End of April Updates......

So far, this month seems to have gone by a bit slower than usual...at least to me, personally.  Oh well...

First, some news.  I finally broke down and decided to republish "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018) as a paperback.  You can purchase your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095026070?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

I priced it lower than my other novels, simply because of the lower page count.  I'm hoping that this will help to boost the sales for it, since the sales for the novel solely as an eBook were abysmal, at best. Niccas claim that they wanna see diversity in books, but when you make shit available for them, they don't wanna support, unless you're being propped up by the mainstream machine.  Go figure, smdh...

Still out here, trying to promote "The Chronicles of The Black Fist: F.U.R.I. of the People" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2019).  Everybody seems to be on a superhero kick, when it comes to the powers-that-be with their commercial movies, but can't none of these sheeple support an indie author (or artists, for that matter) trying to push their own diverse character(s).  The novel has been out since JANUARY, and is available in BOTH paperback AND eBook formats.  What's the excuse for the nonsupport....?

There are a few cons and book fairs that I want to vend at.  I ended up missing Khem Comic Fest in Newark, NJ  :-(.  This weekend is another multicultural comic con called Newark Culture Con.  That'll be this weekend, April 27th.  Also, you have East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) in Philly coming up next month in May (May 18th, to be exact).  I would like to be able to make it out there, even if I can't vend.  Since I finally got the Shirt and hat for the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement printed up, I can at least go out there, and represent for my organization, and be able to network and politic with some other indie creators.

I need to get back to vending at events, and doing panel discussions/speaking engagements.  Exposure is the only surefire way to get my work noticed, and gain SOME sort of support.  I have TEN books published, and yet I can't make a living off of them, collectively?!?!?!  That's mf SAAAAAD!!  

Taking a bit of a break from writing.  I haven't been as motivated lately to write.  I actually DO have at least two projects that I'm currently working on.  One novel is already complete, and I need to design a cover for it (Time Will Reveal); where as I'm still editing down the other one (Suicide Amy).  As I always say on social media, I'm ALWAYS  on my literary grind.

That's about it, so far.  Grab you copy of ANY AND ALL of my novels.  Give Fiesta Girl a chance; it's a decent storyline, especially since the lead characters are Afro Latino.

Keep the fist raised.

The Itch Is Still There....

Contrary to the title of this post, it ain't about catching an STD, lol, lol, lol, lol.  ;-)

Soooooo...I officially gave up on being involved in the film/television/video production field back in 2008.  I gave up on trying to get my foot in the door in NYC in 2006, when I initially left the city (the first time), and thought about trying my hand in greener pastures in the south, or the 'New South', as they were billing it.  Opportunities were opening up in the southern states, and I though that I might try my hand out there.  Be that as it may, the last project that I did, was to shoot and produce a dvd for the organization that I belonged to at the time; a benefit dinner made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the existence of our local chapter.  Since these broke ass bamas ain't have no money to PAY me for my services, the deal was that I'd shoot and edit the event FOR FREE, and get hit off with a portion of the proceeds (60%-40% split, they got the majority). Since these simple minded bamas don't know how to sell shit, they wanted to complain about it being a bad deal, and want to try to reneg on our deal. After that bullshit, I was completly DONE.  I moved on to becoming a (self-published) author, after that.  I never wanted to become involved in video/film/television production again, after that experience.  Considering that I'd wasted my late teens and twenties trying to get my foot in the door, with no success, I might add...I was done with that whole field.

Apparently....the itch has never faded.

I've been telling you guys about this idea that I have for a new vlog called "The Rough Draft", right?  I wanted it to be styled after "Uncensored" on TVOne, except that my vlog was supposed to focused on writers (me, specifically), telling of our literary journyes from our perspective, raw and uncut.  Basically...telling it like a rough draft of a story.

The more that I think about it...the more that I'm interested in doing it, but in a more professional manner.  My background as a Communications major in now starting to kick in.  There's actually technology out there that can make the production of this show easy, and affordable.  You can shoot it on a smartphone, or tablet, rather than a video camera, and there are apps that you can download to edit the footage.  You don't even have to heavily invest in lighting, or microphones, which can make the production easier and cheaper (financially) to make.  As Arsenio Hall would say...things that make you say hmmmmmmmm....

