Happy National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and Purple Poet Publishing LLC is celebrating with a Kindle Countdown Deal for "Poetry For Yo Soul" and FREE downloads for"Tales from My Life, not the Crypt" and "Black Poetry And Soul Consciousness". Tales From My Life, not the Crypt is my very first published work. As most of you know I have been writing poetry since I was a child in elementary school. Poetry has always been a passion of mine. My second poetry book was "Poetry For Yo Soul" and we're offering up to 75% off on downloads from April 7-10. As a Thank You to all of my readers, Purple Poet Publishing LLC is offering Free downloads of "Black Poetry And Soul Consciousness". Join our Facebook group, the book's namesake, "Black Poetry And Soul Consciousness" for discussions on poetry, spoken word, writing, literature and the black arts. Please help us celebrate all of the festivities for April. *April 7-13 Library Week *April 9th Library Workers Day *April 16th Librarian Day *April 17th Haiku Poetry Day *April 23rd World Book Day *April 27th Tell A Story Day THE ENTIRE MONTH OF APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!!! CLICK THE LINK FOR A FREE DOWNLOAD ⤵️ amazon.com/author/tauheedahmichelle

Changing Direction and Vibrating Higher

My publishing company, Purple Poet Publishing LLC recently published an anthology entitled, "Changing Direction and Vibrating Higher: Telling Our Stories, Evolving, Becoming". In this epic book seven ladies whom I know personally, all tell their stories of life and loss but also stories of purpose and life altering experiences. I woke up one summer morning in July with the title and concept for the book in my head. I had a vision during the night to gather nine ladies at the time to write this awesome book. Two of the young ladies had to bow out of the project gracefully because they had prior responsibilities.

Each lady's story is unique, but they all have a common thread that unites them. Each queen saw her life spiraling out of control and she decided to make a change, or changes to vibrate on a higher frequency. Every living thing emits a vibration, but life and stress can lower our vibrations and we're left feeling sluggish, fatigued, and depressed. With this book I wanted to capture REAL, RAW emotion. The authors of this book hold nothing back. They are transparent as they allow a peak into their struggles, and ultimately their success.

The dictionary defines direction as: a course along which someone or something moves, the course which must be taken in order to reach a destination, a general way in which someone or something develops, and general aim or purpose. Sometimes we may feel like our lives have no direction and we're wandering around aimlessly, lost. There is purpose for your pain! You have the power inside of you to change the course of your life. Meditate, take spiritual baths, get a massage, open up your mind and unlock all of the potential you hold inside.

If you want to read some amazing stories of worth, change, growth, evolving, and becoming then this is the book for you! These ladies don't sugar-coat anything, they tell it like it is. Spirit chose these ladies for such a time as this to tell their stories and yours. Some of you may be living their stories right now. Each experience is idiosyncratic and distinctive to each queen. You may find parts of yourself in each chapter. Let's celebrate life, womanhood, queendom, telling our stories, evolving, and becoming!

Year Of The Black Author

www.tauheedahmichelle.michelebarard.com

At the end of last year, and during the full moon/lunar eclipse I wrote down and verbally expressed my intentions for my publishing business. Back in November I began compiling a list of Metro Atlanta bookstores for an All Atlanta Bookstore Tour for this year. I am happy to announce the Great things that are happening for Purple Poet Publishing LLC.

At the end of this month I will be debuting another poetry book. The book is a collection of soul moving, spirit inspired poems, and conscious and enlightened experiences. Some members of my Facebook group, "Black Poetry and Soul Consciousness" have contributed to this project. The cover designer emailed me a copy of the proof for the cover, and I am just in awe of his work. The cover is so beautiful, I wish I could share it with you all but not until the Big Reveal. There will be book signings for this book, and it will be included in the summer bookstore tour.

