Literary Progress So Far......

So "Fiesta Girl" (Draft2digital, 2018) has been on the market for about two weeks now.  The sales are as I expected them to be....

.......Utterly dismal.

I created a Facebook event for it....created an email e-blast campaign for it....tagged a bunch of people with the link once it was finally published, aaaaaaaannnnnnnnd......

...absolutely NOTHING!!!!  Just my sister, and one sister/comrade purchased a copy.  Oh...a few people clicked the 'like' button, as usual.  But as far as purchases and downloads are concerned...?

Nada.

Yeah....so that's my literary career in a nutshell.

Makes me just want to delist all of my shit, and just throw in the towel.

I don't believe in that whole 'just-write-for-yourself' bullshit.  If that was the case, then why the hell bother going through the trouble of publishing your book/novel, and bringing your work to market then?!  I might as well just write it up, go to Kinkos or Staples to print out a copy for myself, and call it a day.  Why go through all that extra headache of trying to promote and market your work, then?  Especially if you are independently published, or self-published?!

I have a lot of stories to tell, and I want to tell them.  I've been a storyteller for a VERY long time.  what's the point then, if people seem to not want to hear them?!  Even when I tell people that I'm a published author, they seem unimpressed.  Ummm...how many published authors do YOU know?!?!  Especially someone who has written multiple books....?  I don't do that out of arrogance; damn it, it's what I do for a fucking living!  I know plenty of mf who claim to be rappers, or singers....even poets.  Actual published authors/writers....?  Not so much....not unless I'm traveling within those circles.

I would understand if I was wack, and had no talent.  I've gotten plenty of positive feedback from my work.  Even during  my days as an indie screen writer, people have complimented my work.  I have the gift and the skill...just not the support.

STOP pressing the 'like' button, and START supporting the work!  And it's NOT just me...I know PLENTY of my fellow creative artists who are suffering through the same thing.  Y'all can go out and frivolously spend your money with these commercial entities for shit that you don't need, but when any of us indies creates something and asks....no...BEGS for your support, you look at us with some stupid look on your face, and say dumb shit like, "You shouldn't/can't try to shame me into supporting you", or "How do/can I support you?".

Does Samsung have to tell you how you can  support them whenever they drop some new electronic device?  Does Nike have to tell you how to support them whenever they drop a new sneaker?  Does Hewlett Packard have to tell you how to support them whenever they drop a new computer?  Does Sega or Nintendo when they drop their latest gaming system?

But, I digress.....

Learn to support us.  You can run out, and support some commercial entity that's part of the machine, but you can't seem to support any of us on the independent front?

No wonder they just tell you to just get a job, smdh....

Fiesta Girl eBook Novel

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

My latest novel "Fiesta Girl" is finally live!  Published through Draft2Digital, this Urban Lit/Romance novel is one Urban (Afro) Latino love story that you won't want to miss!!!

"Brooklyn's own Alonzo Carrion is a gifted writer and poet....and a hopeless romantic.  After being the victim of a recent heartbreak, not even his writing can help him to clear his mind, and ease his soul.  Enter Rita Lebron, a down-to-earth Fashion Design student student from the Lower East Side, ready and willing to become his muse.  After a chance meeting while out with friends at a party, they fall for each other, fast and hard.

But...Rita has some dark relationship demons that she has to deal with.  Will the lovestruck couple fight through the darkness, and persevere....or, will they let their personal demons control their hearts, and derail their relatioship?  Set in 1990's New York City to the soundtracks of Latin Freestyle and Hip hop, this is one Urban Afro Latino love story that you won't want to miss.  Based on the original screenplay by the author!!"

Available exclusively in eBook format only!!  Distributed through such channels as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Kobo+, iTunes, Scribed, 24Symbols, Playster, Overdrive, and internationally through Tolino!

Keep the fist raised!!!!!   

So It Is February......

The month of February is now here.....

I'm not as psyched as I usually am for the month, as February has become a special month for me in recent years.

February is the start of Black History Month (BHM) in the United States...
It's also my anniversary month for being a published author (currently EIGHT years)...
It's also the publishing anniversary for my fourth book, and first novel, "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreapsSpace, 2015)...
I'll be dropping my latest novel this month, this year in 2018 [Fiesta Girl, Draft2Digital, 2018]...
Akoma Day is this month (February 14th-20th), though I don't have a special lady to celebrate it with this year...
....And finally....this month also marks my one year anniversary living in Delaware.

Call it what you want; battle fatigue...depression...the 'blahs'....I'm kinda going through it right now.  Thought I'm principally concentrating on my latest book project, I'm just not feeling it right now.  I'm a lot better off now personally, than I was a year ago (hell...try four), but I'm still not close to where I want to be.  My life has improved, but not the way that I've expected it to be, nor have I come as far as I would like to.  I know that I said in an earlier post, that I'm still learning to practice patience, but come ON!!

