FEATURED AUTHOR: Dean Hamid

Dean Hamid, of Dean Hamid Presents; he's somewhat of an old school type of guy. Been around for awhile, not in regards to ebooks, etc, but, writing. Different schools of thought in regards to the craft. He was born and raised in Brooklyn; Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Bed-Stuy. He attended Art and Design high school in NYC, studied in broadcasting, and is also Military Vet. He's been a husband, and he's also a father. Those things have shaped him into the man he is, and in all actual the books he writes.

He made the decision to become a published author because he believed then as he believes now, that he can do what a guy like Stephen Spielberg, David Baldacci does, or even a Dean Koonz, and write good stories. He corresponds with many professional authors, and he believes that he could be just as successful.

He likes to write Mysteries, Suspense, and would definitely love to keep the Action-Thrillers in his life, however, he would definitely wants to stay with Urban, not necessarily African-American, but Urban nonetheless.

Having no desire to tell of the initial hand to mouth of the street hustlers, he'd like to delve more into the what made it come about, and the whole thought and drive that pushes criminal behavior. The inward thoughts, and mind-set.

That's the realities of what the author Dean Hamid saw growing up. That's the stories he wants to tell.

Dean Hamid @ Facebook

Dean Hamid / Author @ Facebook

Dean Hamid Presents Novels @ Facebook

dean.hamid @ Instagram

Dean Hamid @ Twitter

www.deanhamidpresents.com

As well as Amazon's Author Page, Goodreads, and All Author; and my books can be purchased at:

Amazon, Wahida Clark Distribution and Media, and everywhere books are sold.

What would you like readers to take away from your book?

The importance of family. And the importance of unconditional love and friendship. And of course, consequences and actions.

What did you learn while writing this book?

That even though it was a work of fiction, I found myself telling bits and pieces of myself and those around me. And I came to grips with many unfortunate situations I had gone through, finding closure.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

Trying to tell the story of a urban family dynasty.

Which character did you have the most fun writing about?

Rasheed.

What do you believe makes your stories stand out?

I tell the story of true street literature. Stories that resonate with the population that lives in urban environments and even those that have left those environments and still keep the memories, some good, some painful.

What do you do when your book isn’t selling?

Promote as hard as I can. As much as I can.

Beside yourself, what male author would you recommend SORMAG readers check out.

Author Tee Blocker.

Who was the first author you ever met?

Wahida Clark.

How can we get more young men interested in writing and reading books?

By pushing for the fact that if we don't know where we stand as a result of our past, however painful it may be. We're bound to repeat it. And what's so bad about that is the fact that it's we don't know our history we won't know what to expect as a result of. Or even how to change for the better.

What’s the most interesting change in your life as a result of being a published author?

The knowledge of knowing how to quell the voices in my mind. Realizing I'm not crazy and knowing how to develop that into something that not only you can see, but others as well.

 

What has surprised you most about being a published author?

The responsibility. What you put out can have a direct effect on the one who reads what you've put forth.

What about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?

How heart felt these stories are.

Can you give us one do and one don't for those aspiring to be an author?

Do. Continue to write and study the business of writing.

Don't. Everything shiny isn't gold.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Study and learn about the craft of writing.

Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?

That life is a definite.

Any last words for our readers?

The stories I write are from a place deep inside of me. Many times it's what I've come across or seen. I've always been so observant even as a child. So, there's still so much left. So much to share. But know this...some, some have been dark places. Memories I've suppressed for a lifetime. Memories that have become stories. That's Dean Hamid Presents.

Shakespeare once wrote, ‘Hell has no fury like a woman scorned...’, well, Mya has finally had enough of the physical abuse, disrespect, shame and mental melt-downs. She's tired of hiding bruises with makeup. She's fed-up.

Her old man, Aziz, and his cohort Miles, hustle heroin together. As top lieutenants, they're trying to prove their self worth in a narcotics collective: running crews of young wayward thugs to moving product, and collecting money owed to Joker, the big boss. They're diligent, independent contractors competing for respect, power, and a chance to move up a vile and ever scathing dope chain.

Joker is a twisted mobster with the reputation for the brutal enforcement of rules that he makes up as he goes along. If you owe, not only are you in jeopardy, but so are the members of your family. Peanut crossed the line, and unfortunately, regrettably, found out all too late.

