Mel Hopkins

Twitter's @Jandralee went viral when she tweeted on 12 /12/17 "How to Support Authors with Spending Any Money." Here are some of her suggestions: Review the book on Amazon Review the book...anywhere Follow them on social media Post about the book online Tell a friend (or 20) about the book Say hi Ask your local library to add the book to their collection.. After a few twitterers took screenshots of her tweet and posted it as their own @jandralee updated on 8/7/18 How to Support Authors + Creators without Spending Any Money 2.0 Ask what helps them [Authors + Creators] most Be kind online Always give credit/attribution RT to boost their content Subscribe to [their] email newsletters Thank them Leave Instagram comments (seriously, it helps a *lot*) Please add tips of your own - because any way we can help each other actually expands our own network.

@Troy , Yes I agree! Getting books in front of readers was Amazon's specialty. Amazon actually trained us, the readers, to go to them first when looking to buy a book. I had to break the habit and search out books from authors, then publishers, then independent book shops then chain bricks and mortar to finally online retail. Other readers may not go through the hassle and ultimately, the writer loses. We've learned the amazon process discourages some writers from participating at all. So, yes I hope others will share their experiences. The bottom line in that case is when someone is printing off your book and selling to THEIR customers, you really can't be sure how many books you're actually selling. With that in mind, After my initial release in 2006, I also sold about 100 books on lulu.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. After 2008 through 2014, the numbers dwindle and averaged 3 per year - or at least that was what amazon was reporting. Lulu seemed to be more brisk in their reporting. I've since removed my title from all online retailers - and I buy my books so I can sell directly to others. This way, I can keep an eye on my inventory AND stay in contact with my customers. I've had the most success though Social Selling (social media) to my immediate network and their network. Social Selling led to promoters book me for their events where I found after a speaking engagement I was successful at direct selling.

And it could be anywhere in the world -since he has the UK after him too. I think there's a civil suit pending there against him. I'm not familiar with U.K legal system though. It does seem they're moving faster than here in the U.S.

@Troy Yes, I believe it is to the tune of 1.4 million people purged from the rolls since 2012. I understand removing voters who haven't voted in two consecutive presidential elections - I remember that being the rule in NY State too. It's the shenanigans of purging folks just because that I find offensive. BUT what I really find offensive is registered voters not VOTING. If we vote in every single election we'd know if someone was doing something illegal like stealing our right to vote. We'd know because we exercised that right!

According to BBC.Com - 5 October 2017 “The New York Times publishes a story detailing decades of allegations of sexual harrassment against Harvey Weinstein. Actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd are among women who come foward. ...Weinstein apologizes and takea a leave of absence” a lot more stuff then on 25 May 2018 “Weinstein turns himself in to NY Police on sexual misconduct charges.” Police charge him with rape and several other counts of sexual abuse against two women. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41594672

Folks are really losing it. I'm not sure if these people just want attention or there are a lot of civil rights violations occurring in America. All I can say is 45 didn't cause this but he's a symptom of unrest.

Recently, an AALBC member asked how can I buy your book? While we authors may think it's obvious how readers can buy our book - it's not as obvious as we may think. So, how can readers buy your book? What's your most successful way to get your books into your readers hands? Social Media Sales? Handselling? Direct Sales? What's your selling Secret? Urban Fantasy, Signed by the author Buy Now $14.95 plus Shipping/Handling

Welcome @Floyd Collins ! We have 35 members in the ReadingBlack club - I know I missed a lot of you who have joined, WELCOME!

I was correct "The Devil in Silver" did get under my skin. In fact, as the book nears its climax - I actually cried real tears and woke up the next morning with puffy eyelids. Here's what I tweeted to @victorlavalle in response: " When I met LeClair, I cried. Just like in the air duct, I didn't know where it was leading. Then I was like, "wow, this is how it feels to experience a moment of genius." "I was blown away...To say "pivotal" is an understatement [in reference to the climatic ending] - I had no words. Just tears. " Lavalle is a brilliant storyteller. Full Stop. As I mentioned, I decided to buy this book in 2012 at @Troy recommendation here on AALBC. I have no regrets. I'm thankful he introduced me to this author.

