Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
African-American Book Festival was SLAMMIN!
KUDOS to Evelyn Martin-Anderson for putting on a truly successful event! Informative guest speakers; all very accessible, and equally knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.
As for the poetry set, GREAT TALENTS were on hand. I really dug how Evelyn chose artists who had their own unique approach to the art of delivering their poetic expressions. Most enjoyable!
I really enjoyed doing my feature, too! I did 5 poems; 4 were in the little books I published on this computer I'm typing on.
In the book, "37 years times more i seek..." -- I selected poems with themes
that move beyond "victim consciousness" that we poets tend to get "stuck" in sometimes. In other words, if the poem's about something that happened to me that was less-than-favorable, rather than only focusing on feeling hurt/angry/resentful, etc., I go into my responsibility in each situation; how I contributed to -- or possibly created the scenario that had me feeling adversely. The title of the book was taken from a poem that is in the book with the theme of taking responsibility, called "37 years."
I knew I would get a response from the poems I read from the other book, "the CARBON factor - healing from our perspective," but I was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming positive feedback I got from reading from the content of that particular book! I brought 8 of those books; I think I have 2 left!
It indicates to me that people are really hungry for alternatives to the "okie-doke" we've been led to believe for far too many years regarding the nature of dis-ease, and what we're putting in our mouths as "food," masquerading as "nutrition." People are truly "sick 'n tired of bein' sick 'n tired"; they're beginning to see the "okie-doke" the allopathic world is "spinning" is just that. The content I offered was from a perspective they never heard or considered; and apparently, it RESONATED to the point I practically SOLD OUT of that book. In addition to poems, it also includes essays about certain "stops" on my healing journey, as well as information about diet, and healing dis-ease.
Definitely gonna make more of THAT book!
Thanks to EVERYONE who came out and supported the set!
As for the poetry set, GREAT TALENTS were on hand. I really dug how Evelyn chose artists who had their own unique approach to the art of delivering their poetic expressions. Most enjoyable!
I really enjoyed doing my feature, too! I did 5 poems; 4 were in the little books I published on this computer I'm typing on.
In the book, "37 years times more i seek..." -- I selected poems with themes
that move beyond "victim consciousness" that we poets tend to get "stuck" in sometimes. In other words, if the poem's about something that happened to me that was less-than-favorable, rather than only focusing on feeling hurt/angry/resentful, etc., I go into my responsibility in each situation; how I contributed to -- or possibly created the scenario that had me feeling adversely. The title of the book was taken from a poem that is in the book with the theme of taking responsibility, called "37 years."
I knew I would get a response from the poems I read from the other book, "the CARBON factor - healing from our perspective," but I was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming positive feedback I got from reading from the content of that particular book! I brought 8 of those books; I think I have 2 left!
It indicates to me that people are really hungry for alternatives to the "okie-doke" we've been led to believe for far too many years regarding the nature of dis-ease, and what we're putting in our mouths as "food," masquerading as "nutrition." People are truly "sick 'n tired of bein' sick 'n tired"; they're beginning to see the "okie-doke" the allopathic world is "spinning" is just that. The content I offered was from a perspective they never heard or considered; and apparently, it RESONATED to the point I practically SOLD OUT of that book. In addition to poems, it also includes essays about certain "stops" on my healing journey, as well as information about diet, and healing dis-ease.
Definitely gonna make more of THAT book!
Thanks to EVERYONE who came out and supported the set!
Chandra Features @ African American Book Festival Today, 1 PM
I feel very honored to be part of a STUNNING lineup of very talented poets, to present at the 2009 African-American Book Festival. There will also be featured authors there, from all over the country.
The festival is TODAY (June 27), 10AM - 4pm, at the Carver Museum, located at the intersection of Rosewood and Angelina Streets (at Angelina) in Austin, TX.
I will be reading poetry that is also featured in 2 of my self-published poetry samplers, 37 years times more i seek..., and the CARBON factor - healing from our perspective.
The poetry readings are from 1pm - 3pm.
Hope to see you there... and please, pick up a copy of my publications. They're VERY affordable, entertaining, and revealing, with content one can definitely utilize. THANKS!
PHOTO: Reading at a previous African-American Book Festival
Friday, June 26, 2009
Now - I'm SELF-PUBLISHING!
