Rashaun J. Allen's Blog, page 7

Framed In Excellence – A Mentor

“I’m a mentor,” or “I’m a role model,” were phrases that formed in my head one minute and became an after thought the next.

In reality, I’m too busy was my mantra. But let me see something out the box of logic on the news like the four teens who jumped a girl in McDonalds and I’m quick to say, “What’s wrong with the youth-dem,” in my make shift Caribbean accent. My connection to them is similar to my Caribbean roots connected in name only.

Growing up in Breukelen projects, I often was a move away from being in an altercation. Picture a chessboard. Visualize me as a pawn with an aspiration to become a king. Understand my own machismo, friends and the unknown rendered my moves defunct. At sixteen, I told a drug dealer to suck my dick, I had a friend who wanted to go to jail and getting jumped was normal.

A moment could go from cool to crazy as fast a tweet goes viral.

Back then; a mentor didn’t exist. Nor did I look for one. My eyes were too busy trying to comprehend my environment. I didn’t understand how cops didn’t show up when a crime happened. I understood a fight was solved in the moment. The time it took to reach for help be it family, friend or school safety could be the difference between life and death. I was aware that perception was everything. Be perceived as a punk and go through the rest of your time at school or your neighborhood being picked on by everybody from bullies to the cool geek. Hell for a teen.

Survival had never been eloquent. It was shove ‘em out the way to eradicate. If only a confrontation played out as scripted as an episode of Family Matters. Maybe a hard, “NO,” would be good enough. Maybe walking a way would be logical. Maybe a mentor would help transform a life.

The other day I went to a gun range with a group of friends. While we waited a half an hour for our turn; I couldn’t help but be impressed with my friend. He decided to teach a kid, who was shooting air balls, how to shoot a basketball. It wasn’t a big deal. But the idea was foreign to me. When I was that kid’s age most the older kids teased us. And the only kid whose father showed up to shoot hoops with us – was teased the worst. But in that moment my friend decided to be a mentor.

My saving graces were mentors. Despite not looking three came into my life. The first mentor was my boxing coach. His passion for boxing influenced my desire to be the best at any endeavor. My second mentor was a college advisor. Her passion for college helped me create a vision beyond the sixty plus acres that made up my childhood. The third were books I read. Stories like The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, The Pact by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt; Letters To A Young Brother by Hill Harper resonated with me.

I wish I could say I woke up and was like man I’m charged up for change.

Then, I drafted folks to be mentors. But it was more like I got better at navigating the streets; better at unraveling my circumstance; better at gauging who held my best interest.I found value in fitness, going away to college and stories read or written, which helped me visually reimagine myself framed in excellence.

—

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com and follow his personal blog at www.rashaunjallen.com.

Framed In Excellence

“I’m a mentor,” or “I’m a role model,” were phrases that formed in my head one minute and became an after thought the next.

In reality, I’m too busy was my mantra. But let me see something out the box of logic on the news like the four teens who jumped a girl in McDonalds and I’m quick to say, “What’s wrong with the youth-dem,” in my make shift Caribbean accent. My connection to them is similar to my Caribbean roots connected in name only.

Growing up in Breukelen projects, I often was a move away from being in an altercation. Picture a chessboard. Visualize me as a pawn with an aspiration to become a king. Understand my own machismo, friends and the unknown rendered my moves defunct. At sixteen I told a drug dealer to suck my dick, I had a friend who wanted to go to jail and getting jumped was normal.

A moment could go from cool to crazy as fast a tweet goes viral.

Back then; a mentor didn’t exist. Nor did I look for one. My eyes were too busy trying to comprehend my environment. I didn’t understand how cops didn’t show up when a crime happened. I understood a fight was solved in the moment. The time it took to reach for help be it family, friend or school safety could be the difference between life and death. I was aware that perception was everything. Be perceived as a punk and go through the rest of your time at school or your neighborhood being picked on by everybody from bullies to the cool geek. Hell for a teen.

Survival had never been eloquent. It was shove ‘em out the way to eradicate. If only a confrontation played out as scripted as an episode of Family Matters. Maybe a hard, “NO,” would be good enough. Maybe walking a way would be logical. Maybe a mentor would help transform a life.

