Mel Hopkins

Yaay! I wanted to post something yesterday.  Thank you! 

I didn't sign up to help via the survey because I didn't know how I could be of service - until now. 

I'm boycotting amazon by not selling my books through them.  It won't have an impact on amazon but it will allow me to engage my audience directly.   As for buying books - Amazon will be my last resort. 

I bought 3 books in November (1)  - two directly from the publisher and another from lulu (the author didn't have copies available through the website. )  


So, since I worked at both G.P. Putnam's Sons (1988-89) in the Special Sales department and Penguin USA (1989-1992) Academic Marketing and Sales department;  I'd be happy to share some insight on how we sold books before Amazon.   

I also have a note from Zane on her pitch for hand sellers and have information and a website to link regarding successful hand seller tools. 

I have a lot of ideas for people who are afraid to take the plunge and sell without amazon. If there are self-publishers who decide  they don't want to grovel to brick and mortar book store owners to sell their books - I have ideas to share with them too.  

In fact, when I first self-published in 2006 - no bricks and mortar bookstore wanted to be bothered with me...so I won't be selling through any distributors either.  I welcome anyone to get inventory from me if they want have access to my books.  Since I circumvented the who business model in the first place - I don't know why I wasted time trying to fit in their game in the first place.

(off soap box)

29 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

a man who hates the fact that the women of his own race/ethnic group are more in love with and find White men more stimulating than him.

Yes, it is. Stop believing everything you think.  

9 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

No matter what I post, how powerful the argument, regardless as to how persuasive it is you two probably would acknowledge it as being a valid anyway, let alone agree with it or concede to it.

What?  @Pioneer1  stop being a weirdo.  

human behavior fascinate me - but I  don't study people unless I have to communicate with them.  

I study concepts, philosophies, ideas etc... I don't follow "people" - so, it's unlikely  anyone can tell me what should be  important to me.   

As for Mr. Fuller, Jr.  it was inspiring to hear, he believes it's important to educate ourselves instead of sleepwalking through life.   But this how I live  so I doubt there's anything I can learn from his theories in that respect.   

 I've  visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, that he mentioned.    It definitely highlights all the areas of modern life  such as politics, education, industry, economics, entertainment et al  he speaks of .  In some cases, it showcases how we  excelled or performed better than expected in areas where the odds were stacked against us.   

There is a room - Mary McLeod Bethune interactive exhibit room where one can leave their ideas on how we can do better - but that's about as close as it comes to  creating and erecting  a prototype of this universal man universal woman he speaks about.  BTW, that was an interesting idea with a specific goal attached.  -To bad the talk show host directed him to talk about white supremacy.  Fuller clearly had his sights set on something far more inspiring, initially.  

On 11/8/2017 at 10:42 PM, Pioneer1 said:

Seems more like a nusance or even what some would consider a "curse"....having to give birth with little self control over when and how many times.

@Pioneer1 Not sure where you got that information.  It seems the other animals and reptiles can control when they get pregnant. And Komodo Dragons can decide whether to give birth to males or females through  parthenogenesis. 

16 hours ago, Cynique said:

Besides Franz Fanon i don't know of any black men in these fields.

@Cynique  Thank you for sharing Franz Fanon.  I hadn't heard of him.  Have you heard of Edward Bruce Bynum, PhD - I found  Dr. Bynum after he commented on an "Experiment" (crowdfunding website) where one of my BTHS classmates was doing an experiment on dreams. 

From her response  to him, I learned Dr. Bynum is well-researched in the field of consciousness.  I have two of his books - but they are so dense -I had to put them aside so that I could finish projects related to my livelihood.    Dark Light Consciousness - Melanin, Serpent Power and the Luminous Matrix of Reality is one book and The African Unconscious: Roots of Ancient Mysticism and Modern Psychology is the other.   I've started the first one and read the foreword on the latter and both are mind-blowing.

On 11/7/2017 at 4:15 PM, Guest aSexual said:

foresee a time in the future when physical copulation will be unnecessary for procreation and seen as a primitive activity best left to the animal kingdom.

Guest Asexual ,

Humans are  mammals of the animal species. And as humans we are far behind the rest of the animals... According to this article there are a few animals that are asexual and already producing on their own.   

And if we humans did reproduce without sex - men would eventually become extinct.   Virgin births  (parthenogenesis) in human animals would only produce female humans.    This becomes life-threatening and risky for women - especially for men who prefer not to die off.   

So as a woman who has given birth to women... YOUR utopia  is MY  nightmare.  

2 hours ago, Delano said:

How often have you seen an argument from ignorance? 

@Delano mmm, I'm on twitter - so I'd say whenever I log in.    I usually don't engage.  

@Pioneer1

20 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

Now am I mistaken?
Am I deluded?
Is this all in my own mind?
Or has anyone else noticed this "unshakable faith" that so many...not just Black women...but women of color in general  STILL have in White men to solve all of their problems?

@Pioneer1

Have you even read anything I've written?   Remember me, “the overachiever” you once called me? I find solutions to my own problems.   Nope, I’m not a damsel in distress looking for a knight...

