fall is here and it's a wonderful time of year to reflect on everything. all of the turmoil and triumph. and it's also a time to plot out new paths and strategies. one thing i can guarantee you with 108 Press, there's no extended breaks. which is why i've taken the time to write to you all.
another book IS on deck...and as a matter of fact, there MIGHT be two. there will be more details in the near future. the only thing i can definitively say is, these will not be poetry books. i figured it would be best to step back from that for a while. and truth be told, my writing never has been limited to just poetry.
What's happening folks? One of the main questions that i've been getting is, 'how can i purchase your books?' before, my response was, 'contact me directly!' now, i am happy to say, you can make your purchases here:
it's a basic webstore, but i wanted you guys to have less of a hassle in ordering. again, you can order by PayPal; if you wish to pay by check or money order, contact me at infinitewords@yahoo.com to make all of the necessary arrangements!!!
thanks for being patient and supportive, and i'll be sure to keep you all updated!!!
for folks that have received their copies, the positive feedback has been tremendous!!! i've had one or two folks just go speechless and others beam with pride..you gotta understand that the feeling you get when someone really appreciates your work is basically like putting a battery in your back. to those folks, i say again, thank you. and to those interested in a copy, you know what to do!!! *big grin*
there's something to be said about stepping forward and getting out one's dreams a la Kanye West. you and i have probably talked to so many people about what they'd want to do different. a lot of it is of course, conditional: it's about having that excess income, or a great deal of time that's devoid of worry. and that is what prevents us from doing things we want to do at times. we get lulled into waiting for that right time when everything's aligned and how often does that take place?
when i set out to do the first book, this was after a number of years and false starts. i fell prey to the thought process that i needed x amount of dollars and x amount of time. it got so that i planned my own obstacles rather than getting by them to the goals. all of this is to say that all you needed is what i found i needed. and that is the 'EFF IT' moment for lack of a better term. the moment where you just say 'i'm GOING to do it, i WILL do it' and don't look back as things progress. if i hadn't done it, i wouldn't be able to say i have two books under my belt. and i'd be on the sidelines checking out other people's work and finding myself fighting off bitterness because i never took the initiative. so, hopefully you get your 'EFF IT' moment soon and do what it is you've wanted to do.
you might have heard this, but sharks need to constantly move in the water otherwise they sink and risk drowning because they cannot breathe unless they move. it has to do with their liver which keeps them afloat rather than the customary gas filled bladders found in other fish. a lot can be learned from this and put to use in daily life.
more often than not, people get caught up in the past. they dwell on their last decision, an old relationship or old mistakes. and that slows up any progress you might be making to the point that you'll stop altogether and find yourself being stagnant when you should be progressive. i've been in that same mode too many times. and it has hampered me a bit but not too much. instead, like the shark, i keep moving, i keep swimming and looking for opportunity. they like to tell you opportunity comes once in a lifetime. it's all over the place if you're driven enough to get it and work for it. keeping it moving is key to your own success. and i've applied that to my writing and never looked back. and i hope a lot of you are doing the same or on the verge of doing the same thing.
while the weather is appropriate for this time of year and seems to put folks in a blah mood, i am upbeat. my birthday was yesterday and i finally let loose a little, even with the remnants of a seasonal cold in my system.
so far, 108 Press has been able to publish two books of poetry and i'm truly thankful for that. the key thing though, is that now i feel that it is time to step things up with the next couple of releases. there's no reason not to. there's so much i want to share with the world. and i'm determined to get it out there. and i hope you'll continue to be there with me.
enjoy your weekend, whatever it is you choose to do!!! peace!!
i can't think of too many things that compel me to stop and just enter a contemplative state like i am in now. while i've already accomplished publishing a book, the thrill of seeing that box on my stoop always remains new. i'll admit, i almost got misty-eyed opening the box and seeing all of those fresh books waiting to enter homes and entertain.
i've dreamed of being a writer since i was eight years old. most folks give up their dreams for various reasons when they're younger. i almost did. it's hard to hold onto what you love due to life and the need to do certain things to subsist and all. but i'm thankful that i have a great family to give me strength to follow and realize this dream as well as a great group of friends. with this book, i needed that support so much due to everything that's happened. now, i can sit back and enjoy the moment. i've got a second book published.
fresh copies of the newest book are here and available for purchase!! for any orders and other questions, please email me at infinitewords@yahoo.com!!! the price of the book is ten dollars USD excluding shipping and handling!!!
sometimes, we have to come to an understanding that delays are part of life. when you accept that, it makes things easier and less stressful.
i've come to that conclusion only after a few minutes of swearing, pacing back and forth and punching my pillows. this was after hearing 'wife of the heart' would be shipping late. i was given a heads up, so on one hand i can be a bit less stressed but on the other hand, it is frustrating. being the main person behind 108 Press, i strive to deliver and well, this is the first time that's not going to happen. the only thing i can promise you, the public is that we are pushing forward and you can still make pre-orders for a copy of 'wife of the heart' right now!!! and i hope that the next time we won't encounter this again. i'm too young to have an advil addiction.