The other day I went to a gun range with a group of friends. While we waited a cool half an hour for our turn; I couldn’t help but be impressed with my friend. He decided to teach a kid, who was shooting air balls, how to shoot a basketball. It wasn’t a big deal. But the idea was foreign to me. When I was the kid’s age most the older kids teased us. And the only kid whose father showed up to shoot hoops with us – was teased the worst. But in that moment my friend decided to be a mentor.

My saving graces were mentors. Despite not looking three came into my life. The first mentor was my boxing coach. His passion for boxing influenced my desire to be the best at any endeavor. My second mentor was a college advisor. Her passion for college helped me create a vision beyond the sixty plus acres that made up my childhood. The third were books I read. Stories like The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, The Pact by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt; Letters To A Young Brother by Hill Harper resonated with me.

I wish I could say I woke up and was like man I’m charged up for change.

Then, I drafted folks to be mentors. But it was more like I got better at navigating the streets; better at unraveling my circumstance; better at gauging who held my best interest.I found value in fitness, going away to college and stories read or written, which helped me visually reimagine myself framed in excellence.

—

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com and follow his personal blog at www.rashaunjallen.com.

The Cool Geek – The Hottest Bars

“What do you think about Drake’s bars?” texted my friend to our group chat. I wanted to tell him they were the hottest bars out. I had actually heard the diss track, “Back To Back” on Hot 97 on my way to work. I could even recall my favorite line, “trigger fingers turn to Twitter fingers.” But the truth was Drake’s bars weren’t the most earth shattering. Not because it wasn’t hip-hop or rap. Not because the bars may not have been as piercing as Nas’ Ether or Jay Z’s Super Ugly. But because the hottest bars right now are inside a book I’m reading, Between The World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

You see the world he describes: cops getting away with murder, surviving the streets, being told to be twice as good, and learning in a school system designed to fail you is my world. I see it clearly when I travel to my old neighborhood in Breukelen projects to see my grandma. I hear it when media outlets explain the deaths of Sandra Bland, Eric Gardner and many other black men and women as picayune. If I could smell it; it would be a bonfire; a bonfire that managed to burn a piece of me whenever lit. The fire starter is lost within the smokescreen.  If I could taste it – my taste buds would be filled with sour disgust.

The world Drake is rapping about is a step out of my frame. The frame is a nice view from the 6: popularity, cars, clothes, money, hoes and no responsibility.  It’s a moment in your life that’s just right: drunk but not pissy, high but still conscious, a geek but still cool.

Otherwise being present throughout the day is exhausting. Yes, I am black. No, I am not inferior. Yes, I can be pro-black and not be a racist. No, it’s not reverse racism. It’s similar to any other racial or ethnic group. Yes, saying the N-word offends me. Yes, it is used in a song I like.  Yes, Obama is the president and is black. No, that does not mean I live in a post-racial America. I live in the US a place I call home. But how many ways do I have to thwart attacks against my existence to live a life filled with liberty, freedom and justice?

Maybe I’m just dream chasing. And in this dream I’m a lion named Cecil who is killed illegally while pursing this dream of liberty, freedom and justice. But “until the lion tells his side of the story the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

—

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

The Cool Geek

“What do you think about Drake’s bars?” texted my friend to our group chat. I wanted to tell him they were the hottest bars out. I had  heard the diss track, “Back To Back” on Hot 97 on my way to work. I could even recall my favorite line, “trigger fingers turn to twitter fingers.” But the truth was Drake’s bars weren’t the most earth shattering. Not because it wasn’t hip-hop or rap. Not because the bars may not have been as piercing as Nas’ “Ether” or Jay Z’s “Super Ugly.” But because the hottest bars right now is inside a book I’m reading, Between The World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

You see the world he describes: cops getting away with murder, surviving the streets, being told to be twice as good, learning in a school system not for you and unearthing the layers of the US to not see it as a beacon of hope but more so as a place born of and built up from blood shed is my world. I see it clearly when I travel to my old neighborhood in Breukelen projects to see my grandma. I hear it when media outlets explain the deaths of Sandra Bland and Eric Gardner and so many other black men and women as picayune. If I could smell it; it would be a bonfire; a bonfire that managed to burn a piece of me whenever lit. The fire starter is lost within the smokescreen. If I could taste it – my taste buds would be filled with sour disgust.

