The Struggles of Indie Authors/Creatives [***RANT SESSION***]

 For those of you that actually pay attention to my videos, this is the continuation of an episode of "The Rough Draft" that I shot; Episode #48, to be exact.  Felt the need to blow off some steam, and set the record straight, and apparently...I need to blow off a little more steam.  Been feeling really frustrated & disrespected lately, and I think that I need to go deeper in depth...

As an indie author, I'm carrying the same mentality that I had when I was still involved in the film & television world, being a screenwriter; I wanna work in the industry, not for it.  I choose to be independently published b/c I know the headache of trying to find a (decent) agent, or at least, a good small publisher to publish your book.  Also, you know your story best, so you know how & who to market your book to, no matter what genre that you write in.  I know plenty of authors that write speculative fiction that can attest to that.  Not to mention, the rash of consolidation within the publishing industry within the last two decades, or so...?  The publishing world is getting smaller & smaller by the day (if not, the waning minutes).

 

At the same time...I don't have an MFA.  I have no connections to any literary nonprofit organizations.  I've never held a fellowship.  Nor do I have a well paying day job that allows me the financial flexibility to pay for reviews, or a publicist.  My hashtag #AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind has meaning BECAUSE I'm actually ON my literary grind!!  Whatever accolades (which ain't many) that I receive, it's because of my hard work to promote my shit, & get the word out to the public.  NOBODY helps me to do shit, when it comes to my writing career.  My grind is really MY grind.  Nobody promotes my books for me, or does any type of outreach for my books.  I've even created a mf video series to help me promote my writing career in "The Rough Draft" (that apparently nobody watches).

 

It's a little infuriating to see people just brush you off, and dismiss any & everything that you do, as if it's big joke, and nothing to be taken seriously.  They don't watch the videos & comment, they don't buy & review your books, nor do they come out to any events that you organize and/or participate in.  Out of the fourteen books that I've published, I'd pre-promoted the last seven books ahead of their publication.  Hardly anybody joined the gd Facebook Events that I created for them; I didn't even crack TWENTY people to accept the invite. Whats' the fucking point?!?!?!  😡😡😡😡😡     

The sales afterward have been even more abysmal.  Htf is it that I know all of these different people, activist,  & organizations, but can't get none of you mf bastards to buy a copy of my books?!  And, even if you do actually buy it, do you even bother to read it, and leave a fucking review for it, or even recommend it to your circle of friends and associates...?  Hell...I'd be happy with a personal dialog with you, just to get your feedback on the book. At least then I'll know that you actually read the motherfucka!  Which character(s) did you like...?  What worked for you?  What didn't..?  What was your favorite chapter/scene...?  What character(s) didn't you like/hated..?  Did I intend for you to hate them, or did you just not like the way I wrote that/those character(s)...?  This is the type of feedback that I'm looking for & crave; they make me a better writer.  It also lets me know if I achieved my goal with that particular book, as far as your response is concerned.  Or...I know that you're not the right audience for that particular book, depending on your response/understanding of that particular book.

Would it kill you to actually watch the episodes of my vlog series, and leave a mf comment?!?!  Even if you don't have a YouTube account, can you nuccas say SOMETHING under the post?!?!  None of that 'good job' bullshit; that's so fucking generic.  Say something about the mf episode, whatever tf the discussion topic is!  Don't just press the 'like' button, and keep it mf moving!  I hate that shit!!!  It is so mf disrespectful!!  This isn't a mf joke to me; it's my calling, my mf career!!!  How would you like it , if I acted all dismissive about something that you were passionate about...that you felt was your purpose in life...?  Writing the books...producing the vlog series...and promoting the books is VERY time consuming!!

STOP acting as if my writing career is some huge joke!  It's not a fucking hobby that I don't take seriously, or don't really care about! I'm not some one-shot bucket lister, writing a book just to say that I wrote a mf book, and check it off my bucket list!  I've been writing for fucking YEARS!!!  Just because some of you out there don't have any passions, that doesn't mean that I don't!  I need more out of life, other that just getting liquored up, getting high, or randomly getting sexed up!

Feel however you want to feel about this post; I couldn't give a shit.  I'm tired of feeling disrespected, and not supported.  You dumb niggas know that my shit it out here, available in more that one format, I might add...but still won't support my career, or my books.  But...you niggas will jump on any bandwagon, and prop up some author with a name, because the mainstream media (white ppl) told you to do so.  Fuck y'all.

That's my rant session....

December Tidings

 We are now in the month of DECEMBER!!!!  we have entered into the LAST month of the year.  My, how time flies.  It feels like just yesterday, we were celebrating the horrible end to 2020, and wishing for new hope and better days in 2021.  :-O

 

I'm reflecting on how things have gone for me this year.  At least I got the fuck away from my fuck ass roommate, and Delaware in general.  I have peace of mind right now...just working at my day job, and staying on my literary grind. I consider both 2020 & 2021 lost years, as I wasn't able to do much to promote my works in person because of the pandemic (blasted COVID-19 coronavirus!!!).  I'm planning on going hard in 2022.

 

Sales for Knuckle Up (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021) have been what I expected; nonexistent.  Either people just don't respect me as a writer, and are just full of shit while they have the audacity to call themselves my friends & fans... or, people just don't care.  It's a great story, and an interesting read; I've even tried to get a few female boxers that I follow on Twitter to support it.  Nope. Nada. Nothing.  Hey...I wrote it, it's published, it's in the marketplace.  I did my job.  You do yours as my so-called 'fan'.

My project for 2022 is now complete.  My women's basketball novel Second Chance Points (KDP, 2022) is ready to be published!  I'm thinking of targeting the month of May.  The cover art is already done, and I just have to come up with a back cover synopsis.  I'll probably use the one that I had set up for it, when it was still a screenplay.  Now that that headache is over with, I can get back to writing my other wip's that I haven't finished.  So much writing, so little time...