thank you for your understanding and most importantly, your support.
i guess the overwhelming question most people have is, 'why'd you put this book together?' over time, the strongest reason i can give is this: i wanted something that would stand tall throughout time that showed how much i cared about this woman. i wanted to show how that changed me, and my writing.
i wanted to celebrate who this person was to me. i wanted to show that despite how things might have ended, she had a positive impact on my life. does it sound corny? maybe. but if we all chose to look at things this way, i think we learn and we grow that much wiser. and so do they. plus, when i looked back at some of these poems, i was taken aback at the depth of emotion and clarity in the words. and i couldn't see them being tucked away in a desk drawer forever. it wouldn't be right.
that's it in a nutshell. no john hughes plot arc, no obsessive aspect. until the next post readers, keep it light!!
okay, let me dial back on the cinematic effects. when i set out in 2008 to publish my first genuine book, i wanted a name for my printing brand that would be simple yet powerful, and full of meaning without being exclusionary. i had come home from work one evening, exhausted as usual. i wanted to lift my spirits up a bit, so i popped in one of my favorite kung-fu movies, 'The Water Margin'. i had first seen this movie on TNT after an NBA double bill and was instantly taken in. that version was the Westernized, overdubbed take on the story and a couple of years later i got my hands on the original Shaw Brothers version, fully re-mastered.
'The Water Margin' is one of the four key classics of Chinese literature. it's based on real events and people, specifically the Song dynasty of the 12th century. the heroes of Liangshan mountain in northern China decided to fight against the tyranny of the emperor of that time, their struggle for justice capturing the hearts and minds of the people. the movie itself covers only 4 chapters out of the book. it spawned a sequel by Shaw Brothers and remains a classic story told over and over again. you know how many of the Liangshan heroes there were?
108.
at that point, i got inspired. if 108 fighters could change the destiny of a nation, that means that each person used their will and their inner strength to accomplish the impossible. which is what some have felt about me, from friends to family members. and that number held so much weight. even with the numerology of the Five Percenters, a faction of Islam, the number 108 stood out to me. because what i write, what i want to give to the world, i want to be thought provoking. i want it to create change for the better. and having this kind of inspiration would only help me succeed that much more.
nothing like being near the end of a journey to make appreciate even further why you began it in the first place...
good people, the books are due to arrive soon and i'm looking forward to the time when i can pack one up and send it out to you. working on this book has had its peaks and valleys and none so much as in these past couple of weeks. it's like seeing the flowers you planted slowly opening themselves up to the world to show off their brilliance in bloom. and i feel that 'wife of the heart' will have that same effect not only on you once you read it, but on me.
when i first heard 'sunshine' from lupe fiasco, i thought it to be one of the most slept on tracks he ever created. and in time, when i talked to the young lady who would be the inspiration for 'wife of the heart', i began to associate this song with her. and i still do.
*corny moment*whenever this pops up on my iPod, i like to think she's thinking about me.
okay, enough of that...enjoy the track!! and support dope hip hop!!!
the woman at the core of this new book, 'wife of the heart' is from a culture and country that is heavily publicized and somewhat misunderstood to a certain extent. Somalia, to me, i knew to be different from other African nations for a couple of reasons. One being that my mother worked in the United Nations and knew a few people from there and shared that knowledge with me. Another reason was because I have family from there. In some respects, i feel 'wife of the heart' is a tribute to her beauty as well as the beauty of all Somalian women. it may be an unorthodox tribute because being outspoken in this way is not seen that often in their society but i've always felt that the best appreciation of someone no matter in what sense is to say it loud and proud. and hopefully this book will have accomplished that for you.
if there's anything more alternatively nail-biting and tedious, it's waiting on quotes and a sample copy from your print house. while most of the hard work is done in terms of writing, layout and editing, i know there's more to be done in terms of promotion, calculating some shipping and whatever else might come up. and you start getting more aggravated waiting, like, 'WHERE IS IT? I WANNA GET BACK ON THE GRIND!!!'
can you tell i'm anxious?
best thing is, just as i'm finishing up this post, my quote came in!! now it's all about the printing!!
i hope everyone's enjoyed their labor day weekend!!
well it's done...'wife of the heart' is an official draft and now it's a matter of waiting...last week was NO picnic. but finally i'm back up, and got a lot accomplished despite the mishaps. look out for an update soon for those pre-orders(and for those who have, i've got you covered)for 'wife of the heart'. i think i'm going to switch things up next time i speak with you fine folk...until the next time!!!
i haven't been keeping up with you guys for so long because my Powerbook G4 has been slowly doing a La Boheme and fading fast on me..literally. The display screen has glitched out, and so i had to get a new Powerbook...which has been acting up. i've cussed, gotten frustrated and found myself in a low state.
