NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

11/10/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Clarence Nero, a former Northwestern State University graduate student, has signed a contract with Random House for a novel he is writing. Nero's work appeared in the 2004 edition of Argus, NSU's literary magazine.

Nero, of New Orleans, graduated from Howard University with a degree in chemistry. He later discovered his talent for writing. His first novel, "Cheekie: A child out of Desire," was published by Council Oak Books. The book is a semi-autobiographical novel based on Nero's childhood in a New Orleans project called Desire. The novel received an endorsement from Maya Angelou and was nominated for American Library Association Award and was nominated for Best First Novel for 1998 by Library Journal.

Nero is currently enrolled in the MFA program at Louisiana State University on a full scholarship and said his experiences at NSU and the support he received from his professors there contributed to his success.

"I had the best professors at NSU that supported me beyond measure," Nero said, identifying Dr. Julie Kane and Dr. Suzanne Disheroon-Green as mentors.

Green put Nero in contact with a scholar at George Washington University that ultimately led to an assignment with E. Lynn Harris, a best selling African American author. The interview led to Harris recommending Nero to his editor at Random House and the ultimate book deal.

The novel Nero is working on, "Three Sides to Every Story" explores many issues in modern urban America, including drugs, violence, crime and sexuality.

"As in all my writings, I try to look at the current situation in inner city America, giving voice to many of the people from that world who might not ordinarily have a voice," Nero said. "It's a world know very well and my goal is always to educate and entertain. I want people to enjoy my books but walk away feeling expanded in some way."

Nero identified other mentors as his current professor Dr. James Wilcox, author of "Modern Baptist," and Angelou, who attended one of his book signings and purchased 30 copies of "Cheekie."

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