THIS IS GROWN FOLKS BUISNESS!

Late songtress Phyllis Hyman is immortalized in a new biography recently released this month. Written by journalist Jason A. Michael, STRENGTH OF A WOMAN: THE PHYLLIS HYMAN STORY chronicles her 20-year career up to its tragic end when she committed suicide in 1995. Here's a brief description of the book:
In the spotlight, Hyman's breathtaking voice and stunning beauty shone brightly. But off stage, after the applause and the laughter produced by her bawdy humor had faded, Hyman spent her days and nights engaged in an exhausting battle against bipolar disorder. Complicating its crippling effects was Hyman's addiction to drugs and alcohol (which she tried repeatedly to kick) as well as the demands and constraints of being a female African-American entrepreneur in an industry controlled by white men.

Though she ultimately chose to extricate herself from the pain of her disease, she left behind a legacy of beautiful music that will live on forever as a true testament to the Strength of a Woman.

About the book, legend Patti LaBelle said, "There are a million people who love Phyllis Hyman and who have been waiting for this. STRENGTH OF A WOMAN is a fitting tribute to a terrific talent."


Apparently, the manuscript for STRENGTH OF A WOMAN was rejected by several publishing houses because they didn't think that Hyman was a big enough star, and thus folks wouldn't remember her. A frustrated Michael decided that the only way the project would materialize is if he did.

So he founded JAM Books and published the book himself. Now he's trying to rally Hyman fans to support the project and help spread the word.

On his website Michael writes:

I need all Phyllis Hyman fans to join me in this crusade to take her message and her story to the masses. I know in my heart, have known for some time, that it would be Phyllis's dedicated and devoted fans that were going to make this story happen, and make it happen in a big way! Phyllis fans are everywhere, all across the country and world, and you know what they say about six degrees of separation, right?

The big publishing houses, which thought Phyllis was too small a star for them to be bothered with, have massive marketing and publicity teams. I don't. But what I have is you, and I think that puts me ahead in the game. You will be my street team and be a critical component in the marketing and publicity of this book. You, who love Phyllis, understand that her story needs to be told, deserves to be told, and must be told.


If you're a Phyllis Hyman fan, you can support the project at www.phyllishymanstory.com.

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