To Acquire Copies of My Books.....

This is a question that I am consistently asked all of the time, from friends, family, and those newly exposed to my work.  Other than purchasing the books directly from me personally, whether at a self-created book signing, or an event that I just happen to be vending at, here are a number of other ways that you can gain access to my books:

PURCHASE THEM ONLINE

If you have computer access, the books can be purchased online.  You can order them directly from the publishers of my books (Authorhouse for Book #1, Outskirts Press for Book #2) by going to their respective websites, and ordering them from their own virtual bookstore.

ALSO...my books are listed on Amazon.com, and also on Barnes & Nobles website.  There are also various online bookstores that carry both titles.

PURCHASE THEM @ YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE

 At this point, the only place that physically stocks my books is a bookstore in Baltimore called Wisdom Book Center, located at 5116 Liberty Heights Avenue.  I am still working on getting more bookstores, specifically independent bookstores, to carry my books.   


You can also get your local bookstore to order copies of my book for you.  I would prefer that you go to your local Black-owned bookstore to order copies of my book, but considering the rash of Black-owned bookstores that have been closing down in the last decade plus, if you have to buy my book from a mainstream bookstore, then by all means, go ahead and do so.

You can order copies by providing the store clerk my name, and the title of my book(s), and also providing them with the ISBN number of my books:

978-1-4490-6987-2  (Book #1, softcover)
978-1-4490-6988-9 (Book #1, hardcover)
978-1-4327-8354-9 (Book #2, softcover)

ORDER THE E-BOOK VERSION

At this point, only my first book is in the ebook format.  I am working on upgrading my second book to include an ebook version.


So...these are the available options for those of you that are interested in buying a copy of my books.  I hope that this helps you as far as gaining access to copies of my works.  Please help to support your independent literary artists!!!!

Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Radio Interview

It's great to have comrades that respect you, and always try to look out for you.

I was out with my mentor, as he was invited to one of the local radio stations to help promote an annual tour that he helps to organize, and I was lucky enough to be with him at the station.  He knew the brother hosting the show (having been longtime comrades themselves), and was able to get on the air to help promote the tour that they're giving (Soul School Institute's annual Malcolm X Tour).  After he was done with his portion of the show, we gathered our belongings, and were ready to leave.

That's when he mentioned to the host, "Oh, by the way...this is Bro. Kevin.  He's a member of my organization, and a published author."

I SO love my mentor!  =)

On cue, I went right into my book bag, and whipped out a copy of both of my books.  I gave them to Bro. Ellsworth (the host), gave him a little background about my books' subject matter, and told him that I would love to be on his show sometime to talk about them.

"Really?  How about next Sunday...?"

??????????

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I was very shocked...and I also accepted the offer.  =)

Sunday, May 6, 2012
 WOLB Radio, 1010AM
Starting 2pm.

The show will also be streaming live, so if you are NOT from the Baltimore area, you can STILL catch the show.  I hope that you have good internet service.  you can catch the show on the web at www.wolbbaltimore.com.

Thank you SO much Bro. Ellsworth.  =D

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

KEEP THE FIST RAISED!!!!!! 

Raise Your Brown Black Fist....the documentary???

Surprisingly, this idea has been floating around my head as of late for a while.

It was actually something in the back of my mind to do.  I hadn't even really given it much thought.  it wasn't until I went home to New York to do my (homecoming) book signing.  One of my dear friends (SHOUT OUT TO VALERIE!!!) had attended my event, and we briefly talk about it, as far as my next move was concerned.  You see, we had volunteered together for one of the film festivals that I was a part of (African American Women In Cinema).  She was the volunteer coordinator, and I was one of their most staunchest volunteers.  We met back in '03, and we've stayed in contact ever since.

