We have now entered into the month of FEBRUARY!!!! Celebrating Black History/Heritage Month, as we should ALWAYS celebrate our Black culture & heritage. Blessings to all of the ancestors who have come before us, and laid down the foundations for us to be able to achieve, and reach greater heights.
As we enter into February, you know that I always have to do my thing, and help to promote Akoma Day, a culturally relevant alternative to Valentine's Day, lasting from February 14th - February 20th. Celebrating the culture of Black love, and the blessed union between two ppl of Afrikan descent. It's more about partnership in life, building a family, and forging a strong(er) bond with your soulmate.
Also in February, I have to promote my publishing anniversaries. As you know, it all started with the publication of my FIRST book, "Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino" (Authorhouse, 2010). That book is celebrating its twelve-year publishing anniversary this month; the catalyst to my current writing career.
You also have the seven-year publishing anniversary of my first novel, "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015). I've always been very proud of this particular book, as I feel that this is my truly first original book project. Plus...it's about a Black superhero, and came out THREE years before that fuck ass Black Panther movie. But, I digress...
Also, you have the four-year publishing anniversary of my novel "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018). This Afro Latino love story is a sentimental favorite of mine. I just wish that it would get the support & traction that I feel it deserves. All of these so-called Afro Latino activists out there, and ain't nobody really jump on this project to help support it. Whatever...
Twelve years in the game. TWELVE YEARS!!! That's a decade, plus two. I'm hoping to shoot an episode of "The Rough Draft" about this. Episode 43 has already been shot & posted on YouTube & Vimeo. Episode 44 will deal with this month, and my Author Anniversary. Twelve years in, and soon to be fourteen books deep. That's quite an accomplishment. I don't think ppl really realize the level of hard work & consistency that I've put into this. This ain't a game for me; never has been. I've been working hard to promote myself, & my works to the greater public, for TWELVE years...AND I'm still going. Let that marinate for a hot sec...
Things are going pretty well. For Black History Month my digital publisher Draft2Digital is running a BHM sale through the eBook outlets of OverDrive and Baker & Taylor. I'm hoping that will help to increase my sales a bit, as they've been quite stagnant. At least five of my books dealing with Black history & culture are included in that sale. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
That's all for now. Still steadily working on the release of "Second Chance Points" (KDP, 2022) later in May. I'm still making last-minute changes to the ms, lol, lol, lol. I'm really excited about the release, and looking forward to that particular project dropping. Luckily, I was able to secure a tentative date for a radio interview in May, coinciding with the release of the book, scheduled for May 13th. I'll keep you guys updated on that interview, the closer we get to the date. Keeping my fingers crossed for that!!
Take care, and hit you guys up on the next blog post!! :-)
Keep the fist raised!!!
#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind
