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@E.equals.dtb I wrote a response to your post the other day but for some reason - it's not here. 😞 Anyway, "black people" is not your audience. Some black people might be in your audience but we're not a monolith. Therefore, some of us may hurt your sales more than help. A lot of new writers make the same mistake especially those who think they don't understand 'marketing (promotion)'...But I believe you do understand how to promote your book because you worked in nonprofit! Just like a nonprofit doesn't serve everyone -neither will your book. BUT you do have a very specific audience. It's the audience that is most receptive and will benefit from your message. Find that group first and start speaking with them...and they will help you sell your book. Also join us over at #readingblack.com - it's another discussion forum on aalbc.com (this website) that helps authors with strategies for selling. MERGED Also, I should be more specific about what I mean when I say find that "group." This group may be those who identify as "black" but remember there 's a lot of "black" people in the world. Further some "black" people may be women, men, or other? Some black people are christians with a big giant E in front of the "c". Some black people are buddhist and that's a huge undertaking in itself. I have a friend who is the most militant black man I've met but he almost had me thinking about following buddhism because he made it seem perfect for me ... You see where I'm going with this right? When I first wrote my book - I thought it was for every black woman in the world - but what I found out is Black men and women who were into STEM and men who read comic books loved my book. I would have never guessed but that's what my audience looked like. In an effort to narrow down your group to get honest reviews and cut down on your frustration - determine the characteristics of the group who is willing to listen and learn and that's where you start.

So sorry for your loss @Chevdove ...💔

Hello Mel. Thank you for responding to my appeal for help. It is excellent advice! I do apologize if I give the impression that I think all Black people are my intended audience. I am putting this work out there knowing that only a subset of the whole set of Black people is going to be drawn to the message. Within that larger set might be the set of Black people who are open to other approaches to spirituality from the traditional monotheistic traditions. Or people who have strong Black Nationalist leanings. Or a set of Black people who, like me, are interested in the science behind how the universe works. Or a set of people who are just sick and tired of being sick and tired of racism and are willing to consider new approaches to relieving suffering among our people. The point is that I throw the doors open for discussion to all Black people knowing that those who become my readers will come from there. I actually did start with the smallest subset I could identify. I started by speaking at Unity churches, the only metaphysical denomination I'm aware of in which Black people participate in significant numbers. At least I know that metaphysical principles are guiding principles of Unity as a religion. I also contacted Unity ministers at predominantly Black Unity churches all over the country. The response has been negligible. I am a Licensed Unity Teacher myself and I understand that although Unity teachings are metaphysical, the stumbling blocks are the implications of the Divine Feminine for Jesus and the male God of Christianity. I honestly don't know who my eventual audience may turn out to be. But I am ready to learn how to make my living as an author. I want to learn how to market myself and my work, and I am taking my first tentative steps into the larger community of Black readers. Again, thank you for your help. I certainly will get over to #readingblack.com as well. I do want to just add that what I write is only intended for Black consumption. "Black" simply meaning "having been treated some kinda way in these United States based on your African heritage and your skin color." We know who we are.

Thank you! Okay so 'what is destiny'? And, 'Where am I going'!? Also, many years ago, I lost my sweet heart, my precious little dog and it hurt me so badly that I don't think I ever really want another dog. Sometimes I wonder If in the future I will get over his death and maybe get another dog; so would that be a proper question to ask you?

You did not ask me, but I gather Smollet really did make up the story. If this is true, he should not have gotten off. But it is not unusual for celebrities to be treated with kid gloves.

I think one of the biggest challenges of proving the existence of God isn't the proof itself, so much as being able to SHARE that proof with others. In other words...... If I pray for miracles in my life and God or a some other divine Being presents Themselves before me and communicates with me and grants me those miracles....that IS proof! It's more than just evidence, it's absolute proof! However, if I'm talking to a friend or co-worker how do I prove TO THEM that this happened?

(I edited my last message for clarity) I actually thought about doing flea market or other events to sell some of the books I have and to promote the business. But I need to find one visited by my tribe. I used to do the Harlem Book Fair and did really well there selling an even buying books, but that was 20 years ago and times have changed.

Yes except I use planets and asteroids. Some swear by the stars. @Chevdove the question that you didn't ask is what is destiny? The followup or secondary question is where are you going? Perhaps.