While you’re out and about, or rather, in and hovered over the computer screen, saunter over to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and pick up a copy (or five) of SWIRLING for yourself and for your gaggle of chronically-single friends. Remember, SWIRLING isn’t just for women–tons and TONS of men have read it and love it. SWIRLING is available in hard copy and e-book version. You can also send SWIRLING as a gift in both formats. It’s also available on iTunes.

Studies show that depression is at it’s peak during the holidays. Many people are lonely because they don’t have anyone special. SWIRLING might be just the thing to galvanize such a lonely soul to go out and find their Mr. or Mrs. Right. Therefore, SWIRLING is a cure for holiday depression.

“What’s this, Helen, a cure to my chronic depression? THANK YOU!!”

Me and Natasha cheesing it up for Instagram

The book signing at Barnes and Noble Perimeter Center was amazing, event though I was an hour late due to Atlanta’s legendary traffic jams. There was a crowd of folks waiting and it’s hard to describe that feeling. It’s like, “You guys are waiting for me?” If somebody told me five years ago I’d be doing this I’d say they were crazy.

I’m holding the first SWIRLING hard cover book I’ve ever seen. I had no idea it came in hardback until a lady said she bought it from her book club.

The ONYX book discussion was amazing! We had a great crowd and I was pleasantly surprised at all the rainbeaus who came out. Some of them made connections. I was even more thrilled about the ladies who came to the event who never dating interracially but where curious. One woman in particular was stunning, and shy guy named Josh was digging her, but alas, didn’t make a move. He’s hoping to see her again, and I’m pulling for you, Josh!

Then afterwards it was off to Sage for some delicious Greek food, dancing, and the official SWIRLING drink!

Take a look-see…

If you Atlanta ladies and gents haven’t joined ONYX’s outstanding MeetUp group, well…I just don’t know what else to say to you.

Next stop, San Francisco. Then on to Washington D.C. After that I’m going into a much earned, much needed, month-long coma.

*If you’re part of a MeetUp group or book club and would like us to visit, let us know! Hit me up at ckarazin@gmail.com.

It was my first time outside the haven of Manhattan, and I have to say I loved it. It felt more…authentic for me. Of course the absolute highlight was seeing all my BB&W peeps–especially Brenda55 and Sirloin, Karla and her hubster, Carlea (the makers of my awesome SWIRLING jewerly, accompanied by her hubster), Ana Cedeno, Vintage Narsissa, Lormarie, who was so sweet to let me hitch a ride with her) and all the other fans and regulars who came to support me. Some of you travelled far and wide, and I’ll love you always for that.

The entertainment format was a panel discussion about interracial relationships, with Marlon Rice of Good Brother Productions, Abiola Abrams (love and lifestyle diva), Alex Barnett (comedian) and Ron Worthy, founder of BlackPeopleMeet.com.

(from left to right)Regina Brooks, Alex Barnett, Marlon Rice, Abiola Abrams and Ron Worthy

With all the black guys in the room, I was a little nervous about how the “Swirling” message would be received, because frankly, the black blogosphere can skew your perception of reality if you let it. Turns out my worry was completely unfounded, because Ron Worthy, Sanford educated and married to a beautiful black woman, admitted that for the life of him, he couldn’t pick out any of his African American male alumni brothers who were married to black women, and openly advocated for black women to pursue ALL their relationship options. I about swallowed my tongue, because it was the first black man, married to a black woman (besides Ralph Richard Banks) who was so candid about admitting that “Yes, Virginia, we are really seeing what we’re seeing.”

The event organizer, Marlon Rice, event organizer, told me he read the book from cover to cover, and later shared this note with me:

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa What you are doing isn’t curing cancer or solving world crisis. It is small in comparison. However it is quite evident that your commitment to empowering young women by sharing your experience and perspective is being done with great love. Thank you for your service to our communities through your work. It’s needed, and it’s appreciated. All I ask for is two free tickets when Swirling the Movie comes out!”

THEN, one guy in the audience bought the book for a friend who thought she might need to read it:

The chief-honcho at Madame Noire magazine (a black man) sent out a camera crew to cover the event:

And here’s a biggie: Senator Kevin Parker (!!!) made an appearance and not only bought a book, he asked for my autograph and a photo with me. I was beyond honored.

This, and a dozen other little things to show their suppport, concern, and empathy for their sisters, I wanted to just take a moment to remind myself (and you!) that, in our quest for relationship equality, we do indeed have allies. All those black men, successful in their own right (all of them married or about to be married to other black women) felt absolutely no threat by the idea of black women finding love in whatever package it comes in.

And now for your viewing pleasure…

It seems there are guides for everything these days. Thinking of mixing it up this summer, but don’t know how? Karazin and Littlejohn come to the rescue in this insightful and amusing handbook on the ups and downs of interracial relationships.

The authors lay out the dismal statistics we’ve seen over the past few years, the shortage of black men; the fact that seventy percent of black women are single,and that only forty two percent will ever marry.  Karazin and Littlejohn encourage black women to break away from the sell-out stereotype of dating outside of their race (“you are allowed to love a rainbeau and still advocate for your people”) and embrace their options. Towards this end, Karazin writes: “…You just have to snatch snatch love for yourself when it comes knocking, in whatever color or cultural package he’s wrapped in. That’s the purpose of this book, and my hope is that all who read it will find love, however it arrives.”

