A Personal Reflection on the Business of Self-Publishing

As a self-published writer, I find myself seeking tools that can not only help me sell more books but that can also help me in my writing process. To help other writers braving this unforgivable landscape we call self-publishing, I am writing this blog "The Business of Self-Publishing." The greatest advice I can give toContinue reading "A Personal Reflection on the Business of Self-Publishing"

Increasing Book Sales With KDP Rocket

*Updated 01/25/2025 This article is about how to increase book sales with Publisher Rocket. As a note, "Publisher Rocket" is formerly "KDP Rocket". It was designed by Dave Chesson, This is a Publisher Rocket review that's straightforward and describes the benefits of the program. To continue, Publisher Rocket is a program that is not aContinue reading "Increasing Book Sales With KDP Rocket"

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck is not your normal self-help book, and it is not for the faint of heart. This book doesn't coddle you into feeling better or amp you up into believing you can do anything. Instead, it tells you how life is and suggests that you just deal withContinue reading "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck"

What It Means to Be a Self-Published, Indie Author in 2018

A lot of writers who do not have book deals classify themselves as self-published or indie authors. They take on that title and expect instant success. Most of the time, if their first book does not do well, these "authors" drop out of the race to being America's next great writer. Over the last twoContinue reading "What It Means to Be a Self-Published, Indie Author in 2018"

A Review of A Higher Loyalty by James Comey

James Comey’s book A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership is a trip through the mind of one of the humblest men to pen a book and put it all on the line. At times, Comey opens to the point of vulnerability, expressing his true feelings and daring not hold back. Years from now, thisContinue reading "A Review of A Higher Loyalty by James Comey"

Becoming Writer: Formal Education as an Author Versus None as a Writer

Yesterday, a fellow blogger asked me a good question about formal education as a writer versus no formal education as a writer. A lot of writers struggle with this. Some see education as the end all, be all that will make them a best-seller. Others who don't have this education sometimes feel inadequate. It tookContinue reading "Becoming Writer: Formal Education as an Author Versus None as a Writer"

This Year So Far as a Writer

This year has been one of the most successful and stressful for me as a writer. I am in my third semester of a Creative Writing MFA program that requires a bunch of reading and writing, I have done a poetry reading, gotten into a car accident, written a novella, published a novella, worked onContinue reading "This Year So Far as a Writer"

A Newborn

Nearly three months ago, my third beautiful daughter was born. Her eyes are a color I have never seen before and I cannot name. I was hoping for my first son, but I'm blessed either way. The question is, where do I go from here?

How to Write a Book

Recently, I have been working my ass off, writing, finishing my MFA and going to school while also helping to raise my three daughters. The question I am constantly asked is, "How do you find time to write?" I don't find time. I make time. That's the difference. Life will give you a million reasonsContinue reading "How to Write a Book"

The Pressures of Being a Struggling Writer

Your manuscript should be at least 80,000 words.  Hearing that may be overwhelming. It's similar to that part in I, Robot where Sunny tells Will Smith's character the vast amount of stairs they have to climb. You may think, how the hell do I come up with 80,000 words? Then, you may think, I'll justContinue reading "The Pressures of Being a Struggling Writer"

The Cop Who Knew Nothing, Except Everything

About two weeks ago, I had the unfortunate opportunity of being pulled over by a twenty-something cop who thought he knew it all about traffic law. It was nearly 11 pm on a busy street when a girl on her cellphone zipped into the street. I pressed my brakes so hard, the tires squealed. AsContinue reading "The Cop Who Knew Nothing, Except Everything"

Facebook Vid

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I Am a Drug Dealer, Not So Much

One of my most vivid memories of my life in Chicago's Robert Taylor Projects is my friend Travis and me walking through a grassy field and finding a huge ZipLoc bag of crack cocaine. There had to be at least 300 rocks in there.  Up until this point, I had seen plenty of crack transactions.Continue reading "I Am a Drug Dealer, Not So Much"

She Died at Three Months Old

There is an image seared into my brain of my sister running through the house screaming as she clutches her three-month-old dead baby. This image is so clear, I can pull it up and see everything exactly as it happened. The death of three-month-old Jennifer had a huge impact on my family. Since then, myContinue reading "She Died at Three Months Old"

Who is J Reed?

If you ask me who I am, I will tell you that I am a mercenary from a far away country who has come to America on a secret mission to rattle things up. And if I happen to ask you whether you believe me and you in fact do, then I have done myContinue reading "Who is J Reed?"

The Reeders Block

(with two E's)

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