(Hopefully) Flowering In May

 We are now in the month of MAY.  Five months into the new year; almost at the midway point. I swear that time is flying by so fast... 😳😳😳😳

In the month of May, we have my Publishing Anniversaries!!  Celebrating the seven-year publishing anniversary of my Urban Lit novel "Seductra, Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017).  One of my favorite books to publish, I feel that it is severely slept on (much like all of my works).  Also, you have the two-year publishing anniversary of my Sports Drama novel "Second Chance Points" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2022).  Yet another favorite book that I wrote; I loved this story as a screenplay, and continue to love it now as a novel.  I just wish that the book would get the support that I feel it deserves...

Latest updates....Draft2Digital now has a new distribution channel available.  My books are now available on Fable.  It is a social media app, as well as an online bookstore!!  You can create a community, as well as create book clubs based on your book(s).  I'm hoping to get some traction with that new app.  You can check out my titles by clicking on the link here:

https://fable.co/author/kevin-alberto-sabio

Hope that you guys will support me on Fable!!  😁😁😁😁

The promotional grind has been a hard one for me.  It's gotten me deeply depressed, and off my writing game.  I have some ideas rolling around in my head, but I'm not currently motivated to write anything down, or finish my other unfinished manuscripts.  What's the mf point of putting in all of this effort, if nobody is going to support you?  The really sad part is...I have many of my indie author friends who are also in the same boat.  

The day job is really getting me down.  I can't afford to stay where I'm at because of my cheap ass paycheck, not to mention being given the runaround when it comes to my schedule.  A little consistency is all I ask.  And, hold others accountable for they shit they do/don't do at the mf job when I'm scheduled off!  Stop expecting ME to do all this bullshit!!  And, I hate those stuck up ass bitches from the Guest Services department.  Incompetent buncha bitches...

 

Aaaaaaaanyway....

 

Support the books that are out there.  Support your indie authors.  Support your indie bookstores.  Festival/book fair/comic con season is upon us.  Check out the latest episode of "The Rough Draft" posted on YouTube!!

 

Keep the fist raised!!!

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

 

    

Happy New Year 2023

 Welcome to 2023!!!  The new year has finally fallen upon us.  Hopefully, your year is starting off on a positive note, and on the good foot.  May positive energy and prosperity enrich you, and all those that you love. Birthday blessings to all new years babies that were born on that special day. 😀😀😀

In the month of January, I will be celebrating the four-year publishing anniversary of my novel "The Chronicles of The Black Fist: F.U.R.I. of the People" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2019), as well as the two-year publishing anniversary of my novel "Knuckle Up" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021).  Both books are available in both paperback AND eBook formats.  Hopefully, you will take the time to financially support them, and help to spread the word about them.

As of right now, I have no plans to publish a new book in 2023.  I'm hoping that will change; it will have to be much later in the year.  I don't have any manuscripts that are completed, or close to being completed, as of yet. I kind of ended last year on a really sour note, and haven't felt very motivated to write anything.  I have a few ideas rattling around in my head, but whenever I fire up the laptop to write something down, I just end up staring at the page.  Either that, I fell too tired and unmotivated to write anything when I actually have a day off.  My poor book sales have really affected my writing, as I end up wondering wtf am I doing all of this for, if I can't make some sort of a profit doing this professionally? 😔😔😔

I'm hoping to get out more, this year.  I want to get back to doing in-person appearances.  If not by setting up my own book signings, or tours, then by at least participating in festivals as a vendor.  I definitely need to buildup my presence & name recognition out here in North Carolina.  I'm hoping to do my Black/Brown Bookstore Book Tour this year, since I had to postpone it last year.  I know of a few bookstores out here that I want to hold the appearances at.  I'll keep you guys posted...

 

Thanks for reading, and have a happy and safe new year.  Blessings & good fortune to you all!!! 😁😁😁😁

 

Keep the fist raised.

Uhuru sasa, y paz.

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind 

 

 

Author Book Trailer for 2022!!!!

 So, I have finally been able to update my Author Book Trailer!!!  I have been able to add the covers of ALL FOURTEEN books to the video.  I've even updated some of the contact info, and the different outlets where you can get my books, via paperback & eBook formats.  So without further ado, here is my Author Book Trailer 2022!!!  :

Hope that you enjoy it!!!  Let me know what you think in the comments section!!  Don't forget to go out and buy the books!!  :-)

Keep the fist raised!!!

