My New Workout Jam

Discovered this DJ and iTunes podcast just before the holidays. It's my new workout jam.

The Velvethead Lounge by DJ Joel Antipuesto.

All the house music you want and can sing along with. Before you know it you've spent an hour and a half at the gym.

Download it, listen, love it!
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(Don't) Keep It To Yourself

Yay, it's Wednesday! My week is flying by in a good way, hope week is as well.

Some things you keep to yourself:

Revealing book spoilers. Yesterday's One Campus, One Book discussion with Hector Tobar on his novel, The Tattooed Soldier. First question, this poor star-child of God probably who had probably never been to a book reading before proceeds to give away the ending. Not cool for those who were just pages away from finishing the book (like me!) What's a reader to do? How does a teacher teach how to ask better questions? One bookclub shares etiquette for discussing endings and plot points.

Complaining about your day job. In this economy, and with jobs disappearing, it's a Manager's Market. This is not the time to be a "regular" or a "clock watcher" -- it's a time to SHINE and go beyond expectations on the job. The Onion shares a bit of sarcasm: Incompetent Staff Feels Underappreciated. It's funny, I think. Maybe because I don't consider myself a "regular" or "clock watcher."

Things to share:

How President and Michelle Obama are making it cool to be smart. NPR shares Obama's Impact on Black Achievement. They're also making it cool for black-on-black love again. MSNBC on the Obama Marriage.

New book alert! Blonde Roots by Bernardine Evaristo. I've been hearing lots of buzz on this novel. It flips the African holocaust and slave trade, and addresses the premise -- what if Aphrikans enslaved the people of Europa and shipped them off to Amerika. This is definitely going on my list.

You're a writer with low-to-no funds? Paperback Writer shares publishers who take query online from unagented authors.

OK. That's all. Happy day!
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The New E. Lynn

Oooh, I'm jonesing to be in Atlanta... for a number of reasons.

But one reason to be there today is for the debut reading/signing of E. Lynn Harris' new novel, Basketball Jones. The cover is hot, huh?!?!

Well, if you're in the A-T-L, make your way over to Outwrite Books this evening for a fun and fabulous time.

And especially if your New Year's Resolution was to do something new and different and with new people, try a book reading with one of our literary legends and role models.
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Aspiring Authors: Your Book Shouldn't Cost A Thing... Well, Almost Nothing

I ran into an acquaintence the other day who is interested in the writing life. She wrote a nice memoir about her growing up years. I think she had a legitimate shot at getting picked up by a major publishing house in NYC, but her patience just wasn't there and so she chose the self-publishing route.

Two things I always tell folks who are aspiring authors-- 1) the publishing industry and process is S-L-O-W... and you'll do a LOT of waiting... it's ok, and it's part of the process; and 2) you shouldn't have to put out any money to have your book produced.

In other words, you should never pay an agent out of pocket (they get paid only when they sell your work to a legitimate publisher). You should never pay out of pocket for an editor (real publishing houses have a staff of editors just waiting to be assigned to your book). You shouldn't pay anyone to read your book (a short story contest, maybe the entrance fee). You should never pay for production costs -- printing books, cover photography, typesetting, etc... You shouldn't have to hustle to find a bookstore to sell your books. Real publishers take care of all this when they take you onto their label.

My friend who's interested in the author life started telling me about something to do with Craigslist and her book, and I put a stop to her conversation and told her NOT to send it or deal with the "publisher." Real publishers don't advertise for clients on Craigslist. They don't need to. Literary agents, once you're fortunate enough to get one, shop your work around to legitimate publishers until they find the right match and right deal for your project. Guide to Literary Agents site.

Now... what are some things you might end up paying for on you own.

AFTER you're picked up by an agent and publisher, you may end up paying for your own website. Most authors I know do pick up this expense... or they do the free route -- MySpace, Facebook, Blogspot, etc...

You may end up paying a photographer for some professional photos for your book cover and website. I get new pics done for every book.

You may end up investing (i.e. paying for) some of your advance money in your promotions -- postcards, bookmarks, online or print ads, mailings, etc... What used to be a "C-list on the label author thing" is now creeping up to the "B list on the label thing" during the current economic situation.

And here's the doozie... and in this economy, I can guarantee you'll pay for this one (unless your name is E. Lynn Harris, Terry McMillan, or Jackie Collins). You'll pay for your own book tour and travel expenses related to promoting your book. Yes. You. Will. Many of my friends are talking about how they're figuring out this expense, especially when book advances are stabilizing or getting smaller. They're getting creative, cutting back on travel, or combining tasks -- day job travel with book travel; book conferences with book club visits. Or, they're trying to get speaking gigs at universities. Those gigs usually come with a small honorarium or travel.

Finally, book advances are getting smaller. But no worries... though the advances may not be the same as the good old days, when you're picked up by a major publisher, you get a whole team of support and staff there to support your book -- artists to design your cover, editors to read and feedback your book, marketing folks to develop the plan for getting your book out there, accounting folks to figure out your sales and royalties, and the BIG one... a sales/distribution team that will get your book in all the major bookstores. They're all part of the deal when you get signed by a major publisher. And you don't pay for any of that.

Again, aspiring authors... just remember patience and no payment. Write the best project you can, and the rest will take care of itself by the Universe.
fs

Don't Make Me...

Don't you ever get a sista to the point of a "Don't Make Me..."

My friend Jamey over at Daytime Confidential posted what I believe is the BEST daytime catfight ever. Too bad I never watched Generations back in the day.

Check out the young Vivica A. Fox doing her thing.