Hoping to make some sort of a literary impact out here in Raleigh, and in NC in general.  I know of a few bookstores out here that I would like to visit, and do an event, or two in.  Hopefully, my work schedule at my day job will regulate enough where I can plan some in-person book signing events, or something.  There are a number of cultural festival that I would like to participate in down the road out here, and hope that I get the chance to vend at them.  We shall see...

That's all for now.  Still trying to promote the Holiday Economic Support Initiative online.  Again, if you know of a Black-owned/Latino-owned business, or entrepreneur that you would like to help support, please use your social media influence by tagging them, and using the hashtags #HESI, and #HolidayEconomicSupportInitiative to promote them, and their business/product/project.  Also..don't forget to BUY from them!!!  Remember, the initiative lasts until New Years Day.

 

Keep the fist raised.

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind 

 

 

June Vibes/ #AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

 We are now in the month of JUNE!!!  The year of 2021 is officially half over!!  :-O!!!  Time sure is flying this year, ain't it....?

Okay...first up.  News about my latest novel "Knuckle Up" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021)....

Sales have been abysmal.  I had ONE purchase (a download) last month, and that was on some quid pro quo type shit.  I'm starting to get really irritated by the lack of support.  I continue to do the online promotion of this project...sending out my weekly e-blasts to my contacts list on my email Mailing List, but I get nothing in return.  I'm getting irritated that nobody is taking me or my writing career seriously, even my so-called 'friends' and 'followers' on social media.  Eleven years, and thirteen books later...you'd think people would finally start to get it.  But, then again....I'm not being mentioned by the white establishment, or have a big hype machine behind me.  Whatever...

ALSO....June marks the six-year publishing anniversary of my novel "Demure Nights" (CreateSpace, 2015).

I dropped this Street Lit/Erotica novel in June of 2015.  It was part of a three-book publishing binge that I was on.  It was in the middle of my trying to work on my writing career full time; from 2014-2017.  2015 was the banner year, as I dropped 3 books that year, and Demure Nights was number two on that list.  The book is still available in both paperback & eBook formats.  I'm quite proud of this novel, as it was a clear departure of my more politically tinged books that were available, at the time.  It's a really good story, but completely slept on, just like a lot of my other novels.  Hey...it's still out there, and available in the marketplace.  

Still currently writing Book III of The Black Fist novel series.  I'm at least 75% - 85% done writing the first draft.  The final chapter has actually already been written, so I just have to find a way to conclude the story, so that the ending makes sense.  The story is flowing really well, for the most part.  I'm hoping to be done with the draft by the end of the year.  Hopefully, I'll be able to publish the project in 2022.  We shall see...

For those of you who do not know....I've created an account on VIMEO!  I've added a few episodes of "The Rough Draft" on there, as well as my latest Author Book Trailer.  I'm hoping to get better results on Vimeo, than I do on YouTube.  So far, it's looking about the same.  Oh, well...I can only do so much to market & promote myself.  Check me out at www.vimeo.com/AuthorKevinSabio.

 

ALSO....I have finally updated my Author Page on Amazon.com.  I have included a picture of myself, as well as added a few photos, and the latest Author Book Trailer.  I'm hoping that this bit of marketing will help to make my books more visible to people on there, and any potential fans out there on Amazon.  Now, if I could just get a few more reviews on there for my books...

 

I'm back at work at my old day job.  They (finally) called me back to work.  I'm actually quite glad, as my savings were starting to run a lot lower than I like.  I kinda miss having the free time to work on my writing, and market my books, but still...I need the paycheck.  Plus, I was going outta my mind with boredom.  I need to have something to do with my life, other than just flip channels.  At least I have options, now.  I'm hoping to take advantage of the job, and transfer to another account in another state by the end of the year, if not next year.   I've mf had it with Delaware, and need a new place to try to grow my career.  Hopefully, I can move to a city/state where people actually read.  I was thinking DC, but it's still pretty expensive to live out there.  I don't know...I still have six more months to figure shit out...

I'm considering a conversion project.  I have this basketball movie that I wrote, basically 20 years ago.  It's about female basketball players called "Second Chance Points".  I loved writing that film, and really wish that I had the opportunity to produce it.  It would've been a big budget movie, so there was no way that I'd be able to fund it on my own.  I think that it would make a great novel, and I'm strongly considering converting it.  I'm just really hesitant to do that, considering the lack of support the majority of my books get.  Knuckle Up is about female boxer, and I can't get ANYBODY to really rock with that novel; not even the female fighters that I follow on social media (Twitter, specifically).  What's the fucking point, then?  I don't subscribe to that bullshit I-write-my-books-for-myself nonsense.  If that were true, yo ass wouldn't bother going through the process of publishing your book(s), and putting it/them out there in the marketplace.  I'm not trying to publish something that won't be supported.  Oh well...we'll see.  I'll let you know what I decide.

That's all for now.  Hoping to post another blog entry for you guys, soon.  It's kinda hard to be consistent, when you don't feel supported in your endeavors.  Until next time...

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

April Vibes During the Pandemic

It is now APRIL.  Next week will make it a month since the lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.  A lot has been shut because of the crisis, and people are stuck indoors.  Everybody is getting pretty antsy and are having anxiety issues.  As for me....I'm chilling.  I'm not that worried about it.  I stay safe, I'm a pretty clean individual, and I keep my head screwed on right.  Most people are confused by what's going on, and there is so much conflicting info out there, that people are starting to get really scared.  This 'unofficial Marshall Law' is what has ME concerned.  A lot of their government directives make no sense, whether local or federal.  But...that's another story for another time...

As far as April is concerned...it's been about THREE weeks so far since the dual book release.  As far as purchases/downloads are concerned, my sales are dismal; only TWO downloads so far.  That's quite irritating, considering that I've been pushing the dual release since December.  It seems like "Suicide Amy" is the book that's garnering the most attention.  Not mad at that, though.  The story is probably more relatable, since "Time Will Reveal" is Sci Fi/Action/Adventure.  Still...I want BOTH of them to get supported.  At the same time, considering the quarantine going on...I expected to have more sales for my books that that.  Reeeeeeeally make me wonder about the folks who claim to call themselves my fans and supporters....

