My very first blog talk radio interview!

As my roomie always says, "Welcome to the Wonderful World of Win!" Lol that basically means "job well done/you did it."

Last night, I did my first radio interview for Fat Kills and it was pretty cool :) I was shaking like a leaf at first but about 5 minutes into it I hit my stride and I was good to go. I just have to quickly say that Toastmasters is the bomb.com and I'm so glad my job offers it. I started Toastmasters about a month ago and I believe that I will be an incredible public speaker sooner than later. There's no reason I can't...the tips they give are priceless.

I don't want to give too much info about my interview because you can just listen instead :) I'm about 30 minutes into the show after author J.M. Benjamin...I met him a few weeks ago at a signing I did at Howard University's Bookstore (BISON U KNOW!!! aww i miss college lol).

Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

Welcome Back

"Been on my grizzy but I'm back in the place..." - Young Jeezy Welcome Back

Welcome back indeed. I haven't blogged in the last few months. Just been HELLA all over the place. I was talking to my sis/editor a few minutes ago and we both agreed that I need to hop back on the blog action. My book has been out for about 3 months and I am seriously slacking on the promotions game. All of my friends are like omg you were so focused last year publishing but you're on the slowest stroll ever with promotions.

I've been all over the place and just haven't been able to focus. I know I know, my book is a blessing, I should be out hustling it 24/7 etc etc but that just isn't the case. It's one thing to write a book but it's something else to promote it. I'm not comfortable with it because that book is my baby and I just get scared and nervous. Hey man, I can't be outgoing all the time.

I was really frustrated at first but I had a convo with my biz partner the other day and I came to this realization: There is a reason why I am on the slow stroll with my book.

I do not know what that reason is but I always go with my gut. When I'm ready to kick it into overdrive I will but until then I am going with the flow. What if I rush and rush and rush and miss a critical chance encounter with Oprah or Mo'Nique??? Lol I know that's taking it far but it's the truth. I think I am moving slow now because once it gains momentum I won't be able to slow it down. My friend's mom said that we better enjoy the downtime now while no one knows us. Appreciate the 9-5 and everyday living. Once all that changes, it's a wrap. So, that's what I'm going to do: take it one day at a time and just be easy. I refuse to run around like crazy and instead am taking the time to chill with my mom and dad and others that are close to me. One day I will have to travel and make crazy moves and I will wish that I had spent more time with my fam. 

I signed up for Toastmasters at my job and it is awesome. I sang in front of everyone...was super nervous but i had fun. My nerves are holding me back in so many ways and I am not having that anymore. I chant for the courage to not be so scared and have fun approaching people about Fat Kills

Ok I will ramble for days. Just wanted to get this blogging started again. Check out my book Fat Kills and support please :)

Peacefully speaking it into existence,

K.Reid

My Book Will Be Here in a few hours

I am literally speechless. Lol well not in my head, thoughs stay swimmin in that thang but I haven't been able to talk all day. Every time I try to, I get teary eyed and can't hold it together. My mom called me this morning trying to start the cry fest but I kindly informed her that I woke up crying lol.

I am so thankful right now. God...God did not have to do this. He could've let me continue to drift. He could've kept my talent hidden from me but He didn't. He allowed me to open my eyes and believe in myself. This entire process took exactly a year and that was nothing but God. Brainstorming, writing, editing, learning how to self publish, typesetting, printing...everything in exactly one year. God had it ready to go for years, I just had to catch up and get back to the regularly scheduled programming.

I am so grateful for everyone that has supported me with this, my family, my friends, co-workers, strangers, foes, enemies, frienemies lol my dog DJ...everyone.

More grinding is immenent. The grind never stops, it just shifts to other projects. I'm on my way to pick up my best friend as he is the catalyst for the entire Fat Kills saga. I'm so happy to have my three loves in one space. We're all going to cry and thank God and eat and drank and be merry :) Then, of course head to the Post Office to start mailing pre-ordered copies!

