July Musings.....

So, the new business cards are IN!!!  Much better looking than the ones that I got back from GotPrint.  Will be sticking with VistaPrint, again, from now on.  I tried to support those guys, but the results were less than stellar.  Presentation matters, y'all...

So apparently, I have a new distribution outlet through Draft2Digital.  They're called Bibliothetca, and they distribute eBooks to libraries.  That should REALLY help me, as a few of my titles would interest teens, and other urban readers.  They would like my novels, and hopefully my nonfiction works, as well.

Still doing revisions for "FURI of the People", my Black Fist sequel.  I've even added a few chapters to Book III, "The Diaspora United".  I'm ironing out the concept for Book IV, and should also be starting on that project pretty soon, as well.  This will be the first book series that I've actually written.  When I initially started my writing career, focusing mainly on screenwriting, I never intended to turn any of my film projects in to a film series; maaaaybe one, or two action film ideas that I had.  At the time, I didn't feel that any sequels were necessary, and that they were being done primarily as a money maker; basically, milking that project for what it's worth.  I wanted to write quality project, that had longevity; instant/modern/cult classics, if you will.  As a novelist, on the other hand, it's a great character and storyline, and I definitely want to be able to expand on it.

Now that I have the business cards, I need to work on making some appearances, at least locally.  Once my work schedule straightens itself out, I'll be able to better plan some appearances, and events.  I was hoping to make it back to NYC for an even that a brother that I know throws; The Pre-Harlem Book Fair Meet-&-Greet.  Because of my constantly changing wack work schedule, I won't be able to go....not to mention, I don't have any PTO time on the books to request off; courtesy of my bitch ass former boss (GOOD RIDDANCE, MU'FUCKA!!!!).  Hopefully, one of these other jobs that I've been applying to will hire me, and I can actually have a consistent work schedule.

Speaking of the job...there's a new girl working there.  She's cute!  From back home.  I like her.  Kinda young...but, I like her!  Might be a new friend.  I'll let you know how it works out...  ;-)

That's about it for me.  Still trying to work on that video that I promised.  Hit y'all later!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz. 

Sequel COMPLETED!!!!

SO I have some great news.....THE SEQUEL IS COMPLETE!!!!  :-D

Just finished writing Book II to The Black Fist saga!  I'm totally ecstatic about that!!!  The first draft to "F.U.R.I. of the People" is finally completed, and I can now move on to the future drafts.  I still have no idea when I'm going to publish it, but I'm just glad to have that one in the books, as they say.  I've already designed the front cover for it, and just need to clean up the story, until I feel that it's just right.  I've added more characters this time around, on both sides of the battle.  I'm still using a lot of symbolism and metaphor in the story, just not as much as in the first book.  I can't wait to get it perfect, for when I finally decide to publish it.  I'm already working on Book III, and already have a working concept for Book IV.  I'll give you the details later on that of the book series....

Finally reordered my business cards, today.  They should arrive by the beginning of next week.  I went back to VistaPrint to print up my business cards.  They ended up costing me around the same amount of money as with GotPrint, but I'm expecting a much better quality of product with VistaPrint.  They haven't let me down before, so I'm expecting the same quality of work, if not better.  Shoulda never went with the new guys; I knew what I had with VP.  Oh well, live and learn...

Other than writing the new Black Fist series, I'm considering my options as far as my other literary projects are concerned.  I still have a few projects that I want to complete, and others that I'm contemplating writing.  Ah....the mind and life of a writer...

So, for all of the fathers out there...Happy (belated) Fathers Day!!!  Hope that you all feel appreciated, and I give you much respect.  I haven't joined the ranks of fatherhood yet, but I seriously want to join the club.  I very much want children...just not no crazy chick coming with them, lol, lol...

For all my Boricua gente out there, specifically in Nueva York...DICE WEEEEEEEEEEEPPPAAAAAA!!!  I know that the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade recently passed, and wanted to give my shout outs to my Boricua peoples out there.

Que bonita bandeeeeeera....
Que bonita bandeeeeeeera...
Que bonita bandera...la bandera puertorriquena!!!

Working on doing a video blog (vlog) to talk about my books.  I need SOME way to generate interest in my books, and boost sales.  I'll let you know when I actually shoot it, and post it online.