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

The Heat of June

 We are now in the month of June.  JUNE!!!  The year is already half over!!  Where has the time gone?  Weren't we JUST celebrating the coming of the new year...?  :-O

A bit of house keeping, first.  As always, I need to start by celebrating my latest publishing anniversary.  For the month of June, I will be celebrating the seven-year publishing anniversary of my Erotica novel "Demure Nights" (CreateSpace, 2015).  This was my fifth book, and second novel that I released.  It's a little gem of mine, and a bit of a passion project.  It was a test to see if I could write something different, something that I wasn't really known for.  It was the first book that I'd written that wasn't political in nature, whether fiction or nonfiction.  You would think that, because of the subject matter, my sales for it  would be much different; much higher that they would be.  Even when I write books that would be considered garbage, I still can't seem to gain any support for my works, smdh...

 

My latest fair "Second Chance Points" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2022) has been out for close to a month, now.  Sales for it so far are slooooooow.  I had four initial purchases for it (2 downloads, two physical copies), and then...that's it.  People know how to press the 'like' button on social media, but don't seem to know how to follow that up with a purchase.  Maybe if I was being backed some corporate literary nonprofit, or highlighted by some celebrity, I might have better sales.  Now that gathering restrictions have been eased somewhat, maybe doing face-to-face events will boost my sales.  This cyber bullshit just ain't cutting it.

 

Speaking of doing some face-to-face events...I've been giving some strong thoughts on doing my whole Black/Brown Bookstore Book Tour idea.  I've been doing a bit of research, and I know of at least three here in the state of North Carolina.  One is a Black-owned children's bookstore here in Raleigh, there's a Black-owned  bookstore in Durham & Charlotte, and one Latino-owned bookstore in Chapel Hill.  That would at least cover the state.  All I would have to do is reach out to them for their available dates, and see if I want to spread them out over a one month period, or knock out two of them in 2 months.  That's a bit of traveling, not to mention, money outta my pocket for ordering books & booking travel.  BUT...you gotta spend money to make money, right?  If I spread them out over a 4 month period, that should ease the financial burden.  At the same time, if I do two appearances in one month, that will build momentum for my book(s).  Plus, I wanna eventually spread out to the other surrounding states to develop more of a fan base out here.  I would definitely love to head out back to my old stomping ground of (central) Virginia, and eventually hit up Tennessee.  I know of some indie Black-owned bookstores in Nashville, and one in Memphis that I definitely wanna hit up.  At least I'm now living in a state where people actually read...not like in fuck ass Delaware..

 

But, I digress...

 

I was able to do a radio/podcast interview covering my writing career overall, as well as the release of Second Chance Points, on a local radio station out here in NC based in Carrboro.  I was interviewed on May 13th on WCOM-FM, appearing (via call-in) on "The Chris or Jenny Show".  I had an absolute BLAST doing the interview, and hope to be back on there, again.  You can check out the podcast on YouTube via the link:

 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuULm4I3a94&t=172s

 

Hope that you guys enjoy the show!!!  :-)

 

Well...that's all on my end, folks.  Hope to keep you guys informed on my future plans.  I will definitely let you guys know how my plans for the book tour turn out.  Hope that you guys will actually come out to the tour locations, and support me.

 

Keep the fist raised.

 

#AlwaysOnMyliteraryGrind

 

  

The Month of July So Far.....

As we approach a little beyond the midway point of the month, things are looking VERY unsettled.  Coronavirus numbers are starting to climb back up, and states are starting to re-institute restrictions to protect the populace...or, at least to cover their collective asses, for their potential reelection bids.

Oh, yeah...and my book sales ain't been shit.  Yeah...I had to throw that in there, somewhere.

If you're on YouTube, and have an account with them, I've just uploaded the latest episode of "The Rough Draft"; Episode #15.  I won't be posting the link here, as I don't think that it ever helps, or matters.  Subscribe to my channel if you can, and LEAVE A COMMENT!!!  It would be nice to actually get some feedback from people who 'claim' to be my supporters.  I feel like a little kid who gets brushed off, just because he's a little kid, or being annoying.  Just give me SOME sort of feedback!!

Working on my latest manuscript.  Decided to convert my screenplay "Knuckle Up" into my next book.  I'm going through round THREE of editing, so far.  If things keep going at this rate, I'm hoping to have completed editing by the end of the year, and have the book ready for publication in 2021.  I've got few ideas about how I want the cover to look.  I'm excited about this project, as it is one of my favorite scripts.  I'll keep you guys updated on my progress with that project....

The day job front is stagnant.  My state is stuck in 'Phase 2' for the time being, until our COVID-19 numbers go down in the state.  I haven't heard from my boss on when we're supposed to go back to work.  I kinda don't mind, but I just really hate staying at home.  I just can't believe that some people actually live like this, for most of their lives; just staying at home, waiting for a check.  Couldn't be me.  Good thing that I've got my writing career to work on.  At least it gives me something to do, and gives me purpose.