I'm going out to this AWESOME open mic tonight...hold on let me find the link... ok here we go: Up and Up Open Mic I mentioned this open mic a few posts back but tonight is the first night I will finally make it through. My sister and editor for life Tandace, has been pushing me to go and promote my book. Tonight will not be a night of promoing my book...lol I can't talk anyway so it's all good. I am going for good times and of course to celebrate Truth's b-day!! I went to high school (Suitland Rams for life!) with the Up & Up founders and this is the most positive group to come out of the Metro area. I love what they're doing and I can't wait to volunteer my time and talents with this group. Oh yeah check out the hotness that is Gods'Illa Their album is about to drop and I can't wait to support and buy a copy.

Aight I'm about to leave the j-o-b. Sidenote, I need to go buy a pen so I can start autographing my book!!!

Forever speaking it into existence,

K.Reid

4 More Days...

I'm trying to get my PR and marketing together...yeah yeah yeah I know, I should've gotten it together months ago but hey man, I was busy self publishing. It will work out regardless. I've been hitting up a few local folks and a few not so local folks for marketing/advertising and reviews. I'm gonna hit the ground running next week once the copies get here and make it happen.

My mom and dad are really excited. My mom is taking a hlaf day on Tuesday so she can be home when the books arrive. I was gonna take the day off but they won't get to my parents' house until 4ish so I'll just leave an hour or two early. My dad is so excited to start slangin books. He has mad ideas and wants to place posters at every barber shop and salon he can find :) I love them so much. There's nothing like having family in your corner.

On another note, I'm not so lonely. Made a new friend finally :) Actually I always make friends but I'm so in my own world it never works out. This one seems cool. We shall see, relationships are...let's just queue the Janet Jackson classic "Can't B Good" (sidenote, i'm still sad imeem.com merged with myspace. i'll get back to posting songs in the next few weeks, just gotta find a site i like)

I'm in good spirits. I'm so thankful that things are coming together. I'm working on stuff for Transcend. and staying focused. I'm also gonna work on the cartoon I wrote for my sister Shantelle...man I love her. She stays lookin out for me and is so supportive :) I have to go through and edit and tweak a few scenes. I was thinking about starting film school in the Spring of 2011 but that might be too ambitious...I def need to be FOCC before I can get down with that. I would love to go full time and just immerse myself.

Song of the day is one of the chapter selections from my book : "Karma Police" - Radiohead

I'm reflective as hell since the publishing process is damn near complete. I love it when Thom Yorke hits "foooooor a minute there, I lost myself, I lost mysellllf"  Ohhh man when he hits that and the bass in the background...gives me the shivers. In 2007 and 2008 I was lost as hell. 2009 was my sacrifice. 2010 is my redemption.

Forever siie,

K.Reid

2010 is here :)

New Year's in NYC was on point. My very good friend convinced me to get a tat and sketched it for me. Tis pretty dope if I say so myself. The final proof of my book will be delivered today and I'm not as excited as I should be but I'm trying. My sinuses are wreaking havoc and I really just want to go home and go to sleep. But hey, the show must go on. I'm glad it's a new year. I'm kind of lonely...which is weird because i'm normally content being alone. I think I just miss the companionship. Working on my book filled that void all last year. Guess it's time to start another best seller :) Actually, I'm going to take a screenwriting class so I can get started on Fat Kills the movie! I also think I want to publish books now...the process wasn't so bad and I have a lot of friends that are in the process of writing. We shall see...I've decided that I will not overwhelm myself in 2010. I'm taking it one day at a time.

Siie,

K.Reid

My soul's in my smile, don't frown just get up get up

It's almost 2010 and I have so many reasons to smile. God saw fit to let me kick it on this earth another year and he kept my mom and dad here too :) He gave me the idea and he showed me how to believe in myself and make it happen.

The final proof gets here on Jan 4 and the copies will be delivered to my parents' house on Jan 12. Very very very excite!!!!!

