“Enter Miss Thang” Ends Year As One Of The Most Honored LGBT Non-Fiction Books of 2014

Brian Edwards may be a celebrated talent executive, multi-award winning producer, writer and occasional performer, but to friends such as Cindy Crawford and Vanessa Williams, he is known quite simply as Miss Thang. The late, great Joan Rivers wrote the foreword to his recent autobiography, “Enter Miss Thang,” (published by Archway Publishing in October of 2013) and Crawford penned the introduction.

 At the USA Best Book Awards announced this morning in Los Angeles, “Enter Miss Thang” received top honors for Best Gay & Lesbian Non-Fiction and Best Humor.

The USA Best Book Awards, (presented by USA Book News), rounds out the current book awards season, where “Enter Miss Thang” reigns as one of the most honored books of 2014. Edwards has earned a total of ten national and international awards in various categories such as Humor, in addition to dominating the field of LGBT Non-Fiction with wins at The International Book Awards, The Beverly Hills Book Awards and The National Indie Excellence Awards, where it was also named Best Autobiography of the Year.

Originally from the sleepy little town of Covington, La., Edwards always felt destined for something extraordinary. In the fall of 1985, he trusted his instincts and left the safety of his hometown for the bright lights of Hollywood. After many challenges and struggles, Edwards landed a job as the executive assistant to 5-time Grammy Award winner Donna Summer, which became his gateway job into the world of show business. In 1995, Edwards later worked as an assistant to famed talent agent Betty Fanning, then vice president of commercials at the William Morris Agency before really making it big.

In 1998, Edwards signed on as manager of celebrity talent to television networks American Movie Classics (AMC) and WE: Women’s Entertainment. He served as the talent executive/talent producer for three Emmy Award-winning shows, including “Reel Models: The First Women of Film” and “Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel.” Edwards worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Joan Rivers, Cindy Crawford, Vanessa Williams, Ali Landry and legendary talent agent Sam Haskell— all of whom Edwards considers close, personal friends and confidantes.

“Brian is the perfect example of a true friend – and to so many,” says multi-platinum recording artist and actress Vanessa Williams. “Enter Miss Thang” is his story, filled with humor and passion for his work and the people he loves the most. A diva indeed, but it’s a title he’s definitely earned by managing to survive 30 years in Hollywood, cushioned by intelligence, flamboyance, gut instinct, loyalty, and, most of all, his sense of humor.”

CMA and Grammy Award winning country recording artist Pam Tillis adds, “Having gotten to know Brian over the years, I have come to realize his own personal story is as interesting as those of many of his clients and famous friends. He’s fiercely loyal, outrageously funny and generous to a fault.”

“Brian Edwards is my favorite diva of all time,” says Ana Martinez, Vice-President of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. “I have worked with him on many “Walk of Fame” ceremonies, which have given us both tears of happiness and tears from the laughter he brings out in me when working on these legendary events.”

In 2012, the International Press Academy honored Edwards with the Satellite Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Entertainment, making him only the third recipient of this honor in the academy’s history.

But it wasn’t always glitz and glamour for Edwards, who faced discrimination and bullying as a boy growing up gay in rural Louisiana, as well as being the victim of a vicious hate crime in his own neighborhood of Larchmont Village in Los Angeles. It was Edwards trademark sense of humor and passion that fueled his determination throughout his rise in Hollywood.

“No matter what you go through, it’s important to remember it will get better. It was this belief that allowed me to face obstacles with a smile on my face,” said Edwards. “It will always get better. “It really disturbs me when I hear of so many teen suicides due to bullying.” He added, “There’s nothing anyone can do to you, say to you or say about you that’s worth your life.”

Besides delivering a positive message with his story, Edwards is making a very real impact on others who are struggling. He’s donating the royalties from the sales of his book to God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD), a non-profit organization that delivers more than 4,500 meals each weekday to those struggling with life-altering diseases throughout New York’s five boroughs, Newark and Hudson County, New Jersey.

“Enter Miss Thang”

By Brian Edwards

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 314 pages | ISBN 9781480801714

E-Book | 314 pages | ISBN 9781480801738

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes

About the Author

Brian Edwards has enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry as a celebrity talent executive, producer and writer. Over his 30–year career he has worked with such celebrities as Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Susan Sarandon, Shirley Jones and Whoopi Goldberg. Edwards served as a talent executive and talent producer for three Emmy Award-winning shows.