On a happier note.... my short story anthology "Drum Speaking: Tales From An Inner City Griot" (CreateSapce, 2016) is celebrating it's four-year publishing anniversary this month.  Pretty happy about that.  It shows the diversity of my storytelling skills, dabbling into different genres.  That book is available in both paperback AND eBook formats.  Check it out!!!  :-)

On another good note....I might be holding a radio interview!!  I was contacted through email by a bookstore owner that has their own streaming radio show.  We're working out the details as I write this, so please keep your fingers crossed.  The interview SHOULD be taking place on April 16th at 7pm.  I'll let you guys know once the plans are finalized.  Wish me luck!!  :-)

Other than that, just trying to live up to my hashtag #AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind.  There's only so much that I can do, being trapped indoors.  Haven't really been motivated to write anything new, or work on any of my other incomplete projects.  I've mostly been in marketing/promotion mode, trying to generate some sales for the two new joints.  Trying to focus on sales for the eBooks, since that seems to be an easier way for people to gain access to them.

That's all for now.  I'll keep you updated on the radio interview.  Once the plans are finalized, I'll post an FB Event for it, as well as tell you guys about it here.  Keep ya head up, and stay safe!!!

Keep the fist raised!!!
#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

  

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.

End of August Roundup....

The month of August is almost at an end.  As the month closes, it is time for me to reflect on my progress made this month..

Still continuing to job hunt for a new day job.  Been applying to several places, but no interviews or callbacks as of yet.  I'm still plugging away, and watching my expenses.  I'm still good financially for another month, or so, but still...it would be nice to be making some paper....

My book event was a bust.  Didn't really go as planned.  Not many people came out to support it.  Since we offered food platters at the event, people literally ate, then ran.  That was quite disrespectful.  The few people there that did listen to the reading, weren't very receptive to it.  Definitely, they just weren't the right crowd for it.  Not to mention, I had to share the event with another local "author".  Yes...I used quotes around the word.  PLEASE....a one-book-wonder that hasn't even been published for two years, yet this wack ass chick came at ME with a mf attitude.  She was unprofessional as SHIT; didn't even come dressed for the occasion.  I did your stupid ass a favor by adding you on to the event...which wasn't even my idea, and against my better judgment.  My literary resume is how long compared to yours....?  Heifer please...

Getting myself together for September/Latino Heritage Month.  Probably going to do another mass email blast to promote my books, and LHM.  After that, I might just concentrate on publishing "FURI of the People", and doing promotions for all of my books.  I'm pretty tired of this whole online/social media promotion thing.  I wanna get back to doing festivals/book fairs/conventions, and doing more face-to-face events.  Don't think that I'll continue to do any here in Delaware; niggas just ain't that receptive to stuff.  If you don't already have a name for yourself, and have the white folks chasing after you to do their events, they pretty much don't fuck with you, out here.  They're pretty close minded, like that.

Pretty much, just focusing on Kwanzaa for the end of the year, and really getting on the ball of promoting my books, and doing the festival/book fair/convention circuit next year.  Hopefully, I can find a day job with a decent schedule, (as well as a decent paycheck), and be able to fund my literary dreams.  whether digitally, or physically, I've got the keep pushing my work out there.

Here's to closing  out the end of Black August.  I'll keep you guys updated.  Uhuru sase, y paz.

Keep the fist raised.  

Spring time in May

So we have now entered the month of May....

"Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018) is now entering its third month of publication. 

Still working on the promotion of the book.  It's definitely a grind, and a bit of a headache, but I'm still plugging through.  Been sending out a new e-blast for it to my usual list of contacts, which I'm trying to expand, by the way...

ALSO.... "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017) is celebrating it's ONE YEAR PUBLISHING ANNIVERSARY. 

 
Sales definitely haven't been where I wanted them to be for that particular project, but I was going through a transitional phase at the time I dropped that particular book. I had just moved, was still dealing with a new job, and still getting  myself acclimated to being a working writer again.  Still putting forth the effort to promote it, as I always should, and trying to help keep that story alive.  It's a really good book, if I do say so myself, and wish that I could get it the attention that it deserves.

I'm hoping to be able to participate in a few festivals/book fairs/conventions this year.  It's looking kinda bleak, financially.  If I can get a decent amount of hours at work, I actually might be able to pull it off.  I'm still looking for another day job; fuck this one.  My boss is a disrespectful dick, and they ain't trying to give me no decent hours...not unless it benefits them.  Homey don't play that.

I'm actually in a better mood.  Been connecting with some really cool comrades out here in DE.  I even recently got the chance to finally meet an online friend in person.  I'm hoping to get a little more involved in the community this year; I actually have more options to do that.  Might even participate in a few of the festivals and stuff out here, now that I'm getting to know more people.  Wilmington is not as boring as certain people are portraying it out to be; there's actually a good amount of stuff to do out here...if you know the right people, and where to look.  If you only interested in doing 'nigga' shit, like smoking and getting drunk, then do you.  There are actually a good number of events going on being done by various individuals, and organizations in the city.  Bottom line....I STILL don't regret the move out here.  Yeah...the attitudes of the people take a bit of getting used to, but that's basically anywhere you go.

Hoping to increase my sales.  also looking forward to what the future holds.  My partner and I are still working on "Ethnic Eats"; we had a delay in production cause of his crazy work schedule, and my recent sickness (caught a bit of a cold that hasn't fully gone away), but we're getting back on track. I've even started working on one of the sequels to my novel "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015).  I'm hoping to finish the first draft before the summer is out.

I'll keep you guys updated.  Uhuru sase, y paz. 

When You Need Some Motivation......

So...kinda continuing from my last post....I'm not really motivated to write anything right about now.  I usually always have a project that I'm working on, even after I've finished publishing my most recent project.  Not to say that I don't have any projects that I'm currently working on; to the contrary.  I actually have several ideas that are still in the early draft phase.  I just don't feel like writing them right about now.

