Introducing G.P.A

G.P.A.(Greatest Poet Alive),the Phenomenal Poetic Unsub, hails from Chicago Il. He has written four books of Poetry(THe Confessional Heart of a Man, The Book of 24 Orgasms, The Mind of a Poetic Unsub, and the recently released Revenge of the Orgasm. G.P.A. has won the Poetry Pentathlon, Black Essence Award, and Moth Storytelling Championship. He is also the host of Poetry's Love Letter, an open mic on every second Friday at Let Them Eat Chocolate.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself.

I am the controversial, critically acclaimed, and most electrifying man in Poetry. The city I hail from is Chicago Illinois. At this point in my writing career, I have written and published four books of Poetry(The Confessional Heart of a Man, The Book of 24 Orgasms, The Mind of a Poetic Unsub, and most recently, Revenge of the Orgasm. I have won the Moth Storytelling Slam and was runner up in the Grand Slams.

 

What inspired you to write your first book?

I was incarcerated when I wrote my first book, so I wrote it from the baggage I carried around for decades and the things I saw and heard around me.

 

 

What do you wish more people knew about the publishing side of things?

I would want people to know that anyone can call themselves a publisher and charge you fees, but there is more to it than that. There should be a rapport that combines business and personal. Remember, you are giving your work and trusting this person or persons to bring it to reality.

 

 

How do up with your titles?

My titles are made to encompass the poems in this respective books but also to grab the attention of readers. 

 

 

What author(s) has influenced your writing style?

Langston Hughes and Poets from the Romantic Era have influenced my style of writing. But 50 Cent, Kobe Bryant, Miles Livingston, John Cena, and the Rock  influence my work ethic and attention to my craft.

 

 

For your first book, how long did it take you to find an agent?

I don't have an agent. When I tried, the practices seemed not trustworthy.

 

 

How important was a "platform" in selling your books?

I needed a platform to sell my books because Poetry is looked upon as archaic, so using romance and storytelling has helped me get it across.

 

 

Do you have book signings coming up where readers can meet you?

Over the next few months, I will be in several places across the country. The best way to keep up with me is either on Facebook at G.P.A.(Greatest Poet Alive) or www.iblowyourmind.net

 

 

Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)? Just released Revenge of the Orgasm and now working towards my second cd, The G.P.A. Experience. 

 

 

What advice do you have to an aspiring author?

Write,write,write,edit, get a professional editor, and then edit again. Have your own style and stick with it, making adjustments along the way

Interview with Missy Salick

Missy B. Salick is a new author who has written her first novel, Claiming Jeremiah. Her fictional memoir on foster adoption is drawing a hefty buzz around the sensitive topic. The novel is small in size, but contains a powerful message. "Children in foster care need a place to call home."  Salick, a foster care advocate, wrote this book based on her personal journey of foster adopting her four-year-old son.

Before self-publishing, Claiming Jeremiah, Salick spent several years as a freelance business writer for Fortune 500 companies such as: Shearman & Sterling, KPMG, Deloitte and many more. She also had a stint with song ghost writing. Salick's experience in the entertainment industry stems from working with entertainment companies and media including Violator, MBK, Village Voice and more. As the founder of J.J. Autumn Publishing, her publishing company is geared towards highlighting urban fiction dedicated to special causes and community awareness projects.

When Missy is not promoting foster adoption, she can be found volunteering at Junior Achievement, being a Big Sister and counseling young girls through Journal Writing or helping to save the Polar Bears with WWF.

 

 

Can you please tell us a little about yourself?

I'm 28 and I have just written my first novel Claiming Jeremiah. A fiction memoir based on foster adoption. The book's foundation is based off of some of my personal experiences. I have worked for many Fortune 500 companies, but writing has always been my excitement. I volunteered at Junior Achievement, Big Brother Big Sister Program, and thoroughly enjoy counseling young girls through Journal Writing. I have created a program called iJournalNow where I personally donate Journal packets to children in foster homes (or other agencies) to promote writing, and give them a safe place to write their thoughts or experiences down.  