Kinda looking forward to next month.  It's "Black August", for those of us revolutionaries out there.  Personally for me, it marks 1 whole year since I started producing "The Rough Draft".  I might decide to have an episode doing a recap of what I've posted within that year.  Actually...I'd rather do an 'Ask-The-Author' segment, where my fans get to ask me questions, and I get to answer their questions in the video.  I'll let you know what I'm planning...

That's about all for now.  I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.  Hopefully, things will improve, and will get somewhat back to normal.  Stay safe, peoples!!!

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

End of June Reports....

It's the final weekend of June, going into the final days of the month.  Sales have been nonexistent for this month.  So much for my burgeoning support....  [EXTREME sarcasm dripping]

Shout out to the Black bookstores that are keeping up the struggle.  Let us hope that this new founded support continues, and is not another sad attempt of people trying to feign wokeness.  Where were y'all so-called 'woke' cats when these businesses were struggling, prior to the pandemic?  The WHITE people supporting these businesses, I can get; they are trying to assuage their 'white guilt' and privilege to abuse the notion of their own ingrained racism.  You fake ass Black folks, on the other hand...?  Y'all ain't 'woke'. C'mon son.....fuck the bullshit.

Anyway....

Posted the most recent episodes of "The Rough Draft".  I shot episodes 13 & 14, and they are now uploaded onto YouTube.  I'm making it happen, peoples!!!  You can check out their links here:

Episode #13:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTEdbMCFb7s

Episode #14:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTEdbMCFb7s&t=10s

Please feel free to 'like' the videos...COMMENT on them, and subscribe to my channel.  I'm trying to be consistent with the content, so you guys can at least make the effort to comment on my videos, and 'like' them as well.  You have idiots on there who talk about absolutely nothing, yet they get a ridiculous amount of followers, and ongoing commentary.

Whatever, man......

The states are continuing to open up, as well as coronavirus cases are now starting to explode in the south, and Midwest.  The death toll in the U.S. is at about 120,000, and continuing to rise.  I'm certainly lucky that death from the virus hasn't touched me personally, but still...these are the most trying of times.

Haven't been feeling as motivated to write, as of late.  Aside from the consistent promotion that I do for my most current releases, I haven't even bothered to work on any of my other works-in-progress.  The inspiration just isn't there for me.  It probably has to do with the current pandemic; it feels like there is just more important shit to worry about.  Been busy trying to hawk all of my publications during this outbreak, but so far, it's been all for naught.  Fuck it...nuccas be on some trend hopping bullshit.  Now that the states are opening back up, and people have other distractions to hold their attention, they don't have time to fuck with any of my literary works.

Oh, well....

That's all for now.  Try to hit you guys up next month.

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind 

May Day, and the Pandemic Continues...

What's good, peoples?

Today is the first day of the month of May.  The year is chugging along at a steady clip, despite the pandemic.  The year is almost half done, if you think about it.  Quite shocking, huh...?  :-O

May marks the three-year publishing anniversary of my novel "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017).

Three years ago, I published that novel, and it continues to be one of my favorites.  The project is available in both paperback AND eBook formats.  Please purchase, or even DOWNLOAD a copy of the novel, as well as my other projects.  If you get the opportunity, PLEASE also write a review of the book .

The Dual Release is still going on.  "Suicide Amy" seems to be fairing better that "Time Will Reveal"; I've had more purchases and downloads for that particular project.  Of course, this pandemic isn't helping matters, much.  At the same time, my eBooks are no more than $2-$3; not enough to damage your bank account.

My heart goes out to the indie bookstores that are suffering through this pandemic.  I've been reading some articles posted on Literary Hub about some of the trials and tribulations that a lot of indie bookstores are going through because of their shuttered doors.  Some are moving to do more online sales, while others are making deals with a new company called Bookshop.org; apparently a indie bookshop alternate to Amazon.com.  I believe that my titles are available on Bookshop.org through my eBook publisher Draft2Digital (don't quote me on that, though).  You especially saw the growth of indie bookstores in our Black & Latino communities, a much needed growth, at that.  That growth has been seriously stunted with this pandemic.  They might not survive the recovery, once this pandemic ends.  This really makes me sad; they are a much needed resource in our community, considering how Black bookstores have been ravaged in our communities over that past two decades...

I'm still getting used to my new laptop.  I've had to try to recover some fonts that I'd lost with my old laptop going kaput.  That sucks for me, not only as a writer, but also for some of my graphics that I do for my book covers, and other projects.  Not to mention, I had to get me a new video editing program to continue to produce "The Rough Draft".  I'll let you all know how that works out...

