Rainbow Space Magic – March 2021

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope your March has started off well. Are you as glad to hear, as I am, that we now have three vaccines for the Rona? I can’t wait till it’s my turn to get the shot or shots. It will be a big weight of my shoulders.

Regarding things to look forward too, I hope you have all checked out one of the virtual con’s I’m involved with this year; Rainbow Space Magic (more info here). The con will be the weekend of March 12th so in little over a week. Here are the details:

Rainbow Space Magic (RSM) is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ science fiction and fantasy community, a place where everyone can gather, discuss, promote and create queer speculative fiction in a safe and supportive place that is accessible to our diverse community.

Join us Friday March 12th through Sunday March 14th, 2021 for this free virtual conference.

This year we are pleased to welcome Jewelle Gomez – author of The Gilda Stories and Bones and Ash, as our Keynote Speaker and special guest throughout the conference.  Jewelle is a two-time Lambda Literary Award recipient with her writings appearing in hundreds of anthologies. She is a prolific play write and presented at the African American Fantastic Imagination, the first conference of black speculative fiction writers. She has also taught creative writing workshops and lectured at institutions around the U.S. including San Francisco State University, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Spellman College, Bates College, and others. She was on the original board of GLAAD and the Astraea National Lesbian Foundation.

The conference this year will have writing workshops during the day on Friday March 12th prior to our Keynote address Friday night. The rest of the weekend will consist of panels and readings spread out over Saturday and Sunday.

This year we are raising money for Lambda Literary, Glad Day Lit, Trans Media Watch, Shade Literary Group, and BLF Press. Donate to one of these groups and come and join us March 12th – March 14th, 2021. To register and learn more about this exciting event please go to our website: www.rainbowspacemagic.com for more information.

Well, Scribblers, that’s all for this week I hope to see you at the con, I will be on two different panels (Cover so White on Sunday at 7am [PST] and The Queering of Modern Pop Culture in Recent Years on Sunday at 6pm [PST]) it should be a blast. As you all know, I love hearing from folks so please drop me a line in the comments below. Please consider sharing this post on your social media sites, it really does help, as does clicking on this little heart below. Until next time have a great week and see you RSM!

Blog RSS

Am I doing too much, or not enough?

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, here we are another week into 2021 and these last two months feel so 2020, but you know what we are making progress and things are getting better. We need to keep our spirits up because we’ve got this. Look how far we’ve come and what we have already survived. Now if you recall, last week I shared with you some announcements (click here for the blog post) and that got me thinking. Am I doing too much, or not enough? I really don’t know.

This last week I was a guest on WROTE Podcast, if you haven’t checked out the interview here it is for you to listen to, and really you need to listen to it.  We had a blast. However, Baz asked me a question that stopped me dead in my tracts; when do you sleep?

For a second, I froze, I didn’t realize until that moment how much I’ve been doing.  Let me break it down here, so you have some context:

• I work full-time, Monday -Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm (that’s my day job)

• I write part-time. Currently I have the following: The Called will be launching April 2021. I have Conspiracy-A New World, Book 3 with my Editor. I’m in various stages of three different works in progress: A Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy mashup (55,000 words or 205 pages), an Alternate World Urban Fantasy (8,000 words or 33 pages), and an alternate world story (nothing written yet, but characters and story ideas laid out and set to paper).

• I’m currently involved with two virtual cons; Rainbow Space Magic(RSM) happening March 12th – March 14th, which is an LGBTQIA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Con for readers and authors, check out the information here. IQARUS Book Con is a conference that features all kinds of genres of books and is open to anyone who wants to learn more about great authors, books and writing (happening May 8th) find out more here.

• Then I’m part of a writers group Bay Area Queer Writers Association (BAQWA) that meets once a month, and we host virtual readings and other book related activities. You can find the group here on Facebook.

• And for my writing, I manage my website and blog, a Twitter account, a Facebook Page, an Instagram account and now my YouTube channel.  All of which take time to provide and create content for.

