When It's Time To Say Goodbye....

So, I had to go out of town this weekend to attend a homegoing for a dear brother and comrade of mine...

I was stunned and hurt when I found out that he'd joined the ancestors.  I literally had just talked to him, not too long before he had passed.  We had exchanged text messages, and then we both had gotten busy with life.  I didn't find out until a month ago of his passing.  It was a deep shock to me, as the brother was not a sickly person; quite the opposite.  He is/was vegan, a holistic health practitioner, a wellness life coach, vegan chef, certified Reiki massage therapist, as well as being an artivist (artist +  activist).

I returned to Richmond, VA this past weekend; 8 years since I'd originally moved out, after having relocated there the end of '06.  The service was held for him, mostly attended by family, and a few friends and comrades.  I had my emotional moments, but I was glad to have attended, and had the opportunity to say goodbye.  It was also good, as I was able to reconnect with another dear brother/comrade, since our brotherhood has mostly been phone-bound since my relocation....several times over (with my nomadic ass).

I became very reflective afterward.  The ride home on the bus (FUCK GREYHOUND!!!!) gave me a lot of time to think.  I was glad to be able to say goodbye to my dearly departed brother, now that he has joined the ancestors.  At the same time, there were things that troubled me after his transition.  Part of it, is the lack of info as far as his passing is concerned.  I would be able to swallow this better, if he had been a sickly individual, or addicted to drugs, or even if he had died violently at the hands of some knucklehead on the streets.  None of the above applies, so it's a little harder for me to accept.  He was extremely healthy, and health conscious, and knew how to take care of himself.  I guess, that's just one mystery I'll have to live with, until I see him in the other realm...

The other thing that got to me was....how will I be remembered when I'm gone?  There were certain things about the service that left much to be desired, knowing what I personally knew about my now-departed bredren.  How will MY memory and legacy be preserved, and honored when I pass from this realm? Will all of my friends and associates be contacted about my passing, and if/when the funerary rites will be held?  Will my sendoff be to my wishes, and not get convoluted into something that I wouldn't wish for..?  Even if I do leave my funerary wishes written down, will they be honored, and carried out?  How will anyone find my written wishes?  As an independent artivist myself, I have no legal team, or lawyer to help with this; I can barely afford my general basic living expenses....

It also makes me think about the things that I still want to accomplish in life.  I still want to get married, and have children.  I'm still young enough to make that happen.  That actually is a major goal for me right now, despite the current writing career.  Other than the legacy of the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement still continuing on after my own transition,  I would need to find a dedicated team to put in place to carry that out.  It kind of saddens you a bit....  :'-(

Dedicated to my brother Etaniel Ben Yehuda.....artivist, poet, actor, musician, singer, GREAT bredren/brother/friend/comrade, published author, and SO, SO much more.

Uhuru sasa, y paz.

Etaniel Ben Cohen Yehuda

1977-2018

 

October Flow....

Okay.....I've been away from the blog for a while...

It's OCTOBER....my birthday month.  Just turned 44.  Yay, me!  :-)  Got to see another year of life, so THAT'S always good...

It's the second half of Latino Heritage Month  (just officially ended this past Monday).  Been on my grind trying to promote both "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018) AND the "Raise Your Brown Black Fist" book series (Authorhouse, 2010, Outskirts Press, 2011) via e-blasts.  Don't really know how effective I've been with it, but, that's how I do every year, this time of year.

A new day job is on the horizon.  Just got to go through a few more steps, and I should be starting by next week.  I'm glad; getting kinda low on cash, though I will definitely miss the free time.  Haven't had an official vacation since moving out here to DE, so this time off was very helpful.  Especially with how they were shitting on my at my last gig, I needed the break....

Continuing to work on my latest literary project.  I finally got around to converting one of my screenplays into a novel.  The latest project is called "Suicide Amy".  The first draft is already complete; now, I just have to concentrate on the editing process.  I'm hoping to have it completed by 2020.  I want to give myself more than enough time to get it to where I want it to be, literarily speaking.  I have a literary standard to keep, ya know....  ;-)

Have an idea rolling around in my head.  Want to do a web based TV show; an interview type of show.  Kinda got inspired watching "Uncensored" on TVOne; wanted to do something similar for writers, comic book artists/publishers, etc.  Haven't come up with a name for it yet (actually...I do have a name for it; I just don't want to say it here, and have someone jack the idea before I can do it), but the premise is basically to highlight those of us that are struggling for exposure.  We're out here, but we're not getting the recognition, or the support.  Just wanted to create a platform for us to get our shine, and some exposure.  Wanted to combine it with my Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement, since all of us are out here trying to get exposure, and (financial) support from the masses.  Maybe do it as a web series, or a vlog, or even as a cable access show.  I'm still working on it.  I'll let you guys know how that turns out....

