Naomi Rose stars in "In Her Words" as the main character Cass, a college student who is doing a late-night paper and meets her idol Lucille Clifton in a late-night journey through history. (Photo by Khadijah Ali-Coleman)

You can click here to get the address and time of the show from the DC Public Library site.

You can click here to view some of the great photos I was able to capture at rehearsal yesterday. My cast is absolutely incredible.

If you’d like to visit the “In Her Words” site, click here.

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Khadijah Ali-Coleman–performance artist, creativity coach and playwright–is founder of the online space LiberatedMuse.com, which boasts a membership of more than 700 from across the world. Since 2008, Liberated Muse has produced numerous events, including the annual Capital Hip-Hop Soul Fest, Ali-Coleman’s play Running: AMOK, which debuted at the fifth annual Capital Fringe Fest, and the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul.   The Prince George’s County Maryland Innovation Fund awarded Ali-Coleman the 2012 “Top Forty under 40″ award in the Arts & Humanities. Contact her at LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com to hire her for your coaching and writing needs.

Read here for more info.

art by Arie Monroe

Happy New Year! It’s 2012, and it’s time to re-focus on your goals ahead. Did you accomplish everything that you wanted to get done in 2011?

In case you missed my tips series last year, here are some articles I recommend catching up on to help you re-focus in 2012:

Creativity Tip: 3 Types of Friends an Artist Must Have

Creativity Tip: The #1 Pitfall Artists Should Avoid

Creativity Tip: Three Myths About Being Creative

Creativity Tip: Appreciate Your Audience. Everyone Else Can Wait.

Self-Publishing 101: 3 Steps to Promoting Your Book

Self-Publishing 101: Proofreading and Editing– What’s the Difference?

Would you like to have your own personal one-on-one time with a creativity coach this year? Then don’t delay, gift yourself with the push to get your artistry where it needs to be this year. Contact me today at KhadijahOnline@gmail.com to get started today.

Click HERE to learn more about my 2012 services.

THIS MONTH, meet me in person as I host a panel/workshop for aspiring authors on HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH.

Click HERE for details.

Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman is a writer and editor of several books, including the anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul.  She offers editing, proofreading and creative coaching services to authors who self-publish. Contact her at KhadijahOnline@gmail.com for a free consultation.

Be sure to check out some of the new articles I’ve contributed to SoulTrain.com this month by clicking here.

This month was a lot of fun, for I got to write the site’s Year in Review piece as well as interview DC-based entertainer Wes Felton. I first became aware of Wes Felton about five or six years ago when he was in a production called “Prison Poetry” and then I realized that he was the singer on a cut with Eric Roberson, “Postcards from the Edge” that I was a big fan of.

The interview with him was by far the most direct & straightforward that I’ve had with a performer. He held no cut cards. I got to ask him in the interview why he has so many aliases and some other questions and I appreciated the interview because he was probably the most honest any artist has been about how he feels about today’s current music scene. It’s nice when artists keep it real instead of give me answers they think readers want to hear.

This month, I also got to write the piece on classic soul music Christmas songs, and that was a fun piece to write. I took to Twitter and Facebook to survey folks on what their favorite songs were and, man, did it get fierce. People are serious about their Christmas songs! I look forward to writing more pieces that include quotes from our readers and allow the readers to weigh in on topics. You can read that article here.

And, finally, be sure to read the piece on your Soul Personality, to see what kind of music listener you all. It’s pure fun and great conversation fodder. Read that article here.

As always, thanks for reading. I hope your holiday season is peaceful, comfortable and enjoyable.

-Khadijah

The past four months have been a whirlwind and I am happy to share with you my good news. But, first, and foremost, I would like to thank you kindly for following my blog. The 16 of you who have opted to get updates delivered to your mailbox are the best! To thank you for your support, I would like to send you a coupon to buy a ticket to the 2011 Common Folk Awards for only $15. (See flyer below). Simply email me from the address that receives email updates, and I will send you a coupon code to use to purchase your ticket.

One Common Unity’s Common Folk Awards

The nonprofit One Common Unity produces the Common Folk Awards each year to celebrate those in our communities who are championing the struggle for peace and social justice. Whether they are artists, activists, youth workers, or business owners, those making a difference are acknowledged and uplifted. Performers at this year’s event are incredible. I had the honor of curating the evening’s performers since I recently began working at this organization as the new Associate Director!

