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Bitten in the Wake of Dusk - Anticipating Late Night Feelings and National Poem-In-Your-Pocket Day

4/26/2012

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There comes a point in a writer's career (do I really have a career? another post...) where the idea of a book haunts them day and night. You have tons of questions (Is my writing good enough? Will someone publish me? How do I go about editing? etc.) and you go through a roller coaster of emotions. I have been toying with the idea of a book for over a year. After almost 13 years of writing, I figured it was time. 

I will save this for another post, but I do have a lot of challenges with creating this book. From editing my work to who to trust with the product, I have been a mess. I've stalled several times. As a matter of fact, I'm stalling now even after taking a big step (you'll see in a moment). Each step is scary. 

I already have a title (Late Night Feelings) and a possible cover. All I need is to choose my content and go through the act of editing and formating the darn thing. I had someone who was beginning to help me, but he jumped ship (dunno where the hell he is, only Facebook lets me know that he is occasionally alive). so finding someone who I can trust with the project is also holding me back (I need feedback and another eye to help me edit and format).

For inspiration, I went to the Chapbook Festival at the CUNY Graduate Center last month. I saw books in so many formats. It gave me so many ideas on how I could distribute my poetry. But then with so many choices, I was stuck again. I thought to myself, "You need to jumpstart this idea somehow. It's the only way you'll start putting this book together."

My opportunity came at the end of a workshop I attended at the festival. One of the editors from Poets & Writers Magazine (my dream magazine to write for; you know I got her contact info!) demonstrated how to create a pocket-sized book with only one page of paper. Well how to fold it at least. The pages she had already had random prints on it. It was so easy! A lightbulb went on after that demonstration.

A couple of weeks later, I chose eight short poems. I went online to the P&W site and learned how to layout the page. I printed out a few copies at work and BAM! A pocket-sized sample of what's to come for Late Night Feelings.

The title of the sample is called Bitten in the Wake of Dusk: Anticipating Late Night Feelings. I recently have gotten into instagram when the Android verison came out this month. I took one of my instagram photo and made it the picture for my cover. Included two poems that have been published in online lit mags and the rest was material that I haven't shown anyone before (well maybe one person has seen these poems).

Take a look at the picture for the cover!
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Instagram and the now deceased Picnik made this cover possible. Oh, and the Lefferts Blvd platform of the A train!

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24/30 - The Most Beautiful Thing - 04/24/12

4/24/2012

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Before anyone says anything...I know I have to post the rest of my 30/30 stuff up. Don't worry, it will be here by the end of the week. Today, however, is a special occasion. Today I am helping Fiona Robyn celebrate the beautiful things in life, inspired by her new novel "The Most Beautiful Thing".
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Click the cover to download a free copy of "The Most Beautiful Thing"
For today, Tuesday April 24, the Kindle version of the book is being offered for free. You don't need a Kindle to read it, just download the app on your phone or PC. You can also join a slew of bloggers like myself for the "My Most Beautiful Thing" Blogsplash. It's nothing complicated, just tell the world about your most beautiful thing through writing, photos, video...whatever way you want!

Since I am in the middle of the 30/30 challenge, I am going to write a prose poem for my most beautiful thing.


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Getting back on track (...and other adventures)

3/30/2012

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I decided last night that before I start my work, that I would sit down at my desk and write a quick blog entry. As I signed into my site and prepared myself to create a new blog entry, I realized something very shocking: I haven't written a blog entry since 2011.

I can't believe it. I knew my life was hectic, but I didn't realize that it was this bad. Here is a quick update of my life: I moved from Queens to Brooklyn, to my grandmother's in East New York because my roommate found a place with her boyfriend. It was her apartment so my mom and I had to go. And just in time because my grandmother is in the beginning stages of Dementia. That's been another journey all together that I will save for my poor creative writing which has suffered during this whole adjustment process. Between home and work, writing has taken a back seat and fallen asleep.

But this is going to change! If I want to reach my goals, I have to write. To start centering my life around writing again, I have downloaded books about the craft of writing and creating books so I can read them during my breaks and while riding on the train going to and from work.

