December Is Finally Here!!! :-O

 We have reached the month of DECEMBER!!!  The years is almost over, and it is hard to gauge if that's a good thing, or not.  a lot has happened over the last 11 months, and it's quite hard to digest it all.  As of this posting, 275,000 people have died from the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States.  a new president has been elected, and millions of people are out of work.

There is ONE MORE MONTH to go before the release of "Knuckle Up" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021).  Lock in the date of January 22, 2021 for the novel's release!  It's posted as a Facebook Event, as well as being sent out to the people on my Author Mailing List.  Mark your calendars!!  :-)

The #HolidayEconomicSupportInitiative is still going.  We are now heading into the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  PLEASE help to support independent Black-owned businesses, Black/Latino entrepreneurs, and Black/Brown indie artists!!!  Use the hashtag to promote a business, entrepreneur, or artists that you know!!!

I usually go into a 'cleanse' at the start of the Winter Solstice, lasting until the New Year.  I generally shave my face and head, going into the new year with new energy.  With the shaving, I shed the old, negative energies of the past year, and go into the new year with 'cleansed', untainted energy.  I will be bald, and fresh faced in 2021.  :-)

Still considering my repatriation plans.  I FINALLY got back into contact with my little lady-friend.  Hopefully, I can convince her to move with me.  I'm now targeting the end of 2021 to repatriate.  She's also go some issues to straighten out, and if I am able to convince her to come, we need o tackle those first, before we finally leave.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

That's all for right now.  Hope that you are all staying safe.  If you guys don't hear from me, please enjoy the holidays, and looking forward to you supporting my latest literary release.

 

Keep the fist raised.

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Holiday Economic Support Initiative/HESI

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!  For those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope that you had a great holiday, and were able to enjoy your families and loved ones in this crazy time of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hope that you were able to enjoy a hearty meal with family, and have ease of mind, at least for one day during this trying year...

 

As Thanksgiving comes to a close, I would like to encourage everyone to participate in the Holiday Economic support Initiative/HESI.  I came up with this initiative back in 2016, as a way to help combat against the racial violence that was affecting and inflicting our communities by the powers that be through gentrification, and through physical violence through murders committed by the police, and vigilantes.  It is a financial call to arms to financially support our businesses, our entrepreneurs, and our creative artists (visual, musical, literary, etc.).  The initiative generally lasts from Thanksgiving/Black Friday through to New Years Day.

 

PLEASE help to participate in this initiative by supporting our indie artists, black-owned businesses, and our entrepreneurs.  If WE don't support our own people in these business and artistic endeavors, who will?  We are not taken seriously in this society, as is evidently proven just about every day, and was visible to all for the last four years, and MANY many more years, before then.  To support and participate in this movement, please use the hashtags #HolidayEconomicSupportInitiative, or #HESI for any business, entrepreneur, or indie artist that you support.  Include their Facebook page, Twitter or InstaGram handle, or a picture of their business, or product with the hashtag.  We need to help and promote our businesses and entrepreneurs in order for them to be able to survive, and remain solvent.  I also speak a bit about the initiative in my latest video of "The Rough Draft" posted to YouTube; Episode 27 to be exact.

 

Please participate, support, and help to spread the word!

 

Keep the fist raised.

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

 

    

***NEW*** 2021 Book Release!!! :-D

 MARK....YOUR....CALENDARS!!!!

 

 

I've finalized my plans for my NEXT BOOK RELEASE!!!  I will be publishing my novel "Knuckle Up" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021) next year in 2021.  The date for the book release will be January 22, 2021!!!  This will be my THIRTEENTH book, and EIGHTH novel!!!  Yaaaay!!!

 

 

Set in 2005, the novel follows the boxing career of Mandinga "The Manhandler" Mason, a fighter from the streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn.  As she transitions from the amateur ranks into the pros, you see the trials and tribulations that she goes through in her career.  Will she be able to go on to have a successful fight career, or will she allow her inner demons to derail her boxing career?  What secrets is her new trainer, Yusef Johns, hiding?  What derailed his boxing career, to lead him into training?

January 22, 2021!!!  Mark your calendars!!!  There is already a Facebook Event posted online!!!

Keep the fist raised!!!

