Article I- So You're Considering 

Writing A Book?

Chyrel J. Jackson

Have you noticed that everyone is writing books? Folks feel like they have something to say and want that something published. Whether or not it's actually good only the public in time will make that final determination and validation.

These are just my thoughts they aren't sure fire methods for you to follow step by step to write and publish your very own book just what ultimately worked for me when writing and Self-publishing my very first book. They are suggestions or a loose guide that can be followed to help you navigate your very own self-publishing process.

With that being said, let's jump right in. God is the reason for everything so God took a small desire, and the talent that he so freely gives us all and made the impossible, possible. I knew after I received the author's proof copy that I alone and of myself could not produce something so amazing. I'm not boasting but you absolutely want your finished book to be a WOW factor. How? Industry professionals. Graphic artists, Interior designers, and Editors can all help bring your phenomenal book to life. There are one stop shops via online as Fiverr. Fiverr houses all of these professionals in one space that you may utilize to help you in your self-publishing efforts. This is not a free service you will have to wisely shop amongst these professionals then select from them to help you create your book/novel. I have provided links at the bottom of the article

I self-published my book. Why? Honestly that was the only option that made the most sense for me personally. The idea of no guarantee that my book would ever be selected by a major publishing house was certainly a deterrent. All of the money spent on postage and having your manuscript collecting dust in a pile on the desk of someone just wasn't appealing for me. Additionally, the whole auction block treatment of having someone control your book content, the final page count, what that said content could or could not be was suffocating and stifling. Publishers all had this one alike control feature that I found to be most unappealing. There just isn't the same freedom working with a publisher that is had when one self-publishes.

Self-publishing simply made the most sense in helping get our book available in a reasonably short period of time. My father is ill and I had to get our book finished while he was still healthy enough to enjoy reading our work. Timing is crucial. You can literally have your finished product available for public consumption in as soon as 1-6 months. This is one of the pro reasons for choosing to self-publish your own work. You are not at the mercy of someone else's time constraints.

You have thought about it and made the decision to have your book published. After you do this; immediately safeguard and protect your work. Make certain it is properly registered with the Library of Congress. Apply for your copyright application immediately. This should begin as soon as your manuscript is finished. Receiving a copyright can take anywhere from 6-months up to 1-year. Please understand that this process is very lengthy and also extremely costly. Ask questions no matter how exhausting. Take down names of the people that you speak with. This process can be done on-line so it is reasonably easy to navigate. Lock down the copyright immediately. I see a lot of talented writers in their zeal of writing working against themselves by sharing unprotected works that are not properly or adequately protected. If your work has not been registered through the Library of Congress and you have not obtained your registered certification do not share your work via any online source or outlet. Please see link posted below for copyright.

Think about it this way. If Mary's writings are posted via social media and I have access to them why would I invest in Mary's book once it becomes available? I know it's tempting to want to get your work in front of people and receive their feedback but know you can do this in other constructive ways besides making it so readily and easy for people to copy, plagiarize, and just outright steal your work. DON'T DO IT!!!!!

You have decided what story you're telling, its overall messaging and who your target audience will be, you have protected your work and your ready to have your work published.

It sounds like a lot of work because it is but you can become published don't get overwhelmed or discouraged. Know that it is not easy by any means you will make many stumbles along the way.

I'm here to help you though so tune in on our blog for further information that will be posted here as I will continue to leave information here to help you in your self-published author destination.

Stay Tuned: Article II- Topic of discussion will be Self-publishing Vs. Publisher/Publishing House

Important Author Links:

• https://www.copyright.gov/ (202)707-3000 or 1 (877) 476-0778 (toll free)
• https://www.fiverr.com/

