

4. Looking at the book now, what surprises you?
The biggest surprise for me is how good the book is. I never thought I could be an author. But I still remember reading initial drafts of the first few chapters and thinking “Damn this is good!” I actually had a hard time believing that I had written it. After some editing, the first three chapters were expanded to four, and there was a period of a few months where I didn’t write at all. But during that time I would read those chapters every single day, just amazed that this was something I had actually written, and completely convinced that it was just a fluke. I was actually afraid to continue because I didn’t think I’d be able to maintain the same quality of writing. Eventually, and with the encouragement of my friend Tammy, I got over my fear and started work on the next four chapters. To my complete amazement, the words just flowed from my mind.

The other surprise is how people are drawn to me after reading my book. Not only do they feel intimately connected to me, but there is a certain warmth that I absolutely wasn’t prepared for, considering the content of my book.

5. Who is your audience?
Considering the mature themes covered in my book, it’s obviously intended for adults over 18. However, I strongly encourage parents to read the book and consider giving it to their teenage children IF APPROPRIATE. If a parent knows that their son or daughter is sexually active and using drugs, giving them a copy of my book certainly can’t make the situation worse and my cautionary tale might be just the thing to turn them around. Eventually I intend to publish a teen-friendly version of the book. That will probably happen after the sequel is published.

6. Where did you get your inspiration for your book?
My fiancée Alicia is my inspiration. Were it not for her, there would be no book. The genesis was the honesty on which our entire relationship is founded. From the beginning, we shared our deepest and darkest secrets. As I struggled to express myself, I found it was easier to share my life experiences in the form of short stories and we would talk about the stories I had written.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
To be a good writer, you have to love reading. To be a good author, you have to fall in love with your own writing. You also have to love the process. The most you can ever hope from a first draft is to see the potential of the finished product. That’s just the way it is. So you have to edit, rewrite, rearrange, polish, and sometimes start all over again. If you can’t learn to love that process, don’t become a writer, because even the most experienced writers labor over their work.

8. Tell us something about you?
Today I’m so completely different from the person described in the book. I enjoy very healthy relationships and deep friendships with many women. I’m particularly interested in talking to young people, male and female. Almost all of my friendships are long-distance.

9. What’s next for you?
The next project is to finish the sequel to Lovers Anonymous. I hope to have it ready early next year. In addition, I have the outlines of five novels so I have enough work for the next few years. As a side project, I’m working on a compilation of my poetry and photography. Eventually I would like to have my own talk radio show where listeners can call in and discuss the challenges they are facing in their daily lives.

10. Do you feel your topic will help others? Why?
Absolutely. In addition to alcoholism, my book deals with so many controversial topics. One of the most rewarding aspects of having written this book is the lives that it has already changed. One reader was able to let go of many years of pain and confusion that was keeping her from enjoying fulfilling relationships. My book gave her insight into the mind of the “love of her life;” a man who treated her in a way that closely paralleled how I treated a young woman in my book. Though she left that emotionally abusive relationship over a decade ago, she had wanted an explanation (if not an apology,) and my book gave her exactly that. One male reader from the Caribbean could closely identify with a lot of my conduct and it inspired him to reevaluate how he treated women in the past. But the most inspiring story so far is that of a young woman who found the courage to escape from sexual bondage and alcohol abuse as a result of reading a copy of my book I gave her as a gift.

11. Where can readers purchase your books?
At the moment, my book can be purchased on Amazon.com, other on-line sites and directly form me. My publisher and I are working hard to get the book in as many outlets as possible.