Author: Krystal A. Smith

K.A. Smith is a writer of poetry and fiction.

Weekend Wordsmiths, Assemble!

Good afternoon, Wordsmiths! How are you on this somewhat shiny Saturday? I hope you’re well and rested. I had every intention of posting yesterday, but when I got home from work the Nap Monster was waiting for me. LOL! You know how I feel about naps…no resistance on my end. I needed the rest. This week was strange and confusing. But there were some sweet moments too. (I got a super cute phone call on Monday 😍, and on Wednesday a friend shared some long awaited awesome news. The third issue of my poetry journal for Black queer writers came out on Wednesday too. check out Inkwell Black and share, share, share. )

I think today I’m going to take it easy. I have some chores to knock out, and I need groceries (again), but I think I can fit in some chill time with my cat and a book. (Remembers I have to work on a poem for submission, and update another project, and…🥴Sheesh!)

Three copies of This is Not About Love Poetry book on a tan colored lap desk.
This is Not About Love: Poems

Have you read This is Not About Love yet? Curious about it? Grab a copy and dive in. I hear it’s quite good.

If you have read This is Not About Love (#TINAL) will you do me a huge favor? Will you leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon or your blog? I would greatly appreciate it. The more reviews the more visibility for authors like me.

Other Ways to Support

Interested in more? Want to see what I’m working on? Want exclusives and super cut pics of my cat? Join my patreon. Pledge $1, $5, $10, $15, or $20 a month for awesome perks and access to my work before anyone else.

Become a Patron!

Get a digital poetry booklet when you subscribe to $20 tier!

I Get Around – Or At Least My Books Do!

Image by Sincerely Media (Unsplash 2018)

It’s extremely cool to see your work show up on lists, and get reviews. This definitely helps authors get recognition and reach readers who might not otherwise consider one of my books. Check out the cool places where my work made the grade.

April’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Books – Lambda Literary

2021 Poetry For the Rest of Us – Ms. Magazine

2021 Poetry For The Rest of Us – Ms. Magazine

5 Authors Like Carmen Maria Machado – Book Riot

Two Moons Review – Forward Reviews

🤗 Makes me happy just to be recognized!

Too Much & Then Some

Image by Mohamed Nohassi (Unsplash 2017)

This week has been too much and then some! I found my self disassociating because of the news, racism, and injustice.

I had to BLOCK some folks on social media (for their own good really cos folks play too much and don’t be ready for the TRUTH).

But I took stock of all that I’m grateful for and gave thanks this week. Also I had the pleasure of celebrating other people’s good news this week. That kept me lifted as well! And now the weekend is here blessing me with rest. 🙏🏾

Celebrate your life today!! Leave nothing on the table. 🥳💜

I’m still celebrating my latest book! This is Not About Love is getting excellent reviews and readership! Thank you to everyone who has shown off your copies and who have written reviews!

Are you curious what all the talk is about? Get a copy for yourself and a friend here

Upcoming Events :

May 1st at 6pm I’ll be in conversation with Almah LaVon Rice! Join us. Email for Registration

BLF Press presents Krystal A. Smith in conversation with Almah LaVon Rice

The Morning After! #TINAL Book Launch

Good morning Wordsmiths! How you feelin’? You good?

I’m good. So good! 👌🏾

Last night’s book launch went off without a hitch! So much joy, love, book talk, and laughter. Being in community, sharing insights, and performing made me feel so absolutely lifted. This writing life ain’t bad at all.

Big thanks to everyone who joined us last night and asked awesome questions and engaged. Our conversation was not only fun but much needed. There is so much secrecy in publishing and there is no need for it. There is room for all of us.

TINAL book launch crowd: looking good

My next reading event will be May 1st! Details to come. I hope you’ll join me.

Happy Sunday!🌈

It’s Release Day!

Hey Wordsmiths! Do you know what today is? Of course you do!

It’s release day! This is Not About Love #TINAL is out in the world! I feel so happy, grateful, and free!

I’ve honestly always dreamed about writing poetry and stories and having my words published for all the world to see. Today is a dream come true! One of many!

I want to give a huge heartfelt THANK YOU to all you Wordsmiths! You show up, encourage, and support me with no question.

Also to my publisher BLF Press, thank you for taking a chance on me yet again. Stephanie I still look at your editorial notes and get chills! Lauren thank you for this banging cover! You did that!!!

JL Herndon, Jason B Crawford your blurbs brought me to tears! Thank you for taking the time to read my words and see me!