The world Drake is rapping about is a step out of my frame. The frame is a nice view from the 6: popularity, cars, clothes, money, hoes and no responsibility. It’s a moment in your life that’s just right: drunk but not pissy, high but still conscious, a geek but still cool.

Otherwise being present throughout the day is exhausting. Yes, I am black. No, I am not inferior. Yes, I can be pro-black and not be a racist. No, it’s not reverse racism. It’s similar to any other racial or ethnic group. Yes, saying the N-word offends me. Yes, it is used in a song I like.  Yes, Obama is the president and is black. No, that does not mean I live in a post-racial America. I live in the US a place I call home. But how many ways do I have to thwart attacks against my existence to live a life filled with liberty, freedom and justice?

Maybe I’m just dream chasing. And in this dream I’m a lion beloved name Cecil who is killed illegally while pursing this dream of liberty, freedom and justice. But “until the lion tells his side of the story the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

—

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Statement of Awesomeness

You ever wonder what someone would say if there was no filter when applying for college? Well, read for yourself =)

—–

I am awesome. I’m often heard telling jokes in French, Spanish and Italian. Bonjour, Cómo estás? Non mi interessa. When I eat out, waitresses tip me. Private conversations with friends tend to become commencement speeches.

While sky diving 10,000 feet in the air, I wrote a song about falling in love. Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, I added my name in hieroglyphics. At the Olympics, I passed on the Triathlon and Synchronized Swimming to play Kings with diplomats.

I’m ambidextrous; I write fiction with my left hand and memoir with my right. I can type 53 words per minute with my feet. Bored of dodging rain, I created an app to predict the weather. At my Alma Mater, I give finals to my professors. But no one seems to ever get the question “Who is awesome?” Correct. When you Google information, you’re actually asking me.

After watching Denzel Washington perform on Broadway; he asked for my autograph. I learned how to play Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by ear. I hold the Guinness World Record for Longest To-Do-List, 27 pages. My exhibit of art created from McDonald’s Dollar Menu is being displayed at the Brooklyn Museum. You have to see the Double quarter, southwest, premium crispy, hash Browns.

Oh, yes I almost forgot to mention my achilles heel is that I tend to forget to charge my phone at night. I’d like to attend your college to find people who can do something like that better than me.

——-

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at http://www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Words from The Podium – A Commencement Speech

Good Morning,

I would like to Thank Principle Joseph O’ Brien, the Director of College Counseling and my dear friend Yelena Ramautar, the faculty, and most important the 50+ students from the graduating class of Brooklyn School For Global Studies for this invitation to speak to you all today.

I know some of you already have your summer plans ready to go. You’re only present because your family insisted that you come. You’re thinking whose this guy? He sounds like Chris Rock. If he’s not funny, he better not talk too long… ain’t nobody got time for that.

I’m always honored to have an opportunity to speak to young people like you. It was only 8 years ago; I was in your seat. I was eager to stay as fresh as possible spending other’s people money – thanks, Granddad! I was eager to make friends, play sports and video games, talk to girls and think about my crush.  When I wasn’t doing any of that, I dreaded the idea of homework longer than it took me to do it. Sounds familiar?

If you’re like me today you’re filled with a lot of emotions. Your journey as a freshman to a graduating senior was everything you didn’t expect.  You didn’t expect to have a favorite subject for me it was English. You didn’t expect to get a low grade for me it happened on a Math exam. You didn’t expect someone to care about your success as much as you did for me that was Yelena. You also didn’t expect to go through a life-changing event for me that was losing my mother in a car accident.  Who knew in four years so much about your life could change?

