The People's Champ

David L and Yours Truly

"90 percent of the business is hustle, the rest is talent" - anonymous

David L mixes both grind and talent to spread his author brand down the Eastern seashore from New York to Miami and points between. His forever expanding fan base showers him with support whether they're active in his Can I Hit it in the Morning Facebook group (Click here to join) or the blog site with the same namesake. The Brooklyn native has taken the industry by storm for over a half decade while enjoying the fruits of his hustle. Book clubs adore him, ladies are drawn to him, and guys respect him. So without further ado, allow me to introduce the People's Champ...

Nah’Sun - If there's one thing you could change about the book industry, what would that be? 

David L - One thing I would change about the book industry is the illogical attempts of so-called authors selling their soul by offering their craft for free via download. What readers need to understand is that it takes hard work to produce a book, and multiple factors need to be accomplished before a book can be ready for purchase like proper editing, illustration, distribution, printing, marketing, etc. Not to mention the endless days and nights to actually write the novel. Authors consequently need to understand that by offering their craft for free to the public, it diminishes their work, and thus, they are not taken nearly as seriously by the would be consumer


Nah’Sun - Describe the difference between today's book industry from your rookie year to now

David L - The book industry since [the first time I entered the industry] was not diluted by everyone with a pen and a pad wanting to become a best selling author. In 2016, every reader that has a story thinks they have what it takes to write a novel [along with] writers writing cliche stories and not taking their craft seriously is what is making these wannabe authors think they have what it takes to write a best-selling novel


Nah’Sun - What keeps you motivated to write and keep releasing books?

David L - My motivation has never been, or will ever be the almighty dollar. Instead, my motivation remains the countless readers that continue to keep me grounded and humble, always looking for that next David L. release. That [along with] unexpected reviews, emails, inbox messages, etc. from my readers telling me how much they enjoy reading my work are what continue to keep me going in such a dysfunctional industry


Nah’Sun - Give the readers a list of all the books you released so far

David L - Presently, I have four published novels available. They are (in the order i wrote them): Over Your Dead Body, My Life Is A Movie, Represent & Chalk Outline Confessions: The Remix. Coming soon (3/1/16) will be my fifth published release tentatively titled, A Recipe 4 Revenge





Nah’Sun - Which title is your favorite, and why?

David L - Although I do not have an actual "favorite" novel, my most "creative" (in my opinion) so far has been Chalk Outline Confessions: The Remix based on the novel's overall theme, storyline, use of 1st person/3rd person and level of action/intrigue. All of my published titles however are personal favorites for various reasons


Nah’Sun - Tell the readers about your Can I Hit it in the Morning blog (click here to read the blogs)

David L - Can I Hit It In The Morning?! is an online blog series of my creation which is only available via my author website. I created my blog series to "hold over" my readers until my next release as it will be my first published release in almost four years. The blog series tackles any and all topics relating to male/female relationships, and does not in any way show favoritism towards the male/female dynamic. Instead, it is an educational, yet entertaining facet of topics that transcend all of our generation's concerns


Nah’Sun - Have book clubs been beneficial to your career?

David L - Book clubs have been very beneficial during my formative years, and still do to this day because when connected to the right book club, they will undoubtedly support your literary endeavors and continue to drive your artistic aspirations by attending various book signings, hosting author meet & greets and purchasing novels to financially drive an author's career

Nah’Sun - Do you think authors should sign with other authors?

David L - Authors signing with other authors can be complex and definitely somewhat controversial. As an author signing to another author, one has to ask, "when it is time for the parent company (author/publisher) to release their own work, [and] will it take precedence over the signed author's product?" Although it can be successful in some instances, my opinion is that more often it is a potential conflict of interest for both parties


Nah’Sun - What are you working on now? And leave your contact info for people to reach you

David L - My present project is titled, A Recipe 4 Revenge. It is an action/thriller drama which follows four females as they return to their high school reunion to exact revenge on a man that has sexually tormented them during their high school years. In my opinion, [that book is] most definitely my most challenging yet thought-provoking project to date.

Follow me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/almightydavidL

Follow me on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/almightydavidL

Follow me on Face Book at: author David L. (email: theauthordavidl@hotmail.com / http://www.totalpackagepublications.com/

All David L. titles can be purchased directly from his website at: www.totalpackagepublications.com

Click here to watch the David L documentary from your phone

Peace and Afro Grease

Nah'Sun the Great @ www.nahsunblaze.com

Authors Helping Each Other Out

What’s woody, grasshoppers?
 