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind
 

November News....

 We have entered into the month of November.  The numbers of deaths from the coronavirus has reached 230,000+ people.  Also, the presidential election has just passed, as as of this post, they are still counting the votes.  The last time I checked, the Democratic candidate, former V.P. Joe Biden was ahead in the electoral college vote 263 to 214 against (so-called) President Donald Trump.  My nephew Enrique's birthday is this coming Monday, November 9th, and my childhood best friend from junior high school Alexander also has his birthday this weekend; Sunday November 8th, to be exact.

Yep...we're living in interesting times.  At least the year is almost over.  2020 has been a whopper of a year.  A lot of death, and a lot of other losses.

My web series "The Rough Draft" is going well.  I just posted Episode 26 on YouTube.  Wish that I could get a few more views and a lot more feedback for my online work.  Comments help, people!!!  A few purchases wouldn't hurt, either.  The books are available in both paperback AND eBook formats, so you have NO excuse for not supporting the writing career.  You'd think that, after doing this shit consistently for TEN years, people would actually start to take me seriously, by now....

Speaking of books...NEW PUBLISHING RELEASE!!!  :-D

I finished writing "Knuckle Up" (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2021).  The cover art is finished, the backcover synopsis is done, and the project is ready for publication.  I've finally chosen a release date for the book.  Be on the lookout for the book to drop on January 22, 2021!!!

That's all for now.  Looking forward to keeping you guys in the loop.  Catch you in the next post!

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

Birthday Stylee

So, my birthday was last week.  It was on the 8th, to be exact.  I am now officially 46 years old.  Didn't really do much for my birthday, considering how COVID-19 has shut down most businesses.  I didn't really want to go to any of the open restaurants, and I'm still a little leery about going into enclosed spaces.  It wasn't a total loss; I actually had some friends surprise me last weekend, and get me a cake, and some chips.  An elder sister and I had birthdays last week, so as to celebrate both of our birthdays, they equally got us the cake and chips.  I was really humbled by that, and truly appreciated my friends for it.  I don't really have too many people out here in Delaware that I associate with, so this act of kindness really meant a lot to me.  

So, Latino Heritage Month has officially ended, as of yesterday.  The month is celebrated from September 15th-October 15th, so yesterday was the 'official' last day for it.  I've been running a series to celebrate the month on YouTube, through my web series "The Rough Draft".  I called it my #CelebratingLatinoHeritageMonth series, and just posted the final video for it, today.  The series is 6 episodes long, and features my Latino lead characters in my novels, and my Latino-themed books.  I hope that you guys will check out the videos, and hopefully be inspired to buy the books.  ALWAYS remember to celebrate your heritage, and celebrate your culture.  Viva mi gente Latino!!!  Soy negro, y orgullo!!!

 

I'm still working on my repatriation plans.  As I've stated before, my top choices are to repatriate to either Gambia in the west of Africa, or to Tanzania in the east.  Just trying to get the passport taken care of, as well as figure out what I need to transport over there.  I've been following some Youtubers who have repatriated to the continent, and hope to connect with them, before my move next year.  My secondary choices are Senegal in the west, and Uganda in the east.  I'm still open to other countries, I just wanna gtfo of the US.  I've had enough.  I 'm also trying to figure what type of business that I'd like to open over there.  I'm still considering the bookstore & cafe idea, but I'm also considering a gym/fitness center, as well.  Other than building my writing career on the continent, I'd like to have something to pass on to my future children...when I finally find a wife to have children with. 

My next book is DONE!!!  I will be releasing a new novel in 2021.  Knuckle Up is another conversion project of mine, and I'm really looking forward to releasing it.  I have an idea for a release date, and I'll be letting you guys know when within the next month.  Stay tuned!!!

That is all for now.  I'll be contacting you guys, soon enough with the release date details.

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

The OCTOBER Edition-Latino Heritage Month

 We have now entered into the month of October.  October is the SECOND half of Latino Heritage Month.  It is also the start of the fall season;  of course, the Autumnal Equinox was in September, buuut you get my drift.  October also happens to be my birthday month...the 8th, to be exact.  I'll be turning 46 years old.  Yay, me.

