2024 South Florida Writers Of Color Online Literary Magazine

The Legacy of Books

As humans, we die, but Books Live on Forever, culturally and intellectually enriching the lives of future generations.

– Ralph Hogges

2024’s Collection of poems, writings and gleanings from The Hogges, Cowins, & Smiley South Florida Writers of Color, literary Magazine shown in the link below.

Readers’ Favorite Summertime Reading Spots

Reading Space

Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.

Lemony Snicket

Reading, reading, reading. It grows the mind, expands thinking, develops insights and helps us think differently. Goodreads asked The question “what’s your favorite summertime reading spot?” Readers chimed in excitedly. Here I share:

Of Books, Places and Reading

  • Sea front
  • Patio
  • On the beach
  • In a tent while it rains
  • Outdoors while listening to the birds
  • Under the big oak tree
  • At the summerhouse
  • Coffee house
  • RV while camping across provinces
  • On a balcony
  • Sneak away for an hour in my car
  • On a boat on a lake
  • On a chair by the pond
  • While driving – audiobooks
  • Airplane
  • Hammock
  • Pool
  • Beach
  • Picnic blanket
  • Bed
  • Nook

Wow, what a list! Yet there’s more. Where is your favorite place? Do share. We would love to hear.

Happy Reading!

South Florida’s Banned Book Event …

Pleased to join The Writers Group of South Florida who have been invited to attend the upcoming Book Fair where the goal is to celebrate banned books in Florida

The event is an exciting opportunity for writers to come together and support educational freedom while highlighting the rich literary contributions of authors from Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties.

Event Details:
Date: May 11th
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Location: Weston Community Center

In the area? Come over and say hello.

See you there!

Cheers

Develop Your Brand: A Blueprint For New Authors

Your personal brand is a promise to your clients… a promise of quality, consistency, competency, and reliability.

Tim Ferriss

Many are the desires of the first-time author. Writing is the biggest. Often new authors find it overwhelming to write and see the manuscript to the end. When they do, the next step is often forgotten. Suddenly an author becomes and an entrepreneur – one in which they didn’t anticipate. Developing the book’s brand… yikes!

It’s important to the book’s success and target audience awareness. Essentially, building an author brand is very important because a strong brand helps you stand out, attract readers, and build a loyal fanbase. Here are six (6) steps to get you started:

Build Your New Author Brand

  1. Understand your Brand
    • How do you distinguish yourself in the literary world?
  2. Discover your Brand’s Identity
    • Reflect: Who are you as an author?
    • Who is your ideal Reader?
    • USP: What sets you apart?
  3. Create your author persona
    • Define your writing style, tone tc
    • Design consistent visual identity
    • Create author Bio to showcase achievements, background, writing journey
  4. Build your online Presence
    • Create author website to showcase books and engage with Readers
    • Choose social media platform where target audience hangout
  5. Engage your Audience
    • Develop content calendar
    • Engage with Readers
    • Connect with fellow authors
  6. Launch Book and Grow Brand
    • Create buzz and Lunch or Re-Launch your book
    • Collaborate to expand
    • Keep learning. Keep writing.
    • Be flexible and adaptable

There you have it. What has been your experience with the writing process? Do share. We would love to hear.

If you feel overwhelmed, let’s connect.

Excellence In Public Service Award …

This award for Excellence in Public Service took me by complete surprise! It’s such an honor to be recognized for the work done in our communities at home and abroad.

Hmmm… 🤔 as I wondered why, it caused deep reflect…

As an author of several books, the topic of leadership, success and its impact on America and the contribution of successful Caribbean American immigrants (eg Colin Powell) in media, politics, education, aviation, entertainment, intrigued me. As such I invested years interviewing top leaders in organizations. That research has been a valuable Coaching resource that helped inspire, motivate and empower aspiring leaders.

I reflect on my work within pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the hospitality industry with HR Leaders where I spent a decade contributing to bold initiatives that made a positive impact on organizational leaders through identifying speakers making vast change to society.

I also pondered my work with the Institute of CAribbean Studies in Washington, DC through the platform of White House champion of change Dr Claire and Dr Nsombi, I invested time to lead a team to find talented individuals under 30 years old, making outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship… essentially rising stars who at a young age have impacted our wider society in their communities. Over the years since the 30 Under 30 program’s inception, many have gone on to do great things.

Let me not forget my involvement in ministry, where I have also written books on encouragement, worked on health fairs, Coached career development, traveled globally to speak on personal development and its impact on leaders afar. 

Yes, as I look back, I am pleased and humbly accept this distinguished award from the Writers of Color, South Florida. A Group led by Dr. Ralph Hogges, Dr. Benjamin Cowins and Dr. Delores Smiley. 

Cheers to fellow colleagues Dr Susan Davis and Dr Thea White for your partnership. 

Service is in my DNA. I will continue.

One love 

FWA Freedom To Read Books

As an author of several books in business, leadership, success and inspiration, I jump at author learning event opportunities.

As a member of the Florida writers association, this was no exception.

This year’s festival was filled with tons of learnings as Readers and Writers came together at FWA’s annual Sunshine State Book Festival held at #UF Gainesville, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville

Met many new authors doing Big things! Discussions included Pulitzer Prize winner – Jack Davis on writing and publishing. Engaging panel discussion on Freedom to Read vs banned books, children’s book live presentations and more.

As my favorite quote says, writers write, readers read, together they are one.

Seek them out. Buy their books. Write reviews. Get consumed in reading no matter the genre.

Cheers!

