Entrenched in Promo War
Art by Amy Salomone
We’re back in action and more than halfway done with August. Seems like summer is flying by. My third book Black Gypsies dropped last week and I’ve been hearing positive things. It’s always weird releasing a new book. I get anxious, nervous, and excited despite having released books in the past. A friend of mine texted me asking how things were going and I said good, but I’m entering the second half of the war—promo.
I feel like there’s a fine line between consistent promo and spam. Some people still don’t know I’m selling signed copies despite tweeting it multiple times, putting it on my IG story, and announcing it here. The algorithm is a thorn in my side. Still, we persist and we keep it moving all in the name of art and slinging books.
I’m trying out a few new strategies this go round and I’ll probably report the results back here. I’m pushing both books on a book reviewing service called Book Sirens. You pay a small fee and the website pushes your book out to potential reviewers over the course of three months. A nice alternative to NetGalley. Plus, I’ve been emailing a ton of reviewers and bloggers. And Black Gypsies is already getting some good ass reviews. Just look below. I love the fact that someone got day drunk at the beach while enjoying BG.
So this is the world’s first digital influencer who goes by the name of Lil Miquela (cool name I have to admit). A 19-year-old Brazilian girl, music artist, and new brand ambassador for Pac-Sun. They even gave the girl freckles and a gap in her teeth to make her more authentic. She even has a boyfriend who I think is human. I guess the future is now. This is the type of shit you see in Blade Runner and a bunch of other sci-fi flicks. I guess it was only a matter of time, but I’m not quite sure how to feel about it. I do dislike the fact that this is taking money out of a young influencer’s pockets though.
I’m sure this will become more normalized over the next decade and I probably will cease to care about some point. It’s just strange and a bit jarring seeing this along with the A.I. artists becoming more prominent fixtures in real time. I think real art will always exist, but this transition of technology is weird. This is one of those moments I lean on tarot for multiple reasons. It’s a six of swords moment, representing transition…things may feel like they’re chaotic, but we’re slowly moving towards calmer waters. You just have to release need for the control, the need for railings, and go with the flow…
In other news, I’ve tried watching The Bear mainly cause of the massive hype surrounding the show on twitter and the fact that it takes place in Chicago. Obviously, the first episode didn’t really hook me if you tuned into the previous newsletter. The second episode had some charming qualities but I didn’t feel that interested.
I feel like the internet tried to hook me up with a cute girl from Chicago simply cause I’m from Chicago. Someone pulled me aside and said listen…she’s gritty, she’s down to earth, she’s real. I watched one more episode, but at this point I was fully convinced that I gave her a fair shake and she’s just not right for me. I’m tired of watching the L rumble past the Italian Beef joint a million times per episode. The show has a certain amount of charm, the acting is good, I like the diversity, but the conflict is boring to me. I don’t care enough to invest my time and energy into this. I could be writing a book, watching anime, punching a bag in the gym or researching esoteric topics.
Another piece of fun reading is the rainbow gulag, depicting the rise and fall of Lisa Frank. I almost forgot these colorful items that took the world by storm in the 90s existed.
On the writing front, things have been all over the place this week, but I made progress on various projects so that’s good.
Currently Watching: Moon Knight & Ozark Season 1 & Sandman Season 1
Currently Reading: Ill Behavior by M. Steven S. & Berserk by Kentaro Miura & God Damn Chainsaw Murderer by Sean M. Thompson & Nudes by Elle Nash & Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Currently Smoking: Baby Jeeter Cookies & Cream Pre-Rolls
Currently Listening to: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
The Staten Island based duo, Ice Baby and Buggy, bring that glow in their hard hitting single “BABA.” They rap in a minimalistic fashion about scamming and even go as so far to apologize for fraud while strippers shake their ass in the club. I’m sold.
Pa Salieu and Skillibeng join forces to make a sexual bop over Mura Masa’s sensual production. Shit puts me in a good mood.
Bobby Shmurda sounds reinvigorated on “Whole Brick.” Bad bitches twerk and whip that white as it snows in an upscale traphouse. It wouldn’t be a Shmurda if he isn’t dancing which I suppot 110 percent.
Tiskorean’s bringing back snap music with the hypnotic “BAGGY.” He brings along the silly sk8 team combining nostalgia and absurd lyrics in this charming ass video.
Make sure you squeeze in some self care this week. Take a walk, roll up some weed, go to the beach…until next time…