Shiraz, Yasmin 1970-

PERSONAL:

Born October 23, 1970, in Wilmington, DE; parents' names Witchell and Mary Anne; married; spouse's name Michael; children: Macoia, Yamir. Ethnicity: "African American." Education: Hampton University, B.A., 1992; Morehead State University, M.A., 1994. Hobbies and other interests: Painting.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Chantilly, VA. Office—Signals Agency, 43053 Pemberton Sq., Ste. 120-101, Chantilly, VA 20152. Agent—Sara Camilli, Sara Camilli Agency, 1762 Sand Beach Rd., Hummelstown, PA 17036. E-mail—yshiraz@yasminshiraz.net.

CAREER:

Mad Rhythms (magazine), Chesapeake, VA, publisher, 1994-2000; Signals Agency, Chantilly, VA, president, 2000—. Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, member of board of directors.

MEMBER:

National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Black Female Executives in Entertainment, Hampton Alumni Association.

WRITINGS:

The Blueprint for My Girls: How to Build a Life Full of Courage, Determination, and Self-Love, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2004.

Exclusive (adult fiction), Rolling Hills Press (Alexandria, VA), 2005.

The Blueprint for My Girls in Love: 99 Rules for Dating, Relationships, and Intimacy, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2005.

The Blueprint Guide to Motivation and Success: Identify, Focus On, and Achieve Your Goals, Herff Jones of Indiana (Indianapolis, IN), 2006.

Author of "What Do You Think?," a weekly column for Electronic Urban Report.

SIDELIGHTS:

Yasmin Shiraz told CA: "My primary motivation for writing is to share universal experiences and to help people out of bad situations. My experiences and research are primary influences on my work. The problems that I faced as a teen and the problems that I continue to see other young people face are my inspiration for writing books for young people."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Black Issues Book Review, November-December, 2005, Yvonne Fleetwood, review of The Blueprint for My Girls in Love: 99 Rules for Dating, Relationships, and Intimacy, p. 48.

School Library Journal, August, 2005, Joyce Adams Burner, review of The Blueprint for My Girls in Love, p. 149.

Teacher Librarian, February, 2005, Deborah Taylor, review of The Blueprint for My Girls: How to Build a Life Full of Courage, Determination, and Self-Love, p. 15.