 

I'm continuing with my celebration for Latino Heritage Month.  I've been doing my series on "The Rough Draft" on YouTube to celebrate it; my #CelebratingLatinoHeritageMonth video series, profiling my Latino lead characters, and Latino-themed books.  Been doing what I can to promote the videos, but you know how that goes...

 

Speaking of "The Rough Draft"...we're now in out twenties!!!  I've just posted Episode 21, today!!  I've been producing and posting the videos on YouTube at a good clip.  I've gotten at least 2 new subscriptions, so far.  My views are still nonexistent, but that's par for the course whenever it comes to anything that I do.  Niggas don't support me for shit.  I can't even remember the last time I sold a book online.  But, I digress...

 

Don't really have any plans to celebrate my upcoming birthday (Oct 8th).  It seems the old I get, the less that I want to be bothered.  I dunno...maybe is I had a girlfriend or wife, it might matter a little more; hell maybe even kids.  Every year, my birthday just gets hollower, and hollower.  :-(

 

Still working on the next book release for next year.  The cover is now DONE!!!  I've gotten my decision down to two different covers.  I just need to come up with a publishing date, and a back cover synopsis.  Yay!!!  Look out for the publication of Knuckle Up (2021)!!!

 

Still working on my plans to repatriate to Africa.  Either Gambia, Tanzania, or Uganda.  I actually do have a comrade that now lives in Ghana; that's an option, as well.  I met him while living in Richmond, VA.  Most of the people that I was associated with back then have moved on to better things, since then.  It almost feels like a lifetime ago.  At the same time, this year makes it ten years since I first moved to Baltimore, MD.  Maybe my ass just needs to learn to stay in one place, lol, lol, lol.  ;-)    

Well, that's all for now.  I'll hit you guys up, and keep you updated on my future plans, and episodes.

Keep the fist raised.

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind

Latino Heritage Month 2020

 We have now officially entered into Latino Heritage Month.  The celebration of culture lasts from September 15th to October 15th, as this timeline represents the various days of independence declared by countries throughout Latin America (Central & South).  This year will be different, though; because of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many outdoor festivals celebrating Latino heritage and pride have been cancelled, or have been made virtual, this year.  Other than a few programs aired on television via streaming services, or through PBS outlets, Latino Heritage Month has been a quiet affair this year, so far.

 

As always, you know that I must include my own participation in the festivities.  You know that I have to represent for my fellow Afro Latino people.  We are currently (ALWAYS, actually) and continuously underrepresented, or outright misrepresented.  My fellow activists are also doing there part, always helping to spread info about us, and represent our interests.  We are here...we exist.  As I always say...keep the fist raised.

I will be doing my part as well.  I will be doing a special #CelebratingLatinoHeritageMonth edition of "The Rough Draft".  I will be profiling all of my book titles with Latino themes, and Latino/Afro Latino lead characters.  If you are subscribed to my channel on YouTube, the videos will be posted there, starting from Episode 18.  You will be able to enjoy my in-depth profiles of my literary works, the lead characters, and the concepts behind them.

 

As we enter into the last quarter of the remaining year, I will continue to focus of my future plans.  My next book to be published, Knuckle Up (2020), is in it's final stages.  The cover art has been created, and I just have to pick a date to choose when I want to publish that project.  I'm really looking forward to releasing this particular project, as it is another conversion project. I'll let you know when I finally decide on the release date, and will post it here on my blog, and also create a Facebook Event for it.  Stay tuned for that...

ALSO...I'm furthering my plans to relocate the continent by next year; to either Gambia, or Tanzania.  I'm probably going to target the summer of 2021.  Once I get my passport straight, and do all of the other necessary processes I need to do to relocate there, I'm leaving this shithole. No more worrying about getting shot down in the streets for nothing...no more dealing with racism & prejudice in the workplace, or everyday society...no more fighting for people who don't want to be fought for, and just want acquiesce to the power structure of whiteness & white supremacy.  Fuck it....I'm DONE!!!

 

Catch ya next time!!!

Viva mi gente Latino!  Viva mi gente Afro Latino!  Feliz el mes de la herencia de Los Latinos!

Keep the fist raised.

 

#AlwaysOnMyLiteraryGrind