but due to the greatness of daily blessings that can even be found in the worst moments, i'm encouraged by a couple of things. one of them being, i got my first positive correspondence from a bookstore today!! the second thing is, i'm now planning out my trips to DC and philly for performances over the next two months. and mostly, even with the PC troubles everything is still on course with 'wife of the heart'. i'm just thankful both for options and the fact that i haven't totally flipped out!!
i've been working on this book for weeks and i have to say, there's so much raw emotion every time i look at these poems about...her. so much so that i've had to step back at times and regain my composure. when you are writing and sharing something personal, i don't care what other folks say, it claws at you in spots you thought you had protected. in spite of that though, i think it's coming along real well.
'wife of the heart' is about someone who i've loved. and in some respects, still do. it's a celebration of what i shared with her and what she meant to me on all levels. i actually had another piece with this title and i got to calling her this from time to time. i was inspired by kazuo koike's manga series 'samurai executioner' which had a story that bore this title. i felt it was the best way to honor what i felt for her while she was a great part of my life.
sorry it's been a while since posts but i've been extremely busy(as a matter of fact i'm currently working outside of home as i publish this post)but i wanted to share this great news with you!! 'lovestoned' is my first real-life, genuine self-published book. this was a highlight of the summer of 2008 for me, for so many reasons. i had always wanted to be published, and i've had many people in my life who(lovingly)pestered me more than bill collectors on red bull asking, 'so when are you coming out with a book?' 'when is the book gonna be done?' and when i finally got 'lovestoned' out to the masses, the response was FANTASTIC!!! i released it in august and by the end of november i essentially sold out my first run.
being able to make this second run available to you means a lot. if you already have a copy, that's great and i thank you once again for your support. if you know anyone who you know will simply love what 'lovestoned' is, then all you have to do is give 'em this blog addy and they can order a copy(or three)from me directly. all copies are $8 USD, with shipping and handling to be determined depending on your location. email me directly at infinitewords@yahoo.com and i promise to get back to you promptly. with regards to payment, i accept checks, money orders, and PayPal.
so spread the word!! and stay tuned for updates on my next book, 'wife of the heart'!!
i hope everyone's enjoying their thursday evening!!!
i wanted to dedicate this post to blurbs; specifically, i'm looking for a good two or three blurbs to be included on the back of my newest release,'wife of the heart'. and i'm asking anyone who has purchased a copy of my first book, 'lovestoned' to participate. how, you may ask, can i be down with such a great idea?
all you have to do is this: email me at infinitewords@yahoo.com with a 5-7 sentence statement on how you felt about 'lovestoned' along with your name(or nickname)and where you're from. the best two(or three) will get included in print.
i can't wait to see the responses. until the next time, stay positive and productive!!
i think that one of the hardest tasks to undertake before creating a book - well, really anything in life - is to let go of any fears and doubts you may have. as easy as it is to say, it's harder on a daily basis. you're dealing with your own emotional baggage, bills, errands, bills, work...and did i mention bills? but there's one or two things i like to do to make letting go of the stress those situations bring each day.
1)THINK POSITIVE, BE POSITIVE.
if you wake up feeling down, it's hard to shake that off as the day progresses. kind of like quicksand, but more subtle. you have to find a way to believe that you'll succeed and today will be a good day. find a moment to just breathe. smile at absolutely nothing at all. do a nice thing for someone just because. when you do that, you start to feel less heavy, and you get that rush of energy flowing through your body.
2)DREAM. honestly, this helps a lot. if you dream, and you visualize yourself in a great situation, you can find yourself carrying that out in real life. after all, dreams are an extension of our life. and if you dream big, who's to say you can't live big as well?
point i'm trying to make is, you have to let go of your fears. you can't eradicate them entirely. but if you make them so inconsequential that you can't feel them invade your life on a daily basis, you're on your way to whatever it is you want in life. for me, i had an idea of how liberating that feeling could be but i never actively realized it until a few years ago. once you do that, your mind and spirit can do things and create ideas that can cause change...including within yourself.
hey folks, this is the second official entry on the 108 Press blog. at the moment, i'm hard at work ensuring that the second print of 'lovestoned' hits the streets as well as getting myself ready to deliver the newest book, 'wife of the heart' before the summer ends. if it sounds like a major undertaking, it is. but i welcome the challenge only because i believe in everything these books represent. i believe you'll feel the same way. this time period of creation is a juggling act between feeling like it's a chore and relishing the fact that i'm sharing something profound with the world. the key for me is, looking at it as the beginning of something beautiful.
anyway, that's all for now...more updates to come(without the big lapse in time, i promise!!)
This is the home for all things and ideas related to 108 Press. You can find out about my past book release here as well as upcoming releases. And you might even get some musings and publishing tips along the way. So come on in, pull up a chair and relax!!
