Hey, Friends! So much to catch you up on.
I attended 6 events at XL Fest and had an absolute blast. My favorite was the CynCity Creative networking mixer. I wrote all about the fabulous connections, free headshots, delicious baked goods, and mocktails for Rebellious Magazine. Ah man, sometimes I leave my cozy home and magical things happen.
Okema and I did not do an in-person pitch of our movie for producer at XL Fest because the committee decided to switch to a traditional grant application process. It would have been cool, but also, the introvert in me is not mad about just letting them deliberate in private.
That said, I did create some super cute 1/4-page flyers—complete with QR codes—that promoted our romcom. Thanks to Devin for holding my hand through the process.
Summer Reading
Special thanks to Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown of Carry On Friends and Breadfruit Media for getting me to read fiction this summer. Sometimes, I get so obsessed about maximizing my potential, I forget how much I love getting lost in fictional worlds. Here’s what I read, as recommended by Kerry-Ann:
The Gift of Rejection : Harness your Pain to Propel your Purpose
by Jones, Nona
3 of 5 stars. There was a useful message. One star less because I recently left a cult and was not ready for that much Jesus-talk in a book.
Show Your Ask! : Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career
by Joyel Crawford
3 of 5 stars. I really liked the bit about creating a Damn, I’m Good (DIG) file. Ultimately, much of the advice—inlcuding DIG files—I’d already learned from other career books.
Brown Girl, Brownstones
by Marshall, Paule
5 of 5 stars. Giiiiirl, I was stressed. You should have heard my voicenotes to Kerry-Ann. This tragic tale perfectly captures the pressures of being a Caribbean immigrant. Although originally written way before Millennials were implanted in wombs, the drama and stress of attempting home ownership was too real, too soon.
Honeysuckle and Bone
by Trisha Tobias
4 of 5 stars. Another on recommended by Kerry-Ann. I went into this one blind and almost didn’t finish it when I learned it was a duppy story (ghost story). I am a scary cat. Rosemary’s Baby still haunts me. That said, I’m glad I pushed through because we need to support contemporary Caribbean authors. Thankfully, Honeysuckle and Bone is a ghost story for young adults, so it wasn’t as scary as something written by Stephen King. One star off because it was a scary story and because it felt weird reading Caribbean slang with references to modern brands (e.g. Facebook, Twitter). I would have rather the author made these mentions more generic or fictional because it took the magic out of the story for me.
How to Leave the Mormon Church: An Exmormon’s Guide to Rebuilding After Religion
by Alyssa Grenfell
5 of 5 stars. This one was recommended by Darlene, my bestie at The Daily Herald. This book, nay guide, was helpful in deconstructing the final speedbumps in my cult exodus journey. I was not in the Mommon cult but I appreciate instructions on how to “sin” without getting lost in the sauce. I’m definitely an ‘all or nothing’ type of person. So, this was helpful.
Bilingual Bitch
by Angelica Davila
5 of 5 stars. I don’t know how to critique poetry and Angelica is my IRL friends, so I’m absolutely giving this work 5 stars. When she wrote: “I say a palabra in español, incorrectly, mixing English and Spanish, pero not quite Spanglish either, just incorrect español.” I felt that.
Show Your Work
by Austin Kleon
5 of 5 stars. I’ve read this book before. It’s one of the best guides on how to share your creative works. As an introvert, I don’t wanna be doing silly dances on TikTok. After this re-read, I’m hoping to find an authentic way to share the journey of trying to sell my romantic comedy.
Have you read any good book lately? Email me your recommendations.