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.

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

This is How We Do It!

Photo Alt text: Stems of lavender on pink background. Quote text overlay: “Deliver me from writers who say the way they live doesn’t matter. I’m not sure a bad person can write a good book. If art doesn’t make us better, then what on earth is it for.” – Alice Walker

That’s a wrap! 3-5-21

It’s Friday! Huzzah 🙌🏾 Another week down. We did it.

Lots of story and project ideas popped up for me this week. I wrote them down and started on one I’m extremely excited about!

The urgency to create and produce has come upon me in such a way this week. It’s flared my anxiety with time. There’s never enough time it seems. The What Ifs started knocking at me. Then the doubts. #TheStruggleIsReal😔

Somehow I keep on keeping on. Maybe that’s why I’m so proud of my work. Maybe that’s why I cant shut my mouth about this poetry collection. Writing was just a thought one day in Mrs. Ramey’s English class. Now it’s a way to say something, feel, represent! #WritingIsTheWay #WritingIsEverything

Anyway…

Event scheduling continues for This is Not About Love #TINAL. I GOT CONFIRMATION this week that a writer/creator I absolutely adore and respect will host me in conversation. I feel so honored that they are making time for me and my collection of poems! More details on who and when coming soon but it’s 🤫 for now.

This week also had me thinking about writing advice and information. I enjoy talking about writing, process, and the act of creating. I don’t necessarily like the way people try to take advice as one-size-fits-all gospel. I do feel like I have some fresh thoughts on writing so I’m going to roll out some videos soon to share those thoughts. 👍🏾

That’s it for the week! I hope you all get to do something fun this weekend. Eat something really delicious and take a nap. 💜

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

Impromptu Poetry Reading

Last Tuesday I hopped on the mic (in my living room) and did an impromptu reading from my soon to be released poetry collection This is Not About Love from BLF Press

I’m still new to recording and video (it’s amazing the things “smart” phones can do) but I think I did alright.

This is Ode to Joy.

Krystal A. Smith (me) reading Ode to Joy from my new collection This is Not About Love available for preorder at BLF Press. Release date 4-6-21.

It feels so good to share this poem. Even though 2020 was difficult and so much is still changing I have much to be joyful about.

I hope this piece gives you a little lift. And I hope you’ll check out my collection. Click here to preorder.

ICYMI: Coming April 2021

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.

“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

Release Date: April 6th 2021

March Did That

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

It’s Publication Day!

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.