Updates & Indie Learning Curves--2025 Style

 It's been one hell to the start of 2025.  I'm learning a lot this year, not only about myself, but who my writing self is, who my artist self is, how he gets down, and how he interacts with me.  

For any who know me, and I mean like know know me they know I love my Twitter (yep, still call it that). It's been a source of lifeblood for a very long time. I won't go into great detail, but social media-wise, it's where I like to hang out. Social media for any indie artist (I think) is pretty crucial to their life, or livelihoods. So I post a lot, I promote there mainly. Unfortunately, it hasn't generated a best-seller for me. In any case I haven't quit, but I'm learning to adjust. 

I have recently learned how to upload my book onto my website with a storefront and all that. This has been a game-changer for me. I have always been a believer of getting something from the source, rather than                             

second hand (retail). Are my books still on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all those other great places?--yep, but for credibility. I understand that people trust these places, the big boxes, and I'm just not a big box. However, I am beginning to find more customers through social media, that are buying directly from me!

This is where the learning is really beginning to be a thing for me. Other than creating my own store-front I'm starting to reach out to people differently. For the longest I was against email list and newsletters--ugh--but not any more. Yesterday I was finally able to add an email sign up list to my website. Now granted I had to get the word out via social media (twitter and IG) but the point is, I'm trying to enter a different chapter so to speak. So in honor of that, my logo goes in this post along with the big box boys and girls!

Color scheme is usually a part of branding, so I've kept the same colors, even though I've branched out with different logos. The tag line of "Creative Authentic Lit" has remained the same though.

I mention these lessons because I'm also working on a NEW PROJECT! I've learned that you have to stay relevant, or at least in visible. This is why I'm working hard on staying visible; continue posting, updating the blog etc. One of the big lessons I've learned about self-publishing is if you don't talk about your work (book, new music, new art--whatever) then no one will know that it exist.

So I'm announcing here 1st, that I am working on a project. I'm not going to divulge any secrets about the work, but know that it's coming soon, and I'm excited about it. It's been almost 10 years since I've self-published my first book, and around 5 years since publishing my last book, so it's time to do another project. 

Ya'll know spoken word is near and dear to my heart, so I might get back in the studio, I also have a huge love for art, so it might be some art-work...I'll leave the suspense for further post. 

I am doing my best to live my best life, and when I am able to create, my best life elevates. I am grateful for people who have come into my life, grateful for those who left, grateful for those who might return, and of course grateful for people who will come into my life new. 

If you are new to reading this blog, WELCOME! If you are a person who just "discovered" me like Columbus--WELCOME! I humbly ask you check out my website www.iwritebooks.yolasite.com  I have my books there along with some other great products. And if you are an old-head who's been following me, or is a friend who has supported my--THANK YOU, and WELCOME.  

I look forward to bringing in new things for this new year, and enjoying all that life will bring. Don't forget to follow me, and yo'...LEAVE A COMMENT (I be checkin' on stuff like that :) 

Until next time 

Feb's last day, Still Celebrate

Instead of doing my usual #vss365 piece, I've decided to do a 3 word generated poem, and as you can tell from the video below, the words are: large, fall, and load

 

Last day

of the month

    celebrate 337

Large land mass

    stolen with gun powder 

    from the east &

    small pox from 

    unclean Europeans

They fall

    unlike angels from 

    heaven,

    morals fall faster 

    than wishes for better 

    life, and destinies manifested

    they

failed.

Lock & load

    enslave, whip, beat

Lock & load

    freedoms fought for

    never really won

Lock &load

    black codes, segregate

    burn black towns

Lock & load

    cops blue black billy club

        spills red

    teachers blonde 

        bully but don't educate

    cells built en masse

        filled to capacity

The ballot failed,

    no shell casings on the ground

The sheep sit,

in arm-chairs...

    

    Revolution?

The questions awaits its

    answer.

©2025 C. Barbee

60 second vertical

Peace, peace....

    In protest today...(should I say that right after peace peace?) in any case I'm doing a bit of blogging today as I'm taking a bit of a break from social media, shopping, and spending money on folks that don't care about my folks', they just care about my 

Black Money 

In any case I've decided to do some shorts and post them here instead.

Of course I'll have to go back to social media, but today I'm chillin' here. Also I'll be announcing some writing happenings in the next couple of days, and weeks ahead.

So Stay Tuned In.  Now, the 60 second video

Don't forget to leave a comment...don't be afraid of conversation...

2-22-25 #Fart #VSS The story behind the story, and part III

 It’s 6:03pm and I’m ready for a good drink. I’ve spent the day creating.  I got up this morning and penned a 3 part poem to the prompt of ‘fart’. 

As you may or may not know, I try and post a poem on Twitter (yes, I still call it that, and yes I’m there) on the hashtag (#vss365)  I’m pretty loyal to the space and the writing.  

So here is part III of my #vss365 prompt of #fart 

and just for kicks, here's a copy of the complete piece--

(part I)

Beautiful Wednesday

chillin at the park

Art,

wrapped in

brass keys; poetry

on the tongue

Sun’s out

lookin’ for fun

Fabled freestyle 

open space;

had milk that day…

a #fart,

was on its way

#vss365 

______________

(part II)

Pen’s passion 

at this particular park

was never pensive.