Well, that's all for now.  Hoping to keep you guys in the loop.  The books are available, and ready for purchase.  Please continue to support my works.  I'll let you guys know what else I have coming down the pipeline.

Keep the fist raised!!!!

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind   

Radio Interview Aftermath/Adventures in Laptop Hunting

First off...the radio interview was GREEEEEEAAAAT!!!!  :-D

I had such a wonderful time doing the interview!!!  The interview on Dock Radio went on for a little over an hour, but it was great.  The show's host Donya Craddock and I really hit it off, and had a great conversation talking about my various book titles, and my two current books that I recently released.  I got the opportunity to discuss my networking group the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement, and talk a little bit about my overall activism.  All in all...this was probably THE best radio interview that I've ever had.  Most of my other interviews were rather blah, and it felt like the interviewer never even really paid attention to whichever book I was being interviewed about at the time; this time was different. Donya was very engaging, and was really interested in my work.  The interview flowed really well, and we ended up going a little over our time.  That's what happens when you really enjoy the discussion :-).  I hope to do a return engagement on the show, and also to make a trip out to their bookstore The Dock Bookshop in Ft. Worth,Texas, once this pandemic is over. :-D

Secondly....my old laptop died last Friday, the day after the interview.  :'-(

It was to be expected.  My old laptop was actually old; I'd had it for 9 years.  It wouldn't hold a charge anymore, and it was coming apart.  Once it broke, I was a little frazzled; I didn't really know what to do.  I know that I needed to get a new one, but...with this mf pandemic going on, I didn't know how to get my hands on a new one.  It's my only means to getting online, and writing my books...

Then...I saw a TV commercial for Target...

Wait a minute!!!  Target is considered an 'essential business'!!!  Target is still OPEN!!

YEEEEEEES!!!!!   :-D

Since I don't drive, I figured out which bus line I needed to take to get to the local Target out here, and made plans to go the next day.  I got on the bus, took the ride, and made my way to Target.  Once I got there, I made my way to the electronics department, and started looking at their available laptops.

The pickings were really slim.  There weren't any laptops in the cases.  I was lucky enough to have a really, really cute salesperson come up to me, and ask me if I needed any help.  I let her know what I needed, and that's when she dropped a bomb on me....

"I'm sorry sir...we're out of laptops.  If there aren't any in the display cases, then we're really out.  Because of telecommuting, and schooling from home, we got smacked..."

:-O!!!!!!!

I was SO hurt!!!  This was NOT good!  I really, REALLY needed to get my hands on a laptop.  But, then she said the magic words...

"They should have laptops at Best Buy.  Did you try there, yet...?"

?!?!?!?!?!?!

YEEEEEEEEES!!!!!  :-D

She told me what i needed to hear.  She told me where the nearest Best Buy branch was located, and I went.  I didn't know that they were going to have me stand outside, while they were going into the store to get whatever electronic device you needed.  You basically have to rely on the knowledgeability of the salesperson to fit your needs.  Oh well...I got what I needed, and made my way back home.  Luckily for me, I'd backed up all of my files on my flash drives prior to the old laptop going kaput.  They're now all saved on my new laptop, as well as being able to download all of the programs that I use.

On another note...I was able to shoot and upload the latest episode of "The Rough Draft"; episode number TEN!!!  The show is now in the double digits!!!  I'm proud of myself for that!!!  If you go on YouTube, please watch the episode, and leave a comment!!  And don't forget to subscribe to my channel!!  :-)

Well, that's it for now.  I'll keep you updated on my progress.  Now that I have a new laptop, I can continue with my projects.  Hit you guys up soon!!!

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind      

APRIL RADIO INTERVIEW On DOCK RADIO!!!!! :-D

It's finally been confirmed!!!  I will officially be a guest on OnShore, a radio show on Dock Radio, courtesy of The Dock Bookshop, based in Ft. Worth, TX!!!  YAAAAAAY!!!!

The interview will be taking place on April 16, 2020 at 7pm (Central Time).  The call-in number is listed on the flyer at 972-427-7795.  Hope that you all tune in!!!  I'm really excited about this!!!  I have to admit...it has been a while since I've been able to do any active promotion of any of my literary work(s).  I'm really looking forward to this interview.  We'll be discussion my latest two releases, as well as my writing career spanning the last decade.

I've been getting a few downloads for my books.  Not as many as I would like, but it is something.  Haven't checked for any recent sales (yet), but at least I've gotten a few downloads.  Hey...it's something.  If you can't get a physical copy, at least my work(s) are available in eBook format.

