Watch Unplanned Motherhood on WHNT News Channel 19

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Beth Jett about my web series, Unplanned Motherhood on WHNT News Channel 19. It was a rewarding experience.

I would like to think I did a decent job. The cast truly enjoyed seeing themselves on the news. As you can imagine, the kids were super excited.

Take a moment and watch the interview on WHNT.

Unplanned Motherhood Red Carpet Premiere!

Only a few days until the red carpet premiere of Unplanned Motherhood. I'm excited. The cast and I have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event a success. If you're in the area, please come share this extraordinary day with us. It is this Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6 PM at Chan Auditorium on the campus of The University of Alabama Huntsville.

This is a family event so bring your entire family. We will have free popcorn and face painters. You can walk the red carpet and have your photo taken. Then join us as we watch the entire first season of Unplanned Motherhood. I know many of you may have already seen episodes 1-3, but at the premiere we are going to watch all six episodes. Yep, all six! And afterwards, there will be a Q&A with the cast and crew. Now, if you can't make the premiere, make sure to watch episodes 4-6 on Youtube, this Monday, March 5, 2014.

If you're in town, come join us. We would love to share our special day with you.

A Special Thank You From Unplanned Motherhood

I've been quite busy planning a red carpet event for the first season premiere of Unplanned Motherhood. And although I'm the creator, director and producer of the web series, I've had a lot of help behind the scenes. So a thank you is in order.

I'd like to first thank the cast and crew of Unplanned Motherhood. They did an exceptional job. And a very special thank you to the parents of the cast that play my kids; Krista Colvin, Sherry Kilpatrick, Charles Kilpatrick, Nicki Heuer and Shaquila Willie. And a special thank you to my co-star Ashley Coughlin and my director of photography, Jay Burleson. They have been extremely supportive in getting this web series promoted and helping me plan the red carpet. I don't know what I would've done without them.

A big thank you to my family and friends who have continually supported me by sending encouraging words, running errands and doing labor behind the scenes. Love you to pieces to my sisters, my best friend, aunties, cousins and my own kids.

And a huge thank you to our sponsors of the red carpet event. We have two wonderful generous sponsors who helped us; Marc Lacy and Joneia Brown. We also have lots of family, friends and businesses that gave us love offerings just to make sure we could get our red carpet up and going. So a very special thank you to A's Accounting and Booking, A-1 Tax and Accounting Services, Athens Auto Tire and Wrecker Service, Edibile Arrangements, Neema International Performing Arts Cener, Out Front Tutoring, Sew Couture and Ty Horton Photography.

And the biggest thank you goes to my husband. He is the one person that motivates me when I'm tired, nervous and scared. He encourages me and loves me unconditionally and when you're pursing your dreams, being love is like fuel for your soul. So I'm glad he is my husband, because with him, I'm never on empty.

~ Love,
   Lena

The Cast from the Web Series, "Unplanned Motherhood"

I want to introduce to you the cast of Unplanned Motherhood. I started this web series with an idea to write a book. My friends kept telling me to write a book based on my family because my five children are hilarious. I must admit they are pretty darn funny. So instead of writing a book, I decided to create a web series based on my life. Each episode is derived from an actual event. Each child in the web series is in some way a version of my own child.

So I want to introduce to you, my children. Well, my "fake" children. And the talented actress that plays my best friend. They are unique and funny and the actors that play them are extremely talented. So welcome them with a hello or stop by one of their social site and wish them luck! They truly deserve it. And don't forget to tune in on March 28th on Youtube!!! You catch a sneak peek now at the bottom of the post. :-)

Stefani Colvin aka Brooke
Stefani Colvin plays Brooke, a twelve year old with a teenage attitude. She wants the protection of her mom, yet wants to assert her own independence. She's trying to find her way as a big sister and a pre-teen, and in doing so, struggles with finding her identity. She wants her privacy, but doesn't understand the concept of giving the same to her mother. Brooke is a funny character because she is the antitheses of what she doesn't want to be.

Stefani Colvin is a smart, creative fourteen year old that loves to sing and act. She is a member of the junior national honor society and a self defined fashionista. She is a child model for Alabama Fashion Alliance and has experience in print and runway. She has been in three music videos and local theater. She loves horse back riding, shopping, photography, outdoor activities and hanging out with her friends.



Aidan Heuer plays Spoon
A ten year old boy with special needs. He is sweet kind hearted soul that only wants to what is fair. What keeps Spoon grounded is the constant need to carry around a spoon that he repeatedly taps on the palm of his hand. He's carried the spoon since he was a toddler, hence the name Spoon. You will love Spoon because what he cares about most is his family and his spoon, and you don't want to mess with either of them. And he has some really great dance moves too.

Aidan Heuer is 11 and likes to remind his mom that he is "almost 12, which is almost a teenager." He will be in the 7th grade next year. Aidan is making his first on screen debut as "Spoon". He has been dancing for numerous local audiences for the last 4 years, as well as modeling for Alabama Fashion Alliance. He enjoys performing on any stage. In his free time he likes playing football (his team went 8-0 and played in the National Championship in Orlando, FL) basketball. He is also a huge Xbox fan. Aidan is a natural comedian and has been entertaining his family and friends since he was a toddler.

Grayson aka Deacon
Deacon is a fast-talking eight year old who thinks he can get the one up on his mom at all times. He also believes he's a lady magnet and seizes every opportunity to drop a pick up line on a cute girl. He is very protective of his siblings. He and Spoon often get into trouble together, with Deacon being the mastermind. Grayson is a funny mischievous character with a charming personality.