So, what the heck are you talking about?  If you haven't watched the documentary "End of Poverty? then we can't have a conversation about it...

As for the rest, you're the one who seems to be in love with white men.  You give them all the credit for all that's wrong in the world. You are the one who speaks about "white supremacy" as if it’s enough to impact the lives of 6+ billion lives on this planet. And you're the one who wants to be the premier authority on white supremacy. 

I don't give white folks credit for anything. Ok, sometimes I blame an individual white person for some of the shenanigans.   I will, however, give credit to individuals who are focused on making this world a better place for all to live in. Their color doesn’t matter to me.

But back to this idea that I look to white men as saviors.  Remember all the stats I posted about President Barack Obama's administration?  Yes, his mom was from Kansas, but I admire him... You on the other hand talked down the first black (biracial) president of the United States. 

... But if you've reviewed anything I've written here; if you were really paying attention, you’d see a pattern of those I admire most are black women, then women of color, then women... I find us fascinatingly strong and game changers and have been since the dawn of modern civilization.  So, if there's anyone who is going to save us, my money is on black women.  Not being racist or a misandrist, I just believe black women are fabulous. Then black men because, well, we create them, then give birth to them and raise them.

Speaking of white supremacy...  check this out 

I vote for ---

1)The Underground Railroad and its conductor Harriet Tubman.  I especially like how the enslaved joined with like minded groups such as the abolitionists which powered the movement like coal and steam moves a locomotive.  It even led to legislation because it was a force that disrupted the slave trade. 

2) Civil Rights Movement - and it also led to sweeping legislation but this time to benefit minorities and women.  

3) Third would be HIP HOP... it's a culture for us, by us and continues to influence the psyche of the western and eastern civilization...As of two years ago the Japanese were still into HIP HOP...

1 hour ago, Troy said:

But when you disagree on the cause of a problem the solutions will naturally be different.

Working in economic development - I learned the first thing you do is determine your goal.   Once you determine a goal and how to achieve it,  that's usually when you can identify a problem.   

So, if racism is the problem facing the black community  - this would mean solving racism would allow the black community to achieve its goal.   

What goal will the black community achieve when the racism problem is solved?   

32 minutes ago, Delano said:

@Pioneer1 The thread is about the clip. Which you stated you hadn't watched. so your opinion is uninformed

@Delano, It seems many have an opinion without a bit of knowledge.   It's the way of this "new" world. smh

I knew I was asking to borrow the group's time when I asked you all to watch the video - but I wanted to know what others saw.  Documentaries are subjective.   

I don't mind tangent conversation but to not watch and still have an opinion on it - is just a bold display of ignorance.   I won't waste my time on it.   

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me." 

Anyway, like @Troy mentioned , it is an old documentary but the information contained within provides a map so we won't repeat history.   Troy 's crusade combined with this video was a great wake-up call - especially since the five tech giants are poised to become Emperors -over an empire built on this millennium's most precious resource - "information" ... 

22 hours ago, Guest Philip Robinson said:

We (black people) are smart enough but just lacking in the capacities that allow us to spot and respond to opportunities other than those that fit into a standard model of being employed.

Yes,  Guest Philip Robinson!  There's a lot of unlearning many of us have to do before we can shift into the entrepreneurial paradigm.  Also we have to be willing to support each other with Su-Sus, microloans;  donating skills, talents and time and anything that's needed to get a small businesses up and running. 

Hi,  Antonio,

Have you checked in your personal network?  Have you sounded the alarm to let your friends, family and associates no what you are looking for and where and what you want to do?  Have you asked them if they know someone who knows someone who can get you the "hook-up" ... Creative writing jobs are a lot easier to come by from people you know in the business.  

I never went after a writing job per se - but I am a professional writer.  My writing jobs have always been connected to the needs of an employer.  My creative writing pursuits have always been freelance - such as writing a book, news commentary et al.  Those opportunities have always come from my professional and personal network.  People who knew me hooked me up with the gig.  Sometimes it was a paid gig sometimes it was high-profile  publications such as being featured in major newspaper or a major magazine.        The clips are worth the "free" write. Be mindful not to write for free unless you own the platform or  it's for a major publication.   Ta-Nehisi Coates  reported here he has written for free "for the exposure"   

https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/03/lucrative-work-for-free-opportunity/273846/

As he discusses in the piece, I definitely recommend writing on your blog to get exposure and growing your network to include influencers.   

Side note: It's been my experience, words are powerful and they influence your trajectory. I've never asked for "equal consideration" I've asked for top or the highest consideration.  I don't feel there's anyone equal to me when it comes to my talents and skills.  And I make sure that those who are in the position to make a difference in my career know it.  

Much success.  

I found a post that explains the process but I don't want to lose touch with my handful of readers.   I am anti-middleman  LOL

AND the AALBC blog ranks #144 for industry focus!

1 hour ago, Troy said:

But this is really the foundation of my point..

And here is where we agree... 

I HATE that people sell "Jesus"...and to me they are no different than folks who sell quasi-quantum physics.      It really boils my blood.  And like the  Amazon  cult, once a person is a devotee there's not getting through to them...