Wish me luck on the interview!!!  I hope that you all tune in!!  SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!

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

  

March Madness: My DUAL Book Release!!!

It is now the month of MARCH!!!  The 1st third of the year is already upon us.  Man....time sure does fly nowadays, doesn't it...?  :-O

There's this new super virus out technically called COVID-19.  It's scaring the hell out of a lot of people.  Countries have shut down, and quarantines are in full effect.  Situations like these remind you of just about EVERY zombie apocalypse movie you've ever seen, and wonder just how true those flicks really were to reality.

Now that THAT is out of the way....

The DUAL Book Release!!!!  The books are now HERE!!!!!

Both "Time Will Reveal" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020) and "Suicide Amy" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020) are now LIVE!!!  They are both available in both paperback AND eBook formats!  YAAAAAAY!!!!  You can get your paperback copies here:

Time Will Reveal:
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085RQNF33

Suicide Amy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085RVQ5MB

The eBook versions are available through Kindle, Nook, Kobo/Kobo+, iTunes, 24Symbols, Scribd, Playster, Bibliotheca, Hoopla, OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, and internationally through Tolino.  PLEASE go out and support the books.  I've been pushing these two promotionally through my personal Mailing List, as well as through my social media on Facebook and Twitter.  If you truly consider yourself my fan and supporter, don't let me down.  Especially if you're gonna be stuck inside because of COVID-19 precautions, what better way to past the time, than by reading a few of my novels...?

Haven't set up a date to do any public readings, and who knows how long these COVID-19 precautions and quarantines will last.  I MIGHT  do a viral book reading online via YouTube, but I'm still debating that.  Speaking of YouTube....I dropped my SEVENTH video for "The Rough Draft" series. I've also just uploaded my updated Author Book Trailer for this year 2020.  Check it out when you get the chance.

That's gonna be all for now.  Hope that you guys enjoyed this latest entry.  Don't know when I'm going to post another blog, since they're shutting down the libraries here for an undetermined amount of time; I go there for the internet access.  Stay safe, and keep reading!!!

Keep the fist raised!!!

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

October End-of-Month Wrap-up....

Damn...the month is almost OVER!!!!!  :-O

Trying to end the month on a strong note.  One good thing...my oldest nephew's birthday is next Monday!!!!  YAAAAAAY!!!  He'll be turning 21.  TWENTY-ONE!!!  I remember when his mother was pregnant with him. MAN, time sure does fly.  Happy birthday to you, Romello!!!!  :-)

Halloween is next week.  I used to love this holiday when I was a kid.  Once I got older, it kinda lost it's appeal...besides getting involved with the cultural activist community.  I kinda miss those days of playing dress-up, and going trick-or-treating.  I could use a good costume party....or, maybe a cosplay party instead, making it more cultural....?

Speaking of Halloween/All Hallow's Eve, I posted the latest episode of "The Rough Draft" (episode FOUR!!!) in honor of the holiday.  I profiled my novel (now series) "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015).  You can check out the link for it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HELrV1ipchE&feature=youtu.be

The book is STILL available for purchase in paperback AND eBook formats.  Not to mention, the sequel in the series "The Chronicles of the Black Fist: F.U.R.I. of the People" (KDP, 2019), is also available.  Would be nice to get some support for it......

Other than all of that, I'm still considering my options for a DUAL book release for 2020.  Both books are ready to go, and I FINALLY completed the cover for Suicide Amy.  It's an interesting idea for me to do, but the lack of support that I get for my books, smdh.....

Aaaaaaaaanyway.......

I'll let you guys know what I finally decide in November.  I should start doing any necessary promotions for it by then, if I decide to go forward with the dual release.  I'll keep you guys updated on it.

Uhuru sase, y paz.  Keep the fist raised. 

October Updates.......

As a co-worker of mine stated the other day, much to my shock....the month is already HALF OVER. :-O!!!!!!  Man, time sure does fly, don't it...?  We basically have TWO MONTHS left in the year!

Anyway......

So far, this month is going.  I can't really complain.  I didn't do too much for my birthday, earlier this month.  All I really did was get some additional sleep; since I had to work earlier in the day, I didn't really feel like doing too much, afterwards.  I did get a nice card from some of my co-workers; one of my favorite ones even gave me a really nice hug.  :-)

GOOD NEWS!!!  I was able to shoot episode THREE of "The Rough Draft".  If you're not on Youtube, you can catch the link for it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE5aM4L1LL8&feature=youtu.be

Hope that you enjoy it!!!  In honor of Latino Heritage Month, I did a profile of my 2-book series "Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino" (Authorhouse, 2010), and "Raise Your Brown Black 2: MORE Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino" (Outskirts Press, 2011).  If you have a YouTube account, DEFINITELY 'like' and comment on the video.

