BPL 2021 Local Authors Expo Spotlight: Cedric Threatt

Cedric Threatt has self-published 20 books.  He will appear at Saturday's BPL Local Authors Expo

 Author: Cedric Threatt (he goes by pen name C.L. Threatt)

Title of book(s): Threatt has written 20 books since 2003. His latest is “The Discussion: A Necessary Dialogue for Change” 

Favorite quote that I live by: "God has a purpose for every man, and a man for every purpose." 

Author website: www.cedricthreatt.com – You can also buy his books by searching his name on Amazon.com 

Birmingham, Ala. -  Desire to meet 25 Birmingham area authors and gain writing advice from three respected speakers who will share their publishing journeys? Then make plans to be at the Birmingham Public Library’s 2021 Local Authors Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, November 20, at the Central Library downtown. 

BPL is spotlighting several of the authors and the three speakers: Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley Jones, Book Coach Dr. Fred Jones and former NBC 13 anchor Eunice Elliott.

Today meet one of the authors, Birmingham native Cedric Threatt, also known by the pen name C.L. Threatt. With 20 books written since 2003,  Cedric is one of metro Birmingham’s most accomplished self-published authors. His latest,  The Discussion: A Necessary Dialogue for Change, was inspired by the national discussion on race sparked by the tragic death in May 2020 of George Floyd.

Over the past 15 years, Cedric has traveled across the United States educating and entertaining audiences of all ages at various conferences and schools, leading this moniker, “Cedric the Edu-Tainer. His books and poetry have been featured in several articles, on television, radio shows and in a short film. 

Cedric developed a passion for writing and speaking at an early age after his 7th grade literature teacher entered him in a poetry reading contest. Cedric has appeared at BPL’s Local Authors Expo many times, including the 2019 BPL authors event. 

As a veteran of self-publishing books, Cedric often gives workshops on how to move from an idea to publishing. He also gives workshops at various companies, churches and nonprofits. You can find more information on his website. 

Cedric has also read many of his children’s books in schools across the Southeast, including three of his most recent ones:

 * Sylvester the Investor, which was inspired by his fascination with the world of investing and "my wanting to teach it to kids because it's something I didn't learn when I was in school"

 * Up & Adam: The Fitness Tandem - Inspired by Cedric seeing the rise in childhood obesity as a health issue nationally and desiring to educate the public about how to solve it. 

 * The Bully Proof Vest - This book follows up on another children's book Cedric wrote about bullying several years ago.

 In a Q&A, Cedric talked about his latest book and why he is excited to be a part of BPL’s “2021 Local Authors Expo this Saturday.

 BPL: One of your children’s books, “Different, But the Same,” tackled the subject of race by showing how no matter if you are Black, White, Latino or Asian, God sees us all the same. What inspired you write a book targeting adults and race in “The Discussion: A Necessary Dialogue for Change”? 

Cedric: I was inspired to write it after seeing so much division in this country. In this new book, I would like for kids and adults to gain a sense of understanding after reading my latest book and to realize that the first step to solving our problems is to talk about them.

BPL: Who is your favorite author and why? 

Cedric: I really don’t have a favorite author because believe it or not I really don’t read that much. But, if I had to pick one, I would probably say Myles Munroe. But I also love Dennis Kimbro and Andy Andrews.

BPL: What kind of reaction have you received from readers of “The Discussion”- Have you heard from any who are planning to have that “discussion” about race with family, friends or co-workers? 

Cedric:  The response has been phenomenal! I even had one family tell me that they read the book together (mother and two daughters) and how they discussed some of the things that happened to them in their school.

BPL: Advice for new authors or those desiring to write a book?

Cedric: My advice to aspiring authors is to follow your heart. If there’s a book within you, you owe it to the world to share it. You never know whose life you may impact and change. Writing a book is a great way to leave a legacy for future generations.