• This doesn’t include any other virtual events (or public events when aloud)

So, yes there is a lot going on, and yes, I’m busy. But here is the rub, what does all this translate to, honestly, not much. If I’m being completely honest, book sales are stalled out and a lot of the time I feel like I’m spinning my wheels; not getting anywhere.

Another author buddy of mine, commented, “with all you’re doing, your book sales should be through the roof.” My response was, “not so much.”

I guess, what this got me thinking is that maybe I’m not doing the right things. Maybe, I’m spreading myself too thin. I’m not sure. All the books and videos I’ve read and watched about being an author and engaging with people say to make it easy for people to find you, to engage with readers where they are. Well, my audience is everywhere. Readers have found me from all the places I’ve mentioned.

What do you think? Am I doing too much? Or, not enough. Do you have suggestions or ideas? Of everything I mentioned above what resonates with you? Do you enjoy the book readings I post on YouTube? Do you enjoy my blogs? What about the content I share on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook? Would you rather I not do any of that and focus on pumping more stories out, keeping in mind that I’m at the will of my publisher so even if I wrote a new story every six months the books are still going to take a year or more to publish.

I will admit, I get tired and I seem to be going every day. In fact, today, I have two zoom meetings, one about RSM and the other my BAQWA group. Then tomorrow I have a meeting with the folks who are working on IQARUSBookCon. However, on the flip side I know several other authors who do way more than I do. They are amazing. These authors pump out the books, engage everyone on social media, have huge followings which leads to great sales. They are incredible and that would be an excellent goal to have.

I do want to make one thing clear, I’m not trying to complain or whine, well maybe a little, I understand how blessed I am. I only want my books to be read and enjoyed. I want to know that there are people out there who love my work as much as I do. I really don’t do all this for me (well I write the stories for me). I do all the social media, the events, cons, etc. for you and to help others like you find my novels, so everyone can, hopefully, enjoy the works and see themselves reflected in the stories. After all, everyone wants to be seen and heard. And we all want to be the hero of our own story.

There you have it, Scribblers, that is my writing world in a nut shell this week. Thank you for taking the time to read this and to continue to support me. I’m curious, what do you think about all this? Let me know in the comments below. Please consider sharing this post on your social media sites, it really does help, as does clicking on this little heart below. Until next time have a great week.

Blog RSS

Writing Update and Book Announcement – The Called

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. Reminder if you can get the vaccine please get it. In the mean time I hope you are wearing your mask, washing your hands, practicing your social distancing, and more importantly staying safe. I have been so encouraged hearing that the US has passed the 50 million vaccine mark and that hospitalization are going down. There is still a long road ahead of us, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Enough about that. Today I wanted to share my book announcement and a couple of writing updates.

Like the title says, The Called is on it’s way. This is the sequel to my internationally award-winning debut novel The Calling. The Called is schedule to be released on April 19th and I can’t wait.  Here is the blurb from the book… so spoilers if you haven’t read the first book The Calling (and why haven’t you read The Calling yet? You really need to, buy your copy here or get your signed copy here.):

The world is changing quickly for Chris now that he’s part of the Immortal Community. With the events of his past finally behind him, he’s still having visions and true magic is gradually taking hold in our world. There are new challenges that the Immortals must face, but Chris is still new and has no real standing in the immortal community. Learning that nothing in the Immortal community is what Chris thought and now having to face new threats, how will his new world unfold? Old enemies must work together and longtime friends may not be trustworthy. Who is lurking in the shadows? Why are they here? What does this mean for witches, immortals and humans?

Can Chris’ visions even be trusted given recent events, and how easily his mind is manipulated? With Juliet, Amanda, and Kirtus by his side they have to prevent the immortal and witch community from being exposed. Can they trust the local witches that are there to assist them? Can they trust their fellow Immortals? New friendships are made, and longtime alliances are called into question. How will The Called defeat these latest threats, and what does it mean for our world?