I'm still considering doing a DUAL book release for 2020.  Both "Time Will Reveal" and "Suicide Amy" are ready for publication.  I just need to work on the cover art for Suicide Amy, which I'm currently working on right now.  Of course, I have my doubts about that; my writing career, financially speaking, has been quite dismal over the years.  Why bother to drop new projects that aren't going to be supported?  I do all that I can to promote my works, but ppl still won't support shit.  I couldn't even tell you the last time I registered any sales online, despite all of the online promotion that I do, whether through my email Mailing List, or through social media.  Wtf is the point of all of the emails to my personal Mailing List, if cats WON'T purchase shit, or come out to any of my events...?

But, I digress...

Right now, I'm looking forward to trying to end the year out on a strong note, and focus on promotions for next year.  This struggling shit is for the birds.  Hopefully, my fortunes will change in the coming new year.

Catch you on the rebound, people.  See ya in the next post.

Uhuru sase, y paz.  Keep the fist raised.  

May Monthly Wrap-up

Wow....the end of the month is almost here!!!  :-O!!!!  The year is almost half over!!!!

Been trying to track my progress over the month.  It's been primarily stagnant, as I've taken recently with some writer's block, as well as some self evaluation, concerning some recent deaths that I've had to deal with.  The good thing is that my book slated for publication in 2020 titled "Time Will Reveal" was completed prior to the writer's block.  But, other than that, I haven't done much writing for any other projects.  I think that I'm finally starting to overcome that particular hurdle, as I've been brainstorming some creative ideas, recently.  I'll go into those later in the post....

Nooooot too satisfied with the writing career as of late.  I need more public exposure, and to do more speaking engagements, panel discussions, or some reading/book signing events.  Online sales ain't shit, and people don't buy your stuff, even when you post about it 2 gazillion times a day online on social media.  Need to go old school with it, and street team, or something.  Need to get my hustle back, and get my work out there.  I'm also starting to send my novels into some book contests.  I need to get that exposure SOMEHOW....

Got a new day job.  Working back in food service.  Hell....it's a living, and a paycheck.  Not only will I be able to pay my bills, I can continue to fund my writing career.  Book copies ain't cheap, and neither are vending fees, or rental spaces.  Since niccas don't know how to buy your shit online, I gotta get the money to pay for everything I need to do from SOMEWHERE.  But, I digress...

"Time Will Reveal" needs a book cover.  I have an idea of what I want it to look like, so I just need to buckle down, and start designing it.  Most of my book covers are fairly simple to create, and since I have some computer graphics skills, it makes it easier for me in the final stages, as I can design my own book covers.  Maybe I'll invest in a cover designer in the future, when I can actually make a living off my writing. Yeah....that'll be the day....   ***sarcasm dripping***

Been able to fight through tis bout of writer's block, little by little.  Been marinating on a few ideas for some future book projects.  Thinking of writing a sequel to "Drum Speaking" (CreateSpace, 2016).    This time around, I might do a Sci fi/Fantasy anthology;  try and tap into that Black Speculative ficition, AfroFuturist market.  I have a few story ideas rolling around in my head, as we speak.  I might novelize a few of my sci fi screenplay projects, and turn them into short stories for the anthology, IF I decide to do it.

I've also thought about novelizing one of my other movie screenplay ideas; a sci fi project called "Nobility's Rise".  It was kinda my answer to both Star Wars, and Superman...with an Afrocentric slant, of course.  It would've been a 3-movie film series, even though I've only completed one of the scripts; the first sequel is incomplete.  I might choose to convert them into a novel series, and promote it as a Black Speculative Fiction/Afrofuturist novel series.  It's a thought...

That's about it for now.  Still considering doing "The Rough Draft" video blog series.  I also start the new day job this week.  I'll let you all know how it goes.    

Keep the fist raised...

May Happenings......

It's now MAY!!!!  Man...time really is flying, ain't it...?  we're already FIVE months into the new year!  :-O

First off, there a few events that I know of that are happening in May.  I just found out about this one the other week.  The 1st annual Dominican Writers Conference will be taking place THIS SATURDAY, May 4th in NYC on the campus of City College of New York, or, CCNY as we like to call it back home.  I won't be attending this event, but I just wanted to shout them out....

Also, later in the month, my FAVORITE Black comic con will be taking place in Philadelphia.  Coming on May 18th, the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, or ECBACC for short, will be taking place!!!

