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Got to Be Real: Four Original Love Stories
Four popular African-American authors--E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, Colin Canner, and Marcus Major--come together in a bold new collection of original stories that explore the vast complexities of the human heart and the challenges of love in modern America. Original.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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1192 people want to read
About the author
Eric Jerome Dickey
60 books3,628 followersEric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis (the former Memphis State), where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 23, 2018
Dickey’s story was cool, Major’s story was good, Harris’s story I did not read, & Channer’s story was ok.
July 1, 2016
Sweet, Sexy, Funny, Hot, Breathtaking, Compelling, Inspiring, Touching & Lyrical! An Outstanding Read! I Loved It!
September 30, 2008
This is Eric's BEST book to date. His writing is more poetry than prose and flows effortlessly, drawing you and and not letting you go even after the story ends. I LOVED IT!
July 11, 2017
I'm not saying this wasn't a good read. I'm simply saying it was four love stories in one, I'd never read a E. Lynn Harris book and I knew my reason for that. It wasn't bad, I just knew what the out come would bring. That being said the suspense was gone or it wasn't there for me. The point was each author had a chance to tell there version or a love story on keeping it real and they each delivered.
August 25, 2024
This was a good opportunity to sample the writings of 4 different African American male authors. While I've previously read Harris and Dickey, this is the first time I've read Channer and Major. E. Lynn Harris also used to be one of my favorite authors. So, I was surprised that his was my least appreciated story out of the four. 😟 Overall, the compilation was a good read.
September 25, 2019
I found all 4 stories interesting. This compilation has introduced me to 2 new authors, Colin Channer and Marcus Major. I am always seeking material from male fiction authors. Feel free to comment with suggestions.
December 29, 2024
Overall I rated this anthology 2⭐'s. I rounded up
Cafe Peil: Eric Jerome Dickey ⭐⭐⭐
Kenya and Amir: Marcus Major ⭐⭐
Money Can't Buy Me Love: E. Lynn Harris - DNF
I'm Still Waiting: Colin Channer - DNF
Cafe Peil: Eric Jerome Dickey ⭐⭐⭐
Kenya and Amir: Marcus Major ⭐⭐
Money Can't Buy Me Love: E. Lynn Harris - DNF
I'm Still Waiting: Colin Channer - DNF
October 31, 2019
not for me
September 15, 2021
It’s great
October 16, 2021
I love all of his books
May 17, 2023
4 Stars for Cafe Piel and Money Can't Buy Me Love. DNFed Kenya and Amir and I'm Still Waiting.
July 1, 2023
The first three stories were great. I read them while traveling. That last story though…I don’t know…I don’t think it added value to the set…
September 29, 2009
Four love stories by black authors
Cafe Piel by Eric Jerome Dickey -- Dickey is a great storyteller and I've read several of his books. I am always made uneasy by the casual racism and self destructive conduct of his characters. In white literature the racists are always bad guys so I have to change my mindset when reading Dickey, even more than other black writers. The main character in this book has hero stamped on him, and one can't help but like that in a man.
Kenya and Amir by Marcus Major -- An examination of the mind of a hound dog who falls in love but then can't seem to do the right thing. I could never get my head into why he was a jerk so the story was unsatisfying.
Money Can't Buy Me Love by E. Lynn Harris -- An interesting look at a gay man falling in love with a hooker. The emotions strong but I found the sexuality in it unbelievable. Entirely more celibacy than seems real.
I'm Still Waiting by Colin Channer -- Channer likes to play with language, maybe that's a Jamaican thing. It is very lyrical. Some unattractive behaviors that are offputting but the main character is moving.
Cafe Piel by Eric Jerome Dickey -- Dickey is a great storyteller and I've read several of his books. I am always made uneasy by the casual racism and self destructive conduct of his characters. In white literature the racists are always bad guys so I have to change my mindset when reading Dickey, even more than other black writers. The main character in this book has hero stamped on him, and one can't help but like that in a man.
