How To Leave This World Better Than You Inherited It!
Two brief Announcements:
1- Well, it’s about that time, y’all!
Loco in Yokohama started out as an idea buzzing around my head. Soon it manifested itself as a free WordPress blog. Then, a year later, upgraded to a self-hosted blog , complete with a snazzy new banner and logo and other fine features…
Now it’s about to take a much more daring leap: Yep, (barring any unforeseeable delays) as early as next month but certainly before the end of the year, my first self-published book will be available for purchase at your favorite E-book dealer and via Kindle! And, soon afterwards, a paper version will hit the marketplace!
The Working Title of this non-fiction collection of stories and essays is: “Hi! My Name Is Loco… “
It is the fulfillment of three years of observation, investigation, soul-searching and a lifetime of experience. The writings cover a span of four decades spent on two continents — North America and Asia — all with the central theme of the woolly mammoth in the room:
Racism.
Primarily, it is a memoir focused on how I perceived it around me, and more importantly how I identified it within me. Furthermore, this book will illustrate how I was able to recover from being a racist.
“Hi! My Name Is Loco…” details how I came to learn the true culprits behind racism: ignorance, envy, and (the mother of them all) fear. It is my argument that one’s personal relationship with fear is directly related to ones susceptibility to this worldwide plague. It is my hope and, frankly, my determination that by sharing my stories I can contribute to one day ending this madness which is at the root of many of the world’s ills. But before that wondrous day, when our collective desire for a better world where human beings are not “measured by the color of our skin”, can be achieved we must begin by individually acknowledging our own culpability and addressing our own fears. My stories are written to inspire just that.
Ambitious, I know. But, what can I say? I’m an ambitious guy!
The Creator has given each of us at least one gift, and I intend to use mine- meager as they may be- to leave this world better than I inherited it!
I have a story to tell and the audacity to expect to be heard.
*****
2 -And, speaking of Kindle …Who’d like to get their hands on one of these?
- Kindle 3 Wifi
It’s the Kindle 3 Wifi with a keyboard and, as you can see in the pic, an ink display. It’s the latest Kindle device. Why would you want this? Well here’s what reviewers say:
1. The e-ink display is amazing.
2. Using the 5-way controller is simple and effective.
3. Page turn speeds are faster than I thought they would be.
4. It’s lightweight, even with the attached cover
5. Page-turning buttons are quiet and well-placed.
6. Recharge time is fast.
7. I can order a book and start reading it in less than 60 seconds. Nice!
8. Portability… I can take 3,000 books with me when I travel for work and not require additional suitcases or baggage fees.
Sweet, right?
So, what’s the catch? (There’s always a catch) Well, there are no forms, no need to share your email address, no hoops to jump through whatever.
Just follow my new Twitter Account: Hi_MyNameIsLoco where you’ll be able to get more information about my sure-to be sensational new book, and any other updates- including the launch date. No “Spam” or any information unrelated to the book, book publishing, or significant issues related to the book will be tweeted.
Do that and you’re automatically entered to win!
Oh, and while you’re at it, I won’t be ungrateful if you LIKE the new Facebook Fan Page dedicated to the book: Hi My Name is Loco, (see LIKE box on sidebar) where you’ll receive additional timely information about the book, readings, signings, book tour info, etc…(This is not required for entry in the contest)
Couldn’t be simpler, right?
The contest will run from today, October 19th, through November 30th 2011. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing held on December 2nd 2011 and announced ASAP.
Well, here you go, just six simple rules:
By entering the contest you agree to the following terms”**
1) The contest will run from October 19th through November 30th 2011.
2) The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and contacted on December 2, 2011 and have 48 hours to respond.
3) If you un-follow the account before the drawing, naturally you will not be eligible to win.
4) If you incur any injuries using the Kindle that’s between you and Amazon. Loco in Yokohama cannot be held responsible. They’ll be a disclaimer to that effect to be signed by the winner.
5) The winner will have to provide a real name and shipping address for the prize. (Not to be publicized…only the winner’s Twitter handle will be made public, which it probably already is)
6) Loco in Yokohama cannot be held responsible if the Kindle is lost, stolen or damaged during shipping.
Well, that’s about it for now…
I thank you all in advance for your support!
More to follow
Who is this guy, Loco, anyway? Click here!