I'm definitely a mystic  and yes I share my esoteric beliefs... but I will say, "It's been my experience"....when I find that people are looking for a guru.

Oh snap! Your blog is for sale on Amazon?    How, Sway? 

46 minutes ago, Troy said:

I did subsequently read the report there was nothing it to substantiate Neale's statement. 

@Troy now you're just being contrary for no reason.  You wrote you never  "heard" a scientist say the same thing as Neale.  

Neale quote:  "Quantum Physics tells us that nothing that is observed is unaffected by the observer."

From the article  "Thus, (as in conclusion)  the mere act of observation affects the experimental findings"

Neale quoted the findings of physicists .  and goes on to say "that statement from SCIENCE holds powerful insight."  

You make it clear that you have a bias against New Age-y folks but  it shouldn't cloud your reading comprehension ability, right?  

Of course we all have opinions,  so I'd understand if you disagree with Neale's summation.   

But even by disagreeing you make his statement valid.   

We see different "truths" based on our creations. 

1 hour ago, Troy said:

I doubt most people have much interest or knowledge of quantum physics.

Actually Quantum Mechanics  is pretty popular - that's how it made it into mainstream.  The first time I heard of the observer effect was in What the bleep do we know. (2004) ... I already knew it was possible but to hear scientist validate what I already knew was fascinating.  

Still that movie made  QM popular and folks such as me actually started following and reading what physicists were researching and writing about... Again, I'd been writing about this QM stuff since the 90s... but for me it was the stuff "dreams" were made of. I guess I was "New Age-y"   

By the time Angels and Demons was made into a movie - the audience was educated enough to follow along. It made it even easier for them to follow  CERN's developments ... "Particle Fever" - was a highly rated and watched documentary - that wouldn't have happened without all the "new age-y" folks making science "cool" again.  

 Neale Donald Walsch is not a scientist, but he echoed physicists in that meme.   You mentioned you never heard a scientist say it - so, I was sharing with you that they did say it. 

New Age-y people as you call them may not be able to prove what they know but they don't have to.   That's left to folks who get the fancy equipment like the LHC -to prove what someone "saw" years before in their mind's eye.    For  Us New Age-y folks - nothing is "unknowable"... 

On 11/1/2017 at 6:26 PM, Troy said:

But I completely understand than many people do read the review--which again is why they are gamed.

Yes... this is truth but there's also something novel about it... but you have given me an idea - when my book was mentioned in black enterprise - it wasn't a review but  a mention related to how I used digital marketing to sell the book - but having a known publication mention my book is kind of cool to list with my book    https://melhopkins.com/portfolio/news-hook-pitches-get-inches/

@Troy  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/02/980227055013.htm

Do they qualify as scientists? 

"In a study reported in the February 26 issue of Nature (Vol. 391, pp. 871-874), researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have now conducted a highly controlled experiment demonstrating how a beam of electrons is affected by the act of being observed. The experiment revealed that the greater the amount of "watching," the greater the observer's influence on what actually takes place."

I think they call the phenomenon "observer effect" 

49 minutes ago, Faith U said:

I have had the most success from selling on my site. With my two-month Amazon experience along with the information I have read from you and @Mel Hopkins, I will be selling my eBook directly from my site as well. Thank you for the links. I checked out the printing site, and I will contact you when I need reprints.  

@Faith U  Here's something I noticed.  I did a general search on Amazon for your eBook "Trigger is an easy name to remember)  and it didn't come up on the first page...so I did a search for the book title and your first name. This time, your title came up #1 ... I went to read the reviews and I was sold!  

@Troy  I forgot about the amazon reviews.... Amazon reviews are  huge and can be a deal closer..  In fact,  I almost bought the kindle version and then I remembered to buy directly from the author .   I didn't realize how enticing reviews can be - and I don't remember seeing customer reviews on our author's pages.  I remember I did notice on my page - that I have two reviews for other books here on aalbc - please link me  to customer reviews here on aalbc.    I know now that I have to get a customer review page for my website (I forgot how important it is)  

@Faith U I went right to your website.  Nice site and your sales page is ALL OF THAT!  You have, reviews, a trailer and soundcloud playlist for your book!  Awesome  ... Plus the upsell is an excellent tool! I bought the signed book but I was tempted to by the magnet and bookmark too!  Great sales eSheet!    I look forward to reading "Trigger" .  Also before you sell digital copies from your site - I have to put in that disclaimer to beware of bootleggers.  

8 minutes ago, Troy said:

If you buy your own on Amazon do you earn a commission and royalty for that sale?

@TroyI did this once -for a print title back in 2008.  If I remember correctly, the $2.13 came back to me through my lulu.com royalty distribution.  (You know me too well LOL) 

Btw, I also purchased a digital copy of my book through the fetchapp to see how it would work.  (the cost of doing business LOL) and fetchapp works perfectly.   After the buyer makes a purchase - the app sends a link to download the pdf.

The difference between fetchapp and gumroad (which also allows for direct digital sales) is fetchapp is free based on volume.  Gumroad charges $15 per month whether you sell or not.  But gumroad provides an imprint/watermark for each pdf it distributes.  This cuts down on book bootlegging.