Once she mentioned turning my book into a documentary, a light bulb went off.  Hey...maybe there is something to this idea after all!  When I first conceived it, I though that it I was being a bit egotistical and arrogant; it amounted to nothing more than shameless self promotion, at least to me.  Then again, this is an issue that has been gaining a lot of momentum and recognition in recent years.  Not to mention, it's not like all of us who call ourselves Afro Latino activists are really unified in our ideology, or plans of action.  As it is, I have my own issues with some of those who claim/call themselves Afro Latino activists/advocates.

This is also something that would take me back to my video/film production roots.  There are actually more funding choices out there, and/or ways to raise those funds (Kickstarter, IndieGogo, for instance).  Plus, I have equipment of my own that I can use, and just get my hands on the additional equipment that I need to complete the project.

So I will keep you all updated on this particular idea.  I need to flesh out the treatment, and then consider my plan of action from there.  I also need to consider if I'm going to use any outside partners in this production.  There is a lot that I have to think about, and consider.

Stay tuned.....!

Cinematically Speaking.....

My first love is film and television.  That was my goal in the beginning as a writer; to write, produce, and direct my own productions.  I wanted to be like the Glen Larsons, and the Aaron Spellings, Donald Bellisarios, Stephen J. Cannells, and other super producers of the world.  Of course, I wanted to represent for our people, and have our voices be heard.  I wanted to do both; television and film.  You could seemlessly transfer from one field/genre to the other; spinning off a television show into a movie franchise, or vice versa.  To this day, I still have a slew of scripts that I've written that I want to eventually produce.  My entry into authorship is just a side route to get to where I really want to get to.

I had written an entry about forming an independent digital channel.  This is one of many ways for us to get our voices heard, and our stories seen.  Since we're not at that level yet, the next best thing that can be done is to support independent Black film festivals.  You don't know HOW many times I've heard people complain about the state of Black films, and bemoan the atrocities that hit the silver screen.  I always end up asking the question, "Well, do you ever support any Black Film Festivals?", and hear nothing but crickets after I pose that question.

I've been lucky enough to volunteer for a few film festivals in my time, mostly in New York.  It has recently come to my attention that a few of those film festival organizations have combined forces, and have created a distribution network called the African American Film Festival Releasing Movement, or AFFRM for short.  They help for independently produced (Black)films to receive distribution with limited releases in local theaters in major cities.  They also help these films to be distributed through dvd releases.  At this time, they are releasing films quarterly throughout the year (about four times a year), one film for each quarter.  The films that they have currently released are very diverse in story and plot.

It fills me with hope when we finally decide to take control of our destiny, and create our own institutions to benefit us.  This is something that we need to do more of, and also to go out and support these institutions so that they may remain strong and vital.  If you get the opportunity, PLEASE go to their website and support, not only these films, but also this organization.

www.affrm.com

Brooklyn Book signing: The Aftermath

Well, my special day has come and gone.  It was my very first book signing in my hometown of New York City (BROOKLYYYYYYYYN!!!).  It was something that I've always wanted to do ever since I was first published.

I was able to arrive early, and set up my table the way that I had envisioned it in my mind.  I was able to speak to a brother that was in the area, and who personally knew the brother who ran The Marcus Garvey Center (shout out to Bro. Dumari).  Once he left, and I had finished prepping the table with my books and writing pad (to gather contact information from any attendees), I basically had nothing left to do but sit and wait for the attendees to arrive.

People came late.  Granted...it was a Friday, and the start time was 5pm.  People were still getting out of work.  In hindsight, maybe I should have had the book signing at a later start time (if I ever decide to hold one on a week day, that is).  People didn't really start arriving until around a little after 6pm.  I didn't really kick off my presentation until about 6:45.