 

What inspired you to write your first book?

My personal experience of fostering my son was the inspiration to write Claiming Jeremiah. Through the foster adopting process I realized how many children are in similar situations and need a place to call home. It is such an untouched topic that I decided to raise awareness about the Foster Care system, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Giving every child a home has become my passion and mission.   

What do you wish more people knew about the foster care process?

I wish people knew the full story. The facts, statistics - the horror stories that are told are not always true. The information they think they know about foster care, are at times just myths. For example: you don't have to be married to foster or foster adopt, you don't have to own a home, and you don't have to be in a heterosexual relationship. The process while not an easy one for a long shot, is very much worth it to open your home to a child/teen who wants nothing more than to have a place to lay his/her head at night. 


How do you feel about people who adopt children from other countries?
To each is own. However, I feel more people should look into their local agencies for foster adoption first. They may be surprised how easier and more feasible it is to do the same thing they are doing outside of their state or country. People don’t realize that there are over 400,000 children in the United States that need a place to call home.

I know you have a program called "iJournal Now"  Can you give your readers more information on it and how can they contribute to the cause?
Sure. iJournalNow is a great project I created with one thing in mind. To give "in-need" children a creative outlet to express their feelings and emotions. Children in places like foster care, group homes, shelters, etc. have a hard enough time expressing themselves. With iJournalNow I personally donate journal packets (containing a journal, pen, sticker and personal note) to these children in order for them to journal write. Journal writing is a great therapeutic way to help overcome the toughest situations. 

 

Readers interested in helping can spread the word, donate unused composition notebooks, folders, stickers and/or bookmarks or reach out to me about starting their own local iJournalNow program in their area. You can email me at jjautumnpublishing@gmail.com to learn more.  

For your first book, how long did it take you to find an agent?

I currently don't have a literary agent only a business manager. I am taking on much of the roles myself. This allows me the freedom to go at my own pace, and make my own rules.  

 

How important was a "platform" in selling your books?

Very important. Prior to completing your book it’s important to set up a platform of how to sell your book. Who do you want to target, where and how. I developed a solid team to assist me in all aspects- and they have been wonderful, I feel truly blessed. I've also founded my own publishing company- J.J Autumn Publishing. This allowed me to write what I want, and not have to make many edits or leave facts out. This also gives me the freedom to write more books at my own pace and publish them on my terms.  

 

Do you have book signings coming up where readers can meet you?

Yes, I am going on a summer tour beginning in a few weeks. You can stay connected with my happenings on my website www.meetmissy.com or on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @meetmissy24, or my blog- http://jjautumnpublishing.wordpress.com/.

What advice do you have to an aspiring author on writing a memoir?

Patience is a virtue. As much as we want to speed write to see the final product, it takes time. Relax, gather your thoughts think about the characters and the chapter developments. Think about how much of yourself you want to put on paper and share with the world. Evaluate your material over time. I put down Claiming Jeremiah for a year. When I picked it back up I had fresh ideas to add. Once your story is complete, review, review REVIEW! Find a great team to assist you in promoting and putting the final details on your projects- because there are a lot! When you’re ready publish it on your terms- don’t let anyone tell you how or what you should change. This is your book- and will forever have your name as the author. Continue writing and striving and looking forward. Don’t let anyone discourage your dreams.  

 

Social Media:

 

FB page www.facebook.com/meetmissy24
Twitter link- www.twitter.com/meetmissy24
Instagram- http://instagram.com/meetmissy24

 

On the same night that twenty four-year-old Jordyn Sims has a miscarriage, her sister-in-law Tori Sims conceives a child. Nine months later, Tori, a long term heroin addict, abandons her two-hour-old drug addicted newborn Jeremiah, in a hospital stairwell. Jordyn receives the news and pursues foster adoption. However, Oscar, Tori's possessive drug-addicted boyfriend, is not about to give Jeremiah up so easily. While in confrontation with Tori and Oscar, Jordyn seeks help from the Administration of Children Services (ACS), only to discover she is faced with a maze of departments, regulations, legalities and overworked social workers. Jordyn, however, remains strong and continues to push through the uphill battle, even after she discovers she's pregnant.