Okay, people…the book game can be VERY cutthroat at times. That’s why I don’t fuck with a lot of people in the industry. I write my books, shake hands and kiss babies, make my money, and call it a day
 
On the flip side of the coin, if an author asks me a question, I don’t mind giving them knowledge about the game. And if I don’t know, I’ll guide them to the right spot. Other times, I’m not answering dumb ass questions like, “How do you write a book?”
 
Um…you type on a keyboard…duh!
 
I remember one time I asked this editor to work on my first book back in 2007. Make a long email exchange short, she didn’t wanna edit my book because I wasn’t signed with a major publishing house. I say that because the first question she asked was, “Are you self-published?”
 
And my answer broke the winds in hell of a rejection
 
But fuck it…things happen for a reason. My editor, Shonell Bacon, whom I’ve been using since my first book has done a helluva great job 

I say that to say things happen for a reason...a rejection or brush off can be a blessing in disguise...a rejection from one of your peers can either make you stronger or break you down...but I say, "fuck 'em" and keep it movin' like it never happened
 
You see…
 
Authors feel like you might get the upper-hand on them if they drop jewels on you about the industry. Insecurity's a bitch ain’t it? Well, it is. Me personally, I don’t have a problem with doing my own research. At the same time, it doesn’t hurt to get additional info from my peers
 
I’ve come across a few authors that dropped helpful jewels to me. I haven’t met any asshole authors yet. Then again, I don’t go out my way to socialize with anyone in the industry.
 
So far so good

Lampin with author David L in Philly

Aight, ya’ll…I’m out
 

Peace
 
Nah’Sun the Great

2012 Harlem Book Fair RECAP!

Aight, ya'll...I'm back...even when it's brief

This past Saturday I hit up the Harlem Book Fair...I promoted my THICK movement and shook hands with a few heads I knew, old and new, and expanded my brand



I may be wrong, but it seems like HBF (short for Harlem Book Fair for the slow folks) is losing its luster...kinda like that chick who used to be wifey material but isn't anymore because the whole 'hood done ran up in her

I've come across more authors and their affiliates than actual readers...the competition is too stiff, which is why I won't buy a table...I see no point in purchasing a table when I won't get AT LEAST close to the amount I put in

Seems like writing books is the new crack and Avon...but that's another topic for a later date

The GOOD part about HBF is that I got a chance to NETWORK...networking is key when you wanna build your brand and form alliances...I touched bases with Mack Mama to appear on her radio show...I did a little bit of politickin with her

And WHA-LAH!...I'm booked for Sunday, August 5th @ 11pm EST for her radio show on Blog Talk


Mack Mama and Me

Shorty is thick and kinda 'hood...she's the type of broad who'll stab a nigga and call the cops to tell them SHE did it...my type of chick...Oooooh yeah 

I've also come across Simone Green...

...a woman who pretty much had the balls to talk about her experience with Suge and Tha Row when everybody and their mamas shitted in their pants for even DREAMING about it

Simone promoted her book, Time Served on Death Row Records, that detailed her time with Death Row Records as Chief Photographer for the label...her book is dope...it's funny and sad at the same time like bustin a nut and realizing you didn't wear a condom

I finished the book in two days...a must have!

Her green eyes are mesmerizing...I couldn't look too hard because her significant other was there...good guy...I didn't wanna scrap with a big cornbread fed brother and get my swag all fucked up on the strength of him thinking I was trying to mack to his main squeeze, nahmean

I just liked the eyes

*shrugs*


Simone Green and Me

Oh yeah, I also checked out a couple panels including one featuring my guy David L...he's a fellow author who's doing his thing...homie grinds hard...PAUSE!

The panel centered on independent authors and how they market their books...I was invited to speak on that same panel, but I declined...I'm not gonna play myself considering I just get up and go...drawing up a marketing plan to me is like Chinese algebra...I just get up and grind

There's no technical shit in my hustle...just straight impulse and adrenaline on some jump out an airplane with a busted parachute type shit





Aight, ya'll...that's all, folks...back to writing...I'm out

Peace!

Nah'Sun


Reminds me of the Good Ol Days