Later peoples!  Uhuru sase, y paz!!!

Latest June Updates......

SO.......

My new business cards FINALLY arrived, after like...a two 1/2 week wait.  NOT happy with the final product.  That'll teach me to go with a company on the cheap.  Stay away from GotPrint.  My cards look like trash.  I could've done better on my own, if I had access to my old printer.  I knew that I should've stuck with VistaPrint.  Oh, I WILL be going back to them.  Glad that I never cancelled my account with them...

My sequel to The Black Fist is almost complete.  Like I said last time, I have about another chapter, or two, before the first drafty is complete.  I don't have any real plans to publish that particular story any time soon.  Besides, I'm planning a SECOND sequel to the series.  I've already started writing that next sequel, which was actually initially part of the first sequel.  The upcoming sequel (book 2) will be titled "F.U.RI. of the People", while the next sequel (book 3) will be titled "The Diaspora United".  I'm expanding the character base on both sides, including more heroes to fight along side The Black Fist, as well as new villains to fight against.  I can't wait to finish writing the series.  I've already got ideas swimming around my head for a fourth book.  ;-)

The day job is in flux.  My boss finally left [YAY!!!!!], and we have a new boss.  Don't really care for him off the bat, but that could change.  As it is, I'm still looking for a new gig.  Been at this one for about a year already, and I'm done with it.  Why continue to bust my behind for people who don't appreciate my hard work?  F**k that!  I need a better (and more consistent) work schedule, anyway.  If I want to get back onto the festival/convention/book fair circuit, I need a decent schedule to be able to plan around.

Not much else is going on.  I don't have any plans as of yet to do any events, or set up any reading & book signings.  I need my work schedule to straighten out first, as well as being able to bring in more income to pay for everything.  Working independently ain't cheap, ya know.  Especially since book sales have been abysmal, it makes me wonder why I bother, sometimes.  I love writing, but obviously, niggaz don't respect what I do as a career.  I either need a new strategy, or need to throw in the towel...

Hopefully, I can get that issues with my business cards straightened out, and be able to move on.  That's an important first step.  Once I have my business card, I can easily move forward.  I can (hopefully) organize local appearances, and then move forward from there.

Wish me luck.  Uhuru sase, y paz.  

So it's now June....

We have now entered the month of June...

It's the beginning of summer, and the weather is warming up.  People are ready to head to the beaches for some summer fun.  All of the literary and cultural festivals are about to kick into high gear...

So, what's up with me...?

I finally got around to ordering some new business cards.  I hope that they'll arrive soon.  That just brings me one step further to where I want to get to in my literary career.  At least I've recently gotten that out of the way...

I'm still missing our old Restaurant Manager.  I miss her presence, and she was a FOINE woman to look at, as well  ;-).  I guess I'm going through some form of withdrawal, considering the huge ass crush that I have on her, lol, lol, lol....

At least my own manager is leaving.  Good riddance!!

Nah, nah, naaah, naaaaahhh....
Nah, nah, naaah, naaaaahhh....
Heeeeey, heeeeey heeeeeeey...
GOOOOOOD-BYYYYYYE!!!!

Did y'all really expect me to say something nice, and good about him?  Y'all don't know me very well, if you actually did.  Either that, or y'all are stuck on some old religious bs that you KNOW that I don't subscribe to!  Fuck outta heeeeerrrreeeeee....

On a more positive note.....I'm almost done writing the first draft to the Black Fist sequel.  I've got maybe a chapter, or two to go until it's finished.  Once the first draft is done, I'll look into doing  the revisions, and getting the story to where I finally want it to be.  I've actually already designed the cover for it, though it's not that different from the original cover to "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015).   It's pretty much the same cover...

ALSO....."Demure Nights" (CreateSpace, 2015) will be celebrating it's 3-year publishing anniversary in June!  I still say that it's a slept-on story.  From the few people that have actually read it, I've gotten plenty of positive feedback for it.  I'll be sending out the usual e-blasts to promote it to my circle of media contacts, and others, though ti don't know why I bother sometimes...

So, this is to stepping off on the right foot for June.  I hope that this month is more positive, and progressive for me.  Looking forward to any positive vibes that come my way.

Uhura sase, y paz.