 

 YAAAAAY!!!  Hopefully, I can attend it this year.  Now that I have the hat and t-shirt to represent the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement, I can look official at the event, or any other literary events that I go to.

ALSO...

May is the publishing anniversary for my novel "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017)!!!

Two years ago, I was able to publish this novel, and release it to the world.  Help me to celebrate this particular novel turning 2 years old. It's a good Urban Lit story about a trained dancer (and transplant NYer) trying to make ends meet.  Available in both paperback AND eBook formats!!!

Haven't been writing as much, but I'm still promoting the latest novel.  Trying to push "The Chronicles of The Black Fist: F.U.R.I. of the People" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2019) as much as I can.  Doing public appearances for it would help, but I don't necessarily have the funds to do any festivals/book fairs/comic cons right now.  Being in-between jobs ain't fun, and I'm getting nowhere with online sales. I'm considering doing a few readings of it, but I don't really trust the crowd here in Delaware.  Maybe if I set up a few reading in Philly, it would work; the crowd out there might be more receptive to my work.  Delaware folks....?  Hmmmm....I don't know about them....

Got a job interview coming up for a part time gig.  Wish me luck on that.  I need SOME sort of income to come it, since the ones for book sales don't exist...

Right now I feel like I'm at a crossroads.  I need to figure out what I'm going to do in regards to my writing career.  I need ot figure out a way to move forward, and make it beneficial to me, specifically financially.  OBVIOUSLY, the people who know me personally don't take my writing career seriously, so I need to take my work to an audience who will.  I need to be able to make a living at this; that's the bottom line.  I need a team around me who is going to help me to promote my work.

That's all for now.  I'll hit y'all back when I have more updates, and other news for you.

Keep the fist raised.

Updates for March...

Soooooooo......it's been a while.

"F.U.R.I. of the People" has been out for about a month and a half, so far.  Sales are as I expected them to be....dismal.  I've had TWO purchases so far, and no downloads that I know of.  Yeah....people are reeeeeeeally supportive of my career, smgdmfh...

I chucked my day job.  It got to be too much.  It was becoming a hostile work environment, and I wasn't having that.  I liked my boss, and the people in my department; it was the higher ups that made the place difficult to work at.  Specifically, it was ONE higher up that made it hard to be there.  Oh well.  When the bitch is standing there, BY HERSELF, with nobody to work there (except, maybe nothing but temps), maaaaaybe the job will finally get rid of her stupid ass.  She's the main reason why nobody want to work there anyway, and why they have such a high turnover rate.  Then again, wtf do I know...?

I've actually just completed writing my next novel.  It's a Sci Fi/Action novel called "Time Will Reveal"; another conversion job.  It is starting to seem that some of my screenplays actually work better as novels, lol, lol, lol.  I'm also still working on Book III and Book IV of the Black Fist series; they're both still in the rough draft stages, as I haven't finished writing them yet.  I'm also still editing "Suicide Amy"; my Street Lit novel.  So many projects, so little time, lol, lol, lol.  Don't ask me how the hell do I do it....I don't even know how I do it.  I'm just a natural storyteller.  It would be nice if people actually appreciated that fact, and invested in my mf books.

Aaaaaaaanyway......

I still want to do that vlog "The Rough Draft".  I just need to take the time to actually shoot it.  Kiiiinda don't want to shoot it at my residence, and have it look all bootleg, and whatnot.  I could easily shoot it on my laptop, and then edit it in MovieMaker; it doesn't need to be uber professional.  At the same time, I have higher standards, having been a Communications major in college, and all.  Maybe I'm just overthinking this, and making it more complicated than it needs to be....?  We'll see what happens.

Been connecting a lot with my Jamii lately, and have started to make some long term (and short term) goals. One of my more long term goals is to FINALLY repatriate to the continent.  With the way that things are going in this bullshit country, and considering how spinless & ignorant a lot of people are nowadays, I DEFINITELY need to gtfoh.  Right now, I'm just doing my research on the different countries that I want to go to.  I've at least narrowed it down to five countries; two in the west of Africa, and three in the east.  Repatriation has actually been on my mind for quite some time now, and I'm feeling the call to do it more and more in recent years.  Hopefully within the next year or two, I can finally make that commitment, and finally move there.  Research and preparation are the immediate concerns right now.  I'll let you all know how that progresses.

That's about it for now.  Hopefully, the sales will improve.  Still debating if I should do a reading & book signing, or not.  I'd rather do a festival, or comic con, or something to that effect, but that costs money.  Being unemployed hinders that a lot.  I'll let you know what happens.

Keep the fist raised.

Celebrating Latino Heritage Month/Celebrando El Mes de la Herencia de Los Latinos!!

