~ Miasha??

On Friday, May 30, Infamous Books will hold a launch party and reading under the stars at Jakes in Treasure Beach to celebrate the publication of three highly anticipated novellas, H.N.I.C. by Prodigy, Black Lotus by K'wan, and Swing by Miasha at the Calabash International Literary Festival.

An erotic drama, a hard-boiled mystery and a tense urban thriller showcase Prodigy's keen curatorial eye, and he launches Infamous Books, a revolutionary imprint that pairs the Infamous Records brand with Brooklyn-based independent publisher Akashic Books.

"Every time we team up with the generous and dynamic publisher Johnny Temple, something exciting happens, and this will be no different. We are all about the rich and lively diversity of the book, and yet, like Akashic, we are all about quality, professionalism and innovation. This trio represents the best of these qualities. I predict a love-fest at Calabash," said Kwame Dawes, one of the event's co-founders.

Prodigy, who debuted as an author with the critically acclaimed autobiography My Infamous Life in 2011, is currently in the middle of an international tour with Mobb Deep, which just released its first album in eight years.

~ Prodigy??

"I am extremely excited to attend this year's Calabash in Jamaica. All of Infamous Books authors, myself included, are truly honoured to join the Akashic Books team for this very eclectic and diverse event. I would like to thank Johnny Temple, his staff and the organisers of the Calabash Festival for making this possible," said Prodigy.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Mobb Deep's classic record The Infamous, one of the most important and influential records in hip-hop history.

"We fully expect Prodigy to bring the house down, along with two other "urban lit" stars on his new Infamous Books imprint, Miasha and K'wan. Three authors, no last names, one unforgettable Friday night," said Temple.

Albert 'Prodigy' Johnson, as one half of the hip-hop phenomenon Mobb Deep, has sold millions of albums, performed throughout the world, and recorded with the elite of hip-hop, R&B and rock with his signature style of hard-core, reality-based music. Born with the hereditary disease sickle-cell anaemia, Prodigy has battled pain his entire life, and is now promoting the importance of a healthy diet, spiritual enrichment and a positive, productive lifestyle.

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

K'wan is a best-selling, award-winning author of over a dozen titles, including Gangsta, Road Dawgz, Street Dreams, Hoodlum, Hood Rat,Section 8, Animal, and Animal II. He has been featured in Vibe, King,Entertainment Weekly, and Time magazines. K'wan was the recipient of the 2012 and 2013 Street Lit Book Award Medals in adult fiction forEviction Notice and Animal. His credits also include featured commentary in the documentary Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp(produced by Ice-T), as well as a recurring role as an analyst on TV One'sCelebrity Crime Files.

Miasha is the author of several best-selling novels, including Secret Society and Diary of a Mistress. Her books have received rave reviews in national media, such as BET, CBS, CN8, The Wendy Williams Experience, Essence, Vibe, Jet, and Elle.

Original story from The Gleaner: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140424/ent/ent1.html