Mel Hopkins

@Pioneer1 I did NOT ignore your comment! I didn't respond to it. If you read my remarks in that thread you'll see I was on another tangent. When I did return, my reference was in agreement with Troy's statement -because I had noticed the same in learning. I realized that if I can teach a subject then my comprehension of the subject is solid. By the way, REALLY Pioneer? Hate Black Men? Are you serious?

@Delano that was a typo... I will go correct it now... @Pioneer1 I don't remember joining in on that discussion between you and Cynique.. I remember your discussion with @Cynique being more nuanced.

@Delano You can't. Without comprehending a subject you can't explain it. You can only give facts and details.

"If you can't explain it, you don't know it. If you can't teach it, you need to go back and learn it..."

@Farai Caldwell and all members , Welcome! I've already noticed a change in my behavior when it comes to #ReadingBlack I enjoy reading business, science , metaphysics etc - and prior to this club I would wait for recommendations through feature articles that I read... Now I'm actually searching for the genre and determining if it is written by African-Americans and/or for African-Americans. So if any of our members have published books in the aforementioned genres - please send me (melhopkins (at) theleadstory (dot) net ) an image of the book cover, a summary or book blurb/summary and preferably a buy link I will add it to my website's bookstore and my blog posts, if it's native to the subject. Thank You!

3. Think Like an Editorial Director - and curate and create News your audience can use. Even if you have one name on your mailing list treat that one person like she represents 1,000 subscribers because she does if we can depend on exponential growth. Sometimes good content could be related to your book's subject matter - especially if you're an expert. Other times you may have to think beyond your book and really know what your customers need. For example, @CDBurns runs a website with the tagline "in-depth sneaker info. http://arch-usa.com/ I haven't sign up for his mailing list but I do follow him and his conversation on disqus. Chris Burns designs,and runs his shoe business but he also has his own publishing arm to the business too. Burns is ahead of the curve. Major Brands are now just realizing that they need a media department. I thought about him when writing this post because just yesterday, he told me about Brooks running shoes and their partnership with Black Girls Run. I'm not a sneaker head but his information appeals to me. This means when I think of sneakers, I remember him. You connecting with your audience through your expertise means they will remember you too.

Are you collecting sales, likes or customers? One thing that soured me on selling books through amazondotcom and even luludotcom was both companies had information on those who purchased my books that I didn't have. Not knowing my customers put me at a disadvantage. It meant that when I had a new book they might like I had to wait until Amazon or lulu got around to telling them. What if I just wanted to keep in touch? I'm a firm believer in KIT Marketing (Keep in Touch Marketing) I also couldn't reach out to them to find out what they liked about my book...( knowing what customers like helps you to create more of it.) \ All this to say; 2. if you haven't already started, It's time to build your own mailing list.

@Cynique Your post communicates perfectly why I've been rolling my eyes since social media has all but put Oprah on the 2020 Presidential ballot. I''m embarrassed by how we, United States citizens, act as if we're extras in a television show. I'm still waiting for the fall of Rome because so far, I see the entire civilization continuously play out in my newspaper, social media and sometimes television (if I don't have it tuned to some fantasy show). I didn't watch the golden globe award show because I don't watch award shows...but folks being moved by an Oprah speech means we are truly controlled by mythology and storytelling. We fall for the facade of shiny things and really don't look for substance anymore. As much as I write about the benefits of an Obama Administration, I've never fell victim to his narrative. Quiet as kept, I never listened to his speeches either. I read them. This after I learned from a Chicago reporter, who covered him in early years, how Mr. Obama practiced his cadence until he perfected it to stir the audience. Anyway, I see the same in Oprah. She has goals and she achieves them. I admire that in her, period. But like the rest of the players, she has the hero's journey (monomyth) down to a science and people respond emotionally. Like you've written, she's the photo negative of 45*. Oprah was most likely tapped because "they" suspect 45* isn't the beacon for consumer spending. Nothing tanks America's economy faster than us holding onto our purse strings. If folks can't see how easily we're played then we need to revisit all 11 seasons of the X-Files

@Pioneer1 I didn't forget. I even wrote about it on myspace I called her move "hiding behind the penis"... OMG (It's 2018 and I'm agreeing with Pioneer LOL) You're correct Oprah was absolutely instrumental in his rise in the black community and yes the white community too... "Then he went on tour with Oprah Winfrey, whom he had gotten to know when she interviewed him after his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. " New York Times December 29, 2007 "A Biracial Candidate Walks His Own Fine Line"

Thank you! A public profile badge. In my iPhone favorites I have the little open book w/ aalbc.com logo whenever I see that logo I think of this website. I'd like that like a "proud member" of aalbc.com and of course it can have a link embedded within that opens a new page displaying my profile over here would be ideal - sort of like a linkedin public profile badge builder for the website .

