Unsung Hero Award- Treasure E. Blue
A National Best Selling Author who continues to Inspire & educate others.
“A writer is nothing more than a person with too many issues in their head and started writing only because it was no more space to store them.”
Treasure Blue
When you hear Treasure E Blue’s name, the first thing you will think of is Harlem Girl Lost, his powerful voice in the Urban literary community and books that should be made into movies. The moment you pick up and read the first chapter you become emotionally involved. His style reminds many of Donald E Goines raw, unadulterated and a literary portrait of the ghetto. He paints a vivid picture with his words about not only street life but the harsh realities of the world today. Harlem Girl Lost, his debut novel self-published sold a record breaking 65,000 copies. His keys words to up and coming authors like myself is to “Sell thyself shamelessly.”
His writings reflect what he has seen on the streets of Harlem, N.Y. The demons he’s danced with and survived. His style of sharing his past and how he has overcome. A natural born leader who strives to write damn good books. His heroes are his children who he adores, his father who recently turned 94. He has risen above to become a prolific author, mentor, and advocate for those wanting to publish a book.
Treasure though a National Bestselling Author, speaker, and motivator. He also gives free advice to up and coming authors like myself. His status as a successful author hasn’t stopped him from being an advocate for authors who often get chewed up by so-called indie publishers. Treasure understands and isn’t afraid to speak up and educate new authors on the business of publishing. His honesty to some may seem brutal and has even been dubbed as jealousy. Those very newbies who’ve shunned him eventually come back apologizing to him for being right. His famous words to us, “ I never got robbed until I got in the publishing business.”
DEAR NEW AUTHORS…… If you signed/sign a publishing deal and your publisher didn’t give you an advance, they scammed you. Plain and simple. Get mad, call me what you want, but at least I tell the truth, and not afraid what these Negroes think of me. — Treasure Blue
A good author are the ones who been through hell on earth still holding on to many dark secrets, but, a GREAT author are the ones who to hell, and willing to bring those secrets to light.”
Treasure Blue
When I first took writing seriously and requested him as a friend on Facebook. The very fact he accepted was an honored because I am a fan of his writing. A young woman wet behind her ears eager to publish. From the beginning, he showed me how to write a novel. I’d share excerpts and comments he’d challenge me to step up my writing game. My first book is named after him because he gave me the confidence to write the story which was in my heart, Blue’s Treasure. I am not the only author he has guided or nurtured there are hundreds of us newbies. It is why he is being honored today because his advice, his lessons about the business is worth millions.
The tips Treasure offered me in 2011 and to every up and coming author should be a part of every literary bible.
The 12 SELF-PUBLISHING AUTHOR COMMANDMENTS
The 12 Self-Publishing Authors Oath by Treasure E. Blue
1) I will learn everything there is about the Self-publishing business to minimize costly mistakes, (books, internet, established authors/mentors, etc)
2) I will never be closed minded and listen to other people’s opinions before I make a final decision.
3) I will spare no expenses when it comes to editing.
4) I will get at least 3 concepts for my book cover design, and ask people which do they like the best.
5) I will get at least 3 quotes before I go into printing.
6) I will remember that books are sold months before you have the book in hand.
7) I will never sit down at a book signing.
8) I will/shall SELL THYSELF SHAMELESSLY. Squeeky wheel always gets the grease, the silent wheel only gets the dust!
9) I will not be afraid to approach anybody when it comes to making a sale. Play the percentage, knock on one hundred doors, most will open. Knock on no doors, none will open.
10) I will not rely on bookstores or the internet, social network to sell my books. Some authors really believe that once they produce a book for sale, all they have to do is sit back and watch the money pile up. This is the biggest misconception of them all. If you’re not willing to get your hands dirty, and come off that high horse, your book will die a slow death!
11) I will know what tell a potential customer the reason why they should buy my book. Your novel should have to more than ‘boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back.’ That’s banal. If you unable to give a potential customer some substance, it will likely be futile effort, because they will sense the lack of passion.
12) I will always carry bookmarks and at least 3 of my books everywhere I go. I am programmed that whenever I see someone with a book in their hand, bus, train, even bookstores, I introduce myself and offer them a bookmark likely leading to a sale.
Bonus: Whomever you sell a book to, tell them, “If you enjoyed the book, can you tell your friends and family about it? Word of mouth is the best form of marketing and it’s free!
Bonus: Compliment them as they read the back of your book, Example, if they have nice shoes, hairstyle, or jacket, etc. Flattery gets you everywhere.
Bonus: Always keep eye contact. This gives you the power and control and greater the chance for the sell.
About Treasure E. Blue
Many have called Treasure E. Blue the reincarnated Donald Goines. This prolific author, without a doubt, is one of the most shocking and controversial writers that we have seen in decades. Blue’s background is as almost as compelling as his mouth-dropping debut novel entitled “Harlem Girl Lost”. Using the streets as a means of survival, he soon found himself involved with some of Harlem’s most notorious elements. Retiring from the game at the tender age of sixteen, Blue, who dropped out of High School after being banned from the entire Board of Education system, in New York City, managed to become one of the youngest people to receive his G.E.D. in New York State. Joining the military at seventeen, he developed a voracious appetite for books going on to read well over 2000 novels. After serving his country honorably, he joined the New York City Fire Department and worked as a Supervising Fire Inspector in the Bronx. Blue is a father of 4 and won praise for his screenwriting skills. He is also an active member of the American Studies Association. Blue has an uncanny way of not only telling a story, he makes you feel it emotionally as well.
Connect with Treasure E. Blue
Facebook: Treasure E. Blue
Twitter: treasurewrites
Amazon page: Treaure E. Blue
Goodreads: Treasure E. Blue