OK. Now back to work :-)
fs

And The Awards Go To...

Thanks D-Place for surprising me today with an award recognizing blogs that have inspired in some way. It's really cool recognition. You never know who is reading you or who you are affecting in some way.

As part of the recognition, we're all "Paying It Forward" to recognize others who have inspired you... and those new discoveries who inspire you. See below:

Receiving the emblem in recognition of your mentoring, support, and encouragement to a fellow blogger is no small fete! It is evidence you have gone well beyond the call of duty by your continued efforts to "leave the pile higher than you found it!" It is further evidence that your blog has been identified as the epitome of excellence and is certainly admired. Thank you for your inspiration!

1. Keith Boykin. Though he's no longer "blogging" regularly per-se, you can read his work on The Daily Voice now. He was the first blog I ever read and on his final post, you can find links to other black LGBT blogs that are great reads.

2. Frank Leon Roberts. Another New Yorker (all my first blogs are NYC based), he is a scholar, cultural critic, and activist.

3. Clay Cane. I just love everything about Clay and his blog. You get serious, you get lots of funny, you get very good writing!

4. Tayari Jones. She often jokes with me that I got her started in blogging, but I love both her novels, her take on writing and literature, and she reminds me of that cousin you just get along with but can't explain why. (We're not cousins though.)

5. My Teenage Years. Another early read for me, I've enjoyed reading his personal journey from high school to his current days in college.

Receiving the emblem from a Seasoned Blogger is a testimony to you that you're on the right track! That your voice is being heard. And there are those out here in the blogosphere who recognize your potential even if you don't. Keep up the good work and remember to "Pay it Forward." Even though you may be considered "seasoned", continue to inspire

1. Aunt Jemima's Revenge.

2. Diary of an Anxious Black Woman.

3. The J Spot.

4. The Last Noel.

5. Chaz Lamar. (blog on MySpace).

The Rules:

1. Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.

2. In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.

3. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.

4. If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.

5. Add your name to The Helping Hand meme and don't forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.

6. Display the rules.

But How About Some Good News?

Love that image... the happiness of winning!

So cathartic, but a downer my previous entry... how about some good news?

Tayari Jones' Inaugural Ball experience.

D-Place is going to Ghana (nervous, but excited!)

I'm a sucker for Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-tv movies. Love them! :-)

Also a pageant queen... and Miss America is this weekend on TLC.

How about some happy Old School music??? Phyllis Hyman's You Know How to Love Me.

Or how about Faith Evans' Love Like This.

Happy Friday!
fs

Prison Break: The Dating Edition

So I don't talk too much about my dating life. I'll usually blog or talk with friends about crushes, but rarely do I talk about the outcome of those crushes... or how situations may have ended. Today, I kinda feel like it because it's more of a public service (safety) announcement... in a way.

About four years ago I dated someone who had (and his family had) a long-term and ongoing relationship with the criminal justice system. I learned this just shortly into the situation, but (stupidly) decided to give it a chance (because hey, that's what good guys are supposed to do... not!), and brought him into my personal and professional world (because I was trying to show him how doing the right thing is so much simpler than the complex world of criminality).

Let's just say losing a few dollars and several broken hearted nights waiting/wondering was ALL I gained. Oh, and I learned how to write a resume and job applications for someone who has NO skills or desire to have skills (other than, well...) I learned how to juggle my life and schedule with managing his (no-car-owning) life. I learned how to keep secrets from friends about everything I did for him.

Until he "went to Pennsylvania" a couple years ago, which to me was a natural and God-given breakup. For those of you who grew up naive to a life of streets and criminality (like me), "going to Pennsylvania" is slang for going to the pen... to jail/prison. Yeah, I know... you learn a lot from living and making mistakes. He goes. I grow. I ignore collect calls. I write and work. I thank God for sending him away.

Then last weekend, while out with some friends I get a tap on my shoulder. It was Prison Break. He was out. And had a big smile. Had a new "boyfriend". Did the whole "did you miss me while I was in Pennsylvania?" "what have you been doing?" "do you have someone?" routine... very nicely, calmly, respectful... of course we were in public in a very crowded place. Of course I'm currently single, but I whispered to my buddy standing next to me "Prison Break" and suddenly we were locked arm in arm as if we were together. That was silly, but necessary.

Leave no door open to a criminal or an ex who is a criminal. I don't think they change.

Eventually, he and his "boyfriend" who I think was another con artist (because of all the questions he was asking me about my life) move on to their night of fun. But Prison Break doesn't hesitate to ask me for money, if we can hang out, if my living and professional settings are still the same before moving on. I answer no, no, no and no to all his questions, no explaination, just no. In the past I would have had a justification for no, which he'd be able to con-artist into a yes.

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I normally don't talk about these kinds of issues. I'm a private person. But... last Friday when I saw Prison Break, I instantly thought of Jennifer Hudson and her family situation.

And since that time, I've proceeded to let those in my personal and professional close circle know that Prison Break is out and back in town... more informational than being scared. But still, your mind can't help but think about how unpredictable the criminal mind can be.

Sharing with you... because I imagine you or a friend may be in situations that seem impossible to break, change, get out of, whatever, and to share the struggle to change and break those bad habits. I also don't want to end up a statistic on the receiving end of Prison Break's decisions, so this also is a public service and safety announcement for me too.

Believe me... life has gone on from Prison Break, and I'm a much more confident and assertive person when it comes to the choices I make regarding dating. Of course you want to pinch yourself and say things like "how could I be so...?"

But it is. It was. It won't ever be again. And hopefully it won't be for you either.
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