I've been listening to my fav group, N.E.R.D. and the title of this blog is a lyric from "Wonderful Place" It's a nice little quiet joint on their second album Fly or Die. I used to think Fly or Die was my 3rd fav album but it really cranks from start to finish. I listened to it 3 times in a row earlier today.

I'm on my way to New York to kick it with my best friend for the New Year. I'm so behind the times. I didn't know that the buses offered free Wi-Fi now. I'm typing this blog as I ride...lolol I know I shouldn't be this hype but they really have free Wi-Fi and my round trip ticket was only $46..

Another weird thing... as much as I talk about leaving the DMV, I don't know if it will happen. I'm only halfway through this trip and I miss PG County already.

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Snow Has Hampered the Printing but it's alllllll good

Was supposed to go to the printer on Monday but 20 inches of snow put everything on hold!!! God has really worked on my patience because there was a time when I wuold be panicking. But hey man, what's a few more days.

I finished working on that cartoon :) I think it's pretty dope but we shall see once it reaches the masses.

I'm currently working on the website copy for Transcend. and want to finish that up by tomorrow. After that I will be helping my biz partner with our business plan. We are very excited and ready to take the DMV by storm in 2010!

I'm going to New York for New Year's :) I'm very excited to see my best friend and his folks and chill really hard.

"There's no crying in baseball..."

I wish Tom Hanks would come thru and deliver that classic line and ammend it to "There's no crying in self-publishing."

The last few weeks I've been crying tears of joy but over this last week, anxiety has reared her ugly head and decided to get nice and cozy. I've been trying to brush it off like and act like I'm cool but I'm really not. I got sick as hell this morning and was heaving all over the place. Sidenote: I almost wish I was preggers so the throwing up would make sense.

Then later today, I had to go to the bathroom so I could cry. I had a nice long conversation with myself and God and I'm working it out. My nerves are just getting the best of me. There's is no reason for me to be upset. I'm about to self publish my first book and that is a blessing. I have been so strong this year and so committed and I believed and claimed it all year, so why the nerves now?

I'm not worried about being a success. That is out of my hands and I'm not trippin off of it forreal. My editor and I were talking about J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series earlier. I told her that I'm not even trying to be mega successful like her $$ wise. I just want to create an experience for people like she did with Harry Potter. I just want people to read my book and identify with it. She believes I will be a worldwide success and I claimed it with her for a few minutes. Man I love her so much.

I am not going to be sad today. I claim it. I am speaking my happiness into existence. I am going to go home, work on this cartoon and watch the second season of The Boondocks and laugh until my sides hurt :)

6 Days Until I go to the printer!

I wish I could really describe how I feel but there aren't enough words. I am B-L-E-S-S-E-D! God has worked wonders in my life. I am such a better person because of this whole process. I thank God for opening my eyes and helping me understand that the only person that limits my dreams is ME. I put it on everything I will never doubt myself again!

This past weekend, the next to last round of edits took place. BIGGEST SHOUTOUT EVER to Tan, Erin, Jamal, and Vince for taking chapters of the book and giving them an edit. I love them so much I swear. All of the edits were done on paper. Once I collected the edits my friends did for me, I transcribed those edits onto another printed out version. I turned everything into my designer (lol she kindly informed me that I should call her a designer not a typesetter) this morning. She will have my cover done tomorrow and an updated typeset version for me on Wednesday.

I am waiting for the printer to get back to me with a revised, cheaper quote. I thought by book was gonna be 272 pages but it's actually 206 :) They are going to send a truck to pick up the hard copy version on Monday and then I will have the books in hand January 7th.

And my website is live. SHOUTOUT to Ms. Tiffany Carter! Not only did she do an amazing job on the site, we are actually good friends now. I just love it when I make a new friend :)

I'm finishing the last cartoon episode this week and then it's on to writing the copy for Transcend. 's website.

Forever speaking it into existence,

K.Reid

My life according to........N.E.R.D.

So I saw this in one of those notes on facebook. I was going to post it there but I think here is more appropriate. Been feelin kind of all over the place lately and whenever that happens I always turn on one of my classic N.E.R.D. tunes. N.E.R.D. is my absolute favorite group hands down!