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Wilmington, DE-- Celebrating Latino Heritage Month!!  Celebrando el mes de la herancia de los Latinos!!

As we enter into September 2018, Author/activist Kevin Alberto Sabio continues to celebrate his most recent literary release, the Urban Lit tale of "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018), an Afro Latino love story set in 1990s NYC to the rhythms of Latin Freestyle and Hip Hop.  Published this past February, the book is still available as an eBook. 

ALSO, in honor of Latino Heritage Month, Mr. Sabio will be celebrating his seminal book series "Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino" (Authorhouse, 2010), and "Raise Your Brown Black Fist 2: MORE Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino" (Outskirtspress, 2011); a collection of political essays speaking on issues of race/racism, history, political ideology, and Afro Latino issues & affairs. 

Raise Your Brown Black Fist books I&II are available in BOTH paperback & eBook formats, and are available through online distributors such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. Fiesta Girl is available in eBook format only, through distribution channels such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Kobo+, iTunes, Scribd, Overdrive, Playster, 24Symbols, Bibliotheca, and internationally through Tolino.  Digital ARCs (Advance Reader Copy) are available upon request for interview and review purposes.

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

Keep the fist raised,

Kevin Alberto Sabio

Author/Activist

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.

Literary Updates

The story so far.....

So, "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017) has been out for about five months now via eBook, and paperback.  Haven't really seen any decent sales as of yet, but a whole like of 'likes' on social media.  People obviously don't get the hint that they need to PURCHASE an actual copy of the book in order to actually SUPPORT me and my writing career.  None of my other titles have moved much either, though I have to admit that I haven't been actively promoting my work like I usually do as of late b/c of my lack of internet access.  I didn't go hardcore on promoting my works for Latino Heritage Month this year, not that that has ever made a difference.  It just makes the struggle harder, and makes me question those that call themselves my friends and supporters.

I've completed one of my more recent manuscripts, and have been going through the editing process as of late.  It's an Afro Latino love story called "Fiesta Girl", yet another one of my conversion projects (Demure Nights and Seductra were also originally screenplays that I've converted into novels).  I'm trying to expand it, as I personally feel that the page and word count are quite low for a novel.  If I can't expand it beyond the current word/page count, I might just choose to release it solely as a eBook.  I'm quite skeptical to do that, honestly; one of my other projects is available exclusively as an eBook [Spittin' Lyrics N Waxin' Poetic (Draft2Digital, 2015)], and the sales for THAT particular project are dismal, and not very promising.  I'll let you know what I plan to do when I'm finished editing that project.  Fiesta Girl is a personal favorite of mine, and I'm in no rush to release it before it's ready, and I'm completely happy with the story.  I'm working on the cover design for it as I write this....

I'm hoping to end the year on a positive note.  I'm considering doing a Kwanzaa event, or two, and hoping to focus my energies on 2018.  I'm not really planning on publishing anything in 2018; just promoting my remaining works, and getting my name out there.   It would help if I had SOME sort of residual income additionally coming in.  Other than that, it's all about promotion and exposure in 2018.

Not really planning on releasing anything in the coming year.  I MIGHT release "Fiesta Girl"....IF I'm satisfied with the story.  I'm still working on completing one of the sequels to "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015), hopefully by 2018.  Don't know if I'll release it, or not, when it's finally finished....

Other than that, I'm just hoping to gain some REAL support, and gain some readers; hopefully I can make an impact locally here in Delaware.  I've gotten to know some people out here that are interested in my work, which is the whole reason why I moved out here in the first place.  Start small and locally, and then go from there.

Wish me luck!!!   :-D

Seductra: Web of Desire [PAPERBACK VERSION]

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!  :-)

They FINALLY accepted my cover files, and Seductra: Web of Desire is now published as a paperback!  It's took a while, and a lot of frustration, but the book is FINALLY available in paperback format!  Book number EIGHT is now available.

"Dasha Pagan is a talented and trained dancer, born & raised from Brooklyn NY.  Thoroughly disillusioned with the state of the commercial dance scene, and the music industry in general, she relocates down south to Cerverville City, North Carolina.

After her initial relocation, reality soon hits her, and her struggles begin.  After losing her job, and becoming desperate to make ends meet, she takes on a job dancing at a local gentelman's club , going by the name "Seductra".  It is there that she meets Marley "Scowl" Winston.

Will she get herself caught up in the dark side of the business, or will she be able to escape this life, and find true love with Marley?"

Printed through CreateSpace:
https://www.createspace.com/7143256

Grab your copy today!!!  Please help to spread the word, and continue to support!!!