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.
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
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 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!
Hey there Wordsmiths! I hope you’ve all had a good week! I made it through unscathed so I’m certainly not complaining. Especially since my request for vacation was APPROVED! ✔️
I ordered a couple of books Tuesday (I know, I know, but I NEED them). #TreatYourself 💅🏾
photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash
I also virtually attended Carolina Poets poetry reading on Thursday and that was such a rejuvenating experience.
Galleys for #ThisIsNotAboutLove arrived this week and I’m absolutely smitten! Re-reading the poems in this collection I felt the flow, the energy, the healing all come back just as I felt it while writing. I think there is something in these pages for everyone.
Pre-order info can be found here on the BLF Press website. Readings and events are being scheduled too. I’m so ready to read and perform these poems for you.
This is Not About Love galleys
Valentines Weekend is here and I’m prepped and giddy with anticipation for Valentine’s activities starting tonight! I’m writing gratitude lists, crafting, reading #romance, sipping fizzy beverages and snacking in between naps. I’m celebrating the love I have for myself this year and the love I share with friends and community. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hey Wordsmiths! Happy Monday! I hope your V-day weekend was super sweet!
It’s well past lunchtime over here so I encourage you to eat something if you haven’t already. And enjoy these tasty tidbits a/b my upcoming poetry collection. Here we go:
1. I adore these poems! No question. Ask any writer what an accomplishment that is.
2. Exactly 2 of these poems were previously accepted by journals/mags but had to be pulled cos folks didn’t wanna ack right 🙃
3. One of the poems was first written while I was in undergrad at Appstate.
4. One poem mixes both English et française.
5. Parentheticals prove extremely important in this collection.
6. I tried my hand at a duplex after a Jericho Brown online class and Yaaas!! 👌🏾👏🏾
7. There are 3 previously published pieces in this collection.
8. I try my best to evoke time, and place in these poems.
9. These poems are about you! Yes, YOU!
10. I’ll be in conversation w/DeMisty D. Bellinger on April 10th (info below) and I hope you’ll join us to talk This is Not About Love. Get a copy here from BLF Press
Greetings beautiful people! So much has happened this year! Some good, some extremely bad, and all the in between. I hope you’re all adjusting and doing what you need to do for your mental and physical wellbeing.
I’ve been writing, thankfully. I don’t 100% know how but it’s what keeps me going. Having to focus on that has been so helpful.
And just in case you missed the announcement Friday BLF Press is publishing my 1st chapbook of poems.
Cover image: This is Not About Love
“This is Not About Love explores the complexities of human emotion and relationships via memory, experience, and imagination. Smith reminds us that love is not a singular emotion, and romantic relationships are not paramount to happiness.”
If you’re interested in reviewing, contact BLF Press (info@BLFPress.com) and you can preorder by clicking here
I have to say March has really shown out for me this year. It’s been so exciting and challenging, and motivating. I’m still (in my mind) celebrating the launch of my first ever collection of short stories. Two Moons hit shelves March 20th and the reception so far has been a good one.
We held the book launch the same week at the Raleigh LGBT Center and I had a blast. Sure there was cake and bubbly to share, but for me the real fun was reading my stories out loud, discussing the who, what, why of those stories, and engaging with those of you who came. When I say I can’t wait to do it again, I really, really mean it. Thanks again to everyone who came out Saturday. You made my launch incredible.
Next up I’ll be at North Carolina Writer’s Network Conference (NCWN) in Greensboro, NC on April 21st. I’ll be manning the booth for publisher BLF Press. Come say hi and buy some books.
Speaking of books, if you haven’t already, you can still get signed copies of Two Moons from BLF Press. Click here to go straight to the bookstore. If you have your copy already, please write a review and post it on Goodreads. Reviews make things happen for books. It can be a short sentence or two, what you enjoyed and why. Every review helps get this book in the hands of new readers. Thank you!
Want to keep up with me and my book events? Sign up for my newsletter. A new one comes out in April, don’t miss out. Subscribe to my newsletter
Today is a very special day! It’s publication day. Two Moons is out in the world being magical, black, and queer as all get out.
I can’t wait for you all to hold it and read it and find yourselves in it.
You can get a copy from BLF Press or booksellers like amazon. Also, if you’re in North Carolina Saturday March 24th, I’d love to see you at the book launch. It’s being held at the Raleigh LGBT Center (324 S. Harrington Street) from 6pm-8pm. There will be a reading, discussion, some book signing, and cake! What could be better? Come on out!
Special thanks to everyone who helped me and who worked on Two Moons. It means so much to me to know y’all and to have your brilliance touch these stories. I’m forever grateful.
Krystal A Smith 