While each day came and went, you were slowly, becoming the person you are today. You were becoming that example of hard work paying off so much so that you’re inspiring your siblings and your best friend at the same time. Mom or Dad, who insisted that you come to your graduation, knows from their experience the power of your example. Only a handful of people believed that I could publish a book and unfortunately for a while I wasn’t one of them.  Until I hit rock bottom, I lost my good job and didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted to do. I turned to what I love writing and before I knew it; I made it happen. Now people from different walks of life ask me how to publish. Your strongest influence you will have on yourself and others throughout your life is your example. Be mindful of it.

You had the right idea to want to look the part of a successful man or woman your freshman year. As a graduating senior that idea goes beyond the look, more into the actual steps it takes to be successful.  You learn that to become the next Oprah, college is the next step. In order to be a businessman like Jay-Z, you would need to get your MBA.  My friend, she had a dream to become a doctor since she was a little girl. In order to make it happen she made decisions.  She decided to go find a mentor who was a doctor. She decided to participate in programs for aspiring doctors. She decided she wouldn’t let a bad break up dim her spark. She decided to graduate undergrad and grad school. Now, she’s an exam away from entering medical school. The vision you have for yourself is what you will become.

But today, you’re filled with emotions. Your friend that you told your deepest secret has a different path. One of you may be heading away to college, while the other is going to a CUNY school. Another friend isn’t as fortunate, somehow becoming the victim of drugs, violence or an unexpected pregnancy. My friend like that is facing 33 years in prison.  Today, you’re filled with emotions because despite the adversity you faced on over 1200 days in high school you will be embarking on a new journey.

This new journey will require you to learn a new set of skills, make new friends and more memories. I was ill prepared for college.  I had limited exposure to life outside Breukelen Projects in Canarsie and a lot of my college peers came from High Schools that prepared them for academic success. But I entered as an Educational Opportunity Program student. I struggled until I humbled myself to ask for help. I allowed myself to be tutored by upper classmen, peers, and utilized academic support until helping one another became second nature, and study sessions became test prep norm.

Confidence in your self is like a flame. There are circumstances like doubt and negative people in your life that can fizzle it out. There are also circumstances like positive relationships and faith that will let your flame blaze into a fire that will inspire change. You will defeat odds just like the schools mission of,  “Understanding Ourselves, the World and How to Make Change.” You made the greatest change in your life by graduating today.

May all your dreams come true despite those who doubt you!

Good look and god bless.

Thank You,

Rashaun J. Allen

——-

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Words from The Podium

I know some of you already have your summer plans ready to go. You’re only present because your family insisted that you come. You’re thinking whose this guy? He sounds like Chris Rock. If he’s not funny, he better not talk too long… ain’t nobody got time for that.

I’m always honored to have an opportunity to speak to young people like you. It was only 8 years ago; I was in your seat. I was eager to stay as fresh as possible spending other’s people money-Thanks Dad! I was eager to make friends, play sports and video games, talk to girls and think about my crush. When I wasn’t doing any of that I dreaded the idea of homework longer than it took me to do it. Sounds familiar?

If you’re like me today you’re filled with a lot of emotions. Your journey as a freshman to a graduating senior was everything you didn’t expect. You didn’t expect to have a favorite subject for me it was English. You didn’t expect to get a low grade for me it happened on a Math exam. You didn’t expect someone to care about your success as much as you did for me that was Yelena. You also didn’t expect to go through a life-changing event for me that was losing my mother in a car accident. Who knew in four years so much about your life could change?

While each day came and went, you were slowly, becoming the person you are today. You were becoming that example of hard work paying off so much so that you’re inspiring your siblings and your best friend at the same time. Mom or Dad, who insisted that you come to your graduation, knows from their experience the power of your example. Only a handful of people believed that I could publish a book and unfortunately for a while I wasn’t one of them. Until I hit rock bottom, I lost my good job and didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted to do. I turned to what I love writing and before I knew it; I made it happen. Now people from different walks of life ask me how to publish. Your strongest influence you will have on yourself and others throughout your life is your example. Be mindful of it.