Purple Poet Publishing LLC's books are now available at Black Dot Bookstore and Cultural Center in Lithonia, GA and Book Boutique in The Mall at Stonecrest, also in Lithonia, GA. Books are still available at Nubian Bookstore in Morrow, GA. "Poetry For Yo Soul" will soon be sold at Medu Bookstore at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, GA. As always, you can purchase my books or any PPP LLC's author's books on either of my websites.⏫

www.amazon.com/author/cmichelleatkins

www.thepurplepoet1.com

In late summer 2019 Purple Poet Publishing will debut two more books, "Writing the Wrongs"©2019 and "Beautiful Me"©2019 just in time for my 50th birthday. This is our year, The Year Of The Black Author and Black Business. At PPP LLC we support black owned businesses, and we are a black owned business. We operate under akoma and Ujamaa. We believe in circulating the black dollar and starting businesses in our communities. Purple Poet Publishing LLC is here to help with all of your publishing needs: publishing, distribution, editing, proof-reading, cover design, and marketing. Support PPP LLC and let's make this a Great year for all black owned small businesses!

What are you reading?

www.tauheedahmichelle.michelebarard.com
On these cold winter nights what books are you cuddling up with? Today I purchased two books, "The Nguzo Saba and the Festival of First Fruits" and "The Essential Oils Hormone Solution: Reclaim Your Energy and Focus and Lose Weight Naturally". I have made Kwanzaa and living by the Nguzo Saba(Kwanzaa Principles) a way of life. Promoting family values and unity is high on my list of priorities. I support black businesses and I am planning to open some with my children this year.

I also purchased a copy of "The Essential Oils Hormone Solution" by Dr. Mariza Snyder. The book teaches women who are menopausal or perimenopausal to bring their hormone levels in check and lose weight using essential oils. Dr. Mariza talks about cravings and metabolism, and how to reset your hormones. I will be adding more books to my collection this year. I will also publish new authors and more of my own books.

Be on the lookout next month for "Black Poetry and Soul Consciousness". The book is a collection of poems and conscious experiences from myself and members of my Facebook group, "Black Poetry and Soul Consciousness". This summer I will debut two more books, which will include my first children's book. The other is a self help book to teach people how to write and journal about their traumatic experiences to promote healing. You can always purchase my books on my websites or Amazon.

Peace and Blessings

An Author's Life

www.tauheedahmichelle.michelebarard.com
On Facebook I manage a poetry group called "Black Poetry And Soul Consciousness". At the end of last year I announced to the group that I was preparing to publish another poetry book, but for this one I enlisted the group's assistance. I broadcast to the group that I was writing a book around the group and would like for them to submit poetry and short stories for the project. My initial purpose for creating the group was to highlight my latest book, "Poetry For Yo Soul" and my life of consciousness. The group has grown to almost 400 members in a year. There are many great poets, authors, and spiritually conscious people in the group. I am very excited about our latest project. Poets who have never been published will have a chance to be published under Purple Poet Publishing LLC. Look for the book to hit the scene in February of this year.

I am also planning the release of two more books just in time for my 50th birthday and Back To School. I'm organizing a big release/birthday party for the books. One book is a self-esteem building book for young black girls with my granddaughter as the main character. In my eyes black is beautiful, and I want to make sure the black girls in my family and my kindergarten class know that! The second book is a self-help book for men and women who have experienced trauma or distressing events. The book teaches people how to therapeutically write and journal to create healing. If you've been following me for any amount of time you know that I use writing and poetry as therapy for my life. Writing is very therapeutic and is great for healing. I am extremely ecstatic about all three books and their launching. I'm expecting these books to catapult my author career to the next level.

Peace and Blessings Kings and Queens, and Happy New Year.... Happy Reading!

Self Determination

www.tauheedahmichelle.michelebarard.com

What is Self Determination? Self Determination is defined as the process by which a person controls their own life. Another definition of Self Determination is; freedom to live as one chooses, or to act or decide without consulting another or others. Determination by oneself without outside influence. In plain words Self Determination means, the ability or power to make decisions for yourself, especially the power of a nation of people to decide how it will be governed. Kujichagulia is the second principle of Kwanzaa. We are encouraged to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. 