I also went and did something exciting yesterday evening. I stopped by the 2012 Chapbook Festival at the CUNY Graduate Center on 34th Street. I went to a workshop called "Digital Chapbooks" where editors from Publishing Genius, Epiphany, and Triple Canopy talked about how to create a digital chapbook and the benefits/disadvantages of digital chapbooks.

For those of you who don't keep up with all the digital trends in publishing, especially self publishing, there are many ways to get a chapbook online. You can create a PDF of your book through Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, or any word processing software that lets you save and/or convert your file to a PDF.  Then you can place that PDF on websites that will let people view, print, or even purchase your chapbook.

One site where you can view documents is called Issuu. Issuu is one of the leading sites for digital publishing. The best part is that they are FREE (paid options for more features are available)!

Another site, where you can sell your book through the method of print on demand, is called Lulu. Lulu helps you self publish your book and not only provides readers with the chance to read it digital, they also have the option to buy a physical copy! The costs of printing is calucated and deducted from your sale, so you don't have to pay upfront fees.

While this was not discussed at the workshop, through my own personal research (and addiction to downloading free books), you can also publish a chapbook through mobile e-book publishers such as Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. When I say mobile, I don't mean cell phones (though with a smartphone, you can read books). I'm talking about devices you can carry around with you such as Amazon's Kindle, Barnes and Nobles' Nook, and the many tablets that are around such as the Apple iPad. Through these devices, a book can be downloaded directly to the device and you can start reading instantly.

Other things that were discussed were the sense of community (or the lack of community) digital chapbooks create, how one can make it profitable (well it was touch upon), the methods of design, and how to make it easier to understand.

I hope to in the future months, create a series about the different methods of publishing, since I do want to publish my own chapbook in the near future. I am going back to the Chapbook Festival today which will be going on until about 7PM. I will report my experience at the other workshop I am attending this weekend.

Also, don't forget, April is National Poetry Month so you know what that means at The Write Queen: NaPoWriMo!!! and fun blogs to help writers produce poems (I promise there will be more posts).

Till next time!
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Marketing Your Music: Opportunities in Films, Television, and Other Media on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Gibson Baldwin Showroom (formerly the legendary Hit Factory) 6 P.M.

7/14/2011

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Hello my Write Queen Readers,

I wanted to let you guys know about a wonderful seminar that my friend Leeia Music is hosting next week Thursday. If you are in music, this is a must-go-to event that not talks about an opportunity only a few people have thought about, but is also affordable for its invaluable information:
MARKETING YOUR MUSIC: OPPORTUNITIES IN FILMS, TELEVISION, AND OTHER MEDIA.
HOSTED BY: Leeia Music 
There are many income-generating aspects to the music business – from radio spins, to merchandising, to live touring, to album sales – but one of the most overlooked facet is that of placements. Think of how many times your favorite song has helped you tune into an otherwise forgettable commercial, set the tone in a television show, or acted as a marketing tool for a new movie? The idea of placements is nothing new, but its execution is still a mystery to many. 

Marketing Your Music is a live seminar to be held on Thursday, July 21st, 2011 at the Gibson Baldwin Showroom (formerly the legendary Hit Factory) 6pm EST, focused on aiding up-and-coming & independent artists, songwriters, composers, and producers in their quest for music placements in film, television, Internet, and other media.
 
Presenters Include: 

David Hnatiuk and David Weiss, co-authors of the industry-leading book, Music Supervision: Selecting Music for Movies, TV, Games and New Media. They are also co-founders of the music supervision service www.thesonghunters.com.

David Hnatiuk (www.autonatic.net)                                   
  • Executive Producer/ Music Supervisor/ Sound Designer/ Composer for Media
  • Emmy Award winner (Music Direction and composition for All my Children)
  • Worked on music projects for major programming  (MTV’s Jersey Shore, America’s Best Dance Crew, ABC Sports, Nickelodeon, NASA Space Program, The American Heart Association)
  • Renowned Author (Music Supervision) and National speaker (ASCAP, BMI, CMJ)
 David Weiss (musicsupervisioncentral.com)
  • Internationally published freelance journalist and Music Supervisor
  • Work has appeared regularly in publications such as Systems Contractor News, Archi-Tech, Digital Television, TV Technology, Time Out NY, Remix and Drum! Magazine
  • Author (Music Supervision)
We welcome you to come out and listen to world-renowned Music Supervisors explain the process of music placements and licensing, as well as conduct an in-depth question-and-answer session.