You had the right idea to want to look the part of a successful man or woman your freshman year. As a graduating senior that idea goes beyond the look, more into the actual steps it takes to be successful. You learn that to become the next Oprah, college is the next step. In order to be a businessman like Jay-Z, you would need to get your MBA. My friend, she had a dream to become a doctor since she was a little girl. In order to make it happen she made decisions. She decided to go find a mentor who was a doctor. She decided to participate in programs for aspiring doctors. She decided she wouldn’t let a bad break up dim her spark. She decided to graduate undergrad and grad school. Now, she’s an exam away from entering medical school. The vision you have for yourself is what you will become.

But today, you’re filled with emotions. Your friend that you told your deepest secret has a different path. One of you may be heading away to college while the other is going to a CUNY school. Another friend isn’t as fortunate as you somehow becoming the victim of drugs, violence or an unexpected pregnancy. My friend like that is facing 33 years in prison. Today, you’re filled with emotions because despite all the adversity you faced on over 1200 days in high school you will be embarking on a new journey.

This new journey will require you to learn a new set of skills, make new friends and more memories. I was ill prepared for college. I had limited exposure to life outside Breukelen Projects in Canarsie and a lot of my college peers came from High Schools that prepared them for academic success. But I entered as an Educational Opportunity Program student. I struggled until I humbled myself to ask for help. I allowed myself to be tutored by upper classmen, peers, and utilized academic support until helping one another became second nature, and study sessions became test prep norm.

Confidence in your self is like a flame. There are circumstances like doubt and negative people in your life that can fizzle it out. There are also circumstances like positive relationships and faith that will let your flame blaze into a fire that will inspire change. You will defeat odds just like the schools mission of “Understanding Ourselves, the World and How to Make Change,” you made the greatest change in your life by graduating today.

May all your dreams come true despite those who doubt you!

Good look and god bless.

Thank You,

Rashaun J. Allen

——-

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Agents and Acquisition Editors

This photo is courtesy of photostock at freedigitalphotos.net

The line between being an independent author and traditional published author is blending. Some authors choose a particular route based on their vision for their book. If you decide to go the traditional route for your next novel ��� you will come across Agents and Acquisition Editors. An Agent is a writer���s advocate, their job is to sell your work to a publishing company and an Acquisition Editor acquires manuscripts for publication.

I came across several Agents and Acquisition Editors attending��New York Writers Workshop���s Non-Fiction pitch conference, a three-day pitch conference where writers polish their pitches with conference leaders and other participants, then present them to three different editors from major publishing houses. Acquisition Editors provide feedback and may request proposals and manuscripts after the conference.

Going to the Non-Fiction pitch conference was a risk ��� taking time off from the job that funds my writing and $425. Ouch! My expectations were balanced. At worst I���d meet other writers and sharpen my pitch. At best, an Acquisition Editor would be interested in reading it.

My first exposure to Agents at the conference was the Agent panel. My take away from listening to the three Agents were the importance of compatibility and fit. Your story may not be what that particular agent is interested in selling. In addition, the Agent may have a different agenda for your story. In essence, a writer needs to have a clear vision for their story to find an Agent that their compatible with and fits within that vision.

The rest of the conference was built around pitching to Acquisition Editors at New York Publishing Houses. The first pitch was done in front of the group of sixteen writers. I was nervous and excited like a first date maybe because I was the first to deliver my pitch. Ha! Her advice was to make sure when delivering a pitch to be clear who the main character is and what he/she is up against. In other words, show what about the main character is driving the story.

The second pitch was private. However, my vibe from introducing myself told me it wasn���t a good fit. But her advice was useful. Make sure when pitching your story you include a moment that defines the book. The third and final pitch was private as well as beneficial. My take away from her was –��be prepared to answer questions about your��story ��� short and concisely.

Here��are some ��Do���s and Don���ts when dealing with Agents and Acquisition Editors:

Agents and Acquisition Editors Dos and Don’t���s

Do – research about Agents and Acquisition editors before meeting them
Don���t – assume your book will appeal to each Agent and Acquisition Editors
Do ��� have a pitch that includes your story, platform and a bit about You
Don���t ��� be too in love with your project to take feedback
Do ��� write a polished query letter if Agent or Acquisition Editor asks for your work
Don���t ��� act unprofessionally in the face of rejection
Do ��� take advantage of useful information coming from Agents, Acquisition Editors and other writers
Don���t ��� give up

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of��A Walk Through Brooklyn��&��In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at��www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Email Marketing: The List That Matters

If you’re like me you have signed up for your share of email newsletters. Just to end up with emails that only make you happy when you click delete. Meanwhile, the newsletters that bring a smile to your face seem to be rare.