Pick an artist and clearly answer the following questions using nothing but SONG TITLES. After completing tag 5 other ppl.

1. Pick your artist: N.E.R.D.

2. Male or female: Bobby James or Mildred

3. Describe where you live: She Wants to Move

4. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Run to the Sun (and never come back)

5. Favorite form of transportation? Chariot of Fire

6. Best friend? Wonderful Place (as in he is my wonderful/happy place. i allllllllll love him)

7. Whats the weather like? Kill Joy

8. Favorite time of the day? Breakout (dawn)

9. If your life was a tv show what would it be called? Provider

10. Describe life to you? Things Are Getting Better

11. Describe yourself? Rock Star

12. Relationship? Backseat Love

13. Your personal fear? Sooner or Later (it all comes crashing down)

14. Thought of the day? Am I High

15. Soul's present condition? Find My Way

16. Motto? Time for Some Action

The typset version is so effin sexy!

El libro is typeset!!!!! It looks so fucking good (excuse the language but it's the truth!!!) and I swear my typesetter is the bomb.com. She hooked it up in 4 days :) My covers are going to be done on Monday so I'm very excite about that too.

There was one snag...apparently Tempus Sans ITC is a "system font." Apparently system fonts don't always align with Adobe so my typesetter is gonna work it out. I used this font throughout the book and it was the original font for all of the text on the covers. I was a little blown about it at first but hey, it is not that damn serious. I will find another font and get my book out there.

I talked to my mom this morning and we screamed for a good two minutes. Man it is so critical to have a supportive family and my mom has been there every step of the way. My daddy is hype too and can't wait to start slangin books.

Honestly, I am in awe of everything that has happened with this project this year. I will never, ever, EVER doubt myself again. I claimed this would happen everyday for a year and God worked it out. I am so grateful for my blessings.

I will be in the house all weekend editing and shoutout to Tan, E.L., Jamal, and Vince for signing up to help out with last minute edits!

It's about to happen!!!!!

12.21.09

So... it's been a while since I've had the time to blog. I've actually been pretty depressed these last 2 weeks. I know it's directly related to my random ass personal life but I also figured out that it is related to my book as well. For the last 4 months, I had to edit in some form. Now, I don't have anything to edit and I don't know what to do with myself lol.

Actually I've been keeping busy with my sisters' project. I'm writing a very dope cartoon (sorry I can't give out any details it's top secret). My sisters have been very very patient with me and now that I have a break, I'm trying to finish the last episode asap.

Today is a milestone for me. My typeset final version of the book is set to go off to the printer on 12/21/09. It will take them 7-10 business days to print my baby and then it will be ready for the world!!!

I am very excited and emotional (as usual lol). I really thank God for working on me this year. I will never doubt myself again. Anything is possible and I am speaking everything I want into existence from now on :)

Blower that I'm gonna be successful and the planet is burning

Ok it is the middle of effing November and it's been between 60 and 65 degrees all week. Ummm why don't I have out my thick winter coat yet???

GLOBAL WARMING THAT'S WHY.

People keep trying to brush that shit under the rug like it's nothing. Like it's a myth. WTF.

Really irritates me that the decision makers in this country are completely tied into corporate interests. Congress irritates me too. Republicans AND Democrats. I see why the Independents are building up steam.  All I know is that I'm gonna be pissed when I am finally uber successful and the world is on 2012 status.

Much Love to My New York Fam

Soooo I was editing my book about 2 weeks ago and came across a portion where the main character (Mia) is teaching another character (Mikey) about the slang we use in the Metro area. In the midst of the dialogue, Mikey says something like "yeah son" and Mia replies "we don't say that bamma ass shit down here."

I kept thinking about it and decided to blog about it just in case people try to give me the side eye in the future.

1. I love New Yorkers. I think they have a bangin accent and the men are sooooooooooo sexy! Yum!

 

2. I actually say son all the time, as in "whaddup son" Lol my girl E.L. always says "whaddup son don dizzle." It is the most random ish ever but I swear I crack up laughing every time she says it.