Guest M.L. Ginn, I think it would be easier to give you recommendations if you share what genre you're writing in and what audience you're targeting such as YA reader, New Adult, Women's fiction etc... also consider joining us over at the club readingblack.com - for tips on how to help your audience find you and your books.

Excellent recap! I had to download the nbc5chicago app - because none of the cable stations carried the verdict live. Two of my three daughters work in the loop - so my anxiety was dialed up to “high”. As for the grifters in Washington; well, I do my best not to think about any of them so that I may maintain my good health.

@Troy it appears you have urban fantasy in your ten. correct?

erm...Troy? 😄

Or even be mean just to engage and get attention. I now spend more time reading fiction than reading “thoughts” and “commentary”... I still want to know what others think I just prefer it have a narrative structure.

Excellent episode! Especially since a few anger management classes would have worked wonders. The sad part is this episode is allegedly a reality in the People's Republic of China... Actually, we here have a similar system - FICO

Are you using the information from the website? Also have you reviewed interviews from the founders? That may help you craft your argument for the morality of the organization - Specifically , how an organization working against police brutality could lead to community policing - and more cooperation between residents and law enforcement. This keeps police safe as well as black residents. Back in the early 2000s there was an organization called weed & seed - it was an USDOJ office of justice programs - and black communities and police worked together... and million dollar funding made it possible. So maybe there’s where morality can come into play - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-lives-matter-a-catalyst-for-philanthropic-change_us_582234bae4b0102262411df7

Outside the Perimeter West -

HW is out on a million dollar bond - his next hearing is in November 8 postponed from September 20th in New York Supreme Court. Weinstein wants the charges thrown out. He’s also being investigated for a federal case, Los Angeles and in the UK - -

I see this as cooperation. These partners care for each other and their values are the same and they are working towards shared goal and maybe longevity.

The most random thing is he had enough money to pay for his freedom - Like the other wealthy folks do. I think he sacrificed himself for Camille.

i agree ... and you know I’m OTP west, right? I’m going to have to think long on that one - because I can’t think of any “spiritual mecca” that’s landlocked. Re: Mark Z , Bezos And a bit of Kabbalah and I Ching too! Btw @Troy commerce grew as a result of the energy - not the other way around. Malidoma Patrice Some speaks about this phenomenom, I think, in “Of Water and The Spirit”...

I cooperate with others but I don’t compromise. I think compromise is disingenuous and the injured party will always look for their comeuppance. In an intimate relationship, cooperation is my tool of choice. For example, I had a lover who was polyamorous. I’m not. I love him like cooked food. He loves me and wanted to continue our relationship - but that would mean I’d have to compromise. I wouldn’t and didn’t. I let go. You can compromise your values but you can cooperate them. In intimate relationships, values match and goals are the same - or yes, partners will compromise themselves - and as @Delano mentioned that’s a soul killer.

Yes! @Delano you and I twin in esotericism... I felt so strongly you could hear me on this subject. Africans are drawn to the energy spots. If you came to georgia you’d live near me... I live above the water yet I’m surrounded by it... in a energy vortex. I didn’t consult my charts but I knew my career would have a bright spot this year... So, yes Billionaires use astrology - and Queen Elizabeth knew it was time to get an African woman in the monarchy... also speaking of Billionaires - Richard F Smith didn’t get married in Rome - but he did marry in Italy ... (Rome is still financial district and “home to the Gods”

😄 Oh snap! This is like Marley Dias, her mom and their close relationship with Black Thought and The Roots! - I love it! Black folks are forming powerful coalitions!

Thank you for the acknowledgement @Troy ! Seriously, how many hours in Stacey Abrams’ day?