We don't need society, or any other group of people to determine who and what we are, or what we'll be. Kwanzaa is a time for us as a people to come together and make plans for ourselves and families. Kwanzaa for me, is not just something I celebrate once a year. The 7 Kwanzaa Principles have become a way of life. I have always been different, but I haven't always acknowledged that. I used to try to fit in with friends and family. I did things that I really didn't enjoy or want to do just to fit in. I allowed others to determine who I was and what I did. So many of us look to magazines, friends, and social media as the blueprint of our lives. Self definition shouldn't be something we only embrace on December 27th. Since going on a soul search about 3 years ago; I have learned to incorporate every Kwanzaa Principle into my life. Yesterday's principle was Umoja, Unity. I try to come up with family events that have nothing to do with holidays or birthdays. I create times where my family and I can get together, eat, talk, laugh, and love on one another. Unity is the whole premise of Kwanzaa. I patronize black owned businesses every chance I get. I started my own black business, "Purple Poet Publishing LLC". My personal goal is to create black history every day. I don't just celebrate black history during the month of February. I practice Kuumba, Creativity. I write poems and books. I paint, and I like to plan events. I am determined to make a name for myself in this world.

Kwanzaa is also a time to recognize and embrace the elders. Last Friday my maternal grandmother celebrated her 89th solar return. I have learned so much from my grandmama. I learned how to cook, how to save money, how to be wise with money, and she has shared her wisdom with me and my children. When I was younger my grandmama would tell me stories about her childhood. I love listening to that history. In other cultures people throw away their elders. It's good to know that most black people still take care of their elderly loved ones; while others place them in a home. Since talking to a good friend of mine about our lineage, I am more determined to find out where I come from. My dad's family is from Madison and Washington Georgia. My mom's family is from Woodland and Wedowee Alabama. Georgia and Alabama were originally populated by Native Americans; who were indigenous black people to this land. We are responsible for naming ourselves and determining who we are. I'm not sure which tribe I'm from yet; whether from Africa or the Americas. Either way, I decide who I am. I'm a queen, a goddess, and my friend helped me to overstand that I'm an empress. I control and rule myself and my territory.

Happy Kwanzaa!!!... Peace & Blessings

Purple Poet Publishing LLC Editor-N-Chief

Purple Poet Publishing LLC has been fortunate to edit books for some great authors. We edited, "Healing Me For Me" by Orisabiyi Oyin Williams in late 2015 for publication in January 2016. We also edited "Praying, Praising, and Potty Training (Life of a Single Mama)" and "I Am (Daily Affirmations)" by my daughter and upcoming author Brittany Hunni B Willis. We have also been honored to work with and have support from other aspiring authors like, Quinton Morgan (Male Baggage, Female Baggage, Church Hurt) and author Darcova Triplett (Harmonious Contradictions, Hattitude, Brains and Beauty, Flyyyy). As CEO of Purple Poet Publishing LLC I am so grateful to have worked with such auspicious authors.

Purple Poet Publishing LLC has many great things in the works for the upcoming year. We are looking to grow our fan base, and the authors on our roster. My website will undergo a whole new overhaul and more videos will be added to my YouTube channel. My "Sunday Lives" will resume next year as well. My latest poetry book, "Poetry For Yo Soul" will be available as an audio book some time next year. Please follow us on all social media and our website to stay informed.

Facebook: C Michelle aka The Purple Poet
Instagram: @cmichellethepurplepoet
Twitter: @cmpurplediva
Google+: The Purple Poet(CMichellethePurplePoet)
YouTube: The Purple Poet
Amazon: C Michelle Atkins

Website: thepurplepoet1.com
Email: thepurplepoet1@gmail.com