NO VACANCIES

Lyris D. Wallace

Hey you,
How you doin’?
Oh, me? I’m good.
I just came to tell you,
it’s time for you to go.
Don’t look so shocked.
I think you’ve stayed long enough.
Your stuff?
Oh, don’t worry about that,
I’ve been packing that up for a while.
Yes Lawd, today is your moving day.
See, one day I woke up too tired to be that sick and tired of You.
So, you’ve gotta go.
Oh yes, I thought you had me.
I was down.
I was so low, I had to reach up just to touch bottom.
But one thing you didn’t count on
Was me, finding ME.
That’s right, I found Myself.
I was broken.
I was bruised.
I needed dusting off,
But the one thing I didn’t need
Was YOU.
So, it’s time.
You gotta go.
Don’t worry, your bags are by the door.
And all the friends you came with;
Doubt, worry, and self-hatred,
They’re waiting to leave out with you.
Yes Baby, today is your eviction day.
I’m done.
And you’re done taking up residence in my soul.
Cause I found out that I AM GOOD ENOUGH.
That’s Right,
I AM GOOD ENOUGH.
Every roll, every bump, every curve.
My thighs, my breasts, my stretch marks.
My lips, my eyes, my hair; from head to toe,
I AM GOOD ENOUGH.
You thought you had me broken.
Yes I was, but not shattered.
It took a long time to recover, but here I am, and you, can hit the door.
You don’t have a home here anymore.
Round it up, Insecurity.
You’ve been served your papers.
I’ve met some new friends, as a matter of fact, here they come.
Meet strength, the twins: Self-love and Self Respect.
Come on in, faith, and have a seat.
So you see, there’s no room for you here anymore.
And on your way out, don’t forget to hang this sign on the door,
“NO VACANCIES”

                                    LDW ©

Sweet Mocha Chocolate

             Chyrel J. Jackson

I want my man cerebral

      on the straight up hip tip.
Hypnotically charismatic
     with an acid jazz funk.
Say brother, leave the ego tripping to me,
     I’d like to think I do it much better.
I want him no nonsense,
     in yo’ face, with a this is
how I am, black woman flavor.
     He’s got to be smooth, with
an earthy sensibility.
     Feeling what I’m feeling
as I’m feeling him.
     Essentially, I want my man as
soothing to my soul as
     sweet mocha chocolate
sliding down your throat
     on a cool Autumn day.

                            cjj ©

Who We Are!!!!

Chyrel J. Jackson,  Lyris D. Wallace

Why we write-We write for visibility and to let the world know we will not be silenced nor placed into their comfortable stereotype or image of their slanted impression of who they want black women to be. All of the great writers before us Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison all likewise wrote for this same reason. We refuse to allow someone to tell our stories when we can and should tell them ourselves. This is why we write.

Explain the title of your book-Different Sides of the Same Coin we are complete bookends of one another. Our life experiences are similar. We wrote about these and journaled these stories and put them in our book of poetry. The life lesson learned from those experiences is as women we are enough. We don't need to be smarter. Smaller, taller, lighter, darker we are simply in all of our essence as human beings living in this word enough. That is why our book was entitled Different Sides of the Same Coin. 

It is our hope that our readers realize this within themselves as well they are enough. You were always and are enough!!!

Inner Galactic Love Scene
          Chyrel J. Jackson

Black man, you are the eighth, ninth and tenth
wonder of the
world.
With eyes so bright and a smile
that transcends this immediate
hemisphere.
You are cosmically divine.
Can we share an inner galactic love scene?
Somewhere…
Anywhere…
beneath the sun,
moon
and
heavenly stars…

       cjj

“The Next Snow Fall”

          Lyris D. Wallace

I’ve sat and wondered.
I’ve sat and hoped.
I’ve sat and cried.
This couldn’t be all of it;
There has to be more than this.
Where are the movie endings of
Happily ever after?
The fairytales of tomorrow land?
What is the necessity of life?
Necessary to do what?
To become what?
Haven’t I seen this before?
Am I reliving a reality of nightmares?
Where have all the dreams gone?
Are they hidden away in boxes marked memories?
Are they stored away in moving bins labeled wishes?
I want them back.
I want to hang them in the closet,
pull them out when things get tough.
bathe in them when the world gets dirty.
I want to take them out and lay them on a bed of hope
Oh, if I could dream as I did when I was a child.
But the world changed, and I grew tougher.
I used to look for rainbows,
But the clouds rolled in.
I thought I’d dance in the fresh rains of spring
and let the brightness of the summer sun
wash over me.
But lightening filled the skies
And the summer sun is now the bitter cold of winter.
I tried to open my mouth to its snowflakes,
But received the cutting winds of a blizzard.
So I stand here,
Wet, and frozen
waiting for the next snow fall.

                  LDW