2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Book Lovers …

Give the gift of insight, inspiration, and growth this holiday season! Delve into the world of leadership, self-discovery, inspiration and professional development with these curated books. Perfect for friends, family, or colleagues seeking to elevate their leadership skills and embark on a transformative journey. Click the Gift Guide, choose a book that sparks growth and ignites the potential within your loved ones this festive season!

Each Book link takes you directly to Amazon where you can buy, beautifully gift wrap and place under your well-lit sparkling Christmas tree. Voila! They’re thrilled!

Hope this guide has inspired your gift giving. E-books are perfect for last minute book shoppers. Grab copies for the perfect New Year’s gift. Oh, don’t forget to get a copy of my just released book RedLight: When God Says No which completes the GreenLight trilogy.

Can’t decide which to get? Let’s Connect!

Not Perfect But…

Don’t be afraid to try

Not perfect but still doing it. Dr. Charles Stanley said it.

Pastor Steven furtick said it about being in his youth and starting a new church with his wife.

Reggae Music Miss Pat Chin said it too. She said when she started entrepreneurship she didn’t know what she was doing. Young. Niaive but she tried big things not realizing they were too big for a new entrepreneur.

Guess what? It worked! Because she didn’t know. She tried, did it and yep success!

Dr Suess’s idea was different. Novel. Untried by others so his manuscript was rejected by many publishers. Then he met a friend who had just received a promotion to of all things… a publisher! The right place. The right time. The dots connected. Today Dr Seuss is a household name worldwide.

So don’t be afraid to try new crazy things! Things untried by others …because … it just might work.

Cheers!

New Book: Women Immigrants & The Challenges Faced …

New Book! Success comes in many forms. For me it was a delight to partner with Dr Indiana Robinson as she did a deep dive research into women immigrants. I was honored to expound on my initial research of Success Strategies of Caribbean American leaders in the United States.

In this book titled “A Review of Women Immigrants and the Challenges Faced”, Dr Robinson expanded on deep dive research on immigrants and the path they took.

Together we shared excerpts of the stories of women immigrant leaders and their perspectives on higher education in the United States. Our own stories are included.

On the cover kudos given to female graduates who enthusiastically shared their graduation pictures to emphasize their success and tenacity to strive to overcome challenges to be successful.

Get/Gift a copy of this new book which is now available on Amazon

Thoughts about this new research? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Writers Abandoned Manuscripts: Suzanne Bennett’s 7 Ideas For What To Do With Them…

Writers always produce more than they share with readers. Even bestseller authors have abandoned manuscripts. This article will give you some ideas on what to do with them.

Writers Write

Loved these Writers Write tips for those who write and have manuscripts that just can’t get done. Suzzanne Bennett shares 7 Ideas of what to do with abandoned writings. Here I share my favorite 3.

  • Create a space. Call it ‘graveyard,’ ‘slush pile,’ or ‘bits n bobs
  • Salvage the Wreck. The ‘To Salvage’ file contains revamped manuscripts that you still consider terrible, but where you hope to find a few nuggets of gold.
  • Revisit your Graveyard in times of need. Whenever you need inspiration, go to your pile of manuscripts, and start reading. You might just find a darling that once was ‘killed’

These were my favorites. Do you have abandoned writers? What can you do with them? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Solo Retreat Rome Itinerary…

Solo Retreat is designed for withdrawal. To take a step back. To plan to revive, refresh, renew, restore. Many take it when they are at a crossroads, or after they have experienced a significant life change. It can last a day, a weekend, week, month or a year as in a sabbatical

Here I share the itinerary for my Solo Retreat that developed along the way. My plan was simple. To get away to a place I didn’t know. To get lost in a strange place and find my way through divine obedience. As I progressed, here’s how it shaped out.

Just Rome

  • Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • Florence
  • Sienna
  • San Gimignano
  • Pisa
  • Venice
  • Rome
  • London
  • Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Florida

Not For the Faint Hearted

Solo travel and it’s purpose is not for the faint of heart. You have to be bold, brave and willing to make mistakes. It was different for me because I’m a planner but being led spiritually, I simply obeyed and experienced something new something different.

What about you? Ever thought about or did a solo retreat thousands of miles away? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

A lot Can Happen In A Year. 20 Things To Inspire You…

“Maybe” can become “definitely.”

The time of change is in full swing. But in many cases it’s the same old same old. Workaholics work; ‘bored’ business meetings continue; couples fight; children go asunder. But there are those who fall in love; travel and see the world; find that rewarding career; realize that fit body; dreams come through in those delightful home; spirituality soar; first time writers publish and make it big!

Amidst all that and the steady post-holiday covid scare, political upheavals, it was a warm breath of fresh air that we welcomed actress viola Davis as she shared Case 20 inspiring things under the title “A lot Can Happen in a year”. Here I share.

  1. You can meet the reason why you never settled
  2. You can finally hear NO turned to YES
  3. You can fall madly in love with yourself
  4. You can change completely and reintroduce yourself to the world
  5. A random encounter can become something life-changing
  6. You can take a big risk and see it pay off
  7. A streak of ‘luck’ can change your life
  8. You can finally receive the same love and energy you give to others
  9. You can say I deserve better and finally mean it
  10. A song can change your life
  11. You can receive the news you have been waiting for
  12. A solo trip can change your life
  13. You can forgive them and move on
  14. You can forgive yourself and move on
  15. You can make new weird and vibrant friends
  16. “Maybe” can become “definitely”
  17. “I am busy with work” can become “I can make time for you”
  18. You can fall in love with your body, your smile and your quirks
  19. You can decide you’re not lost
  20. You can decide you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be

A divine few gives me hope. Do you see any that sparks your interest? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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