Friends, lovers (past and future) get ready. Grab a copy of this collection and be prepared to sit with how you feel and just know it’s all LOVE even though…This is Not About Love

Join me Saturday April 10th for conversation and community as we celebrate the launch of #TINAL

Good Friday Indeed! National Poetry Month 2021

(Image by Trust “Tru” Katsande Unsplash 2018)

Happy Weekend, Wordsmiths! 🌈I’m excited for poetry month even though I celebrate poetry and writing all year there is something fun about a concentrated month of it. I won’t be writing a poem everyday this month. I did it last year and it took me out. By the end of the month my mental faculties were absolutely wiped! LOL

I’m so thankful to my publisher, BLF Press, who is dedicated to putting out incredible work by women of color. I feel so supported working with this Black press and having my work respected and taken seriously. I’m treated the same way and shown how much I matter in this industry. I received an awesome care package from BLF Press this week too with all the things writers need and love: A book of poetry, a fancy notebook, a totebag, and SNACKS! Thank you so much!

My publisher sent me an awesome care package! Thank you BLF PRESS!

It’s been such a good week. With the release date for This is Not About Love right around the corner (April 6th) I feel excited! And I can admit also that I’m a little nervous. I keep telling myself this is normal. This is normal. 😬

As promised I found a tasty and refreshing recipe for our LOVE LIBATION!

Cherub’s Cup 😋

Cherub’s Cup

Here’s what you’ll need:

Assembly instructions here And of course adjust it to suit your tastebuds! 😋

I hope I’ll see all of you at the virtual launch event on Saturday April 10th at 6pm. It’s not too late to register. Use the link here.

Enjoy the weekend! 🤗

TGIF!

Image by Denise Chan (Unsplash 2015)

Happy Friday!

I feel like this week TRIED it and lost! LOL 😆

I’m glad tho because we all have so much to offer ourselves, and each other. Being able to look into the center of a struggle or problem and pull ourselves to the other side is absolutely INCREDIBLE!

This week reminded me to rest, reach out, listen, and reimagine what could be.

Yeah, this week tried it & LOST! ✊🏾

Time to fall into the joys of the weekend! Sending you all #Rest #Peace #Support and #Healing🙏🏾

Upcoming Events:

BLF Press presents Krystal A. Smith in conversation with DeMisty D.Bellinger. April 10th 6pm to 7:30pm EDT Register here

Spring Forward! Then Land on Your Face!

Image by Caique Silva 2018 Unsplash

Daylight Savings is so unnecessary! ⏰ I don’t know why we even still do this. Is it for farmers? Is it because of the time space continuum? Is this the only way to keep the earth on its axis?

I’m exhausted! Always this springing forward warps my sense of everything! My body has the hardest time adjusting. I’ll be sleepy but can’t sleep.

The weather this week didn’t help either. A little bit of sun ☀️ and a whole lot of rain ☔️ and wind 💨 and tornado 🌪 warnings!

But! 🤗 The week wasn’t all bad. No siree! I got to experience a joyous (virtual) gathering of time traveling letter writing creators! I wrote a letter to my favorite wig – Mermaid Tendrils and tapped into a future self that will be absolutely instrumental in living my best life. #Living🙌🏾

I read two short Black lesbian romance novellas and even got some writing done.📚💜

I got some stellar cocktail recipes and suggestions from my Facebook pals today (hence the late night post) and yummy 😋🍹 My bar cart is adequately stocked again!

This gives me an idea! What if my poetry collection had a signature cocktail🧉 Yep! I’m gonna make one and post it before my book release.

Stay tuned for 💕Love Libations💕🍸😉

In the meantime preorder This is Not About Love and sign up for the launch party on April 10th! I’ll be in conversation with DeMisty D. Bellinger!

Register for the launch party here

Get some rest, Wordsmiths! And treat yo’self this weekend! 🛍😘

Weekly Wrap-Up: Weekend Edition

Image by Sincerely Media (Unsplash 2020)

Nothing Going On But the Rent

Hey Wordsmiths! What a long mundane week! Better than chaotic and out of control, but still, bluh.

That’s okay though. Sometimes we need the lulls to make the highs stand out. And I’ll take weekend chores over a 7-day work week every time (because I have worked 7-days a week before and that shit should be illegal). 🧹 🧼 🧽

I can hardly remember what took place this week. I remember going to work and coming home and that’s it. I started a new WIP and have been working on that in the evenings. I played around with making videos and reading poems on camera and I still feel very much like a fish out of water. The tech, my voice, my FACE🙄…LOL Talk about stepping out of a comfort zone, more like leaping. 🤾🏾‍♀️

I’m about to go to the store to nab groceries and cat supplies. Once I’m back I plan to read and do some creative stuff, but a girl might just take a nap. 😴

Enjoy the weekend, friends! 💋

Upcoming Events:

BLF Press presents Krystal A. Smith in conversation with DeMisty D.Bellinger. April 10th 6pm to 7:30pm EDT Email info@blfpress.com to register

Preorder a copy of This is Not About Love from BLF Press