Stanley Bennett Clay

About me:

ABOUT STANLEY BENNETT CLAY: Stanley Bennett Clay received 3 NAACP Theatre Awards and 3 Drama-logue Awards for writing, directing and co-producing the stage play “Ritual.” The film version, starring Clarence Williams III and Denise Nicholas, marks Clay’s film writing/directorial debut and was voted a Jury Award at the 2000 Pan African Film Festival. It is currently available on DVD. Clay produced on stage the GLAAD, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Times and NAACP Award-winning musical “Children of the Night” and the world premiere of James Graham Bronson’s “Willie & Esther,” which starred the late Yolanda King. That production received 2 L.A. Weekly Awards---Best Play and Best Ensemble Performance. Clay also wrote, produced, directed, and composed “Street Nativity” (a musical commissioned by the National Council of Negro Women for the Black Family Reunion Festival), wrote, produced, and directed the play “Lovers,” directed the west coast premieres of “Jonin’” (Drama-logue Award/Direction) and “The First Breeze of Summer” (for which he also wrote the musical score). He also produced and starred (opposite "Good Times'" BerNadette Stanis) in “Anna Lucasta” for which he received the NAACP Best Actor Image Award. He produced, directed and also wrote the musical score for such original stage shows as “Nobody Likes Ugly” and “Don’t Ask!” He is the author of the novels “Diva” (Holloway House) and “In Search Of Pretty Young Men” (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books). The latter was awarded The N.Y. Hotep Society Book Award for Best Gay Novel. His third novel, "Looker” (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books) is currently receiving rave reviews (see below). He is the recipient of the International Black Writers of America’s highest honor, The Edna Crutchfield Founder’s Literary Achievement Award “In recognition of outstanding work as writer, publisher, producer and director of the written word.” Former Editor-In-Chief of Black Beat magazine and American Correspondent for London’s Blues and Soul magazine, Clay published and edited SBC magazine for 10 years, at the time the most widely distributed periodical for the black LGBT community. He is the first recipient of the African American Gay and Lesbian Cultural Alliance Outstanding Achievement Award (1990) and received Genre magazine’s 1993 Role Model to the Gay Community’s Lifeguard Award. ABOUT LOOKER: Brando Heywood is a handsome, popular, and successful entertainment lawyer who seems to have everything but passion. Two years celibate after the break-up of a ten year relationship with his gay partner Collier, and a prisoner of his routine, Brando goes through life quietly on the sidelines while his promiscuous best friend, Omar Stevens, thrashes through life and love with all the ups and downs Brando barely realizes he longs for. Brando's life takes a dramatic turn when he is asked to defend a lesbian friend who has killed her male rapist. The sensational and controversial trial that follows not only ignites Brando's fervor for his career but also helps him discover his passion and a true love that had been staring him in the face all along. LOOKER is also the story of Miss Zara, a talented and successful transgender star, and her struggle to forgive her mother for transgressions many years in the past. WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT LOOKER: "Engaging and thought provoking. Stanley Bennett Clay is a true master of writing." - Radiah Hubbert, Urban Reviews "Crisply written, imaginatively plotted, and realistically sensual." - Between The Lines Newspaper "Clay transforms what could be mere sensationalism into a character study that explores the parameters of human connection while giving readers a wild ride." - Jewel Magazine "His writing style lends a unique flavor to the literary world." - Brenda M. Lisbon, Rawsistaz Black Book Reviews "An enthralling story written with skill and sincerity." - X Factor Magazine "A job well done. A joy to read." - Derrick L. Briggs, Clik Magazine "Strong and effective genre fiction." - Bay Area Reporter "Expertly crafted eroticism." - IN Los Angeles Magazine "Awesome." - Taylor Siluwe', Out In New Jersey Magazine "A well written, entertaining summer read." - The Brotherlove.com "Another tasty novel from a writer of distinction." - Grady Harp, Amazon.com Top Ten Reviewer "An engaging novel. The erotic scenes are as steamy as they come!" - Zane, New York Times Bestselling Author. Average Amazon.com Review Rating: 5 Stars!