on a critical review wish list…
will on April 6th, 2009
i’m starting a new category here on the site called, “gettin’ published & promoted.” it will include both posts and videos on my experiences of putting “evolution of a man: a journal of self-discovery” on the map. the book has been written, edited, and sitting on my desk for a good 5 or 6 months now, and it’s time for me to get my ass in gear and get this book on the shelves.
a friend of mine, over the weekend, offered the advice that i begin to create wish lists for the publishing, promotion and success of my book. the first list he recommended i write, given where i am in the publishing process, was a list of people who i’d like to read and review my manuscript. when the book comes out i’m definitely gonna want some critical acclaim stamped on the back cover, and so it would definitely behoove me to start reaching out to people for their opinion. not a bad idea…
i’ve thought long and hard about it, and have come up with my top 5:
1.) kevin r. scott – writer & multimedia producer: i read kevin’s stuff all the time. he’s all over urban culture, and is one of the coolest people i know. i am inspired by his commitment to excellence and to his community at large. although i just met him in person last week, we’ve been close online acquaintances for years. his is an opinion that i truly respect and admire.
2.) keith boykin – author, speaker & tv host: keith is the editor of the daily voice online news website, and is one of the most prominent and intellectual black voices of my generation… and he’s gay! i was introduced to his work a few years ago, and although i’ve not yet had the chance to sit and chat with him about, well… anything, i’m a big fan.
3.) b. scott – celebrity blogger & youtube personality: b. scott is a rising star in the gay community! in a year and some change he has managed to take himself and his website to new heights in media and entertainment; all the while staying true to who he is and showing, ever splendiferously, that loving yourself first is the most important lesson of them all.
4.) e. lynn harris – author: the first book i read written about black men who love men was harris’s “invisible life.” it changed me forever in that afterwards, i was no longer afraid to be who i am- to truly live my life openly as a gay man. although there were some before him, he was the author who, for me, put black gay men on the map; and now, 12 books later, harris remains a force to be reckoned with as far as black, gay literature is concerned.
5.) oprah winfrey – tv host; inspiration to millions across the globe: you gotta reach for the stars! seriously though, oprah is a huge proponent of empowering others by speaking your truth. “evolution of a man” is nothing if it is not my truth and my testimony for self-discovery and living your best life. it would be a pleasure to have oprah read my work and, Lord willing, place that little book club stamp on the cover. 
there are a couple of other people running around in my head who i’d like to reach out to (and probably will), but these are my top five. so far, i’ve written to one of them and will be drafting letters to the others this week.
it’s time to get this gravy train movin’!