I have the contacts through my networking group, the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement.  I know plenty of them that would LOVE to get that type of exposure.  I still have some other stuff to figure out, as far as the viewing outlet is concerned; should I just post it on YouTube, or create my own site for the UALAM?  I would at least need a camera person, and an editor to help me put it together, after all of the footage is shot.  Should it be my own thing, or an extension of the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement...?  Am I just overthinking this too much...?

I'll still keep working on the idea, and let you all know how it goes down.  I guess that itch never faded, after all.  I just needed to find my niche....

Kinda taking a break from writing, and trying to figure out this promotional thing.  Considering entering my book into this writing contest, and at least gain some exposure for my work, if I don't win.  I'm figuring out which titles I'm going to enter into it.  I'll keep you guys updated on that....

The Literary Arts Movement merch should be arriving this week!  Hopefully I can take a picture of my rocking the gear, and post it here, as well as on social media. Stay tuned for that!!!  :-)

Other that that...still job hunting, and chilling.

Keep the fist raised.

April Happenings....

Welcome to April!!!  Spring is in the air!!!!

First off...April the the publishing anniversary for my book "Drum Speaking: Tale From an Inner City Griot" (CreateSpace, 2016).  I published the book THREE years ago, a collection of short stories.  I'm pretty proud of that anthology, as it showcases my storytelling abilities (imho).  Available in both paperback AND eBook formats.  Hook a brotha up with some purchases, or a download, or 20.  ;-)

Still plugging away at promoting "FURI of the People".  Sales are typically as I expected; dismal.  Still constantly promoting the novel through e-blasts, and pushing it via social media.  I can count the number of purchases and downloads that I've received so far on ONE hand.  Instead of just pressing the "like"  button every time I post the link for it on social media, how about pressing the "buy now" button...?  I would like to do a few comic cons and book fairs, but money is the issue.  Especially now that I'm in between jobs, I need to be smart with my money so that it can last to cover my essential bills.  AGAIN....available in BOTH paperback AND eBook formats.

All my New Jersey people stand up!!!  The Khem Comic Fest is back!!!  Brick City representing!!!  Back with their 5th installment of the comic festival (and more), Come out to Newark on April 13th!!!  Purchase your tickets now!!!  Help to spread the word and PLEASE come through!!!  I'm hoping to make it out there, myself! It would be nice to get out of town for a little while, and be able to enjoy myself.

I've always said that as Afro Latinos, we NEED to be more involved with the rest of the African diaspora.  Here is an opportunity for us to make it happen: a symposium is being held at Delaware State University (an HBCU) called the Pan African Development Conference, looking to help build up sustainable agriculture and economic initiatives for Africa.  My dear brother and comrade Ezrah Aharone is one of the leading figures of this symposium.  It is a 3-day event, form April 10th-12th.  Here is the flyer for it:

You can register online.  The info is all on the flyer.  Spread the word, mi gente.  Come out , and support this, and make it part of El Movmiento Afrolatinidad!!!

I'm still working on other literary projects.  Still writing the other sequels to my 'The Black Fist Saga'; Books III and IV.  I'm still developing the characters and storyline(s).  The rough drafts are going, so I can at least say that.  At the same time, I'm still editing my Street Lit novel "Suicide Amy", based on one of my old screenplays. My new Sci fi novel "Time Will Reveal" is pretty much complete; I'm considering publishing it next year in 2020.  All I really need for it now, is some decent cover art.  I have a concept for it in my head, but I don't know if I'll design it myself, or hire and outside artist.  I'll let y'all know....

Well, that's it for now.  It's still early in the month, so I'm sure that I'll have more stuff to inform you about as the month progresses.  Finally designed a shirt and hat with the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement logo on it.  Gonna order me a set, soon, and hopefully take a picture rocking the gear.  Catch you guys on the rebound!!

Keep the fist raised.