This story is going to pick up right at the end of book one. In fact, the last chapter of The Calling, is the first chapter of The Called (Find out more about both books here). So, there will be no time jump. I’m proud of this duology and I can’t wait for folks to be able to pick up their own copy and enjoy. Also, in The Called we are going to expand on some popular characters from The Calling and introduce some fantastic new characters in The Called, which I’m thrilled to finally add into the story.

Here is a beautiful graphic that will give you an idea of the feel of The Called :

Also, as I hope many of you have seen by now I’ve been working on my YouTube channel, click here. I’ve been cleaning up the channel, making it more user friendly, organizing it, updating content, and adding the various engagements I’ve had: including appearances on OUTLook Video, LocalLit 2020 as well as some other fun readings and events that I’m able to share.

To celebrate my revamped channel, I’ve set up a challenge, if I can get 250 subscribers (clearly a lofty goal) by April 19th I have something really fun planned. The surprise will coincide with the launch of The Called. Help me spread the word and meet this goal.  I know with all your help and support we can reach 250. In the meantime, I’m going to be adding more readings and other content to my channel so I hope you will follow me there, plus you get to see me in my natural habitat, my home.

As a reminder on March 12th – 14th I will be participating at the Rainbow Space Magic Conference. This three-day virtual event is packed full of great content for readers, writers, and anyone who loves books. Learn more about it here.

Also, on May 8th I and several other amazing authors will be holding the first ever virtual IQARUS Book Con. This international event is open to everyone. We will have panel discussions about writing, marketing/social media, podcasts, vlogging, editing, etc. Also, we will host both live and video readings from authors of romance, horror, sci-fi, contemporary, all sorts of genres, so there is something for everyone. Check it out here.

Well, Scribblers, that’s all for this week. If you want to learn more about what I have coming up next check out my events page here. I love hearing from folks so please drop me a line in the comments below. Please consider sharing this post on your social media sites, it really does help, as does clicking on this little heart below. Until next time have a great week.

Blog RSS

Rainbow Space Magic 2021 Virtual Conference

RSM 2021 – Announcement

Rainbow Space Magic (RSM) is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ science fiction and fantasy community, a place where everyone can gather, discuss, promote and create queer speculative fiction in a safe and supportive place that is accessible to our diverse community.

Join us Friday March 12th through Sunday March 14th, 2021 for this free virtual conference.

This year we are pleased to welcome Jewelle Gomez – author of The Gilda Stories and Bones and Ash, as our Keynote Speaker and special guest throughout the conference.  Jewelle is a two-time Lambda Literary Award recipient with her writings appearing in hundreds of anthologies. She is a prolific play write and presented at the African American Fantastic Imagination, the first conference of black speculative fiction writers. She has also taught creative writing workshops and lectured at institutions around the U.S. including San Francisco State University, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Spellman College, Bates College, and others. She was on the original board of GLAAD and the Astraea National Lesbian Foundation.

The conference this year will have writing workshops during the day on Friday prior to our Keynote address Friday night. The rest of the weekend will consist of panels and readings spread out over Saturday and Sunday.

Current Writing Workshops include:

• Combat Writing

• Book Justice: Criminal Justice for Authors

• The Writer’s Guide to Green Stuff: Plants, Herbs, and Wild Places That Make Sense

• Branding Sci-Fi

Panel Discussions include:

• Writing Queer Female Protagonists (#Ownvoices lead panel)

• Magic and Folklore

• Writing for Bisexual and Pansexual Characters (#Ownvoices lead panel)

• Aging in Queer Spec Fic

• Dis/Abilities: Disabled, Chronically Ill, and Neurodiversity in Queer Fiction (#Ownvoices lead panel)

• Queer Role-Playing Games

• Fandom and Fanfiction

• Covers so White

• Intersectional Identity (#Ownvoices lead panel)

• Query Letters and Getting an Agent

• Humor and Cynicism

• The Queering of Modern Pop Culture in Recent Years

This year we are raising money for Lambda Literary, Glad Day Lit, Trans Media Watch, Shade Literary Group, and BLF Press. Donate to one of these groups and come and join us March 12th – March 14th, 2021. To register and learn more about this exciting event please go to our website here for more information.

Blog RSS