I wouldn't necessarily call it writers block; I know what I want to write for those projects.  It's just that I don't FEEL like writing them down.  It's like I'm wasting my time.  I did the pre-publishing promotion for my latest novel Fiesta Girl (Draft2Digital, 2018), and all I got for it was THREE measly downloads.  Nuccas pressed the 'like' button a whole lot on social media, but ain't nobody really bought/downloaded a copy.

Fuck you, too...

I was thinking about converting two of my other screenplay ideas into novels, as well as completing a few other projects that are still in the 1st draft stage...but, what's the point?  If I can't even get my so-called 'friends' on social media to support my work, how am I going to attract total perfect strangers to purchase my books?

But, ninjas can press a 'like' button for a new mf profile pic, though....smdh....

But....I digress....

I want to get out of this rut, and get back to being creative, again.  Not to say that I'm solely in this to make a profit, but....what's the point of publishing a book, and making it available to the open market, if you're not expecting to make some sort of sales from it?  It's been EIGHT years...I'm kinda sick of grinding already.  I should've gained SOME sort of a fan following by now....ESPECIALLY with all of the activism that I do....

I don't know.  Hopefully, things will change soon enough.  I've got some planning going on behind the scenes that should bear some sort of fruit, coming next week.  I know that I need to continue to be positive, and keep looking forward.  Like I said before...my move out of NYC taught me that I need to have a wee bit more patience.  I just needed this first year to get back on my feet.  Perhaps with this second year, I can finally reach my goals that I'd set for myself after I'd gotten out here.

Only time will tell....

Uhuru sase, y paz.

When You Just In a Shitty Ass Mood....

So, it is now April.  The first third of the year is now in  the books.  In literary circles, it is National Poetry Month.  I have a poetry eBook that is available for download, called "Spittin' Lyrics N Waxin' Poetic" (Draft2Digital, 2015).  You can acquire a copy (through Kindle) from here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FMVCUD6

It is available through various eBook channels.  So, if you are NOT on Kindle, it is also available through other distributors.  Since people always wanna give some damn excuse for not purchasing my stuff, I've made my books available through a wide distribution base.

But.....I digress......

Sales for "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018) haven't gone the way I planned at all.  We're going into the second month of it's release, and I've only had a total of THREE downloads so far.

Really......?   :-(

What's the fucking point?!?!  Hell, I'm not even getting 'likes' anymore when I share the flippin' links to my works.  But....cats will always wanna post some dumb shit in response to a rant that I'll write online, and say, "How can I support you...?".

Buy/Download a mf book...actually READ it...WRITE a gd review....TRY to get some of your peoples to help support my work!  Yeah...shares of the link(s) are nice, but....have YOU actually read it?  What are you gonna tell ya peoples about my book, when they ask you what it's about, hmmmmmm...?

But....I'm the dumb one here, smdh....

I want to be able to invest further in my writing career, but that is becoming extremely hard to do.  My current day job isn't giving me enough hours to pay for anything, other than my living essentials (dickhead ass boss!!!).  I can't invest in business cards...can't order copies of my book titles to do either a local book signing, or a festival/conference/book fair/convention....can't afford to pay for vendor fees to any conference/book fair/festival/convention that I may want to attend, local or otherwise.  At the same time, I wish that I didn't have to rely on the day job solely to fund everything that I need to do.  I have NINE books published, damn it!!  I should be able to make SOME sort of living off of all my titles.

Yes...I'm ranting!  This shit is frustrating!  Niggas won't support SHIT that you do.  I've done all that I can think of (that is financially possible) to promote my work on a grassroots level, hoping to reach SOMEBODY with my work.  I'm getting sick of this.  If you don't have some sort of machine behind you, pushing your product, it's like people just won't give a damn...

But, y'all will run out to watch some commercial ass movie, financed and created by white folks, profiling and perpetrating like you doing something culturally Black, smdh....

Hopefully, my next post will be more positive.  Sometimes, you just gotta let off some stream....

Literary Progress So Far......

So "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2digital, 2018) has been on the market for about two weeks now.  The sales are as I expected them to be....

.......Utterly dismal.

I created a Facebook event for it....created an email e-blast campaign for it....tagged a bunch of people with the link once it was finally published, aaaaaaaannnnnnnnd......

...absolutely NOTHING!!!!  Just my sister, and one sister/comrade purchased a copy.  Oh...a few people clicked the 'like' button, as usual.  But as far as purchases and downloads are concerned...?

Nada.

Yeah....so that's my literary career in a nutshell.

Makes me just want to delist all of my shit, and just throw in the towel.

I don't believe in that whole 'just-write-for-yourself' bullshit.  If that was the case, then why the hell bother going through the trouble of publishing your book/novel, and bringing your work to market then?!  I might as well just write it up, go to Kinkos or Staples to print out a copy for myself, and call it a day.  Why go through all that extra headache of trying to promote and market your work, then?  Especially if you are independently published, or self-published?!

I have a lot of stories to tell, and I want to tell them.  I've been a storyteller for a VERY long time.  what's the point then, if people seem to not want to hear them?!  Even when I tell people that I'm a published author, they seem unimpressed.  Ummm...how many published authors do YOU know?!?!  Especially someone who has written multiple books....?  I don't do that out of arrogance; damn it, it's what I do for a fucking living!  I know plenty of mf who claim to be rappers, or singers....even poets.  Actual published authors/writers....?  Not so much....not unless I'm traveling within those circles.

I would understand if I was wack, and had no talent.  I've gotten plenty of positive feedback from my work.  Even during  my days as an indie screen writer, people have complimented my work.  I have the gift and the skill...just not the support.

STOP pressing the 'like' button, and START supporting the work!  And it's NOT just me...I know PLENTY of my fellow creative artists who are suffering through the same thing.  Y'all can go out and frivolously spend your money with these commercial entities for shit that you don't need, but when any of us indies creates something and asks....no...BEGS for your support, you look at us with some stupid look on your face, and say dumb shit like, "You shouldn't/can't try to shame me into supporting you", or "How do/can I support you?".

