Tag: Readings

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!🌈

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! 🤗

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! 🛍😘

#ThrowBack

Hey Wordsmiths! Are you working hard or hardly working? I’m not gonna answer…Plausible deniability, ya know what I’m saying! 😅

I might not be working all that hard, but I am time traveling with the help of photos today. It’s wild to be able to look at a moment from the past and remember a smell, a feeling, a thought.

Like this pic from college. I was studying and using a friend’s laptop. My friend Will is out of frame to my right with his long legs stretched out. This apartment was always cold and noisy with neighbors stomping back and fourth.

Throwback to studying in a drafty apartment at Appstate Univ.

And here writing/revising at Scuppernong Books here in Greensboro during Come Write In. I remember the smell of cider and coffee mingling together, people chatting, and light music playing. Makes me miss face-to-face community events.

Come Write In at Scuppernong Books

Traveling to events for readings and meeting other writers is one of the perks being a writer. These pictures remind me of the excitement of arriving, the jitters before reading, and the laughs with readers and fellow writers.

OutWrite 2016, DC
Malaprops Bookstore 2018, Asheville

Ahhhh the memories! They’re all coming back to me! 🤗

I think writing creates memories in the same way looking at photos can bring you back to them. In my upcoming poetry collection This is Not About Love I use memories to create and connect to moments that need resolution, release, or righting. Memories aren’t always fun, uplifting periods of the past, but they can often affect our future. Bringing this to light is paramount to growth and real healing.

This Is Not About Love out April 6th 2021

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.

Greensboro Bound Literary Festival 2018 May 18th-20th

This week over 70 authors will descend upon Greensboro for readings, signings, and lively conversation with readers.

I’m excited to attend not only as a fan of several authors presenting, but also as an author on a panel. I’ll be sharing time with Ray Morrison, Steve Cushman, and Steve Mitchell at Preyer Hall, Greensboro History Museum, May 19, 4:30 pm to talk about contemporary Short Stories, read from our work, and sign a few books.

Of all the events taking place this weekend I know I’m most excited for Nikki Giovanni (A Good Cry, 2017), Fred Chappell (I Am One of You Forever, 1985), Leesa Cross-Smith (Whiskey & Ribbons, 2018), and Greensboro Bound After Hours. There will be music, performances, and of course books.

For a full list of events browse the Greensboro Bound site.

Opening reception takes place at Weatherspoon Art Gallery, UNCG, May 17, 6:00 pm

I hope to see you there!

Upcoming Lez Talk Event

 

lezt talk book Next Friday -May 20th at 7pm- Join the contributors of Lez Talk  as they read from their stories and discuss writing with the audience.

Friday May 20th at 7pm

Charis Books and More

1189 Euclid Ave, NE Atlanta, GA 30307 

info@charisbooksandmore.com

404-524-0304