What's on my mind

Things on my mind...

Okay so I am officially back to touring and flying around the country on the weekends. After the signing in Tinley Park Illinois I forgot how much I loved connecting with people, fellow authors and my regular readers.

I want to take time to thank the book clubs across the country, whether you like me or not and whether you supported me or not. Book Clubs are the heart and soul of the writing game. You all help make or break us, but most importantly you send a message, that black people read. I was at the second annual book clubs unite convention hosted by Davis Elegant Events and Naleighna Kai rocked the house. That sister practically preached about what a powerful and positive impact book clubs have had and I had to applaud her. I also have to applaud you.

The writing game has changed over the years. With the economy the way it is and with bookstores closing and being sold, the game has changed. No longer are authors getting major publishing deals. We're getting small (very small) advances and basically told by the publishers "I have the distribution, you get out there and grind. If you do well, we both get paid (although the publisher gets the bulk) and if you don't produce we're done."

I'm not tripping. It's business. You have to be on your grind and you have to love writing to do it. It's cool being around other people on their grind and it's cool to swap war stories.

Many of us still work JOBS (myself included). Many of us do these signings and kick it hard only to have to go back to the grind of a 9-5 like everyone else. I think that is good too. It helps us to write and hone our craft because we are out there hitting it hard like everyone else.

I also want to thank the libraries. There are a lot of people out there who no longer can afford to go buy a book. And although we give our books to the library for free and don't get paid, it's still great to know that people are out there reading our books. I get book requests from libraries often and send out copies weekly. On the one hand it's killing me because these are books that I'm giving away for free and paying shipping on. In the same token, it's great when a library will write me back and say that they can hardly keep the book on the shelf.

I fell off the wagon again with the gym. I lost 33 pounds only to gain 20 of it back. I have been eating frozen snickers bars, burgers and all types of ______ that I should not be eating. I got my fat ______ back in the gym today and should be in decent shape by the signing September 25th.

I have been writing my butt off too. I am working on a new joint called "A Passion for More." It's about a man and woman that each have an affair and feel that affair is justified. All I can say is, "It's hot Ya'll." Anyway, back on my grind. I'm jumping in the tub and heading to work. God willing I will be writing full time in June 2011.

Peace

Email me at chicagoauthor@yahoo.com