Mya’s girlfriend Skyler has eyes for Juvall, an old school flame who works with her at a midtown Manhattan graphics company. Skyler's high maintenance and gold-digging ways, have Juvall lacking. He desperately needs a come up, and Joker's stash may just be it. Somebody wants revenge! Joker, Chico, and even the dope fiends they use are potential targets from an indiscriminate, deranged killer; as Aziz's own fate hangs precariously, unbalanced in the winds that blow high across the East River.

Will Mya finally get even? Will Peanut get some get-back at Joker? Will Skyler save Juvall from his own self-impending doom? You'll be turning the pages in this suspenseful saga of urban drama set in the gritty, hardcore section of New York City's Lower East Side..... Alphabet City.

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FEATURED AUTHOR: Kevin Eastman

Kevin is a native of Oakland, California, now residing in Riverside County, in Southern California. A skilled speaker with a passion for assisting others in achieving their goals, he thrives on simplicity and logic. A graduate of Castlemont High School, he retired from the U.S. Air Force after over 20 years of service in locations around the world, including Belize, South Korea, and Japan. He had stints as a military training instructor (commonly known as a “drill instructor”), and over a decade as a recruiter at the high school, college, and post-graduate levels, respectively.

Kevin has earned an Associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University, and a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He is also certified in Marketing, Professional Selling Skills, and Sales Coaching. With the release of his debut book, “Don’t Gamble on Life Improvement… Until You Shift the Odds!” in 2018, he became a published author.

He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking, writing, meeting people, listening to music, watching movies, mentoring, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

How can readers get in contact with you? 

Readers can keep in touch on my website: (www.kevineeastman.com), or on social media: Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorkevineeastman), Twitter and Instagram: (@eastke1). I enjoy interacting with readers and supporters, and appreciate hearing from them.

What would you like readers to take away from your book?

There are many valuable lessons in my book that I’ve learned over the course of my life. I would like for each reader to use one of those lessons to help themselves, or someone they know to make positive adjustments to their life. If what I’ve written can do it, then, my book has done the job I intended it to do.

What did you learn while writing this book? 

Writing my book was rather therapeutic, to be frank, because I had the opportunity to relive some of the life lessons I’ve been taught. I learned more about myself while I was writing the book, because those lessons kept resurfacing, and forcing me to examine my current behavior, as well as behavior of the past.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book? 

The bottom line is making a positive impact on the reader’s life. Society as a whole, needs a behavioral upgrade, and most people say they want to fix the problem, but many don’t know where to start. In my book, I’ve employed basic knowledge, to simplify some of life’s most challenging obstacles, in hopes of inspiring just one person at a time to make necessary individual adjustments. This way, society reaps the collective rewards.

Which character did you have the most fun writing about?

My book is non-fiction, so there aren’t any “characters,” per se, though many of the scenarios I discuss in the book should resonate with readers. They depict common character traits exhibited by people whom most have experienced at some point during their life.

What do you believe makes your stories stand out?

One aspect I was adamant about including in the way I wrote the book, was a high degree of realism. I wanted the reader to be able to put themselves in the scenario I discuss, so it drives home the importance of the lesson, more effectively. If it’s real in the readers head, the better the chance is of them remembering the message. 

What do you do when your book isn’t selling?

When my book isn’t selling, I tend to reach out to other authors. I want to find out if I’m overlooking any avenues that may spur sales. Of course, there is no “magic formula” that will guarantee sales. The name of the game is getting your book known by as many people as possible. I learned a long time ago that you can’t force a person to spend their money on your book, but you can make sure they understand how your book would benefit them if they did spend their money on it.

 

Beside yourself, what male author would you recommend SORMAG readers check out.

I was a reader well before I became an author. In my adult life I’ve been drawn to Walter Mosely’s work with the Easy Rawlins series. I started with “Devil in a Blue Dress.” When it was made into a movie, it made me want to read more of them.

Another author that I enjoy reading is Darrius Jerome Gourdine, who happens to be a member of my fraternity. His books “The Assignment” and “The Assignment 2” have gotten wonderful feedback. If you like suspense, you should enjoy them.

Who was the first author you ever met?