Does Samsung have to tell you how you can  support them whenever they drop some new electronic device?  Does Nike have to tell you how to support them whenever they drop a new sneaker?  Does Hewlett Packard have to tell you how to support them whenever they drop a new computer?  Does Sega or Nintendo when they drop their latest gaming system?

But, I digress.....

Learn to support us.  You can run out, and support some commercial entity that's part of the machine, but you can't seem to support any of us on the independent front?

No wonder they just tell you to just get a job, smdh....

Updates & Info

Yeah....I've been off my game for a while....

So, Sedutra: Web of Desire was finally published as a paperback, and I celebrated the 2-year publishing anniversary of "Spittin' Lyrics N Waxin' Poetic" in August.  Other than that, I've been plugging away at the day job, in which I've finally reached the end of my probationary period.  The job is going so-so right now.

I'm still wondering what to do now, as far as my literary dreams are concerned.  The sales still aren't there, no matter WHAT I do to promote them.  I'm getting sick and tired of the whole email campaign thing that I've been doing hardcore, for the last three years.  It's just not effective; I can e-blast people until my fingers fall off, and it still won't get me anywhere. I want to get back into the festival/book fair circuit, but my current day job doesn't allow me the opportunity to do that, since I work mostly on the weekends.  Not to mention, it'll cost me to pay the vending fee, on top of ordering books for each event. 

At the same time, I have ideas of other book projects that I want to work on, but I'm not really motivated to write them down.  I'm struggling as it is to gain support for my current published work; why write (and publish) some other shit that people just won't read?  It feels like a huge waste of time.  Even when I promote on social media, niggas just wanna press the 'like' button, and keep it moving.  Fuck that...I'm trying to make a living at this.  But, they'll break their necks trying to buy the new $1100 iPhone, smdh.....

But, I digress....

Freedom ain't free.  I'm earning a living at my current job, but it's not enough.  I want financial and creative freedom.  I don't want to be punching someone else's clock...I wanna punch my own.  Fuck being a field negro...I want to be a Maroon.  But...it takes some effort on the part of others.  I can write and publish these books until my last days....people have to go out, and support my work.  Really....it's that fucking simple.

Yeah.....this was a bit of a rant session.

Deal with it.

Holiday Economic Support Initiative Part II---Winter Solstice/Xmas/Kwanzaa Edition

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Brooklyn, Ny.--Wanting to work in conjunction with the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, as well as being inspired by the #Missing24 and the #BuyTheBlock Movements/cyber initiatives, author/activist Kevin Alberto Sabio wants to implore an economic call to action and justice.  During this holiday season of the Winter Solstice, Xmas, and Kwanzaa, as a way for us to combat these political acts of racism, white supremacy, and disrespect, let us tackle these issues on an economic front as well, as you are all respectfully requested to PLEASE spend your money...not with mega corporations and big box stores...but by supporting black-owned businesses, and with Black/Brown entrepreneurs (local, & otherwise).  Let us use our pocketbooks and wallets to politically speak for us, as you can get involved in the movement, and help to support it economically.  If you are not the type to be marching in the streets, then let your dollars do the talking for you.

Let us stand up against injustice, racism, hatred, and intolerance.  Let us choose NOT to financially support this system that oppresses us.  Let us divest from the current economic power structure, and invest/re-invest in our community businesses and local entrepreneurs.  Mr. Sabio would like to include his own literary works into this movement.

Mr. Sabio is independently published through various P.O.D. publishers, and his literary works are available in paperback format through his various publishers' website(s), and through online carriers such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books-a-Million.  His books are also available in eBook format, and are available through carriers such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iTunes, Page Foundry, Scribd, and 24Symbols.  Digital ARCs (Advance Review Copies) of his novels are available in PDF format for review purposes upon request.

KEVIN ALBERTO SABIO is an author and activist, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  He is the youngest child on Honduran Garifuna immigrant parents.  He is the founder of the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement.  He is the author of SEVEN books of fiction and nonfiction.

Keep the fist raised,

 Kevin Alberto Sabio

Author/activist

www.brownblackfistchronicles.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorKevinSabio

Brownblackfist.book@gmail.com

Nothing.......

Honestly....I have NOTHING to report.

Really. Seriously.  Truthfully.

There is absolutely nothing for me to report to you guys.  Everything is at a stand still.  No sales to report...no job prospects...no anniversaries coming up...nada.  I don't even know when the hell that episode of my interview is going to air; I still haven't been contacted back by the show's producer who interviewed me.  Considering that the show airs every Sunday, there are only two more Sundays left in the month.  Not very inspiring that my episode is going to air this month.

Nothing on the job front, either.  Considering that gamble that I took back in August, basically taking a one-way trip out of state for a job interview, you would've thought that something might have resulted from that.  Didn't get that particular job, nor anything else much after that.  Oh, I've applied to a good number of jobs out there, but nothing really resulted from it.  I got like....one call back for a position, and nothing else since.  Looks like my relocation plans are on hold, as well...

Trying to finish writing my manuscripts that are WIP, but I'm not necessarily motivated to finish them.  Wtf is the point?!  Finish writing them...publish them...and then have them languish on cyber bookshelves for the rest of their existence...?  Nuccas can come out of pocket for some stupid shit like the latest smartphone (that they don't need), a video game/gaming system, shoes, handbag, and other crap they don't need, that's EXPENSIVE as all hell mind you....but y'all can't invest in my mf book that costs between $10-$15....?  What's the sense in publishing them, then?!?!  I don't want to hear your bs rhetoric about supporting me, and then all you do is press the mf 'like' button on social media, and call it a day.  If you're truly a fan of my work, and support me, BUY my books!  And don't just buy one title....buy at least three, or four of them; THEN you can call yourself my biggest fan.