Live Performances by recording artists Andy Rosen and Kiriaki Bozas! 

Who will be in Attendance: Musicians, Film Producers, Composers, Record Label Reps, Music Lawyers, Producers, Recording Artist, and Songwriters.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED, BOOK NOW! Tickets to this seminar cost $40.00. Registered attendees are encouraged to share their comment and promote themselves on event website. Please include link to song sample and bio. A few registered attendees will be selected to perform at event.  Others will have their music played. 

You can register and buy your ticket at Event Brite:
Registration: http://musicseminarsny072111.eventbrite.com/

Remember to check out Music Seminars Website:
http://musicseminarsny.webs.com/   
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Urban Alternative star, Leeia to release debut album, Ups & Downs on July 26, 2010

7/12/2010

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URBAN ALTERNATIVE STAR, “LEEIA” TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “UPS & DOWNS” ON JULY 26, 2010

ALBUM RELEASE PARTY TO BE HELD AT CRASH MANSION (NYC), HOSTED BY AMANDA DIVA

July 12, 2010 –New York, NY

New York‐based urban alternative artist Leeia is set to release her debut album, “Ups & Downs”, on July 26, 2010. A rhythmic fusion of pop, R&B, and reggae, Leeia’s music brings a whole new sound to the world’s capital; while her live show provides an energetic funk that will soon light up arenas worldwide.

Born and raised in the Big Apple, Leeia’s first big break came when she won two contests (“Reggae’s Rising Star” and “Talent Jam”, respectively) on New York’s 93.5. “The reggae community is more supportive in New York than a lot of other genres, and they showed a lot of love,” she recalls. With her momentum mounting, a few radio spins further added to Leeia’s movement, and before long, she was performing alongside such seminal artists as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and reggae legend Freddie McGregor.

Originally completed in January, "Ups & Downs" is a culmination of a lifelong flirtation with music, and the title reflects all of the obstacles and blessings involved in the making of the album. A computer crash forced Leeia to re‐record her entire album.

Undeterred, Leeia completed the process with an open heart and mind –so when an unforeseen mis‐cue over a track with a major reggae artist didn’t go according to plan, Leeia’s album didn’t suffer. Instead, in a testament to Leeia’s patience and persistence, the album came back stronger than ever.

Leeia says of the album’s concept: “Since I have so many genres, I created a storyline to keep it all together. This is a great stepping‐stone –I’m at a point now, where I get it. This is how life is supposed to go, and it’s reflected in the storyline.”

In accordance with promotion of the album, Leeia will bring her jam‐packed live show in for an intimate showcase held on July 26, 2010 at New York City’s famed Crash Mansion. Hosted by Amanda Diva, the album release party will feature a dynamic performance by Leeia, who says of the show: “I’ve got a 2‐piece acoustic, and a 4‐piece; I’m a fan of live instrumentation. I’m going to give you a live, energetic performance. And my dancers will make you sweat!”

The hometown show marks the first in a mini‐tour dedicated to promoting "Ups & Downs". Leeia’s packed summer includes shows in Boston, Nevada, and Antigua (at the inaugural Ocean Breeze Music Festival).

Leeia’s excitement is insurmountable: “Singing live, in person, is sooo much better than singing in the studio! I want to learn instruments – keys, guitar – I want to play it all by myself. I want to stretch my vocal range, I want to improve my business relationships.”

Having already made a small appearence in a Jay‐Z video “ I Know”, VH1 “The Salt n Pepa Show”, and an upcoming film “Beware the Gonzo”, Leeia’ frenetic pace is a sight to behold. Rarely do you have such a versatile artist, mash up so many different genres, while also maintaining an air of individuality. In an ode to entertainers past, Leeia is dancehall, pop, and R&B –in one.

For more information on Leeia, please visit http://www.myspace.com/leeiamusic

For more information on the album release party, please contact: Chris Singleton (347) 489-3544

For media or to RSVP your celebrity clients, please email LeeiaMusic@yahoo.com

To RSVP for the event, visit http://leeiamusic.eventbrite.com/
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    Christina D. Rodriguez

    A Latinx poet and entrepreneur who blogs about poetry, music, writing, and life.


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