At a book event, I had the opportunity to talk with Author C.A. Henderson. He described his book, “Victor Valley to West Point: Keep Your Eye on the Prize” and hearing his story was extremely inspiring. It was the quintessential “coming into his own being” story, which is similar to how I wrote my book. Talking with him confirmed my belief that the things we go through make us who we are. When we learn the intended lessons by what we go through, the results are wonderful to share with others, if they’re willing to listen.   

How can we get more young men interested in writing and reading books?

I think reading has to be emphasized in growing up. My parents made me read quite a bit. I played like most kids of course, but education was stressed. This along with my natural curiosity helped fuel my thirst. So, I read. Writing is a different story. In order for someone to write, they have to want to share their thoughts. That can be frightening. With that said, I’m reminded of something I was taught by one of the many mentors I’ve had in my life: “Do the thing that scares you, because it will lead to growth.” For young men interested in writing, I would encourage them to do it. Someone on the planet is looking for the message your story brings, and only you can write it the way you do.

What’s the most interesting change in your life as a result of being a published author?  

For me, it’s been meeting other authors and talking about our respective journeys. What I’ve found is, in many cases, the only person who understands the trials and challenges an author faces is another author. Just hearing their stories of ups and downs has been great. I don’t feel alone. The messages have been basically the same: “I understand what you’re going through.”

What has surprised you most about being a published author?

I think the outpouring of support has been the most surprising. I had low expectations when I published my book, as my book is self-published, and I had no idea how people would receive it. However, once I start receiving feedback from readers thanking me for what I wrote, it felt fantastic! I felt validated, because something I wrote helped someone else adjust their life for the better.

What about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?

Writing is a passion, and most writers don’t write for money, though money is a nice by-product. Writing isn’t the easiest thing to do, if there is no support system. It can be a lonely existence, but getting positive feedback from readers makes it worthwhile. 

Can you give us one do and one don't for those aspiring to be an author?

A “do” I would recommend is if you have a story in your mind… write it! There is a market for absolutely everything, and with the number of people in the world, chances are someone is looking for your story. You just have to write it and get it to them.

There are two “don’ts” I want to share. One “don’t” is give up. It sounds like a cliché, but persistence is a key to being an author. The other “don’t” is expecting to write a best seller. Your goal is to write the best book you can possibly write. You can’t control sales. You only control the content contained in your book, and the marketing strategy efforts to get it in front of potential readers. If your book is good, people will buy it, and the rewards will follow.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy cooking (particularly barbecue), listening to music, meeting and talking to people, and spending time with my friends and family. I am active with my fraternity, in community development projects, and overall, helping other people become better, just as I was helped to become better.

Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?

One thing I know for sure is there will always be a demand for knowledge, and knowledge comes from books. The key is making your book stand out in a crowd. I know being an author can be trying, at times. There will be periods of self-doubt as to whether your writing is “good enough.” It’s part of the process. However, to use a line from my book, “You never know where, or from whom inspiration will come from.” If your writing is able to positively affect even one person, you’ve done your job, because change occurs, one person at a time.

Any last words for our readers?

Interaction is the key to spreading, and gaining knowledge. Whenever I’m speaking to groups, one of my favorite sayings goes like this: “Look at the people in this room. Every person in here room has taken their own unique journey to get them where they are, right now. But, any person in this room may be holding the information you need to get you on the path to where you want to be. Your job is to find that person. You’re never going to find them if you’re interacting with as many people as you can!” I enjoy interacting with readers and supporters. If you have something to discuss with me, shoot me a message. I have been gifted with the ability to talk to anybody, about anything, at any time.

Don't be thrown off by the book's title! It has nothing to do with gambling, but it has everything to do with self-development and improvement. However, it has been disguised as a semi-memoir – real scenarios that have happened to real people. It was written to help unravel the mysteries surrounding some of life's most challenging obstacles, and takes you on a personal journey through self-reflection, discovery, and eventual victory over doubt and despair.

Everyone encounters obstacles, but the truth about HOW and WHY they stifle some people more than others, may be surprising. You'll learn how simple the formula for overcoming them really is. The book is fun and engaging... but 100% REAL! Experience, humor, anger, vulnerability, depression, and ultimately, inspiration and triumph are included to show that adversity can be defeated when you have the right tools!

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https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Gamble-Improvement-Until-Shift-ebook/dp/B078RXTHSP

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