cover image Steppin' Out with Attitude: Sister, Sell Your Dream!

Steppin' Out with Attitude: Sister, Sell Your Dream!

Anita R. Bunkley. Harper Perennial, $13.5 (299pp) ISBN 978-0-06-095288-4

A former teacher and director of nonprofit organizations, Bunkley self-published her first novel for African-American women after 32 rejections and being told that ""blacks did not read many books."" Now, ""[s]ixteen years and five novels later,"" she is a sought-after motivational speaker and popular author (Starlight Passage; Black Gold; Wild Embers). Here, she advises other women to follow her example, offering a wealth of specific practical suggestions for networking, self-promotion, public speaking and gaining the ""maximum exposure"" necessary to turn dreams of success into reality. With many stories and quotes from other successful African-American women in various arts and businesses, Bunkley focuses on the ""Three D's of Life: Desire, Discipline, and Drive."" She includes frequent ""attitude adjustment tips,"" such as ""Know what you want,"" ""Think highly of yourself and what you have to offer"" and ""Shun the `poverty is virtue' mentality,"" presenting her advice in a warm and informal woman-to-woman way. Althogh Bunkley states that she is writing for ""all of my sisters--black, white, Hispanic, Asian,"" the publisher seems to be marketing the book primarily to African-American women. That's unfortunate, when Bunkley offers so much universally useful information and uncommon inspiration. Author tour. (Oct.)