No matter what your opinion is on this hot-button topic, Swirling, a well-researched and intelligently written book, is certainly food for thought.

See full list here. “Swirling” is Number Five on the list.

As an aside, I have to give props to the online black media at large who [mostly] remained open to the message of the book, and upon reading it, realized that this book was not about white knights and white-man worshiping, nor was it about black-men bashing. There is one blog magazine in particular that has it out from me, but I’m heartened that most people can see through their agenda.

12 Noon
Book Discussion and Q&A : Swirling: How to Date, Mate and Relate Mixing Race, Culture and Creed Panel Discussion

• Christelyn D. Karazin & Janice Rhoshalle LittleJohn

Panel discussion on navigating the exciting, tricky, and potentially disastrous terrain of interracial, intercultural and interfaith relationships, with testimony and expert tips on how to make the bumpy ride a bit smoother.

WHERE: Adassa Cafe, 4305 Degnan Bvd Ste.# 103, Los Angeles, CA 90008, one of the venues participating in the 6th Annual Leimert Park Book Fair.

Moderator: Mekeisha Madden Toby (TV Critic and Blogger, MSN TV)

Isabel Wilkerson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and author of The New York Times’ bestseller, The Warmth of Other Suns.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, festival ambassador and author of “Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl.”

Poet, Sonia Sanchez

For the full list of authors, click here.

Had dinner with my buddy, Jordan Harbinger, co-founder of The Art of Charm, and he’s also read the book from front to back.

Check out that wink!

I love that I’m getting so much support for the book with women, and men stepping up is swirling icing on the cake.

Put me aside, it’s important to understand that when multicultural and interracial relationship books, the genre grows because the Powers that Be soon take notice as it concerns their bottom line. If they can see that they can sell it, they’ll keep doing it in a hundred different angles, which gives so many more opportunities for people who want to tell their stories. I can’t tell you how many folks I’ve spoken to offline who want to do similar projects focusing on multiracial and interethnic relationships, and if the big publishing big wigs can see the green, they miraculously see “the light.”

Never heard of five-star resort, The Grand Del Mar? Well…

The format of the event is going to be “Swirling for Newbies,” which will consist of an open forum Q&A of all things swirling related. (Almost) no question is too dumb, so you and your’n will be free to ask our panel anything. After the event, Club M will open it’s doors to the public for live music, mingling and dancing.

The fabulous Club M

If ever there may be a time to meet that special rainbeau, this might be the prime time and place, ladies. Our SWIRLING event is the same weekend as Comi-Con and San Diego will be swarming with single men. What’s more, Janice and I will be on at Comic-Con, uh…recruiting.

If you’re coming from out of town, you’d better jump on it. It’s almost impossible to find a hotel now, but I just found out that the The Grand Del Mar has A FEW more rooms available, but if you want them, you need to act now. These rooms are $595, which is not terrible considering it’s Comic-Con weekend. They also have 2 suites available, which are very nice (1,110 square feet, two full bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, etc). Those are $1095, but the living rooms have full pull out couches, so some of you can room together to offset the cost. But act now…it’s almost to late. Call toll-free 855.314.2030 for reservations.

Space is limited and food and cocktails are reserved for the first 100 people. Better hurry and RSVP here.

Special thanks to Cherry Davis who not only came to the event but recorded our readings…

So I tired now and I go to bed. Must. sleep. now…

The book store said this was a VERY GOOD show, and they sold 25 books! Considering 30 people showed up, it was a very, very good day. I loved the flavor and diversity of the group; young, middle-aged, old, black and white.

Oh and SPECIAL, HUGE, GINORMOUS THANKS to Athelia Wooley at Shabby Apple for providing me with the gorgeous dress, the Ipanema, she designed. Do you love it? Get it here.

Special gigantic thanks goes to:

Soft Cup, stila cosmetics, SENNA cosmetics, Neocell, IS CLINICAL, Barleans, Vaska, Anastasia Beverly Hills and T2 Hair Design for providing the goodies for the goody bags !

Unless you just came back from an extended stay in Outer, Inner, and Upper Siberia, you’re probably aware that today, May 15, 20012, is the release date for “Swirling: How to Date, Mate, and Relate, Mixing Race, Culture and Creed,” written by me and my ace, Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn. And WHEW! This has been a journey. It may sound mushy, but I honestly think (scratch that, I know)  I could not have created such a comprehensive product that this book is without this blog, and by extension, without you. So I thank you for your support, ideas, comments, interviews, and gentle nudges over the past two years. We did it, but it’s not hardly done. Now the hard work starts. But I know the BB&W Crew has my back, as always.

For those of you who live anywhere near Los Angeles, Janice and I will be at a book signing event and mixer (there will be special gifts for the BB&W Crew) with champagne at the legendary Eso Wan bookstore. So help me kick back a few and by the book already. Looks like it’s going to be a tight space, but you can still RSVP here.

Three cheers for the death of unicorn hunters! Hip, hip, hooray!!