It wasn't a packed house by any means.  People showed up; that was a good thing.  I had emailed a large number of people, and posted the event on Facebook.  Even Bro. Dumari contacted several people that he knew to come out and support this event.  Hell....the brother was even able to get in contact with the members of the Brooklyn division of my organization to come out (UNIA--Universal Negro Improvement Association); unfortunately, they never showed.  People who told me that they were going to come through...didn't.  Others did, at least.  There were more than enough people there that made it worth it; hell, it was a lot more than I had in Baltimore.  I had friends and family come out to support me, and that made me feel really blessed.  Especially with the fact that I got to meet somebody that I had known mostly through the internet, that made it really worthwhile to me.  They came out to support me without even knowing me all that well.

I gave my presentation, the attendees applauded, and I was able to sell a number of my books.  It didn't go quite exactly as I had planned, but it was a great experience to have.  I look forward to having a second homecoming in the coming months.  Hopefully, I can build off of this mounting momentum that I'm trying to create for myself.  I'm shooting for May to return to Brooklyn; I already have a location in mind as to where I want to do the next one.  I may just strictly sign books at that one, and skip the lecture part.  Oh well, we'll see what happens.

Stay tuned....!

Raise Your Brown Black Fist: NYC Book Signing

Once again....IT'S ON!!!!

It's my homecoming.  I will be returning to the NYC area (BROOKLYYYYYYYYN) to be doing a book signing in my hometown.  It's something that I've been longing to do since my first book, and I'm finally able to take that opportunity now.  Please join me on Friday, March 23rd from 5pm to 9pm as I speak and sign my books for the general public.  Admission is FREE!!!  Come on through...spread the word...and bring a friend! 

DATE: Friday, March 23, 2012
TIME: 5pn to 9pm
LOCATION: The Marcus Garvey Center
                       5105 Church Avenue
                       Brooklyn, NY 11203

2 or 5 train to Church Avenue, B35 bus to Utica Avenue
OR
3 or 4 train to Utica Avenue, B46 to Church Avenue
The Marcus Garvey Center is located on the corner of Church Avenue and E. 51st Street.


Hope to see you all there!!!!  :D

Book Signing & Lecture: The Aftermath

It finally came and went, my big day.  I was able to FINALLY hold my very first book signing.  It was a bit of an error on my part the first time around when I got published.  I attended a few events and was able to vend at a few festivals, but never quite got around to actually having a lone event to promote my work.  With publishing the second book, I wanted to correct that mistake this time around.

I was able to get to Wisdom Book Center the night before, and helped Bro. Tehuti (the owner) set up the store in the seating arraignment that I envisioned.  He was actually quite impressed with the set up; I had my back to his inventory on the bookshelves, and had all of the seats facing me.  That way, while I'm speaking about my book, they can also see what he has in stock at his store, and also want to purchase something from him along with my own book(s).  That way, we both win; it will gain him some new customers that will want to come back.  I saw that same setup once on C-SPAN, on a program that they have called Book TV.  I always did want to try that set up....

The big day came (February 11th), and I arrived a good 45 minutes early.  I was able to set up my MiniDV video camera, chilled out a bit with Bro. Tehuti, and just waited for the people to come.

They were late...by almost an hour!  CP time, man...CP time....
People who told me that they were going to show up...didn't.
...OR they came really late.
Smh....

Since the event was three hours, I was going to spend the first hour and a half speaking.  Since the folks came late, I cut it down to 45 minutes.  The attendees were tardy, and it wasn't a packed house by any means...but it went GREAT!

I was able to provide a lot of information to my audience, I was able to get my points and views across.  Hell, I was even able to answer some audience questions both during and after my lecture.  I felt really good about it, and felt like I was able to really accomplish my goals.

Afterwards, I was able to sign and sell a number of my books.  I decided to stay past the 3pm deadline, with Bro. Tehuti's blessing.  It was a great day for both of us.  I felt very proud of myself, and was thankful to the brother for allowing me this opportunity to use his space.  I look forward to doing more book signings; not only at brother Tehuti's establishment, but at other locations as well.  Right now, I'm trying to set up book signings in DC, and in my hometown of New York City.  Stay tuned.....