If you would like to learn how to be a part of this organization as volunteer, an artist-in-residence or donor, try to come out to this event today:

Capital Canvases for a Cause

My former business partner and my buddy Maceo Thomas hosts this monthly event, Capital Canvases for a Cause,  and will be featuring One Common Unity this month. I will be sharing info about One Common Unity and will love to meet you, so come on out!

Voices of a Movement

On Sunday, I will be performing new work at One Common Unity’s Voices of a Movement open mic at Busboys & Poets on 5th & K in Washington DC and urge you to come out. This open mic, which started last year as a series, starts at 8pm. I participated last year in the series’ songwriting contest and was included in the CD compilation that was created out of the series. You can check that out here. Now I’m part of the organization. Isn’t that awesome?

2012 Workshops & Productions

I will be updating my calendar for upcoming events and workshops coming up in 2012. I have a self-publishing workshop scheduled at Oxon Hill Public Library in Oxon Hill, MD and will be producing and directing a theatrical production for Black History Month for the DC Public Library System in February.  Stay tuned for details

Coaching and Writing Services

With all of the things going on, how do I still have time to coach and edit the work of authors? That’s a good questions (smile). While my plate is definitely full (I teach four college courses this semester and next semester as well), I continue to work one-on-one with authors and aspiring writers who hire me to help them bring their artistic creations to life.

Do you need a boost with some Creativity Coaching?

Do you have a manuscript that needs Editing and Proofing?

Are you seeking guidance on Outlining Your Artist Plan?

If any of this sounds familiar, email me at KhadijahOnline (at) gmail dot com today!

Thank you for reading!

Everyone in my life is not my personal cheerleader. And, believe it or not, that’s natural and that’s normal. However, in order for us to grow our artistic self in the healthiest environment possible, it is key that we bring the personal cheerleaders into our life front and center. One task that I typically give those aspiring artists that I work with as a coach is to identify the folks around them who support their artistic journey, and let them know personally how they are appreciated. The next task is to arrange your routine–whether daily or weekly–to include those personal cheerleaders in more, not less, of your life space.

Whether we realize it or not, the energy we receive from other either motivates us to move beyond our boundaries and restrictions or keeps us mired in feelings and beliefs that keep us unable to move forward. How do you know if your friend is good for your and your art? Here are three easy signs:

(1) The Connector- This friend hears that you want to get your writing published in a national publication. They tell you what a great idea that it is and encourages you to let them know if you need any help getting your writing out there because they may have some contacts for you. This is a Comnector. A connector helps you kick start your art and always has a kind word to share or presents an encouraging gesture to support your endeavors. The Connector is a keeper!

(2) The Encourager- This friend is a great ear to turn to when you are having challenges with your art. The listener doesn’t discourage you from getting up. Instead, the listener allows you to gripe, but then tells you to get it together and do your thing, because you are great! The Encourager is a proud supporter of you and provides the emotional solace that you often need most when trying to kickstart your art journey. The Encourager is often steadfast and your most loyal cheerleader. Treat them like royalty, for they are priceless!

(3) The Art Ally- This person is a fellow artist who doesn’t hold on to information, but, instead, shares opportunities freely with you and considers you a peer that they want to build with. The Art Ally is the singer who is often available to collaborate on a song with you because they enjoy working with you and love your work. The Art Ally is the venue owner who thinks of you when an opportunity comes up that they they think you the best fit for. I have had incredible experiences during my career because of the wonderful Art Allies I’ve met over the years. I hope that every single one of them know how much I appreciate them. When you have an alley in the arts– one who is not competitive with you, but, instead, looks at your success as their success, then you have really found a valuable find.

Now, while these are the three types of friends you should have on board for your artist journey, think closely about what type of friend are you…are you the type of friend an artist should have?

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Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman is a writer and editor of several books, including the anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul.  She offers editing, proofreading and creative coaching services to authors who self-publish. Contact her at KhadijahOnline@gmail.com for a free consultation.

Check out my latest interview for SoulTrain.com. This interview is with the soul diva Deborah Bond who many current indie artists reference as being their idol in the business. You can read the full interview on SoulTrain.com HERE.

I love Oprah. But her advice is not for everyone.