Yes....I'm ranting.  This is frustrating.  I've been dealing with this struggle for over two years, trying to be a fulltime author.  It's sickening when you're not supported, and people make excuses.  Or, when people do give you support, it's actually quite minimal, and they make it seem like they did you such a big favor.  I would understand if I was a crappy writer with no talent; I shouldn't even bee in the game.  BUT....I'm talented, and have skills.  I know how to market and promote myself, and my works.  I've been doing that for most of my life, specifically through my activism.

Maybe things will start to look up by the end of the year.  Who knows....

The Ujamaa Effect Redux

Been trying to wrap my head around this for a while now....

So my birthday passed a few weeks ago.  I am now 41.  What exactly have I accomplished...?

What?!?!?!  Why would you say that?!  How can you say that?!?!?!

Easily.  How many of you have actually contributed to my literary "success"?

Go ahead....I'll wait.  I've got time.....

**crickets chirping**

My lack of support has really got me questioning this path that I'm on.  I DON'T want to go back to being a wage slave, working day in and day out as some job that won't fulfill me, just to make a check.  That's the whole reason I started on this journey.  I first started out trying to be a screenwriter, and wanting to break into films.  I could never find any people that were willing to work with me on any of my script projects (of which I have MANY).  I wasn't trying to work FOR the industry, I just wanted to work IN it.  If I have to explain the difference to you, then you're NOT the right person to read this post.  I've wasted most of my twenties, into my mid thirties being on that journey.  That's what really steered me towards being an author.  It was more of a solitary project, and I didn't need to deal with anyone else's bullshit ego/issues.

My books cover diverse subject matters; two nonfiction political books, one nonfiction comedic memoir, two novels (one erotic, one action/adventure), and an eBook of poetry.  You would think that I would be able to generate SOME sort of cash flow from all those different titles, right...?

Wrong!!

But, if I complain about it, I get some bullshit artist talking about, "You need to learn how to better market you books!".

Motherfucka....you've SEEN the damn link posts to my shit, and all you've ever done was pressed the damn "like" or "favorite" button!! Fuck you mean, I need to learn how to better market my book?!?!  Stop pressing the fucking "like" button, and BUY the damn thing!!!

I've seen people make a lot of complaints on social media about what we don't have.  I know PLENTY of creative artists/content producers who are making these products that the mass claim don't exist; comic books with Black/Brown lead characters, children's books for children of color, independent films, etc.   People just need to do ONE simple thing...

STFU AND SUPPORT!!!!!

I've always wanted to make a living using my creative skills for the benefit of my community.  At the same time, I'm not going to continue down this path if I'm not going to be supported.  It's a waste of time on several fronts.  Why put forth all of this energy to create these products, produce them, and promote them...if nobody is going to support you?  This isn't a hobby for most of us; it's a part of who we are, what we do.  Many of us put a lot of time and effort into what we produce.  If we're working hard to make our products/projects available to you, the least that you in the community can do is support us, and help to spread the word.

I have several projects planned for publishing next year.  Now, I'm wondering if I should even bother.  I haven't been supported very much the past year+, so now I'm wondering if it's even worth it to continue?  Especially with these rhetoric spewing zealots, talking all this crap about supporting Black businesses and entrepreneurs, I haven't seen much of THEIR support either.

Are we really about, what we say we're about..?

Altered States

I wanted to do something special, considering that this makes my 150th blog post.  Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with anything really significant, other than the subject matter for this particular post.  So, here we go...

Firstly, any and all versions of The Consortium of Afro Latino events are hereby suspended for the remainder of the year, until further notice.  Considering that nuccas never come out to support it anyway, it's one less headache that I have to worry about, as far as organizing is concerned.  Why bother wasting my time putting something together that nobody is going to attend, any?

Secondly, I am concentrating my efforts out of state.  Considering the lack of support that I've received for the past year+, especially with this being my hometown, why continue to waste my efforts in a place where no one is bothering to support you?  I am hoping to relocate OUT of NYC by the fall.  Considering that it's already the first week of August, I have some serious work to do.  I'm already doing my research as far as trying to find employment, and a place to live (I've actually been doing that since early July).  Moving around sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do to reach your goals, and get that support you feel you deserve.

I'm sick of being broke, hungry, and frustrated.  This is NOT what I envisioned when I moved back home, and don't want to continue living like this.  If I wanted to struggle, I would have stayed out on my own, NOT move back home, and deal with other people and their bullshit.  I'm pissed and frustrated at being not supported by so-called 'friends', but yet everybody expects me to bend over backwards to support them.  I felt that I had earned enough respect from people through my activism and support to have them support my literary endeavors; obviously I was wrong.  I shouldn't be spending the majority of my time trying to get motherfuckas that ALREADY know about my books to BUY them.  FUCK clicking the "like" button, or 'favorite'-ing the damn post....BUY the motherfucka already!  How many times you gotta "like" the shit, before you get the fucking hint to buy it?!?!?

Considering my literary versatility, I didn't really want to have to rejoin the corporate workforce.  Unfortunately, I have no choice in the matter now, if I want to be able to survive, and get the hell out of here.  I was hoping that my writing career would bring me some semblance of financial freedom; apparently not, at least, not in this bullshit ass city.  Maybe somewhere else where the cost of living isn't as high, and the people aren't as full of shit.  It's kinda hard not to be bitter, or take this personally.  It feels like I just wasted the last year+ of my life, and for what?!?!  Let me go someplace else where my work will probably be more appreciated, and niggas don't have their heads up their own asses.  Everybody out here is a fucking expert and authority figure, yet they have absolutely NO resume' in the field that you're in.

So, hopefully, I'm on to better things.  Hopefully I can make this move, and my luck will change.  The sooner that I can get the hell out of here, the better.  I'm at that point already; time to move the hell on.  I've had enough, and am looking for greener pastures.  Here's to the success of my plans...

Starvin' Artist

I've become very reflective, the older that I get.  I try to learn from my experiences, and increase my personal growth.

So....I've been back in NYC for a little over a year, and it hasn't been very positive.  The whole reason for my return, was to work on my writing career full time, and take advantage of being back in my hometown.  Especially at that time, I had just recently dropped my third published book, and felt that I had gained enough a of a reputation, specifically through my activism in various fields, to be able to make some sort of a comfortable living back in my hometown.

