Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrician

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Sunday, November 1, 2015

My Time At Crown Plaza in Elizabeth, New Jersey For An Independent Author Book Expo Last Weekend!

Hello Everyone! I am happy that I joined the group of 34 fellow independent authors at the 2nd annual Independent Author Book Expo in Elizabeth, New Jersey. I got to meet Renaee Smith. She is a fellow author and organizer of the event. As a way of paying it forward, I am going to list the names and contact info of those who joined me for the event. The event was busy, at different times, during the event. I must say I as happy to hear that not only these people were authors, they had other achievements under their belt. I usually am not intimidated by an audience. I must say that I got really nervous speaking to the group. I was going to read an exerpt from my book but forgot to do so. I was disappointed with that. I saw the facial expressions of the people as I walked up to speak. It seemed they were rather skeptical as to who I am and what I am about. It gave me a little anxiety. I knew I was attempting to tap into a new market. The majority of the audience was African American as well as from different islands in the Caribbean. While that was exciting to speak to a different group of readers, I was nervous of not being received correctly. I was afraid of saying something that I would perceive as funny and it could be taken the wrong way. My fiance is of African American and Native American descent. I was initially hoping he would come with me. I believe my initial fear was I would be viewed as an annoying outsider. Probably the same feelings I used to have on a jobsite as an apprentice. It was a fear that I had to push out of me. I develop a stubbornness to not allow anyone to intimidate me or push me away. After awhile, I pushed away the nervousness and said what needed to be said. Overall, I think I walked away with some future readers of my book. People know it exists and will tell others about it at the very least! I pushed my edited version of the book for younger readers. I talked about the need for young people to push for what they want to do and not give up. My story can align itself with minorities since I had to work hard to develop a good reputation amongst people who doubted my ability. This doubt was from nothing more than my gender. I know what it feels like to have people discount you just based upon an initial glance. I must say I will never know the plight of a minoriy. I have only an 8 hour a day sense of what it is like to be discounted for no other reason than my gender. It has definitely given me a different perspective on life and what people must go through 24/7 in their lives. My fiance, Curt, and I have many discussions on the topic. The best compliment I ever received was that I "work like a man". That and people have told me that they forgot I was a woman. It means I have blurred the lines in the sand in their mind. Perhaps the next woman that comes around will get a better chance at acceptannce and not total doubt. I look forward to talking to Renaee about developing an Independent Author union in the future shopping for publishers. I also look forward to next year's event! Check out the website www.iabx.org for info on the group I am a part of now. Here is the line-up: Aaron Southerland- www.blueauraoasis.bigcartel.com A.D.- www.theauthorad.com Athena Dent- ad.peaceofmind@yahoo.com Bayyinah Monk-Nduaka- www.gimmethatrecipe.com Candice Nicole Werts- www.candicenicolewerts.com Chris Avery- www.turningstonechoice.org Christopher Signil- www.racefaithandpolitics.com Christian Writers Ministry- www.empoweredpages.com Denise Bolds- www.BoldDoula.com John D. King- www.thebridgeportbookclub.org Josuanne Denis-Frasier- www.josuannedenis-frasier.com Keli Matthews- www.FocusWrieInspire.com Latisha Marie- www.officiallatishamarie.com Leslie M Jasper- www.lesliemjasper.comm LSO- www.treatsnthingslso.com Melica Niccole- www.MelicaNicole.com Nichole Nunes- www.ConsultFirstLLC.com Nigeria Lockley- www.nigerialockley.com Oumar Hill- www.passionwith-in.com Phillip Fusaro- serphisofficial@gmail.com Rashaun Allen- www.royalbluepublishing.com Se'Quince Aiken- sequinceaiken@yahoo.com Shani McIlwain- www.shanimcilwain.com Sudha Ramaswami- sudharamaswami9@gmail.com Sonya Felice Jenkins- www.sonyafjenkins.wix.com T.C. Spellen- www.tcspellen.com Tamara Brown- www.theinsidersbookclub.com Teresa Marita McGuire- saywriteheart2serve@gmail.com Theresa Campbell- www.theresaacampbell.com Vanessa Santiago-Jerman- www.busybeeboutique.webs.com Yara Kaleemah- www.yarakaleemah.com Yolanda Ceasar- peacehavenva@yahoo.com Zakiyyah Madyun- theherbalist1750@gmail.com Iris Dudley- 347-351-4796 Michelle Drummond www.drumstrings.com Cheers! Leslie M Jasper (future Stakley)

Photos From Independent Author Book Expo October 24, 2015

Happy Halloween 2015 Everyone!!

Hello everyone! I celebrated Halloween last night coming to the door dressed as a granny. It seemed like not as many kids go trick or treating these days. I was hoping to see more costumes. I went with my fiance to the casino afterwards and pulled the handle a few times. I won some money to offset my donation to Mohegan Sun. I will talk about my trip to New Jersey last weekend in the next blog. I joined a group of 34 authors for an event to showcase our books collectively. Speak to you soon! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper (Stakley in future)

Monday, September 28, 2015

Book Interview Airs Worldwide Sept 30, 2015 on The Authors Show!

Hello everyone! I did an interview with Linda from The Authors Show out of Texas last week. She was a pleasure to speak with on the phone. The interview airs worldwide on September 30,2015 for 24 hours. That way people can hear the book anywhere in the world. Here is the link: www.theauthorshow.com http://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShow.html My goal is to inspire others to chase their dreams and never give up! I am attending an Independent Book Expo in New Jersey at the Crown Plaza in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The event will be held October 24,2015 11am-4pm and is FREE for the family to attend. For more details, go to www.iabx.org I am going to read my next book about women in the trades. I will blog about the book when finished! Off to go jump on a cruise ship with my fiance! Cheers! L