Kenya and Amir by Marcus Major -- An examination of the mind of a hound dog who falls in love but then can't seem to do the right thing. I could never get my head into why he was a jerk so the story was unsatisfying.
Money Can't Buy Me Love by E. Lynn Harris -- An interesting look at a gay man falling in love with a hooker. The emotions strong but I found the sexuality in it unbelievable. Entirely more celibacy than seems real.
I'm Still Waiting by Colin Channer -- Channer likes to play with language, maybe that's a Jamaican thing. It is very lyrical. Some unattractive behaviors that are offputting but the main character is moving.
July 18, 2011
enjoyed 3 of the 4 stories
(FROM COVER)Four of America's favorite authors come together in this exciting new collection. Boldly sexy, raucously funny, and unfailingly honest-these original stories take on modern relationships, and navigat the complex landscape of the human heart with characters as fresh and real as love itself.
E. Lynn Harris charts the emotional journey of a man whose unexpected Valentine's Day gift could turn into the soul mate he's longed for and feared all his life. Eric Jerome Dickey goes south of the border with a man on the run, a man on his tail, and a seductive woman who breaks down the barriers of language and race. Colin Channer spins an erotic riff on sex and success when a music producer, his ex-wife, and a hot biracial pop star cross tracks in Jamaica. And Marcus Major engages readers in a battle of love, lust, and commitment....
(FROM COVER)Four of America's favorite authors come together in this exciting new collection. Boldly sexy, raucously funny, and unfailingly honest-these original stories take on modern relationships, and navigat the complex landscape of the human heart with characters as fresh and real as love itself.
E. Lynn Harris charts the emotional journey of a man whose unexpected Valentine's Day gift could turn into the soul mate he's longed for and feared all his life. Eric Jerome Dickey goes south of the border with a man on the run, a man on his tail, and a seductive woman who breaks down the barriers of language and race. Colin Channer spins an erotic riff on sex and success when a music producer, his ex-wife, and a hot biracial pop star cross tracks in Jamaica. And Marcus Major engages readers in a battle of love, lust, and commitment....
February 15, 2016
I listened to the audiobook although I know I would've enjoyed reading the physical book. I am not a fan of short stories, but I can say that I truly enjoyed the stories in this compilation. They were quite entertaining. I am a fan of EJD, E Lynn Harris, and Marcus Major. This is the first book I have encountered by Colin Channer. Although the stories were considered short, they were very detailed. I was left wanting to know what happened to the characters in the stories. Each story was unique and had likeable characters. I really enjoyed the voice of the narrator who read Colin Channer's book. He was Jamaican and I loved his accent. Good Old School African American Fiction.
April 28, 2011
The first two stories (Cafe Piel & Kenya and Amir) were pretty good, Kenya & Amir was my favorite. The third "$$$ cant buy me love" was just not my cup of tea. Finally "im still waiting" I really wanted to get into this story but I just couldn't maybe one day I will revisit it...
March 23, 2016
I enjoyed the first 3 stories, but the last one I just couldn't get into it and had to force my self to finish, probably because I'm just not familiar with his writing style. 4 different stories about love and finding love.
May 24, 2016
Loved each of these hot short stories. It's a great way to introduce yourself to the author's writing style. They each managed to make me run to the library and pick out a book each of them wrote. Couldn't get enough.
March 30, 2007
Only 1 story in this anthology was worth it. "Kenya and Amir"; the others were forgettable.
July 14, 2008
I was a little disappointed since there were so many phenomanal writers included.
Read
March 12, 2010Can't remember how I liked this book either. Need to reread.
July 15, 2012
I liked 2 of the 4 stories
August 9, 2012
This was an awesome collaboration. I hope to produce something like this with other super talented authors someday.
June 23, 2008
This callabo put me up on two great authors Colin Channer and Marcus Major.
Good read.
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews