
After speaking with Booker T. Mattison for an hour I am compelled to describe him as a young man who embodies the spirit of an old soul. His insight as to how to use what is current in order to plant seeds of expectation for generations to come is commendable. It is also infectious and encouraging.
In addition to being an author Booker’s credentials include that of filmmaker, screenwriter and music videos. He sees his emergence from a ten-year barrenness as one that has set him on his current path. Currently that path is leading him to connect with African Americans on a large scale. On that scale is the hope to accomplish with the
‘Hype’ trilogy, that which is synonymous with the Harry Potter phenomenon.
Some will be challenged by the expression of such an admirable goal. They will because
Unsigned Hype, a work that presents characters most African Americans are familiar with, does not smack of the stereotypical boy in the hood melodrama. It is neither a literary aberration nor anomaly. It is a story about those who look like us.
Hype connects with who we are and have been, rather than being the expected tale from an African American author feeding the public’s preconceived perception of who they believe us to be. In essence he has created a destination for Christian YA (young adult) reading that did not previously exist.
When asked to summarize the content of his debut novel Booker quickly responds, “It is an urban apologetics of Hip Hop.”
The response may take many off guard and quite frankly, offend others attempting to be ‘down’. In a voice strong in conviction and filled with passion Mr. Mattison candidly relays truth. That truth is that those looking from the outside in will never be culturally equipped to understand the ‘hood’ experience.
Booker T. Mattison resides in New York. He enjoys hanging out with his wife and children and proudly states that what represents him is his family.
I look forward to more projects from a fresh voice unafraid to communicate a supernatural truth through the written word.
To learn more about the man I invite you to visit him on the web at:
www.bookertmattison.com To partake of what has become more than just an inkling, I challenge you to step into Uncharted-Terror-Tory where the ministry is relevant and is keeping it real:
http://www.unchartedterrortory.com/