Royalty Check and Me!!!

My First Royalty Check

Blessing/Motivaton

I received my first royalty check in the mail the other day. It felt good. It felt great. It felt spectacular. Stop!!! Wait a minute. I meant to say that I felt Robbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Let me just set the record straight, I did not write my book for any monetary gain. I wrote it because I love to write. But, because I did write it and I did put my heart into the book hence the title HeartFelt: A Book of Poems, I must say I was surprised. I was surprised that the check was very little. VERY LITTLE!!!!

Besides the amount of the check, I am happy, excited, thrilled and blessed. Blessed beyond measure that I can actually say I received my first royalty check. But, I just wanted to let you guys know how I felt. I just wanted to share some of my emotions.

Yes I am a little emotional...actually very emotional....very emotional am I!

My first royalty check opened up my eyes. It allowed me to see that I am a broke author trying to make it to the door steps of some high time, professional and brillant publishing manager.

Yes I am Motivated...actually very motivated....very motivated am I!

I am a Motivated self-published author who won't stop until I get a publishing deal from a major publishing company!!!!


I am motivated!!!! Let's get it!!!

Happy Mother's Day

A Tribute to my Mama

aka

Lora R. McLeod

Now i believe that Mother's Day should be everyday. I dont understand why there is always a 2 hour wait at all the local restaurants or why flowers cost you double. Like you should show your mama love everyday. But, to go along with the flow of our backwards society I would like to wish my educated, strong, black, god fearing, outspoken mother a Happy's Mother's Day!!!!

I thank god everyday for blessing me with a mother like her. She is the true definition of what any mother should be. She puts her family first before anyone or anything. She has morals and stands by them daily. She gave my brother and I a great childhood full of laughter and joy. She gave us such a great childhood that sometimes i wish that i was still a child just to go back to Sesame Place or ride bikes or go to Disney World.

Now we dont always agree now that i am a young adult but i tell you one thing if anyone ever talks about my mama it will be World War 3. She is my heart and my best friend. So this Sunday i will celebrate her and all that she has done for me and the inspiration that she has been in my life. Now if you still didn't get the Hallmark card or dozen roses you better go out and get your mama or grandmama, or big mama down the street a love gift. Life is too short so we must celebrate all mothers who have loved us and supported us even when we didn't deserve it cause you know we can act up sometimes. So run to hallmark or your nearest florist to show that special lady in your life some appreciation. Be blessed and have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!!

Mother's Day Edition...

Nikki Giovanni

( A mother, writer, poet, author, and professor)

As Mother Day approaches it is imperative of me to highlight some of our society's most influential women who are writers, poets, authors, career women and and most importantly mothers. Starting this week up until Mothers Day I will highlight a talented, educated and dedicated woman who has inspired her community to achieve success through writing and teaching. This week I will talk about the famous Nikki Giovanni.

Nikki Giovanni is a Grammy –nominated American Poet, activist and author. Giovanni is currently a Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech. In 1960 she began her studies at Fisk University . She graduated in 1967 with honors, receiving a B.A. in history. Afterwards she went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. In 1969 Giovanni began teaching at Livingston College of Rutgers University.

The Civil Rights and the Black Power Movement inspired a lot of her early poetry that was collected in Black Feeling, Black Talk (1967), Black Judgement (1968), and Re: Creation (1970). She has since written more than two dozen books including volumes of poetry, illustrated children's books, and three collections of essays.


While writing Giovanni gave birth to her only child named Thomas Watson Giovanni, on August 31, 1962. She later stated that she had a child out of wedlock at twenty-five because she "wanted to have a baby and could afford to have a baby.” Giovanni has been quoted saying, "I just can't imagine living without him. But I can live without the revolution, without world socialism, women's lib...I have a child. My responsibilities have changed.”



Interesting Facts:


Thug Life Tattoo- Nikki has a tattoo saying “Thug Life” to honor Tupac Shakur.

Professor at Virginia Tech- She taught Seung-Hui Cho (the mastermind behind the 2007 Virginia Tech Killing Spree) in her poetry class and described him as mean and wanted him to be removed from her class.

Diagnosed with Lung Cancer- In 1995 she was diagnosed with lung cancer and had surgery to remove her entire lung. Her mother and sister died from lung cancer.

Name-Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni

Birthday- June 7, 1943


So let’s salute a powerful, educated, and brave Mother. Nikki Giovanni should inspire all mothers to strive for excellence!!!! Have a blessed weekend everyone!!!

Interview on www.imkeepingup.com

Interview by T.TOLI from http://www.imkeepingup.com/

Nicole Little holds many titles, daughter, friend, sister and now is adding published author to her list. Check out how she is keeping up ………….

What is the name and title of your debut book ?

Heartfelt: A Collection of Poems by Nicole D. Little and Lora R. McLeod

What inspired you to create a book of poems?

I have always loved to write. That's why I chose Journalism as a major at Hampton University. In High School I entered writing contests and wrote for my school newspaper. This book started from fun and leisure. Then as I continued to write I wanted to do a book about real life and the things that human beings experience or witness. I actually was inspired by a lady from my church who quit her corporate job at Merrill Lynch to write books and start her own publishing company. While speaking to her one day she said, "If you want to accomplish something in life, accomplish it now. Don't wait until you are 30 and 40 years old." Her words woke me up and inspired me. From that day forward I decided that I wanted to publish a book and I wasn't going to wait.

This book was created with you and your mom. How was that and how did the idea come about?

Well basically I told her that I wanted to publish a book and she wanted to get on board. Since she is my mother I couldn't tell her no. I'm only joking but anyway she writes great and her poems are really deep. I thought that it would be a great idea to have my mother write a couple of poems for my first book.