But, I digress....

Fiesta Girl is coming along.  She drops NEXT WEEK!  I'm excited about it, though my optimism is still negligible, considering my past book launches.  It's always the same; a lot of 'likes', but never any meaningful amount of purchases.  HOPEFULLY, this time will be different.  I'll be making a post about it here on the blog, complete with a few links to download the book.

Working on the latest listing for the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement.  It's coming along really well.  The first draft of the listing is pretty lengthy.  I hope that it helps the other members of the Movement.  It's should be done in another week, or so.  Hopefully, this year, I can participate in a few of those events myself...

Other than that, just keeping my head up, and doing what I do.  Will be branching out to to a web-based TV show with a comrade of mine out here.  We'll be showcasing local ethnic restaurants, and promoting them on the show.  It's a great idea, and a boon to these local ethnic food spots.  Hey...if WE don't support our own businesses, who will?

Catch you on the flip side!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!!  

Publishing Updates.....

I'm going through the final rounds of editing to get "Fiesta Girl" ready for publication.  I'm actually quite excited about this.  I've already posted a Facebook event about it, but only a handful of people replied to it.  I guess that I shouldn't be all that surprised; that's pretty much the standard response that I get to my efforts, whether activism or otherwise....

I remember when I first wrote it as a screenplay.  I was really proud of that particular script.  I put a lot of myself into that particular project. It encumbers a lot of creative elements; my poetry, some of my songs that I'd written for my never-existed group New Latin Swing, a clothing line idea that I had to promote the group, and a music video TV show idea that I had.  Hopefully, I'll have some success with it as a eNovel, that I didn't have as a movie script.  Then again, if sales are successful, you never know...

Other than trying to get my new business cards printed up, I don't have any real plans, other than trying to promote my stuff this year.  Don't know how much I'll chill out this year, and just concentrate on the promotions for my book titles.  I still want to work on the sequels to "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015), and get them published.  Maybe when I find the time and motivation....

Still hoping to get my own place.  Next month marks one year that I've been here in Delaware.  Can't say anything negative about it.  I'm on my own, so to speak...I'm working....I have some money in my pocket; I can't complain.  Slowing making friends, and getting my name out there; professionally and culturally.  I'm looking forward to tackling a few new projects in the new year.  The Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement is celebrating its 'unofficial' 10th year anniversary this year.  I can't believe that it's been 10 years, already!  My, how time flies, and how much of an impact I've/we've had. The movement has been around for ten years, and still going strong.  I've made some great friends and connections through the Movement, and hope to continue going on strong.

Well, if I don't get any time next week, to post another entry, hopefully the next post will be "Fiesta Girl's" release.  Stay tuned, and take care!!!  :-)

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!

Welcome to 2018!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!!!!!

What's good, my peoples?  Happy new Year, and welcome to 2018!  2017 was a transition year for me, and I actually ended the year on a pretty strong note.  I was able to attend a number of Kwanzaa events here in Wilmington that were off the chain, and actually ended my work week on a positive footing . 

2018 is going to be a good year.  I am in better spirits, and I'm in a better place on many different levels.  Though my money could be a little bit better, at least I'm in a better position than I have been over the last few years.  I will be celebrating the 10th year anniversary of operation for the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement; quite an accomplishment I might add, especially without any manpower, or financial assistance.  I will also be celebrating my EIGHTH year as a published author, and will be dropping my NINTH book next month in February.  I'm really looking forward to the release of "Fiesta Girl"; it was definitely a labor of love.  It was formerly a screenplay that I'd written over 20 years ago, and I didn't want the story to go to waste.  Here is the cover for it:

I'm scheduling to have it released during the week of Akoma Day (February 14th-20th), my own way to celebrate the institution of Black love.  February also marks the 3-year publishing anniversary of "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015), my Action/Adventure superhero novel.  Though I'll be concentrating primarily on marketing Fiesta Girl, I'm hoping to make a splash in sales for that particular novel; one of my favorite projects to date.

On the personal side, I'm hoping to meet Mrs. Right, settle down, and hopefully start a family.  Brother ain't getting any younger, and I would like to be young enough to enjoy at least one child.  Now If I can juuust find a decent sista/hermana to connect with......   ;-)

I hope that the new year has great plans for you.  Let's make it happen, and move forward.  Hoping to keep the positive vibes going, and to keep progressing.

Keep the fist raised!!!  Uhuru sase, y paz!!!!

End-of-Year Progress Report 2017

So, it is now December.  The year is coming to a close....