(1) CREATIVE MYTH #1: Cutting off Others Inspires Creativity & Helps Creative Output

I love Oprah’s advice to surround ourselves only with those who lift us up. It is ideal and something that encourages us to set boundaries when we are in toxic relationships and have challenges with listening to our own inner voice, instead of giving more attention to our intuition and following its guidance. However, her advice isn’t necessarily realistic when we exist within an interdependent world of people who come with different personalities, expectations and experiences. While we can actively invite positive people into our lives, often we are thrust in situations where we may need to be for one reason or another. We may have the difficult family member who never understands our interest in the abstract or we may work with a nasty co-worker at a job that we otherwise love. Perhaps, we may have a neighbor who is rude and obnoxious but lives next to us in a home that we adore. In these situations, we don’t want to switch jobs or move residence and we can’t trade family members. Yet, these toxic people may irk our last nerve.

How can being in this type of situation inspire creativity? Easy. Allow these interactions as muse builders– unintended inspiration.

Use these characters as the prototype for the villain in your next novel. Use their funky personalities as the basis of an visual art series called TOXIC or something more clever. Create a dance telling the story of your family member’s influence on you growing up and how that impacted your burgeoning creativity. Whatever your art discipline, draw from these interactions as experiences to infuse into your art. No wo/man is an island, and that goes double for an artist. Experience and relationship inspire our deepest artistic creations, not isolation.

(2) CREATIVE MYTH #2: Skill is the Same as Creative Talent

Skill is the ability to do something. Creative talent is the ability to uniquely implement your skill in a way that is not of the norm. Producing pretty items that look alike makes you a skilled artist in reproducing things. Creating music that sounds identical to any number of songs you hear on the radio indicates that you are skilled in reproducing a sound and successfully implementing a trend. Even if you don’t sound half bad performing in the same way time after time, you are not demonstrating your creativity when you follow a formula. A big-time myth is that because you’re doing what everybody else is doing and you do it well means that you are creative. You can dance like Michael Jackson. You dress up like Michael Jackson and perform to his songs in front of an audience. The audience cheers, throws you money and tells you how much you are like Michael Jackson. You are not being creative. You are being skilled in copying a creative person’s style.

(3) CREATIVE MYTH #3: You Can Only Be Creative  If You Quit Your 9-5

I saved this myth for last because I think this is the most dangerous myth to fall into the trap of believing. To believe that you will be more creative if you leave a job indicates that you are not using your creativity while in your job, so, there is a strong possibility that you won’t be too creative when you leave that job. Unless you have been actively engaged in creating your art and your involvement in opportunities to create have begun to interfere with you holding down a job, then you should not, under any circumstance justify quitting your job with “it’s the only way I can start doing my art thing.” Here’s the thing, the artists who quit their job and engage full-time into being artists are those who have commissioned work and opportunities to sustain themselves as an artist. This means, they have been doing an inordinate amount of creative work while ON THE JOB. They didn’t quit and suddenly become creative. They were creative while on the job. They were grinding and balancing and grinding some more. They were staying up at odd nights creating new songs or writing new books or choreographing new dances to perform or exhibit or publish while balancing their other life in a 9-5. Leaving the job doesn’t make you creative. When you’re creative– and actively engaged in your art– then chances are you will be on or off the job.

Do you have any myths that you would add to the list? Add your myths in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman is a writer and editor of several books, including the anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul.  She offers editing, proofreading and creative coaching services to authors who self-publish. Contact her at KhadijahOnline@gmail.com for a free consultation.

Read some of these articles for creatives:

5 Tips to Rejuvenate Your Artist Spirit

Self-Publishing 101: 3 Steps to Promoting Your Book

Declaring Your Vision

When you self-publish, you are often putting up quite a bit of money to get your book from its initial state as an idea in your head to a finished product worthy of purchase. Because you are responsible for everything– from hiring the editor and proofreaders who will work with you on your manuscript to designing or hiring the graphic artist to design your cover– it can get overwhelming to even begin thinking of what needs to happen once the book is finally created and in hand, ready to read. Some authors think that the goal is to complete the book and have it published. But, if you are interested in having an audience for your book, then completing the book is only step one in a three-step process of getting your book out there. Here’s a quick look at the three steps you need to plan for.

Step #1: Book’s Finished. Give Away Free Copies

Yes, you read correctly. You spent time and money on your precious book, and I’m telling you to give free copies away to people you may not even know. What’s the deal, you ask. Well, here it is. You want feedback. If you are serious about your book and think it is something worthy of people getting their hands on and paying their money for, then you want someone– other than yourself– to give your book thumbs-up, too. Do you give copies of the book to just anyone? Of course not.

