October 2012
SMB Contracts with National Distributor
SMB has contracted with the
Cardinal Publishers Group, a national distributor, to help our company’s product line reach a wider and a national audience. “Cardinal has a dynamic sales force and we have some great books coming out,” said Dimas Harya, SMB’s Chief Technology Officer. “Our relationship will help move us in the right direction and lead to some great things happening.”
Frank Matthews Documentary Wins Awards
The Frank Mathews Story documentary has won awards since its release last March 1. The documentary won the Silver Ace award at the Las Vegas International Film Festival (June 2012), received honorable mention at the Philadelphia International Film Festival and Market (June 2012 and was selected to be screened in the competition part of the Harlem International Film Festival (September 2012. The documentary was co-produced by SMB and August Studio Media. The documentary is now being distributed internationally. The Frank Matthews biography, which will be published by SMB, will come out in late May 2012.
SMB in the News
SMB authors continue to make news. Mark Silverman, David Aikman Scott Deitche, Pat O’Connor and Mickman Gourdine appeared on such show as Nig Blend Radio, Prison World, IRE Radio, Artist First, Dr. Alvin’s radio show and Crime Beat, Burt Burl Outlaw Radio, among others.
Crime Beat Radio Show Big Hit Internationally
Sponsored by Strategic Media Books and launched in January 2011, the Crime Beat Radio Show on the
Artist First World Radio Network now averages more than 150,000 listeners in 130 plus countries per show. Recent guests included Frank Calabrese, Jr. who discussed his life and book, Operation Family Secrets: How a Mobster’s Son and the FBI Brought Down Chicago’s Murderous Crime Family; Susan Burke, attorney representing the female military rape victims in their case against the U.S military discusses recent developments; Julia Davis, a former Customs and border protection agent and a national security whistleblower will discuss her case against the Department of Homeland Security and national security issues; Mara Shalhoup, journalist, will discuss her riveting book about Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family; and Paula Todd will discuss how she tracked down an elusive serial killer and discovered a mother of three. Gangsters Inc did an in-depth profile Crime Beat’s show hosts Ron Chepesiuk and Willie Hryb. Go to
this link. All shows are archived for 24-7 listening.
Forthcoming SMB Titles
Titles to be published into the winter of 2013 include: Justice Denied by Mel Ayton,Gorilla Convict: The Prison Writings of Seth Ferranti by Seth Ferranti, Wild Times on Skidaway Island by Karen Dove Barr and Black Celebrity Scandals by Scott Wilson and Ron Chepesiuk
SMB Launches Gangland Mystery Series
The series will examine some of the biggest mysteries in crime history. Some of the topics to be investigated include the deaths of Jimmy Hoffa, Pablo Escobar and Marilyn Monroe. Four books in the series will be published in the fall of 2013. More on this series later.
Looking for authors
Please contact us if you got a proposal for a book that fits our mission: to publish books on true crime, crime fiction, terrorism, espionage, international relations and southern interest and culture. Please go to
www.strategicmediabooks.com for guidelines and for examples of books that we have published.
Three Questions with Mel Ayton, SMB Author
This fall, SMB will publish Mel Ayton’s Justice Denied:
SMB: Why did you decide to write Justice Denied?
MA: I was a former resident of the island between September 1971 and December 1973 and I was employed by the Bermudian Prison Department. During my time there I got to know the two men who were tried and convicted for the assassinations of the police chief and Governor. Although there were suspicions others were involved in the assassinations no one was ever brought to justice. Around 12 years ago I left teaching to write full time. After two of my books were published I decided to research the Bermuda assassinations in an effort to discover if the whole truth had been told. To these ends I was given access to the Scotland Yard murder files.
SMB: What is the book about?
MA: My book is the first full account of the 1972/1973 assassinations. During the 1970s a black power organization in Bermuda conspired to bring about social change “by any means necessary”, including assassination. Justice Denied points the finger of guilt at a black power militant I call the ‘Third Man’. For the first time evidence is provided which proves the ‘Third Man’ controlled the convicted assassins. I also name the Bermuda businessman, a convicted drug dealer, who assisted the black militants in financing their political aims through drug deals and bank robberies. The real story, which is provided in this book, was whitewashed by consecutive Bermudian Governments in the interests of racial harmony.
SMB: What do you hope readers will get out of it?
MA: For readers interested in history - 1960s-style American Black Power militancy was both tragic for the islanders caught up in the violent events I write about and also harmful to Bermuda’s aims of racial co-existence. Over time the history of the assassinations became a myth. And what people believe happened will unfortunately enter into the culture and memories of generations to come. For true crime readersthe book offers a story centered on politics, murder and racial strife in the setting of a paradise island 500 miles off the coast of America.
Excerpt from Seth Ferranti’s Forthcoming Gorilla Convict: The Prison Writings of Seth Ferranti
In the belly of the beast a convict’s tattoos can define him. Being sleeved out or tatted up is a sign of respect or a mark of belonging. In the pen dudes wear their territorial and gang affiliations on their sleeves. Their street names are proudly emblazoned across their stomach or backs, as are their girl’s names, the joints they’ve done time at and the number of years they’ve spent inside. Like a mural depicting history a convict’s life can be dissected by checking out the ink on his body. In the nether world of corruption and violence convicts take their tats seriously.
Homies mark themselves accordingly, and they’re not looking for no jive ass sucker to put some inferior work on their skin because tattoos are permanent. There’s no laser removal in the joint. And you better be sure you belong to whoever’s sign you’re wearing. Don’t be putting no clover leaf tattoo if you’re not a real AB, because you will get fucked up. And dudes have been bodied for less than some bad ink. It’s like penitentiary veteran and jail house tattooist Chuck says, “In this environment, if your work isn’t stellar or near perfect, a dissatisfied customer is apt to stab you in the fucking neck rather than withhold payment, or report you to the better business bureau.”
And Chuck should know. He’s done 16 plus years in prison……
That’s it, folks!
Be Good and Work Hard