3. It's fiction.

Hope this will suffice if anyone is angry. If not, beat it son!

The Synopsis Struggle

I never realized how hard it was to write a freakin' synopsis. It's serious business (lol in the Mr. John voice-shoutout to my calculus teacher at Suitland High).

It's what pulls people in you know? I need it to be on point, so people will read it and be like "damn let me read this cause I gotta know what happens next." The cover is already gonna entrance folks (shoutout to A.T. Yancey the tightest artist I know) and the playlists I include in the book are gonna pull people too. I've never seen anyone with playlists like mine in a novel. On top of that, I'm creating all the playlists on imeem.com so people can actually hear the music I mention...

Sorry to toot my own horn but that last idea is incredible. Music with a book? Classic in the making :) People are gonna try to duplicate but their shit will never be as tight as mine. My daddy used to be a DJ so the music is in my veins.

On top of that I touch on 2 social issues- obesity and the recession. People damn sure identify with that- half of this country is obese and the recession is on everyone's mind...eff the mind, that thang is raping pockets and snatching liveliehoods left and right. Finally I add crazy gore and violence, plenty of drama (I grew up watching Lifetime with my mom EVERY Saturday), and some comedy because I am silly as hell.

There's so much going on that it's impossible for me to write the synopsis. That thing will be 8 pages lol. People ask me all the time what my novel is about and I've learned to give them the quick "it's about a struggling singer, forced to work for a serial killer. It's set in the Metro area. I put playlists in the book, go make an account on imeem.com so you can listen."

It is now complete...

Synopsis

Mia Nickole Rose is a beautiful, full-figured, witty, aspiring songstress who feels “stuck” in her average, ordinary life. As a struggling artist in Washington D.C.’s metropolitan area, desperate to make ends meet, Mia gets caught up in the game when she is invited to a party that she will never forget. She is offered an ultimatum and, in exchange for her life, she takes on a job working for a serial killer hell bent on vengeance. Mia's struggles with her weight/self-esteem and finances become minute, while she focuses to stay alive, sane and unharmed.


Mia's average life horrifyingly spirals out of control deep into a world of insanity and murder. Her new "employer" will stop at nothing to keep Mia in his grasp. While the soundtrack of her life plays in the background, Mia is forced to distance herself from family, friends and even the love of her life in order to protect them from her hidden secrets.


Fat Kills is a must-read which will leave its audience astonished, angry and afraid. Yes, very afraid...

Open Mic Jitters

(ctt)-- note (ctt) means clearing of the throat.

(ctt) "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold. A circle is round but never ends, that's how long you should keep your friends"

Lol I had to take it back to Girl Scouts with that song. And it's very appropriate, seeing as how this blog is mostly about my editor. I was a girl scout back in the day, made it to Juniors and then I stopped. I remember in Brownies (wow that almost 20 yrs ago) we would end each meeting with the "Make new friends" song.

My editor has been my friend for as long as I can remember. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and have been friends for-ev-er. We used to go to Girl Scouts together and she is currently an assistant troop leader (sorry if I have the title wrong Tan!)

We talk everyday and this morning she suggested that I go to the Up&Up open mic with her tomorrow. I've been meaning to go for the longest and decided hey why not, especially since I have Wednesday off. Lol well come to find out, I don't have this Wednesday off for Veteran's Day (so glad my coworker let me know!) but that is neither here nor there.

In the midst of our random conversation, she and another friend of hers suggested that I read a portion of my book at open mic night. I instantly got NERVOUS and excited. I've been on this whole kick of I need to get over my stage fright these last few months. I'm gonna be a rockstar one day and I have to not be nervous singing and reading in front of folks. Lol I try to sing in the Metro and in front of friends but I still get the jitters.

What's crazy is that I get ridiculously nervous but I always get it together and sound on point once I'm in front of people. Case in point, I delivered a bangin (if I do say so myself) speech at one of my best friend's wedding back in June. I was so freakin nervous but I got up there and killed it.