Now is your time to work your network. Do you know people who are published authors themselves or people in the media who have an opinion that people care about? Do you know someone who is an expert in your genre of writing that would give you constructive feedback and allow you to publish their feedback on your book’s website if it was favorable? If you have these type of folks in your network, now is the time to outreach to them and ask them to read your book for some feedback you’d like to use as part of your book’s promotion. If you don’t know people like this already, now is the time to outreach and get to know them, starting with a friendly, yet professional letter of request and explanation of what you are asking for.

My suggestion is starting with asking people you know first who are people with opinions that others care about. Your risk in sending out blind copies is that a blogger or journalist who may not know you and may not care for your book particularly may publish an unfavorable review without interviewing you to learn about your intention regarding the book and other information necessary to provide a fair balance when reviewing the book. Those close to you or at least those who know you may be more apt to quietly tell you your book sucks without writing printing a review that says the same thing and destroy your efforts to give it a chance to attract an audience. I’m of the opinion that there is an audience for every book and while some may hate a book, some folks may fall in love with that very same book. So, with that belief, I encourage you to find folks from your intended audience to give your book a thumbs-up as you prepare your promotion campaign.

Step #2: Pitch the Media

So, you’ve gotten some great reviews worth sharing and you are ready to let your intended audience know that your book is ready for purchase or almost ready for purchase, what’s your next step? Pitch to the media, of course! What are you pitching to the media, you ask. Well, the answer is that you are pitching two things: an opportunity to be interviewed to talk about your book and an opportunity for your book’s cover seen in an article for free.

When bloggers and journalists interview you or review your book, they are inadvertently advertising your book for you and helping you with spreading the word. You want as much media attention as you can get to get the buzz circulating around your book. At this phase, I would recommend attempting to get media coverage that will include an interview with you to talk about your book. At this early point, you may not want reviews about your book circulating unless they are reviews from people you have vetted and are apt to give you their feedback directly without publishing it. (see step #1)

Your press release is essential in this step. Craft a press release and attach an electronic press kit (EPK) if possible to promote your book to the media. While you can hire a publicist to handle this part of the job, you can start the process (which may be a bit cheaper) by creating the press kit that they will ultimately use to pitch to their media contact list.

As an entertainment journalist and blogger, I’ve seen a variety of methods that independent artists and their publicists use to promote their work and get a media hit. The press release is always the mandatory ingredient that gives the media contact an idea of what your story is about and why people will be interested in learning more about this by interviewing you. Research the web to find a press release template that works best for your book and create a press release that focuses on the theme of your book, it’s intended audience and some compelling background information on you. Make sure your contact information is correct and forward, with a jpeg of your book cover and a headshot of you to carefully selected media contacts that should include bloggers, book club websites, indie print and broadcast media and genre “experts” who may have a strong online presence on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Step #3: Execute a Book Tour

So, while this is step #3, understand that this should be planned while you are executing Step #1. Your book tour should be planned by Step #2 so you can talk about during your interviews and encourage folks to come out to your appearances as you promote your book. Your book tour can be simple or pretty large, depending on your budget and the intention you have for your book.

A book tour is simply a scheduled list of appearances you plan to make at multiple locations to promote your book. You can plot a tour based on trips you already have planned for your full-time job (i.e. you work as a governement worker during the day and have to travel to Baltimore and New York for your job for two upcoming conferences) or you can plan a tour of places you think your audience could best be found. In either case, find locations in the areas you wish to travel to where you can set up a table and talk about your book and/or sign copies while selling. Coffee shops, bookstores or kiosks, libraries, and art centers are places you may want to research first. You should also consider contacting area book clubs and organizations that seek authors to make appearances.

For more in the Self-Publishing 101 series on KhadijahOnline.com, click HERE

Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman is a writer and editor of several books, including the anthology Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul.  She offers editing, proofreading and creative coaching services to authors who self-publish. Contact her at KhadijahOnline@gmail.com for a free consultation.

Click HERE to read my article on SoulTrain.com on the legendary Chuck Brown. Read about how he felt when he was nominated for a GRAMMY, how he enjoyed working with Jill Scott and what advice he has for aspiring artists.

Click HERE to read my interview with new artist Kenny Wesley and listen to his remake of Michael Jackson‘s hit “Rock With You”.