Since the end of the year is coming, I need to concentrate on end-of-year holiday sales.  That has always been a tough sell for me.  People will spend loads of money buying a bunch of expensive shit, but NOBODY will buy any of my books, no matter how much I e-blast/cyber promote their availability.  Other than vending at a Kwanzaa event, or two...I don't know htf to get over this hurdle every year.  My online sales are a joke, so I guess hand-to-hand sales are my best option, as I'm always stating.  Of course, having the free time to actually do those types of sales, is the major hurdle.

Aaaaaaannyway......

That's it for me this time around.  Will keep y'all updated on my latest efforts.  Try to support a brotha.  It's not just paperbacks...I have eBooks too.  And, YES...they're on Kindle!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!!

September Updates So Far....

What's good, peoples?  How you feeling, mi gente?

So far...I FINALLY attended a Latino festival out here.  It was a 3-day event, but I only ended up attending one day.  It was rainy for most of that weekend, so I ended up missing the last 2 days, where they had musical performances, and a parade.  The one day that I attended wasn't too bad.  and no, I'm NOT going to try to compare their festival to anything in NYC.  I'm hoping to return next year, hopefully as a vendor this time to sell some of my book titles.  I'll let you know, next year...

The day job situation is up in the air.  All of a sudden, these people are now being uncommunicative.  All a brother wants is some answers.  I was supposed to have started last week Wednesday, but never got the call for what time I was supposed to come in, like they told me they would. I'm just chalking it up as a loss, and still continuing to job hunt.  Fuck it, I can't afford to sit still.  I've got debts to pay, and other shit that I wanna do that takes funds....

GREAT news from my eBook publisher!!!  They've made a deal with WalMart to distribute eBooks listed on the Kobo platform.  And...since ALL of my books are listed on Kobo, ALL of my eBooks are now available at WalMart!!!  YAAAAAAY!!!!  Now, nuccas have NO excuse as to why they can't support my work.  The shit is available at WalMart, now.  I hope that this helps to increase my sales.  The Creator knows that I could use an economic boost....

Been feeling a little down, as of late.  Been having some personal stuff happen.  Someone who I consider a dear friend is going through some tough times right now, and I feel quite powerless to help.  Since I'm not in that great a situation myself, there is not much that I can do to help.  It's another reason why this job thing is working my nerves; I'm not where I want to be financially, where as I could help out this friend, not to mention, finally get myself to where I want to be.  I'm sick of renting a room; I want my own flipping place!  I hate when I feel blocked, and stuck....stagnation is a killer.  I not moving forward, nor back.  Hopefully, I can shake this feeling, and improve my situation soon...

Well, that's about it for now.  Been doing the whole e-blast, email promotion for Latino Heritage Month.  Will be continuing to do it through the end of October.  After that, I have no idea.  I'm still planning on publishing my Black Fist sequel "F.U.R.I. of the People", but I just haven't set a date yet.  I'm also considering another conversion project of one of my other screenplays, but who knows.  My head's not really in the game right now....

Anywhoo....later peoples!  Uhuru sase, y paz!         

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

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.  

Novel Reading, and Author Q&A!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!!  :-)

I have teamed up with a local organization called The People's Voice Mid-Atlantic, and am organizing a reading of my latest novel "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2Digital, 2018)!!!

Come one, come all!!!  The reading & Q&A will be held on Saturday, August 18th, from 2pm to 6pm.  The location is at Umoja House, 751 S. Maryland Avenue (corner of S. Maryland Ave & Oak Street) Wilmington, DE 19805.  The event is FREE, and open to the public.  If you're in Wilmington DE, please come through!!

I'm pretty excited.  This is my first literary event since moving here to Delaware almost a year and a half ago.  I'm finally getting the chance to gain some exposure, and build up a local fan base.

If you're in town by then, PLEASE come through!!  Help to spread the word!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz!

Latest Release, & Publishing Anniversary: AUGUST 2018

Jambo, mi gente!!!  Celebrating Black August!!!

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Wilmington, DE--  As we enter into August 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, Mr. Sabio celebrates the three year publishing anniversary of his eBook of poetry "Spittin' Lyrics N Waxin' Poetic" (Draft2Digital, 2015), a collection of the author's poetry, rhyme verses, and rap songs speaking on love, street life, and revolution.

Spittin' Lyrics N Waxin' Poetic and Fiesta Girl are BOTH available in eBook format only, and are available 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

www.brownblackfistchronicles.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorKevinSabio

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!!