…
Raw Like Sushi
Woo hoo! Way to go Loco! Actually when I was building my blog, I was using yours as a kind of benchmark. You have a great looking blog with a cool logo, and you interact a lot with your readers on twitter on Facebook, and always answer comments. I like to hear stories about successful blogs like yours because it gives me inspiration and hope for my own work. And through talking to you and watching your success, I’ve seen my own blog start to grow. Keep it up Loco Sensei and thanks for being a mentor to me.
I can’t wait to see your book on shelves, virtual or otherwise. And what an exciting contest! I was just saying the other day I wanted to get a kindle. I’m going to follow your new account right now!
Thanks Amanda!!I’m flattered…I dunno if I ALWAYS respond to comments LOL Some people might not agree, but I certainly always try to take came of my peeps! And if you hang in there with your own I’m sure you’ll achieve great things one way or another, you know? Blogging (rather writing) helps you understand yourself better and improve your ability to communitcate or at least think through what you want to say and how you want to say it. As lomg as you’re thinking through life in that way, you’re bound to come across something that will truly inspire you and give your blog (and your writing overall) a great lift. Fear not! it will come as certain as rain!
Thanks for the Love and Support! And wish me luck (-;
good luck with the book! Following and liking now ^_^
hey Jamaipanese!! Good to see you man! Thanks for the follow and like! And I hope you’ll be my point man in the Caribbean once the book is available! Maybe an interview on your blog or a guest post or something…but we can get into that in the near future. For now, happy to be on your radar and thanks for the support!
Awesome to see this in progress! And can’t wait to see the finished results.
btw did you get my mail about the artist? Hit up my gmail if you’re still interested.
Hey CJ…yeah I didn’t see that email )-; I am still interested. And thank you for the shout. Yep it’s underway! ***heartbeat racing*** <3
Congratulations..! Sounds like you’ve got some great things lined up for the future. I’ve only been following your blog for a few months, so I haven’t been able to really grasp the development from it’s humble beginnings, but I’m glad I can see the culmination of all your work. Inspiring stuff
Thank you Alyse!! Yeah, that’s my aim, to inspire. And they say if you can reach one person…and i reached you! Yippee! Well, hopefuly this book will reach a few (million) more lol thanks!
Talk about good news being really good! Yay Loco! I’m sorry I don’t have an fb acct to like, but totally following your new Twitter acct.
You better have another episode of LocoTV during a signing or something. hehe
Tiff Love! Thank you for the continuing support over the years, Dont worry about blog comments…your Twitter shouts more than compensate for any deficiencies and then some! Yeha, I’m gonna probably be trying a few unorthodox strategies to market this book so you may definitely catch some Loco Lives thrown in the mix. Thanks for the idea (-; you rock!
Great news with the book, I hope it will be available for purchase over amazon.
I just signed up for twitter so I could go in your competition. Not exactly 100% on how it works, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out sometime.
Looking forward to reading the book anyway. Good luck with it all.
Thank You Momotaro!!
Yeah, Twitter is almost a no brainer…you’ll master it in no time. Thank you for the well wishes! Of course I hope I can count on your support throughout this process, ex: retweets, likes, anything you feel comfortable doing to help me reach at many people as possible.
I’d be much obliged!
Best of luck with it. The best thing about Kindle and ebooks has been the incredible variety of content now available to me by a single click. I don’t know if you’ll be able to retire with this book but I hope it does well.
Thanks Chris! Even if it does terribly well, I ain’t about to retire no time soon! Thanks for the well wishes!
I wish you all the best with the book! Not sure if it’s a silly question or not, but is the contents extracts from your blog?
Of course, a good portion of it are ideas first hatched here. (-;
ganbatte loco-sama…even when u didnt reply my email (just kidding)…ganbatte in everything you do and the best of lucks with your book, gor sure I will buy it, greetings from MX city
Huh? You sent me an email? When? To which address? Anyway, sorry if I didn’t respond )-: And thanks for the kind words regardless.
Woohoo! Congratulations Loco! Looking forward to the book itself, your writing is always a joy to read.
Liked and followed!
Thanks Ozball!! Nice to know i can count on your support!!
no one deserves this more than you! cannot wait to read this book!
Thanks Kei! You should get on it too! You’re the bomb!
Loco’s book!!! I can’t wait to see what it’s like, I’m real excited for you!
Following for updates and the Kindle of course~
This sounds awesome. If it’s as well written as your website, I’ll buy it. Good luck!
Congratulations!
Thank you sir!!