What type of relationship do you and your mom have?

We have always had a close mother/daughter relationship. She has always been my #1 supporter in all that I have done. She's not only my mother but I consider her to be my best friend. She keeps me grounded and when I get off track in life she is the one person who can get me back on track.

What is the message you want readers to get after reading the poems?

The message is that we all go through things in life and we all have to overcome obstacles. At 23 years old I have witnessed a lot. There is a lot that I haven't witnessed but there is a lot that I have witnessed. I just wanted people to know that they are not alone in this crazy world and there is always room for change in your life. There is always room to gain knowledge and learn not only from others but from yourself. Actually the greatest teacher on this earth will be YOU and the experiences YOU go through.

What is your favorite poem? Why?

Awww man I have a lot. This is a hard question. So, I will name the ones I really like. Diva Gals, When He Cheated, When She Cheated, and Just Be. I actually like Diva Gals the most because it's a poem for the ladies. Its a poem honoring all my Divas. Divas just don't dress nice or look nice but they are educated and hard working women. I also love a couple that my mother wrote. Here they are: Why Wont You Listen?, Can't You Hear?, My Nieces My Queens, and The Beautiful Women in our Family.

What are a few of your dreams, aspirations or goals?

Well, this will not be my only book for sure. I would like to do another book of poems within the next 2 years. I would also like to write a couple of novels down the road. My main goal is to write for a major magazine within the music/fashion industry and maybe one day creating a magazine of my own.The sky is the limit and I will make sure that everyday counts. Thanks so much for the love and support!!! You can find my book and make a purchase at www.authorhouse.com, http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Omar Tyree and Heartfelt: A Collection of Poems

Happy Friday everyone!!! I hope everyone has had a blessed and productive week amidst the recession that America is experiencing. Just know that you are still blessed!!! Anyway i recently had the pleasure of asking one of my favorite authors Omar Tyree some advise on book publishing and ways of promoting and selling books. His advise to me was the following:

My Question:

What advice would you give to a self-published author looking to get a book deal from a major publishing company? What are some steps that a self-published author needs to take to position his or herself for a book deal?

Omar Tyree's Answer:

"When I was picked up for my first, historical 2-book deal with Simon & Schuster, it was because I had already sold 25,000 books on my own, which represented more than $250,000 generated in the publishing industry with my name attached to it....The Equation for success in any business is the accumulation of Green SUPPORT! You must have it in order to survive and to move forward. And once you have shown that you can indeed gather a large number of supporters for your work, you will have no problem getting a major publishing house to sit down at the deal table and talk serious numbers with you."

So i guess in order for me to get a major publishing deal i have to SELL BOOKS!!!! So i'm ginding you'll...Grindinnnnnnnnggggggg!!!! You can see Omar Tyree's full blog on http://www.omartyree.com/. Until next week be safe you'll!!!

Updated News: South Plainfield Observer has published an article about Heartfelt: A Collection of Poems by Nicole D. Little and Lora R. McLeod in the March 13th issue! God is good even in a recession!!!!!!!! Love you all!!!

Update on Book!!!

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to stop by to give a brief update on my book Heartfelt: A Collection of Poems by Nicole D. Little and Lora R. McLeod. I give all the honor to god. Without him none of this would be possible.

Book Status:

1. First Book Signing- February 28, 2009
2. http://www.imkeepingup.com/- Published Article on March 11, 2009
3. South Plainfield Observer-Milestone Announcement being published
4. First Interview- Katz Media on March 11, 2009
5. Barnes and Noble Book Signing-TBD
6. Booking Signing at The Cathedral International- TDB

Highlighted Author: Eric Jerome Dickey

Eric Jerome Dickey




One of my favorite authors is Eric Jerome Dickey. Eric Jerome Dickey is a New York Times best-selling African American author best known for his novels about contemporary life within the black community. He is also known for writing several crime novels involving ex cons and assassins.



It was 1997 when i brought his book Friends and Lovers. As soon as i got through the first chapter i was hooked. I loved the way he manipulated and utilized certain words. The book used very descriptive vocabulary and made you feel like you were a character in the book. I couldn't put the book down. I automatically became a fan of his work. The next two books I brought were Milk in my Coffee and Cheaters. Cheaters became an automatic success for him. I remember everyone talking about it and how they could relate to it. Dickey practically put out a book every year since those first couple of books. I wonder how he did it? How did he find the time? If anyone catches up with him tell him that i would like to sit down with him to find out his recipe for success.

Dickey has also ventured out into comedy and the movie world. Eric Jerome Dickey is one of the best authors of his time. If you have read any of his books please feel free to comment on the ones that you really liked. Have a great weekend!!!! His bibliography is below!!!!


Bibliography


Dying for Revenge (November 2008)
Pleasure (April 2008)
Waking With Enemies (August 2007)
Sleeping With Strangers (April 2007)
Chasing Destiny (May 2006)
Voices from the Other Side: Dark Dreams II (April 2006) - contributing writer
Genevieve (May 2005)
Drive Me Crazy (July 2004)
Naughty or Nice (October 2003)
The Other Woman (May, 2003)
Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writing (2002) - contributing writer
Thieves' Paradise (2002)
Black Silk (2002)
Griots Beneath the Baobab: Tales from Los Angeles (2002) - contributing writer
Between Lovers (2001)
Mothers and Sons(2001) - contributing writer
Got To Be Real (2000) - contributing writer
Liars Game (2000)
Cheaters (1999)
Milk In My Coffee (1998)
Friends & Lovers (1997)
Sister, Sister (1996)
Cappuccino (Movie)