With all odds against her adoption of Jeremiah, and her pregnancy at high risk from increasing stress, will Jordyn win this tough battle, or will her world crumble before her?

Sell Links:

 

www.meetmissy.com

 

http://www.amazon.com/Claiming-Jeremiah-ebook/dp/B00C8PKAIC

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303735

Interview with Author Chyna Sallier

Chyna Sallier,established October 19, 1979. Born and raised in Compton, California. She is the CEO of Queen C's Publishing and the Publisher/Author of her Urban short story "Hood Girlz". As a teenager, Chyna discovered her God gifted talent in writing; it started from her writing her feelings on note pads, which led to writing raps and poems. Now she is Writing and Publishing books. She is creating Real Urban/Erotic Street Novels, Short Stories, and Poems. 

  She has no intentions on stopping at "Hood Girlz” Her love for Literature has driven her to persevere through life's challenges and meet her goal of writing and Publishing a multitude of artistic expressions. 

As a devoted wife, loving mother, author, entrepreneur, and student, she manages to wear all hats successfully. Chyna is a strong Black Woman that loves to empower and encourage women through her positive influences. She is a role model for our youth living the lifestyles that she writes about, she encourages youth in the hood not to settle for less. One of her philosophies is that; even though you go through struggles in life, don't give up; push to be your best in anything you put your mind to.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I am the CEO and Founder of Queen C's Publishing, and the Author of the book titled "Hood Girlz" I am a strong black woman that strives for nothing but the best; a loving and hard working mother and wife, that continues to push for success.


What inspired you to write your first book? From seeing and going through so much in life; I was inspired by life to write my first book. I been writing since my teenage years; writing poems and raps. I always wrote for self pleasure, I really didn't realize that I had it in me until I got older. I wanted to bring my writing out to the world and do more with it, so, I also inspired and challenged myself to write my first book.


What do you wish more people knew about the publishing side of things?
Publishing is not an easy job; it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and motivation.


How do up with your titles?
My titles randomly comes to me; once I start writing, that's when my titles come to me.


What author(s) has influenced your writing style?
I actually have my own writing style, and have influenced myself.


For your first book, how long did it take you to find an agent?
My first book, I did not have an agent. I published and did everything on my own.


How important was a "platform" in selling your books?
It was extremely important and challenging because, I had no agent, and didn't know too much about the Publishing/Literacy world. Starting out on my own, I learned that I had to start and build my own platform and make myself heard.


Do you have book signings coming up where readers can meet you?
At the moment I don't have any book signings coming up. But, I do have part 2 of Hood Girlz coming out this Summer 2013; I will keep everyone updated. If anyone want to stay in the know check the website randomly: HTTP://WWW.chynasallier.com


Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?
Yes, I have three projects I am working on that will be out this year; "HOOD GIRLZ 2 authored by myself", "Have Heart Have Money authored by Travon Pugh", and "Hot-n-Candy authored by D.L. Mims.


What advice do you have to an aspiring author?
My advice is for them to take their time, pace their selves, and do plenty research. Also, don't be afraid to put your work out thinking nobody will like it; do it anyway because, everybody is not going to like everything you do.

 

Growing up in Compton, raised by a single mother and no father, Desti'ne became familiar with struggling at a very young age.

  As a teen, she and her closest friends grew to understand that MONEY is absolutely necessary for survival. By any and all means, Money is a must.

  But more than they realize, money is the line between LOYALTY and BETRAYAL.

Racing through life and jumping over every obstacle in her path due to her ability to use her "STREETS SMARTS" to get by, while at the same time gaining knowledge to make herself a better person and give herself a better life.

To contact Author Chyna Sallier:

HTTP://WWW.chynasallier.com
HTTP://www.facebook.com/chynahoodgirlz
http://WWW.chynaurbanworld.blogspot.com
HTTP://WWW.twitter.com/QueenCsPub