A Lost World Revealed by Loretta Moore

The Write Way Café welcomes Loretta Moore, the talented author who reveals a different sort of fascinating lost world.

Tell us a little about Bottom Tales and Others. 
Imagine a community where neighbors all know and assist each other, where they never have to lock their doors. This once-vibrant African American community existed as part of Philadelphia, PA. It is through Bottom Tales and Others that this vanished community again lives. Like raising Lazarus from the dead, I tried to bring this once-thriving community back to life for readers. Other stories in Bottom Tales and Others about other places are just as fascinating.

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book? 
I think it’s geared to readers who enjoy short story collections. I think they’ll enjoy all of the stories in the collection.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book? 
The title Bottom Tales and Others covers what the book is about. It’s about a section in Philadelphia called, ‘The Bottom,’ and the collection is on other places representing, ‘Others’.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why? 
I would have to say that in one of the stories entitled The Simple and the Good, Reverend Elijah Wilson is a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the relationship he and a young girl Shoney in the community had. The two interesting, odd people were keepers, preservers of everything within the poor, working class community.

How about your least favorite character? 
A dog in the story Billy the Boxer was my least favorite because the hundred-pound mongrel was really mean.  

What makes them less appealing to you? 
Unprovoked, he’d go after anyone he spotted.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. 
The cover represents the way Philadelphia might have looked during the period I was writing about. 

Who designed it? 
Marina S. Buryak designed the cover. 

Why did you go with that particular image/artwork? 
I concurred with the designer’s representation. I thought it was good.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 
There are many but Toni Morrison and Cormac McCarthy stand above them.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? 
Music is a big part of me-singing, playing the piano, enjoying music in all forms.

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published? 
Just keep sending out your work. And take cues from editors so you’ll know what publishers require from a writer.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? 
Pass on the message about it. Express how much you enjoyed it.

What can we expect from you in the future? 
I’ve signed a contract for another novel, entitled The Way of Love. Plus, I’m hopeful I’ll receive contracts for two other books.

A LOST WORLD REVEALED: THE BOTTOM, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT ONCE EXISTED IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

Imagine a community where neighbors all know and assist each other, where they never have to lock their doors. A myth, a pleasant dream? No, this once-vibrant African American community existed as part of Philadelphia. The Bottom, also known as Black Bottom, was located roughly between 33rd and 40th streets east and west and to Lancaster and University Boulevard in what Philadelphia city planners called Area 3. It was a place that transcended the physical infrastructure of the city. This community existed from the early 1900s until the mid-to-late 1950s before state and federal urban renewal displaced its residents. It was in 1984 that the first reunion of former Bottom residents was held, and later this lost community was honored by the City of Philadelphia. In 1999, the city declared the last Sunday in August as “Black Bottom Day,” as a tribute to the legacy and the history of this lost community. It is through Bottom Tales and Others that this vanished community of over 5000 residents again lives. Like raising Lazarus from the dead, author Loretta Moore brings this once-thriving community back to life for you to experience, along with the edifying journeys the Bottom inspires.

Leo Publishing       Amazon         Barnes & Noble

About Loretta:  I’m an African American female multi-published writer, residing in Dover, Delaware. Published works include: THE COLOR OF MURDER under contract with Black Opal Books, BOTTOM TALES AND OTHERS with Leo Publishing, THE LIGHT OF DAY and THE WAY OF LOVE both with Extasy Books. Other published works include poetry and essays, plus several plays published. Many of my ‘Plays’ have been stage productions-I’ve enjoyed a long-time association with the theatre. Ghostwriting is another area in which I work. I’ve also been published in several journals and magazines, and contribute to a church newsletter. I have a college degree in English, I have received literary and theatrical recognition, I belong to an honor society and other laudable organizations, and I volunteer in my community and my church. I frequently speak at venues doing readings of my work. I have LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and many other social contacts as well. My next writing project keeps me busy.

Email me: vlmprod@aol.com
LinkedIn: lorettamoore
Facebook: wwwlorettamoorefacebook.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MooViney