Yasmin Shiraz

Here’s a new letter that I received a few days ago from a Retaliation reader.

Dear Ms. Shiraz,

I’ve become one of your biggest fans. I read your book Retaliation which you said was not a true (story.) But to me, it felt real. I cried because it reminded me of my old life when I lived in Maryland. I lost my cousin to a gang in 2008. I looked up to him just like Tashera did with her brother. We did everything together when we (were) little. He got put in a foster home and I was (gonna be) next. But I made it out. I’m a 3.5 GPA student and I’m preparing to go to college to become a Registered Nurse. I enjoyed reading the book because it felt like i–the reader–was there. I will continue reading your books.

Your biggest fans,

Tamika

I appreciate Tamika for sharing this with me and letting me know of her journey. These are the letters that keep me motivated. Thank you Tamika!!! I’m sure you’ll make a great RN. Keep shooting for the stars!

A few months ago I visited New Jersey and keynoted a teen life conference for Planned Parenthood. It was an event that reached out to high school students and encouraged them to be “The Change That You Want To See In The World.” In addition to speaking at the event, I autographed copies of Exclusive and donated them to the event. I felt good about giving the young people some they could relate to–a hip hop novel based on real life events. Their letters to me have been touching and so I’m gonna share 5 more emails today from Shawn, Zasha, Donald, Kadidiattou and Ashley…

Thank you for participating in our Teen Life Conference. I love your book. I feel as if i can connect to it in so many ways. I like how the book seems as if it is being played out right before my eyes. I can connect to the characters as well. I LOVE IT ! — Shawn M.

Hello Ms. Shiraz, Exclusive was a great book all the imagery and detail really made me feel like I was there with Tisha and Shout. There is no doubt in my mind that Privacy won’t be the best thing that ever hit stores and I cant wait to read it. =)  — Zasha

I just want to take some time out and congratulate you on the wonderful book you wrote, “Exclusive.” I would like to say that it was a fantastic book to read. I am pleased to have seen [you] in person and got a chance to read this book. It was filled with tons of scenes that reached out to me personally. I would be glad to read more of your books. — Donald

Hi , Ms.Shiraz I wanted to let you that I really loved Exclusive although I wish it ended a little better* but all in all it was one of the best urban books I’ve ever read ,and I cant wait to read Privacy =] . –Kadidiattou

Hi, I had the pleasure of reading your book, “Exclusive” and it was very profound and real. I enjoyed it so much that i have passed it along to one of my good friends. I feel that every young person or even just people in general can benefit from reading this book. You in general have also encouraged me to become a writer and activist. I’ve recently attended one of your presentations and I must add that you are a very ennobling keynote speaker as well. So Ms. Shiraz keep inspiring….thank u = ) –Ashley

Much love to Shawn, Zasha, Donald, Kadidiattou and Ashley for reading Exclusive and telling me what they thought. I appreciate their time cause you best believe if you write a book and nobody reads it, it doesn’t feel very good! So, thanks to them, I’m feeling great today!

Peace!!!

*Exclusive is part one of a two part book series.  PRIVACY is book two. So, Exclusive doesn’t really end until PRIVACY. This is what Kadidiattou meant by wishing that Exclusive ended better…

Ya’ll know I’m pumped! I have two reader shout outs in one week. This is how I’m gearing up for 2010! This latest shout out comes from Tanasha, a teen from New Jersey. I get around!!

I appreciate all kinds of love so here’s the email:

I am leaving this comment just to tell you how wonderful you are! The first time I heard you speak was at a Planned Parenthood Teen Conference at William Paterson University. That was also when I received your book Exclusive. After reading it over my Winter Vacation I am addicted to your writing. Not only was I intrigued by the plot of the story, it stood out to me from the typical gang related, shoot em up, reigning drug lord story i was used to reading. I had actually stopped reading so much because i was tired and frustrated with the type of books i described above. Thanks to you, I am back in the reading game again. So keep the good work and thanks again for writing such a great novel.

P.S. I am searching for Privacy! I am sure that it is just as great as your other creations!

-Tanasha D.

I want to thank Tanasha for taking the time to write me. Exclusive is the book that is closest to my hip hop heart–in that it was inspired by the years that I ran Mad Rhythms magazine. If you read Exclusive, you’ll understand why I love hip hop culture no matter what. Peace to all the readers out there of Exclusive as well as the peeps who used to read Mad Rhythms.

Much love.

Its true that authors, singers, filmmakers, and artists would be nothing without the people who are touched by their work. No matter how successful you become, you never tire of hearing that somebody was inspired by what you do. On Christmas Eve I received an email from Jen in Texas who not only emailed me about Retaliation, but she went to my YouTube channel and commented on a bunch of my videos.

Yo, I love that kind of enthusiasm.

So, I want to send my love and appreciation right back to Jen and share her email because love begets love.

Hey!!! Its me, ur grl jen! i read retaliation, and it wuz tha best book I have ever read! I want to buy all of tha books u hav written, and i plan on readin those tooo! Retaliation really changed the way I look at everything. I have almost been into ‘lots of fights at school and now that i look back, i hardly even knew tha grls that tried pickin a fight w/ mee… — ur grl in TX, Jen

These kinds of emails are the reason that I can write for 10 hours straight, its the reason that I can fly on a wing and prayer and shoot a film that I’m not sure people are going to see. You gotta believe that your work is gonna reach the audience who needs it most! Faith not Fear. Thanks Jen for the connect!

Peace…

Breast Cancer Awareness

I want to give a shout out to my reader Rishera who is 13 and from Bridgeport, CT. She read Retaliation, and wrote me a letter. It was such a good letter that I wanted to share it with you.

I have just finished your book, Retaliation. That book touched me in so many ways. In the past year, I’ve been though a lot. My mother found out that she had breast cancer, also my grandmother found out she had stomach cancer. They are both fine now. When I found out they both had cancer, it scared me. I felt like, “Why my family?” It became so hard for me [that]I felt like killing myself. But I had to think. “No, I am not going to kill myself.” I want to be there to be with my mom and grandma and be by their side. It was very scary and hard for me, but I got through it.

I want to thank Rishera for sharing her story with the YasminShiraz family. If anybody out there is dealing with cancer or if your family is dealing with cancer, take strength from Rishera’s story. Her mother and grandmother have made it through and so has she. Be strong people. Be strong!