This year has definitely been a transitional year for me.  I finally got the fuck out of New York, and have been out here in Delaware for the past 10 months.  I've been able to secure a job, and am currently renting a room.  I was able to publish at least one book this year, my latest effort called "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017).  The sales have been slow, but that's to be expected.  People makes claims of support, but all they do is press the "like" button, and go on their merry way.  It doesn't help that I haven't been able to promote the book like I want to because of my work schedule, making public appearances and all, but hey...what can you do?

Sales have been slow overall for all of my titles, but again...that's to be expected.  All in all, this has been a pretty good year.  I'm feeling more at ease with myself, and my spirit isn't as dark and clouded as before.  I do feel more relaxed, and in a better frame of mind.  I do have to admit, one thing that I really had to learn this year was patience.  I've been struggling for so long, that I want to be able to see results immediately.  I'm still learning to have patience; its an ongoing struggle.

I'm looking forward to 2018.  I plan to publish yet another book titled "Fiesta Girl".  It will be available only in eBook format; I didn't feel that the page count was long enough for a paperback novel.  I should be dropping it in February, around Akoma Day (Feb 14th-Feb 20th).  I'm looking forward to doing more public appearances to promote my books, and do some outreach in some of the surrounding cities, and other areas.  Hopefully, I'll be able to participate in some book fairs, and festivals in 2018.  I would love to get back on the festival circuit; considering that I provide a listing for the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement, I'm looking forward to taking advantage of some of the information that I come across.

On a personal note, I'm hoping to earn enough money to get my own apartment.  Renting a room has provided me with a roof over my head, but there is nothing like getting back to having your own space.  My roommates come and go, and some of them have been cool, but I NEED my own place.  I would also like to be able to meet someone that I can settle down with.  Shit....a brother be getting lonely sometimes.  It would be nice to find someone to have a steady and long term relationship with....

So, if you don't hear from me before the new year comes, may you all enjoy the positive energies of the Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, happy Kwanzaa, and have a happy and blessed New Year!!!!

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!!!         

Da Latest updates with me.....

So far, things are going as well as can be expected.  I'm getting a few more hours at the day job, so that's helping to put a little bit more money into my pocket.  Apparently, I recently sold two copies of "Seductra: Web of Desire" (CreateSpace, 2017).  Now, if I can just get some more purchases, and get those purchases to happen on a more consistent basis...

Speaking of Seductra, I was recently able to add it to the Kindle platform, so now there is NO excuse for people to not support the book in eBook format.  As it is, ALL of my books are available on Kindle, with the exception of "Demure Nights" (CreateSpace, 2015).  Because of its mature adult content, they won't let me upload the book on there.  I find that kinda ironic; they won't carry Erotica, but they'll carry THE trashiest Street Lit books on the market.  Oh well....

Fiesta Girl is basically complete.  I'm actually planning on releasing it next year in 2018.  It will only be available in eBook format though.  IMHO, the page count is too low to be printed as a paperback, so I won't have any physical copies available.  I'm still kinda leery about releasing it solely as an eBook, considering that my eBook sales aren't great at all.  The document is pretty much done, as far as the editing is concerned, and I've already designed the front cover.  I'm planning on releasing it during Akoma Day (February 14th-20th), considering that it's a love story.  I'll give you more details that closer the release date gets.

Right now, I'm just trying to close out the year on a positive and strong note.  Things have picked up for me this year, being able to get the hell away from New York, and get a job.  Next, I need to get me my own place, an apartment, and further my writing career with some exposure.  Hopefully, I'll be able to do a few appearances next year, as well as vend at a few festivals and book fairs.  It's all about building up my writing career, now.  I have the inventory; right now I just need the support.  I'm going to be updating my business cards, and so I'll hopefully have some available next year when I start to do appearances again.  I already have the cards designed, so that's not much of a problem.  I'll just upload the image to Vista Print, and make a few copies.

All in all, I can't really complain.  Things are improving for me, and have improved a lot over the last few months.  Hopefully, this good fortune will continue, and I'll be able to make that mark, not only out here in Delaware, but also throughout my writing career.  I'm still working on my future writing projects, and hope to have them completed in the years to come.  Now that Fiesta Girl is out of the way, I can get back to writing the sequels to "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace 2015).  Yes, that's right...that is sequels with an "s".  Books 2 and 3 are already in the pipeline.  I will be expanding the story, and adding new characters.  I personally feel that it is such a hot subject, and that I can do so much more with the storyline.  I'm almost done with the first draft of Book 2, and I'm still writing the early drafts of Book 3.  I can't wait to finish writing them, and releasing them.

That's all for now.  Stay tuned!!!  Keep the fist raised!!!