One of the coolest experiences I’ve had as a published author so far was my very first book club meeting. Last month, I invited up to Sacramento to meet with the lovely ladies of Stella Book Club. What a great afternoon! This was the first time I’ve been able to sit in a room with strangers who’ve read my book and get to hear them discuss, opine, emote, and argue about my “baby.”

Over dinner and wine, the group went through the discussion questions in the back of the book. It was so wonderful to see how engaged folks were with my characters. They talked about them as if they were real people, just like I do! What was particularly fascinating was that one woman was very clearly on Team Tony, while another was firmly on Team Damion. The back and forth between these two ladies throughout the afternoon was pretty heated, which amused me to no end. To see people so engaged with my characters to the point that they’re getting emotional and raising their voices to defend their viewpoint? I can’t think of a better affirmation that as an author, I am doing my job.

Of course they had some questions for me, and there was a significant amount of venting about various plot twists, lol. Which was great! I didn’t write a “happy ending” type of book, so I never expected it to generate warm and fuzzies! You should be mad in certain parts – I certainly was! But the fact that they were emotionally-involved enough to get mad was awesome. Once again, it just validated that my storytelling abilities are on point.

The ladies also had some suggestions for what they’d like to see in the sequel, which I did take under advisement. To be honest, my characters have kinda taken on a life of their own, and my mind races with all the adventures I have in store for them. The stories of Samantha, Tony, Damion and the gang are far from over, and responses like this to my work provide me with the fuel I need to get back in there and write the next chapter(s).

So thank you, Ladies of Stella, for the wonderful afternoon, the spirited debate, and for taking the time to read and review my book. I look forward to coming back to hear what ya’ll think about SOUL MATES.

For the past few months, TPC has had a contest underway… To encourage folks to post reviews of WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH, we announced that when we hit 30 reviews, we were going to hold a drawing and give one lucky reviewer a $150 amazon gift card. Well, we passed the 30-review mark – check the video below to see who the lucky winner is!

Thank you to EVERYONE who read and reviewed my debut novel!

Very proud to announce that my debut novel, WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH, has received it’s first official accolade! I placed as a finalist in Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards in the category of Multicultural fiction.

It’s so cliche for nominees to who didn’t win to proclaim that “it’s an honor just to be nominated!” – but I really mean it!  There are a lot of great books out there, and to be selected as one of four finalists in my category is a major accomplishment in my book!  I’m also very tickled that two of the four nominees in this category were TPC Books!  Seems like we’re inching closer to our goal of publishing world domination, don’t it, lol.

One of the challenges of having a full-time day job AND a side hustle is a lack of time for true leisure. Every time I flit off to some book event, I have to take days out of my vacation bank, which leaves very little leftover for a REAL vacation. As a result, I have to get creative when I travel for my author life, to make sure work and play stays in balance.

I haven’t done the best job of this since I started my own business, because there was just too much to do… But as the obligations have thinned out, I’ve managed to carve out some “me” time amidst all the craziness. Our last “business trip” was the perfect example of combining the best of both worlds. As you know, James and I had to travel to LA for a book signing at the NAACP Author Pavilion. We started our journey Saturday morning with a leisurely drive down US 101, stopping halfway (just south of Santa Barbara) for a picnic at the beach, where I got to spend some quality time with the ocean. It was a GORGEOUS day, and I felt so blessed to be able to spend a few hours at the beach and soak up some sun.

I carry around a tarot deck with me when I travel, and whenever I find a quiet moment, I like to pull a card, to see what areas might need my attention. I was rather amused at the card I selected during this particular meditation.

PLAY
It’s time to set aside work for awhile. Playfulness, gaiety, and laughter will lift your energy so that you’ll return to work with a renewed perspective and heightened energy.

Well alrighty then. Duly noted.

We were up bright and early Sunday morning, then headed over to the LA Convention Center for the NAACP Author Pavilion. It was a great day, meeting readers, writers, and celebrities. Shoot, I even got to pretend I was a celebrity for a few hours.

Monday was our “off” day, and since they’re so rare, we wanted to make sure we did something good. I hadn’t been able to shake the theme of PLAY that emerged during my beachside meditation, so James and I decided to spend Monday riding roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, lol. GREAT CALL! I haven’t been to Magic Mountain in about twenty years, but I gotta say, we had a BLAST nurturing our inner 14 year olds! A full day of PLAY– just screaming, laughing and actin’ a fool. We rode almost every coaster in the park (some of them twice), and two of the water rides. Tatsu is hands-down my favorite ride EVER, and well worth the price of admission. A definite must-ride if you ever go to Six Flags…

Tuesday we road-tripped it back up to Santa Cruz, relaxed, refreshed, and still glowing from our numerous adventures… That tarot reading ended up being rather prophetic – the break did allow me to return to work with heightened energy and clarity of purpose. That was an important lesson for me to learn because I’m one of those hyper responsible folk who always convinces myself that I’m “too busy” to take a break. Well color me changed – I am now a firm believer (and endorser) of strategically-placed play.

Sunday, July 24, 2011, James and I had a book signing at the NAACP Author Pavilion, which was held during the 102nd NAACP Annual Convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was a great day, meeting readers, writers, and random celebrities. Though its always nice to get my author on, at this particular event, I spent more time being starstruck than I did feeling like a published author. After all, we were signing alongside Ray Charles’ son, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., NAACP Image Award winner for his book, You Don’t Know Me: Reflections of My Father, Ray Charles, and sharing the program with heavyweights like Antwone Fisher, Hill Harper, and Isaiah Washington. Sur-real. And a ridiculous amount of fun.