I have a feeling many celebrate Kwanzaa but since it's not commercialized we don't hear a lot. For that reason alone I celebrate it by honoring it with my thoughts and words. I did a separate blog post for each day of Kwanzaa. It put me in a positive community-focused frame of mind to start off the year. I did the original post on my melhopkins.com website but I also copied and paste everything to theleadstory.org. Imani: Golden Rule Kuumba : The Chosen Ones Nia: Reasons Ujamaa: Until the Lion Learns Ujima: Yes We Can Kujichagulia Goal Minds build Gold Mines Umoja No Man's Land

Ok I get 1400 visitors per month on my theleadstory.org and 10,000 visits per month Two searches that are mentioned on semrush - is from the writers events from aalbc and prnewswire... a lot of my blacklinks (see what I did there lol) are from aalbc.com - there's more information relating to aalbc.com and personally I do my best to press the aalbc newsletters each month . I had to move the writers event widget to a separate page because I changed my theme...it's now in MOB News Here's what's weird, I don't even pay a lot of attention to that site but I will from now on. I'm not sure why I get that amount of traffic. One time, it was do to hacking attempts but the visits and visitors seems to be steady and growing... All this to say. @Troy can I have a widget that says my web site: The LeadStory is a proud member of aalbc.com please... : Also I know that 1400 visitors is a not a lot but I'll take it and grow it...

Happy New Year!!!

When I worked for Penguin USA and G.P. Putnam's Sons - I worked in Academic Marketing & Sales and Special Sales, respectively. Big 5 Trade book publishing houses don't just have A Marketing department, they have several marketing and sales department for children's books, Young Authors, Back List etc... Here's where I'l will post some ideas on ways to distribute your titles beyond bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon. If you think of some please include them too.. Thanks to @Sharon Wilson for reaching out and remind me! For starters: How about writing a grant for your favorite charity that could benefit from your book? This way your charity can purchase your book wholesale and distribute it to the stakeholders. Not only is your book bought, it's also distributed it too!

@Troy , What's revealed in this book relates more to courage. In the examples you mentioned, the risk taker has already made the decision . There's nothing to fear when you're in control. For example, no one forced you to bungee jump, skydive or perform thousand of somersaults. you made the decision. But God forbid, you ended up a quadriplegic (God forbid) - now you're no longer in control of your body - so how you continue through life displays your ability to be fearless/fearful. That's the book's motif - how we deal with the hand we're dealt. There are people who take those risk but crushed by the results. They display their fear in various ways that appear normal to the onlooker. It looks like self-sabotage. For example, a man who had one bad heartbreak but is now fearful to let himself be open to love is a display of fear. There are people who appear fearless but have a safety net to count on when walking the tight rope. Fear is very nuanced but both Greene and Fiddy tackle as many scenarios to make the point and arrive at the books intriguing conclusion. Even though I took a lot of notes I may want to revisit it again. (smile) You and Greene appear to agree. He said that he wants to punch folks in the face that say fear is innate. He seems to believe its a only a starting point or a fleeting emotion that anyone can overcome.

It is exactly what you posted up there... being courageous and the many ways we fail ourselves by being fearful. But wait I wrote a review when I finished reading it. From 2011 - https://melhopkins.com/2011/04/11/the-50th-law-thou-shall-not-fear-2/ Since finishing The 50th Law by Curtis “50-Cent” Jackson and Robert Greene, I’ve been feeling some type of way. If I had to identify the feeling, it would be an emotion ranging from vindication as in “I knew it” to one of frustration as in “when did I forget what I knew?” I'm jumping ahead of myself. The 50th Law is a multi-genre book. Its 304 pages (although my copy only had 291 pages) is divided up into genres of 1/4 history, 1/4 leadership, 1/4 self-help, and 1/4 memoir. If I were to summarize the content, it would be "Fearless-to-Free to be You and Me.” The latter being the title from the 70s soundtrack, telecast, and movement, which sought to do away with traditional gender roles. Almost 40 years later, the message resurfaces. Although it doesn’t promote gender neutrality, it is just as empowering. The 50th Law seeks to have us embrace our individuality to be the best we can be. This message is driven home by author Robert Greene providing an intimate look into the lives of historical figures and celebrities including 50 Cent. Greene illustrates how these iconoclasts embraced their individuality early on and without apology, which contributed to their professional and personal success. Embracing your individuality seems easy enough, right? It is if you don’t mind separating yourself from the crowd, standing out and apart. If it is easy why would the majority of humans spend their entire lives trying to fit? According to 50-Cent and Robert Greene “Fear” is why we so desperately cling to each other like sheep. And while “Fear” is the usual suspect, it is their answer to the “Fear of What” and the resulting solution that separates their thesis from those of modern-day philosophers. The answer is so thought-provoking it will have other readers “feeling some kind of way” long after they put the book down. I highly recommend “The 50th Law” to those who are ready to break away from “the herd.” Copyright (c) 2011 MH