Fat chance......

Looking back over the past year, it feels like I've been wasting my time here.  Never mind the gentrification of the city, and the transplants that have basically taken over many of our communities...the city has definitely changed.  It is NOT the Brooklyn, nor the New York, that I know/knew and loved.  Of course, if I loved it so much, I never would have left in the first place.  Now, going through this struggle....I remember why the fuck I left this city in the first place.

You're not supported out here....not unless you're backed by some big hype machine.  If the mainstream ain't singing your praises...people ain't fucking with you out here.

...And I though NYC was the capital of the trendsetters.

That's a bygone era.  We are no longer innovators and trendsetters.  We have now become sheeple.

Considering that I've published FIVE books within the last five years, I should be living comfortably, financially speaking.  Cat's who I thought were my friends and supporters, proved themselves not to be. I've organized and held my own book signing events...cats never showed up.  I've done appearances at other festivals around the city....cats never showed up.  I've posted links to my books on social media, and tagged these muffkas in it, if not posted it on their damned profile page...cats just press the fucking 'like' button, and keep it moving.  WTFFM?!?!?!  [What The Flying Fuck, Man]

I've done what I can to promote the books to my circle of people; text message, emails/e-blasts, posting on social media, blogging....and nothing!!!  I've even approached underground media outlets out here, like cable access TV show hosts, and still nada.  I should NOT be struggling this hard, especially not in my own hometown.  Even when I've done festivals, people out here be acting mad funny, like they're either scared to approach my table, or like I'm a threat cause I wrote a book (or, several).  Niggaz wanna sit there and debate you, when they see my nonfiction books, trying to prove how smart they think they are.

Nigga....you read a book, while I actually wrote one!  If you were so much better than me, you'd be on my side of the table.

I'm getting really sick of being out here, and am seriously considering moving on again.  I kinda hate having to start over again, but this struggling shit is for the birds.  I have goals that I'm trying to reach, and don't have time for the bullshit.  It should not be this much of a struggle for me, especially with all that I've done to support others through my activism and support.

I kinda needed to get this off my chest.  I'm going to try to give it until the end of the year, but don't blame me if I'm gone by the fall.  It's too expensive out there for this bullshit, nor is it worth it.  Especially considering the versatility of my written works, I should at least be comfortable, and making some sort of headway.

If this sounded like a bit of a rant session...then fuck it, it was.  I just needed to get this off of my chest.  I've lost a lot this past year, and I can't get that time back.  I'm not where I want to be, and don't need to waste any more time trying to get to where I want to be.  If I have to do that elsewhere, then so be it.

Off again...On again

Okay...I've been quiet on here for a while...

Been going through some stuff.  My internet got cut off, so my internet usage has been sporadic at best.  It also made me realized just how plugged in I really am, as much as I'd like to think in opposition to that.  I do A HELL of a lot of networking online, and never realized how dependent I really was to using the web.  There have been a number of opportunities that I've missed out on because I've been unplugged.

Things haven't necessarily been going the way that I'd imaged them to go, since my return.  May 10, 2015 made it exactly one year since I've been back in NYC, and it has been quiet bittersweet.  I haven't had the support and traction that I thought I would get returning to my hometown.  It's made me seriously re-evaluate who I consider a friend; whether cyber friend, or real life.  As much as I go out of my way to support others, it didn't feel like that same level of support was reciprocated back.

Hell...I'm still on my grind, though.  I'm picking myself up, and dusting myself off.  I'm still writing my projects, and continuing to promote my current works.  I'm a little down now, but I will continue to rise.  I will continue to keep you all informed of my goings on.

Keep the fist raised!!!! 

Aftermath--Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

Can't say that I'm surprised...

We've seen it happen time and time again.  Hell, I've seen it happen in my own hometown too many times to count.  Cop shoots Black/Latino person...DA takes it to the Grand Jury...cops get off scott free.  Hell, I remember the Rodney King beating case, and you had video evidence of the cops wrongdoing, and they STILL got off.  I'm basically going to reiterate what I've said before in this blog...

Forget the nonviolent marching crap.  They don't care about us marching.  It doesn't phase them, nor impress them.  What we need to do, is start practicing SELF DEFENSE!!!  This is going to continue to happen because they know that there will be no consequences for their actions; not by the legal system, nor by our community.  There is no trust there because THEY'VE NEVER EARNED IT!!!  Just because you wear a uniform DOES NOT mean you are to be automatically respected (if not, feared).

Again...to echo the ancestor El Hajj Malik El Shabazz:
"When you tell your people to stop being violent towards my people...then I will tell my people to put their guns away."

Even during the Civil Rights Movement, MANY who were actively involved in the movement questioned the use of nonviolence.  Marching and protesting have their time and place; THIS AIN'T IT.  These are not isolated incidences that occur; this is something that happens systemically in our communities TO US.  The only way that it'll stop, is if we FORCE them to stop.  You had the Deacons For Defense & Justice, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense, Black Liberation Army, Universal Africa Legion through the UNIA, and a few other formations that existed.  Hell, even the ANC had their paramilitary wing, the Umkhonto weSiswe (MK).  NOT having a defense stance is stupid.  It shows that you know nothing about history, nor about political strategy.  What we need is real unity, organization and direction, for proper mobilization of our people.  WE know our neighborhoods better than they do; that gives us the tactical military advantage.  A well organized resistance is the scariest thing in the face of an enemy.

"The single best weapon our enemy has, is a lack of consciousness among our people"--Osageyfo Kwame Nkrumah.

Study the past...
Study the elders and ancestors....
Study Sun Tzu...

Uhuru sase, y paz

Musings: Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and other deadly encounters with the Boyz in Blue

So I've been a bit quiet about this as of late.  I wanted to have enough time to be able to coherently gather my thoughts, and to properly express what I'm feeling inside.  Let me echo one of my favorite rap artists, 2Pac:

"They claim that I'm violent, just cause I refuse to be silient,
These hypocrites are having fits, cause we're not buying it,
defying it..."