What’s the difference?

The approach. How you connect with your audience will determine how they react to it. A lot of time you will lose your audience if you’re approach is “Buy my book,” versus “how I can help.”

But what should you write about?

Ask your audience for input
An aspect of writing you struggled with
How you accomplished something
What you want your audience to know
You posted a new blog
You’re having an event
A milestone

Email marketing is crucial to building your audience. Nowadays, it’s not good enough to just have a great book. Your audience wants to know more about you than just your biography page. Your book is not just competing against other books but other forms of entertainment television, videogames, movies, etc. Besides, it’s a genuine way to build stronger ties with your audience.

I have followers on twitter, friends on Facebook and other social media. Why waste time on building an email list?

It’s the list that matters!
You can utilize the information to make informed decisions about your audience.
All online platforms like blogs, websites, Twitter, Facebook, RSS readers can get erased, disappear and/or hacked.

Building an email list is not that hard. Here are some Tips for growing your list:

Create an email list from your current contacts.
Have a sign up sheet at ALL the events you do.
Anyone who goes to your blog should be asked for his or her email address.
Utilize paid services like Aweber & constantcontact. Both allow you to schedule email blasts to whomever you sign up.
Follow-up.

Do you have any helpful tips for growing an email list? How has your experience been with email marketing versus social media?

 

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Your Author Brand

          

 

You believe most people who discover your book will fall in love with it. Your book is available at Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and your own personal website.But after checking your dashboard you realize only a handful of readers purchased your book. Why?

The answer may be few readers know your book exists. You need to develop your author brand and author platform. An author brand is an author’s perceived image and identity. While an author platform is all the ways in which you are visible to and communicate with your target audience. In other words, your author platform is every effort you make to be visible while your author brand is what worked. This post will focus on your author brand.

As an independent author an author brand is crucial to success. It can be an effective way to increase readership and freelance work. It’s a win for everyone when an author has a firm grasp on how to market themselves and their work. The reader will know what she is taking off the bookshelves and the author will have someone excited to read his work. Here are

Questions to Identify Where Your Author Brand Stands:

How do readers get to know you?
Who is familiar with your writing?
How many hits does your website receive?
Does your work appear in any publications? How many readers do those publications have?
How many people subscribe to your blog? How many followers do you have on Twitter? How many people follow your Facebook page?
Are you familiar with other writers in your genre?
Are you apart of any writing communities?

Taking sometime to reflect where you’re at, as an author will help determine what steps you need to take to bring your author brand to the next level.  You want readers to associate your work with your niche. Mention Maya Angelou readers think poetry and memoir. Mention Stephen King readers think horror stories.  Here is a list of

How An Author Brand Develops:

Speaking and workshop engagements – Exposure.
Do creative events – Break out the habit of just doing book signings.
A blog with a following – Consistently putting out material that is interesting and entertaining is a good way to start.
Active social media – Engage!
Connections with other authors – Writing conferences and book fairs are good avenues to build relationships.
Publications – Having published work for readers to know your work. You’re a creative non-fiction writer, Creative Non –fiction is a literary magazine for you.
Do interviews – Readers will see another side of you.
Being active in networks such as Writing groups and Associations
Volunteering for something your passionate about – Let your passion for children reading lead your efforts not just your children’s book.
Credibility in the field you’re writing about – A MFA in Creative Writing, experience in your field or your body of work can add to your credentials.
Write and request reviews – Readers want to know what other readers think.
Acknowledge your supporters – Thank You Cards.
Recycle – Pictures from events, interviews, reviews and other material that reveal your brand.

How have you developed your brand? Do you have any methods you would like to share? Leave your suggestions as comments.  

Rashaun J. Allen (@rashaunjallen) is the author of A Walk Through Brooklyn & In The Moment. He has been featured in several publications such as: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. Find his books at www.Royalbluepublishing.com.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net