Private like vacuums 

in belly’s 

bubbleguts; sometimes

creativity is born

there—

other times

it’s just a 

#fart 

#vss365 

_________________

(part III)

Was feeling 

yellow sun rays 

rather than 

brown & soiled 

streaks;

Smiles are better 

described between 

two cheeks…

yet other cheeks

sought relief,

& a beautiful

#fart 

was released,

to the 5 winds

#vss365  

_______________

Take 3 minutes of Your Time...

 Peace peace all!!

Happy Black History Month, Happy Superbowl victory to the Eagles, Happy Kendrick bowl, and all that. 

Also, have a show coming up tomorrow online, check my socials for the details!

Wanted to get some feedback on a little jam I'm working on, so watch the video....AND DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT!! Watch the video below

Ironic Thoughts: January 20, 2025

As I sit at my table writing this, I am without doubt of the examination and critique that is occurring on

this day; for whom it is dedicated to, and the occurrence of the day.  The irony is not lost on the creative community, the religious community, the Black community, the immigrant community and families throughout these united states.

To be blunt, and expose the elephant in the room, how do we inaugurate Donald Trump on Dr. King’s federal holiday?

Timing is a lot. And many times the timing of two opposites crossing paths happen. The irony of the celebration of Dr. King with Trump’s second inauguration is timing smiling in the corners of the universe daring you to continue paying attention. Dr. King’s holiday is federally designated as the third Monday in January. The inauguration is federally scheduled for January 20th (or 21st depending on the day), every four years.  This clash is not a new one, four years ago in 2020, the same occurrence happened; the biggest difference–Covid.  

The irony: Dr. King stood for equality, civil rights, and economic equality. Trump has been convicted of paying hush money to a pornographic star, given tax credits to the ultra rich, and has verbally disrespected women, immigrant communities, and other countries, s—hole countries. 

I could call this a disgrace, but this is America. A country founded on principles of truth, justice, and freedom, while relegating enslaved people as ⅗ in the Constitution. A country when finally emancipating

the enslaved people immediately put in Black Codes and segregation, in order to keep people separated by race, color, and historical standing. A country that ended segregation, yet practices policies of gentrification, hiring practices so disparaging things like Affirmative Action and the Rooney Rule needed to be erected. 

Today I refrained from social media, the news, and other informational outlets. I did not want to partake in being American. Some of us will always recognize

Dr. King if there is a holiday or not. We do this through the work we do; by teaching, loving our neighbor, helping those less fortunate than us, fighting against oppression, and building community. These are the principles that Dr. King exemplified. And these principles can never be erased as long as the legacy remains. 

The legacy is more than this day, or the “Dream” speech, the legacy is in the stories that people continue to tell offline, and untelevised. The stories that passed down generation to generation, like the one my mother told me. I will always remember when she told me stories of being in jail on Thanksgiving for protesting with Dr. King and eating turkey sandwiches, and singing spirituals and Civil Rights songs. This memory was usually given light on Thanksgiving morning when I would help her with the big meal. Legacy is passed down through the people.

To the writing communities, the immigrant communities, political cartoonist, artist, the Black community historians, bloggers, and those “welcome-back” tik-tok’ers: I have one simple request, Use Your Voice.  No one knows what the next four years will hold, we have thoughts and theories, but the facts have yet to be placed.  So write about Trump, write about Dr. King, write and draw, and paint, and tik-tok the irony of the day, of the time.  For people, living history is now, the subject matter is on a platter for all to feast, so dig it.

And as you eat, please keep an ear open to listen to the one sitting next to you. 

 

Last Call. Late, but Last Call

It’s 11:20pm on my side of town.  Almost 24 down from when this was supposed to be posted. But fuck time, fuck the temple, the tyrants and time-keepers with their horrible and wrinkled hands.  It’s a new day beautiful; coming with consequences, both wonderful and scary in its effect.  So enjoy the day, enjoy the post, enjoy the words, and above all, enjoy life!

when you can

Last Call for ’24 (for blog)

Last call 

comrade,

Last call 

chief,

Last 

call citizen,

some seek relief.

Our wrongs, our 

rights, our 

peace fingers 

follow into the night

as we celebrate

life—

Around the sun

around the horn

around the joy

around the scorn

24 in a day

24 when Kobe played

24, divisible in the shade

Last call

lil’ children

Last call 

lucky couple

Last call 

spammers 

Last call

trolls with trouble

To the 

pressure pushers, the 

narrative thieves, the 

corrupt politicians &

the religious zealots 

always in need

Finding a new 

patsy, for this 

new year, maybe 

harder than you think

Many,

grown wiser

Research revealed 

reasons & this 

dedication

for information

is creating a 

new season

Last call 

for the experience 

Last call 

for the moment

& manipulators laying 

doubt at 

the feet of 

self and supporters 

So drink hearty

if hero status you 

seek

Drink hearty

for health you 

reap

And finally

Drink hearty

for our future

is at 

the brink.