Grayson Thorne Kilpatrick became interested in acting after meeting a fellow actor Grayson Russell from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Grayson was extra on Space Warriors that was filmed Space and Rocket Center. Since then Grayson had been taking Acting Classes at Hollywood Huntsville under Bill and Ayoka Billions. Grayson loves playing Mindcraft, playing football, riding his bike and taking Karate classes under Master Jay at Alexander Martial art. Grayson loves watching Disney XD and Nickelodon, in the fall he love watching SEC College football and a huge fan of Alabama Crimson Tide.


Ari plays Ari
Ari is a percocious five year old who loves playing the role of big sister to her baby sister Sonny. Ari has a bubbly personality and adorable smile. She takes pride in helping her baby sister and her mom. She has a unique style as most five years old do. She insists on dressing herself and often doesn't match her clothes. This five year old is destined to be a fashionista someday. You'll love her bubbly spirit and her stylish choices.

Ari Heuer is 6 years old and will be a second grader next year. This is Ari's first on screen debut and she is very excited to be part of the cast. Ari enjoys dancing, singing playing with her American Girl Dolls and Build a Bear stuffed animals. She also enjoys modeling with Alabama Fashion Alliance. She loves watching movies and spending time with her family and friends. Ari is certainly a spunky out going little sweetheart.


Morgan aka Sonny
Sonny is the baby of the family. She is four years old and has a peculiar way of deciding if she likes someone. She often trails behind Ari and tries to be a big girl. Wherever Ari goes, Sonny is not far behind. The two sisters are inseparable and together can create an adorable mess for their mom to clean up.

Morgan Hamilton is 4 years old. She enjoys dance, singing, school, helping mommy cook, and playing dress up. She has danced since the age of 2. She's funny, loves to talk with a bubbly personality. Also, she loves eating chicken. Lol!! This is Morgan's first time acting and she says, "she loves it!"









Ashley as Sarah
Sarah is Layla's best friend and sister-in-law. She is Layla's rational side when Layla gets a crazy idea. Sarah is a genetic scientist that teaches online classes in order to stay home with her kids. She is married to Marcel, Layla's brother, which often resorts in Layla giving Sarah advice on how to deal with Marcel. The two best friends come up with the craziest theories and often play them out to see who is right. Sarah is smart and intelligent but usually over analyzes most every situation. When Layla wants best friend advice, Sarah often gives medical explanations instead. And when Layla gives Sarah advice, it often backfires on Sarah, resulting in Sarah having to step out of her comfort zone. Sarah's character is the best friend we all have, the one that gets us out of trouble or gets in trouble with you.

Ashley Coughlin grew up in theater and enjoys writing. She studied acting with Ed Crick (Knight Rider) and Regina Moore. She published three books: one softcover under Ashley Hargrove called Beneath the Water's Calm and two Kindle editions under Ashley Coughlin: In the Hands of a Vampire and Just a Bit of a Christmas Miracle. She recently completed an reenactment project for the 700 Club, a couple of short films and continue to improve her craft of acting and writing.

Last Days of Freedom Hop Giveaway

Hey all! I'm so happy to have some time to blog. I have some great news! I've also been nominated for an African American Literary Award for my book, If I Had My Way. *happy dance!*

I need your help though. I need you all to cast a vote for my book, If I Had My Way by Lena Sledge by going here to vote. I'm #11 on the list categories for short stories/anthologies. There are other authors to vote for in other categories and I urge you to vote for them if you have time. Some other authors up for awards in other categories include Walter Mosley, Eric Jerome Dickey, Jay-Z and Toni Morrison.

Now on to my giveaway, since I have so many things to be happy for and a little more time in my schedule finally, I'm participating in the Last Days of Freedom Blog Hop Giveaway, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Elliot Review. The giveaway runs from August 17th to August 22, 2012.

The rules are as follows:
Mandatory: Cast your vote at the African American Literary Awards Show.

• All other options on the Rafflecopter are optional. 
• If you decide to tweet about the giveaway, you do not have to copy and past the Twitter URL, it's time consuming and I will get a notification once you tweet it anyway. :-)
• Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and International participants.

What's up for grabs?
(1) $25 Amazon gift card or up to $25 in purchases from the Book Depository.
AND
(1) Copy of my book, If I Had My Way (ebook for Kindle or Nook)

There are over 150 blogs participating in this hop, so stop on by and enter to win their giveaways as well.    Click here for a list of participating blogs.

Enjoy your week, happy blog hopping and thank you for your vote!!! Please help me spread the word. :-)a Rafflecopter giveaway

Voting for Spotlight Poetry Contest

Here's your chance to vote for your favorite poet or your favorite poem. I know it may be difficult to choose because they were all so wonderful, but the time has arrived where we must. I would especially like to thank our poets for sharing their wonderful talent with us. It has truly been a delight to read and spread the word of these artistic and inspring poets. I wish you the very best in your endeavors and when those books get published, cause I know they will, please drop us a line so we can stay connected and continue to follow you on your journey.

Best wishes to you all and good luck!

P.S. I won't be choosing the winner. I won't be voting AT ALL. It is up to you the followers of this blog to choose a winner, so if you have a favorite, champion him or her and get people to vote. I can't wait to see who wins. I'm so excited and giddy with anticipation.

Voting will take place on July 29th, July 30th and July 31st ending at midnight July 31st. Winner will be announced on Monday, August 1st. The winner will receive $50 if they reside within the United States. If the winner is international, they will receive a $50 credit at the Book Depository.

Click the this FORM to cast your vote.

Thanks again and good luck!