DeVon Franklin

One of the highlights was getting to chat with the uber inspirational DeVon Frankin, author of Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self. DeVon, Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures, has accomplished a lot at his relatively young age, and has written a book about how to succeed in business without compromising your faith (in his case, Christianity). I can’t wait to read his book, which is timely considering my recent entrepreneurial endeavors. You too can be inspired, by reading his book, following him on Twitter, or liking his Facebook fan page.

Also got to meet Ernessa Carter, author of 32 Candles who is right up there with Lolita Files when it comes to my favorite contemporary authors. And she was every bit as awesome as I imagined. If you’re looking for a smart, sassy, heartwarming, and hilarious coming-of-age novel, definitely check out her book!

And then quite randomly, I stumbled upon one of my favorite actors, Brian White! Turns out Brian also has a new book out, Black Carpenter: Straight Talk to Build a Solid Foundation. In addition to being a talented thespian, Brian is also very committed to youth empowerment, and he wrote this book “to create a tool box of essential life skills for the next generation.” Props to Mr. White for finding ways to use his fame to give back to the community. (Swoon)

Like I said, it was a great day. Mocha Ochoa from The Oracle Group organized a great event, and I feel truly honored to have been included. Definitely one of the Lit highlights of 2011!

Well, the TPC3 have been busy busy busy… Summer is book fair/festival season, and since we are authors with books to promote, it is part of our job to attend as many of these bad boys as possible. After our successful trip to Houston for the National Black Book Festival, we were at it again a mere two weeks later, but this time a little closer to home. Event #2 would bring us to Los Angeles, CA for the Leimert Park Book Fair.

We’ve been to quite a few events over the past 16 months, and this one easily ranks right at the top of the list for us. First of all, it was a great venue — hosted outdoors with lots of food, music, and sunshine for everyone to partake in. It was FREE and open to the public, which is always good for us authors, because anyone can wander in off the street and buy our books, lol. There was also a diverse array of programming – from panels, to celebrity Q & A, to musical performances. They even had a special section just for the kids, where they were focusing on children’s books and activities, and anything that promotes youth literacy gets a big ole gold star in my book. All in all, we had a wonderful day slanging books, and look forward to making this an annual stop on TPC’s book tour itinerary.

As usual, we’ve got a little video to go along with our words, you know, for those of you that are living vicariously through our adventures!

Hats off to Eric Beasley and the Leimert Park Book Fair organizers for a truly stellar event… see you next year!

What’s up Southern California friends, fam, and fans! James and I have a book signing this coming Sunday, July 24th, at the NAACP Author Pavillion (taking place during the 102nd NAACP Annual Convention). We will be signing between 10am and 12pm, along with lots of other cool, famous people, so stop by and say Hey if you’re in the area!

NAACP Author Pavillion

Sunday, July 24th ~ 10am-12pm

Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall A

1201 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

TPC is very pro-multimedia, so I’ve been encouraged by my partners to shoot as much video as possible on my journeys… Couldn’t think of a more beautiful spot to check in from… So beautiful that I couldn’t decide which angle to film from, so I filmed TWO videos, one facing upstream, and the other facing downstream. My intent was to use the one that turned out better. Well, they both turned out pretty darn good, and I can’t decide which I like “better”, so I guess I’ll just post them both, LOL.

The TPC-themed check-in…

And the more meditative, philosophical rant…

Ever since my epic cross country road trip in 2006, I have joked that I am “part gypsy.” I love to travel, addicted to the freedom that comes with being on the open road, destination unknown. Most people can’t stand being confined to an automobile for more than a few hours, but as long as I have my music, I cherish the time alone with my thoughts, fully immersed in the journey. I’ve been known to keep it movin’, and am always on the lookout for my next great adventure.
I was pretty mobile BEFORE I became a published author, but now that I’ve got a book to promote, I find that I’m on the road even more than usual. Book fairs and festivals have been lined up throughout the summer, giving me an excuse to flee town at regular intervals. So far in 2011 I’ve already been to Maui, Sedona (twice), DC/Maryland/Virgina (aka the DMV) and Houston, along with numerous trips to Southern California. Coming up we have Vegas, more Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida, a Caribbean cruise, and possibly a trip to Zion National Park in Utah. Like I said, I keep it movin’…

It’s an exciting way to live, but it can be tiring as well. For example, I haven’t spent a full weekend at home since May 14th. My garden and kitties are being seriously neglected, not to mention my local friends and family who I hardly ever see. But I know how blessed I am to have the opportunities and ability to travel extensively, so the last thing I’m going to do is complain.

It amazes me sometimes when I meet people who have never traveled outside of their home state or town. This world is so big, and while I get out more than the average person, I know I’ve only scratched the surface of all there is to see and experience. For example, now that I’ve pretty much conquered the United States, lol, I’m ready to fill up my passport with exotic locales. Oh, if only I could get a gig as a travel writer and get paid to jetset! THAT would be the life I tell you… talk about a dream job.

Anyhoo, I encourage everyone to make travel a priority. A lot can be learned by spending time outside your comfort zone, and I truly believe that worldly, well-rounded individuals (and hapa babies ) are the antidote to hate, bias and racism. This is your chance to contribute to world peace ya’ll! LOL

In closing, life is short… too short to spend in one place. So carpe diem! And please, feel free to hit me up anytime for travel tips!  Always happy to help others expand their horizons.

Friends, Fam, and Fans… Just wanted to let you know that I have a book signing in Los Angeles this weekend, and would love to see you! On Saturday, June 25th, from 10am-5pm, James W. Lewis and I will be exhibiting at the Leimert Park Book Fair.

Stop by and see us!  We will be selling autographed copies of my debut novel When Love Isn’t Enough and James’ books Sellout and A Hard Man Is Good to Find!

LEIMERT PARK BOOK FAIR
4300 DEGNAN BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90008