Updates, Plans, & Projects

So, things are looking up a little bit.  I've gotten my writing mojo back a little bit.  I've actually been working one of the sequels to my novel "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015).  It's going pretty well, and I should be done writing that first draft by the middle of summer at the latest, if the inspiration keeps hitting me the way that it has been.  I'm actually pretty happy about that.  I've been in a bit of a funk ever since I published "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018), and the sales for it have been dismal, to say the least.  I'm continuing to promote it to my contacts, but nothing seems to be working.  That's basically been affecting my writing ever since.  The story line for the new Black Fist book, however, has inspired me to continue on writing.  I finally found the angle that I needed, and have been able to continue on with the story. Don't know when I plan to publish that particular book, but I'm enjoying the process of writing it.

On a sadder note, one of my coworkers is leaving the day job.  It really hurts, considering the fact that I have a HUGE crush on this coworker.  I understand why she'd leaving though, and wish her the best of luck.  I'm looking forward to seeing her on her last day of work, and giving her a going-way present that I got for her.  I hope that she really enjoys it, and knows that I'll miss her very much.  Then again, maybe now I can actually ask her out, without the fear of getting fired, lol, lol, lol (she's a manager, after all).  Why the hell not...?  She's FOINE as all get out.  The least that I can do is ask.  ;-)

My hours are picking up, ever so slightly, but I'm still looking for another day job.  Fuck this place; they don't know how to treat their employees.  And now that my favorite coworker isn't going to be there anymore...?  Eff that!!!  I have no reason to stay.  If I can't earn enough money to get my own place, I can at least invest in my writing career by investing in new business cards, at least.  Maybe afterwards, I can concentrate on doing a local festival/book fair/convention, or two.  Since I always create the Schedule of Events (SoE) list for my group the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement, I have access to the different events that I can (possibly) go to to promote my book(s).  I also have good friends here locally in DE that would be willing to help me do a showcase of my books, or something.  I'm keeping my options open....

Right now, the main book project is the sequel to the Black Fist series.  I'm also working on a third book for the series, and have ideas for how I want to do a fourth book; story direction, new characters, etc.  Once it gets the proper support that I feel it deserves, I know that it'll take off.

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

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. 

Improving......

So, I'm feeling a little bit better...

I'm just getting over a cold.  I'm still a little salty as far as my sales are concerned.  It seems that there's only so much that you can do, to TRY to get people to be interested in, and support your work.  But, I AM getting some ideas to work on one of my other writing projects.  Gonna try to finish one of my rough drafts that I haven't completed yet.

So, next week is May.  Seductra: Web of Desire (CreateSpace, 2017) will be celebrating its one-year publishing anniversary, starting next Tuesday (May 1st).  I'll probably send out my usual e-blast about my latest publishing anniversary.  Don't know exactly how effective it will be, considering that no one seems to gaf...

But....I digress....

The current day job still sucks ass.  My boss is a jackass.  And....I don't care if his pussy ass sees/reads this.  I'm done with him.  Mofo don't know how to treat his workers, so why the fuck I'm gonna try and be nice for his selfish, uncaring ass?  The hell Imma bust my ass for you, and you don't even appreciate it?  Been looking for a new day job, but some of these employers out here don't have much sense.  When I didn't have a phone, and needed to get in contact with these people,  I would tell them to email me; but they had a problem with emailing me back.  NOW that I have a gd phone, and I'm looking for other work, these cats only wanna email my ass....and I don't regularly check my email.  I can't win, smdh...  

Well, at least I'm getting job offers.  Fuck this current day job.  If I'm not gonna be treated like a person, and shown some appreciation and respect, fuck am I gonna stay there for?  Let his pussy ass read this, like he did last time, and snitch on me to HR.  It'll give me the reason I need to punch him in the nose, and walk off the job.  Fucking bitch ass....

But....I digress....

The weather is changing, and hopefully, so will my fortunes.  I still don't regret moving out here.  I needed some new energy to surround and immerse myself with.  I'm actually making a bit of headway out here, so fuck it.  It was worth it.  Other stupid niggas wanna stay stuck where they're at.  That ain't me.  I ALWAYS  move forward....with, or without you in my corner.  I'm not where I want to be yet, but at least I'm getting there....

Uhuru sase, y paz.