They say "necessity is the mother of invention."
Circumstances of one's Life status will force ingenuity, sometimes. In my case, "Mercury Retrograde" hit me on "the back end"; things I thought were in place either dissolved, or simply didn't take hold. As a result, work that I was counting on did not exist! And my bank account? Well, to avoid claiming "lack and limitation," let's just say my bank account is awaiting a SUBSTANTIAL deposit!
My good friend Veronica suggested since I have considerable culinary skills, I might consider preparing pre-packaged vegetarian food items. That idea DID NOT resonate with me. My experience with preparing food for retail has been very "iffy" (developing a customer base - which waivers - and perishability issues are primary concerns). Plus - investment capital is needed, which... again, let's just say the check is (somewhere) in the mail; yet to arrive... But I'm sure it will!
ANYWAY... The next morning, I woke up with what I thought was an even BETTER idea. Since I have so many of my writings simply lying around collecting dust I thought, "Why not make poetry 'chap books'?"
Took me a minute to figure out how to get my word processing program to print a book, but when I did, I managed to generate my FIRST 10 COPIES OF A POETRY "SAMPLER." My plan is to sell them at an upcoming book festival highlighting Black authors (I'm a featured poet at the event -- "The African-American Book Festival, Carver Museum, Austin, TX). THEN yesterday, I got the idea to create a book of my poems and essays on health and healing. I literally stayed up until DAWN publishing 8 copies. I wanted to make sure I had some "product" for tomorrow.
I'm planning to further develop my self-publishing skills, and offer my books online. If you know how I can set that up on this blog site, HIT ME!
MUCH GRATITUDE!
Circumstances of one's Life status will force ingenuity, sometimes. In my case, "Mercury Retrograde" hit me on "the back end"; things I thought were in place either dissolved, or simply didn't take hold. As a result, work that I was counting on did not exist! And my bank account? Well, to avoid claiming "lack and limitation," let's just say my bank account is awaiting a SUBSTANTIAL deposit!
My good friend Veronica suggested since I have considerable culinary skills, I might consider preparing pre-packaged vegetarian food items. That idea DID NOT resonate with me. My experience with preparing food for retail has been very "iffy" (developing a customer base - which waivers - and perishability issues are primary concerns). Plus - investment capital is needed, which... again, let's just say the check is (somewhere) in the mail; yet to arrive... But I'm sure it will!
ANYWAY... The next morning, I woke up with what I thought was an even BETTER idea. Since I have so many of my writings simply lying around collecting dust I thought, "Why not make poetry 'chap books'?"
Took me a minute to figure out how to get my word processing program to print a book, but when I did, I managed to generate my FIRST 10 COPIES OF A POETRY "SAMPLER." My plan is to sell them at an upcoming book festival highlighting Black authors (I'm a featured poet at the event -- "The African-American Book Festival, Carver Museum, Austin, TX). THEN yesterday, I got the idea to create a book of my poems and essays on health and healing. I literally stayed up until DAWN publishing 8 copies. I wanted to make sure I had some "product" for tomorrow.
I'm planning to further develop my self-publishing skills, and offer my books online. If you know how I can set that up on this blog site, HIT ME!
MUCH GRATITUDE!
Turned in my manuscript to the publisher - FINALLY!
Won't be long now!
Back in 2005, I won a full publishing contract in the Big Texas Poetry Competition. Then, my parents passed; back-to-back! Initially , I was planning to publish a collection of my poetry, but the grieving period put any thoughts of a book on hold - for a while!
That was fortunate, because during that time, I saw a disturbing documentary, A Girl Like Me, that inspired me to write a short story of a little Black girl who struggled with self-acceptance. From this short story (intended for children) evolved an entire self-help text for people of ALL AGES; ALL WALKS OF LIFE. What I discovered was, upon reading the manuscript, several adults found the lessons in the book useful in their lives.
The book entitled, No Mistake: Self-Help for ALL AGES, including the short story, Abena's Journey. The book also includes something I call a "Discovery Guide"; a "workbook" at the end of the short story that challenges the reader's preconceived notions about self and others with questions and exercises. There is also a Resource section, and a section that tells My Story; the reason I wrote the book, with highlights of my very personal story of my early life, including my struggles with identity; being one of a handful of little Black children in an all-white Catholic school in the South.
