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 

June News/My Revolutionary Rant....

So, it is now the month of JUNE!!!  The year is now half over!  :-O

First off...I have to acknowledge the 5-year-publishing anniversary of my novel "Demure Nights" (CreateSpace, 2015). 

Dropped this project FIVE years ago.  My...how time flies :-O.  This novel was actually an experiment; I wanted to see if I could write something other than something that was politically tinged.  Wanted to see if I had the skills to write something that would've been deemed out of character for me.  Of course, people seem to not know that I have a dirty mind, lol, lol, lol....

Secondly.....I dropped episode TWELVE of "The Rough Draft"!  We're hitting the double digits, y'all!!  If you're on YouTube, PLEASE check out the videos, and drop a comment!  A writer/creator loves nothing more than to hear feedback on their work.  You can check out the link for it here:

Episode 12:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfsX1uWWFfY&t=37s

In Episode 12, I profile my THIRD book "In My Lifetime: Funny Stories of Life Experiences" (Outskirts Press, 2014), and what lead me to write it.....

Okay...now that that shit is out of the way...

I'm about to get political on your asses.  Haven't really done that here for a LOOOONG while, but because of recent events, I felt the need to get back to my political speak....

The weekend of May 30th & 31st was hectic.  After the killing of a brother in Minnesota named #GeorgeFloyd, the streets erupted in protest and anger; deservedly so.  The killing of yet ANOTHER Black body by the police/powers-that-be, caught on camera (again) at that.  Since I live in Delaware, I saw the affects of that in nearby Philadelphia.  We had protests here in Delaware, as well, but let me get to my point.  People came out and protested and were rightfully MAD.  As the day wore on, it went from protest, to rebellion.

I agree with rebellion.  Fuck all this peaceful shit.  We've been doing peaceful shit for SIXTY years, now.  We gain some concessions, and then they take them back through laws and other political trickery.

What I DON'T agree with....is the aftermath.  You originally rebelled in THEIR financial districts.  Good...that was smart of you; disrupt their capacity to financially gain from your oppression, or fund their oppression of you..  Then...you took that shit back to YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS, and looted.

NOT smart!!!!  :-(

I was glad to see what was done in Center City; fuck 'em all.  Then...y'all did some nigga ass shit, and went back to West and North Philly, and ransacked your own 'hoods.

WHYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!??!

That defeated the whole purpose of what you were rebelling for.  It's bad enough that Black businesses don't get supported by the greater Black community as it is; then you went back to your own neighborhoods, and tore shit up?!  Don't start out doing a revolutionary act, and then do some nigga ass shit afterwards!  STOP listening to YouTube niggas, and READ some REAL revolutionary, conscious history and political thought!  Learn about the BPP-SD, Deacons For Defense, Umknoto We Sizwe, or read some Frantz Fanon, Amilcar Cabral, Amos Wilson, or Robert F. Williams!!  LEARN what you need to know about how to actually be real revolutionaries, and activists!  Keep the rebellion FOCUSED!!!

Anyway........

Keeping my nose to the grindstone.  Trying to continue to pump out episodes of "The Rough Draft", and promote the dual releases.  Hoping to catch on, and gain a following, so that I can make my writing career my full-time gig.  Check out the videos, purchase/download the books, continue to support me.

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

Going Through The Motions....

SO......

The first full week of May is almost done. This weekend is Mother's Day weekend.  Nooooot really looking forward to it, since my mom past in 2019.  It gets kinda tough to deal with that holiday, whenever it comes around.  My worst days are generally New Years (when she passed), Mother's Day, and on her birthday.  I tend to be a little cranky throughout the day, but I'm usually able to play it off.  I just get pretty quiet, and keep to myself.  That's just me, and how I'm dealing with my grief, for now.  I'll probably find a more constructive way to deal with it in the near future, but for right now, my moodiness will have to do...

Check it out!!!  I've posted the latest episode of "The Rough Draft"!!!  The vlog is now in the double digits!!!  I've posted episodes 10 & 11 on YouTube, so if you have an account, go there and check out the videos.  Don't forget to comment!!!

Episode #10:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee-00p5e_OI


Episode #11:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h29g5r85Tqk&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy the episodes!!!  'Like' the episodes, and don't forget to leave a comment!!  Feedback is always welcome!!  :-)

Still trying to increase sales for my books. Yeah...verbal pats on the back are nice, and people will post positive rhetoric on social media congratulating me on my success...but, I need some damn sales, and reviews!!!  Really, people....cut the shit!!  You're stuck indoors, for crying out loud!!!  I can't even count on you people to download my novels during a pandemic?!?!?!

Aaaaaaanyway.....

I'm considering my options, as to what to do next.  I've got a few ideas marinating in the old noggin.  I'm working on trying to complete the rest of the books in my The Black Fist book series.  I just need to finish the first draft of Book #3, and start writing more chapters in Book #4.  I'm also considering a few sequel ideas, among other projects that I'm writing.  Ahhhhh....a writer's job is never done.

Hope that you enjoyed this little slice of my life.  With this pandemic going on, I'm trying to be a bit more consistent with posting content here.  Can't make you guys any promises, though.  Until next time....

Uhuru sase, y paz.

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