Hopefully I will be able to do the same tomorrow night. Lol I told Tan I will be at the bar getting comfy with my liquid courage until she arrives.

She is truly the best and I love her so much!

Inspired & Having a Moment

Listening to Donnie McClurkin's Stand. Having a serious moment at my desk at work. Makes me think about everything I've been through, everything my parents are going through. Sometimes I feel like I'm not going to be able to do this. I feel so overwhelmed with publishing and all of my other projects...man he's hitting the praaayed you cried part... prayed and cried you prayed and cried. prayed and cried.

Whooooo man...I'm so grateful for all of my blessings. All I do is visualize the day when I go to the printer and pick up my first run of published books. I'm going to have a serious breakdown. A year ago this time, I didn't even know... now I'm about to be self published author. I'm finally going to be able to take care of my parents. I refuse to watch them struggle.

I'm gonna change the world. God already has it in the plans. Watch.

The Foreign Exchange Concert and Chaundon

Ohhhhmiiggiiyaaahd it was so dope. I sung my heart out, almost passed out from the heat and wasn't a puss for once and passed out samples of my book. I met one of the nicest people ever, Chaundon: check out his blog and his latest album. He is so dope and encouraged me like nobodys business.

I'm grinding like shit. Self-publishing is no joke. I thank God so much for my talent and I'm not complaining at all. I will work my fingers to the bone for this. I've already been on my eff sleep shit for the past 4 months. I will rest when I am FOCC.

I'm still sad about my godbrother. Man, mourning is hard but I know he's smiling and so proud of me. Trying to get it together and finish a few projects but it is hard to write comedic shit when you're sad as hell (sighs galore).

On a brighter note, I kicked it with my mom and dad this weekend and that was the most uplifting ish ever. My parents are so supportive. My dad can't wait to start slingin books on the streets (lol his words, that man is comedy). I showed my mom some of the things I had to compile and she was shocked that it was so involved. She can't wait to get her hustle on too. I love them :)

The Foreign Exchange, There Will Be Blood, Radiohead

First of all, The Foreign Exchange is coming to DC next Sunday and I just copped my tics. I am very pressed and hype (I just said the same thing on my personal facebook page and my fan facebook page). They are the effin bomb.com and I can't wait to see them let Phonte serenade me. I hope he hits my fav jam , and this one too , and I hope he and Yazarah hit another fav which happens to be a Stevie Wonder original .

Anyways, I had to drive to work today and was brainstorming per usual. I thought about the movie There Will Be Blood. I just saw it for the first time last weekend and I fell in love with Daniel Day Lewis all over again. He has had classic roles in some of my favorite movies: The Crucible ("I have given you my soul, leave me my name!") and The Last of The Mohicans. He was effffffffing incredible and the movie was so...man I'm at a loss for words. I loved it and I'm going to watch it again tonight. I like period pieces and I admire DDL because he's a method actor. FYI, a method actor is someone who completely takes on the character during filming. You have to refer to him as the character during the entire production process and you don't get to speak with "Daniel" until production has wrapped. That shit is tight as hell.

The music was on point too. I did some research and come to find out, Jonny Greenwood composed the score for There Will Be Blood. Jonny Greenwood is a member of Radiohead, one of the tightest bands ever in life.

All of this thinking in the car made me turn on my sole Radiohead album, OK Computer ,and blast Paranoid Android. The beat on this song is so vicious. I've really been on beats for the last few months. I am going to learn how to produce my own music and put out an album next year. In a few years I want to turn my book into a movie. I've already started the screenplay. I just have to go to film school so I can direct my own shit. People laugh when I say I'm gonna be on Tyler Perry status but I'm so serious. God blessed me with the most ridiculous talent ever and I'm not gonna limit myself. I was talking to someone yesterday and he said that as adults we need to go back to the kid mentality. When you were a kid, you tried whatever, didn't give an eff if you failed. As adults, we can be so stuck in our ways. Not me :) I am on kindergarten status from now on.