I will keep you posted as to its progress and release date!
Back in 2005, I won a full publishing contract in the Big Texas Poetry Competition. Then, my parents passed; back-to-back! Initially , I was planning to publish a collection of my poetry, but the grieving period put any thoughts of a book on hold - for a while!
That was fortunate, because during that time, I saw a disturbing documentary, A Girl Like Me, that inspired me to write a short story of a little Black girl who struggled with self-acceptance. From this short story (intended for children) evolved an entire self-help text for people of ALL AGES; ALL WALKS OF LIFE. What I discovered was, upon reading the manuscript, several adults found the lessons in the book useful in their lives.
The book entitled, No Mistake: Self-Help for ALL AGES, including the short story, Abena's Journey. The book also includes something I call a "Discovery Guide"; a "workbook" at the end of the short story that challenges the reader's preconceived notions about self and others with questions and exercises. There is also a Resource section, and a section that tells My Story; the reason I wrote the book, with highlights of my very personal story of my early life, including my struggles with identity; being one of a handful of little Black children in an all-white Catholic school in the South.
I will keep you posted as to its progress and release date!
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO - "Confirmation" picture (I'm one of the "bookends", top right. Notice how the "colored girls" are strategically placed! LOL!)
UPDATE (1/2011): After a series of re-writes, and some "soul searching," I came to the conclusion that publishing the book as a short story for young people with the Discovery Guide accompaniment would be better -- particularly since there is currently much distress and chaos among young people regarding bullying and self-acceptance. Now, I have to wait until the publisher has time to get to my project; my book is on hold indefinitely... SIGH!
UPDATE (9/8/12): I have decided to publish the book on my own, without using the prize winning (not that it would've been redeemed anyway, which is part of the reason I am moving on). ALL thing happen for a reason; let's just say I feel "protected" by the fact the publishing deal did not manifest...
So, here's the deal: The book, titled NO MISTAKE: JOURNEY TO SELF-ACCEPTANCE is in the process of being published INDEPENDENTLY. I have constructed a WEBSITE for the book, to keep all informed of its progress: http://nomistake.yolasite.com/
MUCH GRATITUDE TO ALL for your Patience and Support!!
UPDATE (9/8/12): I have decided to publish the book on my own, without using the prize winning (not that it would've been redeemed anyway, which is part of the reason I am moving on). ALL thing happen for a reason; let's just say I feel "protected" by the fact the publishing deal did not manifest...
So, here's the deal: The book, titled NO MISTAKE: JOURNEY TO SELF-ACCEPTANCE is in the process of being published INDEPENDENTLY. I have constructed a WEBSITE for the book, to keep all informed of its progress: http://nomistake.yolasite.com/
MUCH GRATITUDE TO ALL for your Patience and Support!!
About Chandra
WELCOME to ALL THINGS CHANDRA!
Those things include WRITING, PERFORMANCE POETRY, JAZZ and IMPROV VOCALS, DANCE, ACTING, and VEGETARIAN CULINARY ARTS.
I have performed with KanKouran West African Dance Company, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Sweet Honey in the Rock's "In Process," Hamiet Bluiett (The Healing Caravan, which I currently direct), Circle of Light, under the direction of the late Tina Marsh, and featured my performance poetry at venues throughout Austin. I have also appeared in numerous local, regional, and national commercial spots, and appeared in a role in the movie Stop Loss, directed by Kimberly Peirce.
In 2005, I won a full publishing contract in the Big Texas Poetry Event Competition. I am using the contract to publish a self-help book (see below). My poem, "I Am Perfect" was selected for publication in the 2009 Austin International Poetry Festival (AIPF) Anthology, where I was warmly received - to the level where I was asked to feature at a closing festival event. I also advanced to the finals in the AIPF Slam Competition.
Currently, I am in the process of forging relationships with creative people for future collaborations. I am also in the midst of publishing my first book; a self-Help book for youth titled No Mistake. And - I very recently embarked on SELF-PUBLISHING. Two "samplers" are available for purchase: 37 years times more i seek... , and the CARBON factor: healing from our perspective. "37 years..." chronicles stages in my life - from "victim" to finding my freedom through 6 poetry selections. "the CARBON factor" is small collection of poetry and essays on various subjects related to healing, nutrition, and connecting to the Procession of Life.
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