1) Sleeping with a D-Man by Mel Hopkins The Princessa by Harriet Rubin The Art of Learning (Read it Twice) by Josh Waitzkin Instant Millionaire by (read it twice) Mark Fischer Transitioning From Employee To Entrepreneur : A Road Map for Aspiring Entrepreneurs : Marvin L. Storm The Art of Profitability by Adrian J. Slywotzky 50th Law by 50 cent and Robert Greene Testament of Solomon by King Solomon Indiscretions by Yolanda Hooks Buick The Footprint of God by Greg Iles Are You There God, It's me Margaret by Judy Blume Just Morgan by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Thank you! I really appreciate the exposure since I've decided to keep my books and short stories contained on my website.

thank you for Thank you for asking! http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/melhopkins I took first novel out of circulation but you can still find me there

First, this is a new topic so I didn't get notification. @Troy is possible to get a general notification from this forum? Also I do like the idea of proactive campaign -because it trains us in a new behavior rather than trying to break a habit...

and @Troy looks like there might be proof too... I got around to reading the links in the article and Louisiana department of education has adopted the high quality content standard. It appears the literacy standard is paying off in the lower grades... When we get back to basics - as you mentioned "Knowledge is the basis for understanding" they children learn.. Aww sookie sookie they are creating readers in Lousiana!!!

Yes, Jade is my oldest baby girl...

@Troy Ok finally read the article. I rarely like the leaps op-ed writers take in articles but this one is right on the money. He nailed exactly why children in the inner-city or in impoverished areas are being left behind. Educational budget cuts have chopped away at any additional exposure these children can have in an effort to become literate. Someone once asked me did I ever graduate college and if I didn't how did I as single mother manage to raise 3 college-educated daughters including one that graduated from one the top universities in the world and the other from law school... At first, I was offended because he implied that since he didn't consider me one of the "better-blacks" I was an outlier. Then I took a step back from being butthurt and realized I was an outlier due to the experiences my parents afforded me. My daughters are brilliant not in spite of their environment but because of it. My oldest daughter was born when most of people our age didn't have children. She became our mascot. And like a rag doll, all of my college friends, my mom, their moms etc took her to places that I couldn't. When I could, I took her on trips, such as to museums, art shows, dance recitals , lectures that I wanted to see or visit. For what would be the first grade, she tested into the LEAD program that New York City Public Schools offered in the 80s for the gifted and talented. Her Stanford-Binet IQ measured between 130-140. We left New York City and landed in "Byrdland" where the former Senator Robert Byrd funneled so much pork barrel money into the public schools that my girls got to participate in activities such as the very first Live from Mars where the mobile and wireless telerobot Sojourner sent back pictures of Mars in 1997. My twins were 6 years old when they attended NASA's Classroom of the Future, which was one of the JPL's satellite sites for the transmission. By the time my oldest daughter graduated high school - she was awarded a full ride scholarship to West Virginia University to study in their newly created program Forensic Science... This article is dead-on... When my children were born we lived a modest life but I gave them a wealth of experiences... In fact, I pursued a career that would allow me to give them richer experiences than their wealthier counterparts. It paid off too my middle daughter was admitted into Project Arrow (another gifted and talented program) in the 7th grade. By the time, the twins were in high school, I pursued another career that would provide them more opportunities. Whereas girls their age may have been looking for the latest club to hang out over a long weekend my daughters spent their weekends and holidays in Rome, Dubai, Tokyo and famed spots here in the U.S. In their Grammy award-winning public high school music department - they sat first chair with respective instruments, the flute and trumpet, in the School's band. All this to say, this article highlights the reasons why there's educational disparity between the haves and have-nots. Since I wasn't part of the two-parent- Martha's Vineyard in the Summer - Aspen in the Winter "better blacks" Crew...I refused to let my children suffer. So, I did one better; I sacrificed myself, took every handout and hand-up and used my talents to give my girls the world and Mars. I succeeded but If you're a single-parent with no help , working from sun up to sun down; how can you expose your children to rich experiences to broaden their knowledge base? When I went to public school we went on trips to the Hayden planetariums, Bronx zoo, Botanical gardens, Museum of Natural History, etc. By the time my first daughter entered public school, she was fortunate because only the gifted and talented classes went on field trips. Some say, street knowledge and the school of hard-knocks will help our children succeed but that's only useful if we want them to survive the streets. If we want our children to thrive, we must find a way to supplement their education with experiences that will provide a foundation for learning and critical thinking. Further, If we hope for a better education for our children we must elect legislators who will stop cutting the education budget.

Great response!!! I'll quote you, if i write a post for my blog.

@Troy , It's also nearly impossible to evaluate (know the value) of an unknown. I'm asking how should we handle those born into the assimilation stage of learning of an unrecognized talent/discipline/field? For example, my ignorance and inability could have stifled my daughters from advancing in a field of the a talent they may possess. Years from now they may be seen as late bloomers -because they had to educate themselves on the value of their talent. How do we help those in our community to stop holding back our child prodigies from greatness?