Or, better yet, how about Michael Jackson:

"All I really wanna say...they don't really care about us!"

We've seen this time and time again.  We see the same response by so-called Civil Rights activist/leaders calling for calm and peace.  They make calls to "act accordingly", and not be confrontational, to practice nonviolence as a solution.

FUCK THAT!!!!

We DON'T need calm.  Calm has never brought us any results.  Hell...nonviolence has never been proved to be an effective tactic against the oppressive powers.  If any of you had actually bothered to study history, instead of listening to the bullshit rhetoric of these old ass talking heads on these Sunday morning news shows, you would know that even during the Civil Rights struggle, you had MANY that questioned the tactic of nonviolence after several deadly encounters with police forces in the American Deep South.  That's one of the main reasons for the little splits that happened during the movement.

We don't need more damned discussions.  What we need is organization and mobilization to counteract this oppressive treatment by an ever-increasingly militarized police force.  We've been asleep at the wheel for the last 13 years (and lost our backbone <not to mention our minds> for the last 6 years); it's time to wake up, and face reality.

We need to defend ourselves.  If we learned nothing from the BPP-SD, it was that we needed to protect ourselves from external forces that were detrimental to our community.  Those who focused solely on their community programs and NOT on their self defense program and doctrine have shown that they know NOTHING about that organization, and truly have NO idea what they were about.

Let's cut the crap here.  Michael Brown wasn't some young thug making trouble in the community.  Eric Garner wasn't some local petty criminal making problems for the community.  Neither deserved to be murdered by the police for no other reason than being a Black man on the street.  When Eric Garner was murdered, he was accused of selling 'loosies' on the street, yet NONE were found on him at the crime scene, and WITNESSES were on hand to say that he was breaking up a fight, and had nothing to do with any criminality going on.

We are asleep and spineless.  We are completely apathetic and complacent.  Yeah..you'll have a few people go on social media...pop off at the mouth...and then go back to their bullshit lives, worrying about Scandal, Real Housewives, R&B Divas, and other stupid-ass nonsensical shit.  We NEED TO FIGHT BACK!!!!!!  

We need our own fighting formations.  If you're too much of a pussy to want to stand up and fight, and talk that I-hate-violence bullshit, take your ass somewhere, sit your ass down, and SHUT THE FUCK UP.  We do too much talking, and not enough action.  To echo 2Pac again:

"They claim I'm violent, then violent's what I gotta be"

Or, maybe I should be echoing my peoples Public Enemy:

"Shut 'em down".

I'll even through my own voice into the mix:

"No respect to the Boyz In Blue,
And it's not because I hate ya, it's just the shit I see you do,
Givin' beat downs, buck downs...goin' insane,
Ya runnin' shit, can't even roll through my own domain..."

If they want to militarize the police force, then we need to create OUR OWN community defense force.  There are a number of grassroots organizations in our community that are doing just that, but we choose to dismiss them as if they are crazy, and show them no support.  Don't wait until it is too late, for another incident to hit our community.  Stand up, and FIGHT BACK!!  There is NOTHING wrong with fighting back.  If we can cheer an uprising in a foreign country, then why not cheer and support an (well deserved) uprising on the home front?

Strategize....organize....MOBILIZE!!!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz

Musings: The Ujamaa Effect (or lack thereof)

Since my return, I've been to at least three different festivals so far; two that I participated in as a vendor, and one that I just attended (and illegally vended).  With the first two, I helped to (imho) heavily promote those events because I was actively participating in them as a vendor.  The third was one that I was just hoping to attend, and be able to enjoy as an attendee.  With the activism that I do in/for the literary arts, I don't get the opportunity to attend and enjoy these events as I would like to.

What really disturbed me was the lack of commerce and support being given by the attendees with the vendors present.  The attitude that you sensed from the crowd was really a superficial one; they just came to show up, and show off.  They wanted to give the appearance of being so damn deep and cultural, but didn't really support the vendors that were there, myself included.  Certain attendees acted like they couldn't give you the time of day; as if you were beneath them.

#1-  If you're a female, I AM NOT trying to get with you!  I'm trying to make a sale.  This is how some of us make our livelihood(s).  We can't step up our game if you don't financially support us.  Our products cost money to make/purchase, vending fees have to be covered, travel expenses need to be addressed, etc.

#2-  If you don't support the vendors, they won't be able to participate in events like this.  If they don't participate in events like these, the organizers can't organize these events.  If the organizers can't put together these types of events, THEY WON'T EXIST ANYMORE!!!  Do you see a pattern forming here...?

#3-  You're NOT that deep or cultural.  You come to these events 'playing' African, wearing your 'African' costume.  You come to these events frontin' like you so damn deep and cultural, when after the event is over, you go back to being your ignorant, ratchet-ass self.  You're more willing to come out of pocket to buy some $1000 smartphone, or $250 pair of shoes/sneakers, but wanna bitch at a vendor to pay $10 for a fucking book, DVD, or CD?!

#4-  Not saying that there should be a dress code, but HTF you gonna come to a 'cultural' event dressed like anything?!?!  Your booty cheeks are hanging out of your shorts, you're wearing the tightest dress(es) known to man, or you're wearing little to nothing in way of clothing attire.  C'mon...really?!  But you so damn deep and African...

#5-  If you have NO intention of buying anything, YTF you bother coming out?!?!?!  That's a waste of everyone's time.  Cultural events like these are not about you being seen; it's about supporting the cause/purpose of the event, and supporting the businesses/entrepreneurs participating in the event.

We can't complain about not having such-and-such business(es) in our neighborhoods if we don't support our own businesses/entrepreneurs.  We can't complain about having 'alien' businesses in our communities if we don't support our businesses first and foremost.  The power of economics and spending habits speaks volumes to your priorities, and economic power and political influence.

If you have a nickle-and-dime mentality, you're gonna get nickel-and-dime results.

Think about that....