Another Poetic Uprising Featuring Author and Poet, Until...

Save The Date: September 5th of 2015

Prepare to be Poetically Aroused
As we enter your mind
Leave you suspended in time
for a minute or two. 

Until the next Poet
and the next poet and the next
poet... That's what we do!
Poet Rock Stars

~Until...

Featuring the host:
Jason Fairhurst Wall
Author Until
and more.....

SAVE THE DATE
SEPTEMBER 5TH OF 2015

A Poetic Uprising... A Success "Poet Rock Stars"

A Poetic Uprising hosted by Jason Fairhurst Wall, August 1st of 2015. Author Until was the lead off feature at this event. Until performed her pieces of following: The infamous "Gotta Go- Gotta Leave" inspired by Vivian Green. The fan favorite's, How to Love, Until No More and The book title "I Just Want to Write!" To purchase the book I Just Want to Write! 

Please visit Until's website at www.untilnomore.net.

You can catch Until at the next Poetic Uprising as she was asked back to feature. Save the Date for September 5th of 2015. We'll see you there!

***The amazing photos were shot by Kim C. Martin Photography (c) 2015

"My Tribute to Nikki Giovanni" - Accomplish Your Dreams...

A year or so ago on July 3rd of 2014, I accomplished one of my biggest dreams. I published my very first poetry edition entitled; I Just Want to Write! When I started on this journey a little more than 10 years ago, I didn't know how crazy one road to pursuing my dream could truly be. I was aware, but not fully aware of the obstacles that would set out to try and block every which a way I would go. But to be honest, it never really mattered because of the person I am,  for the most part I will more times than not, complete what I set as goal. No matter how long it takes, I see it as, as long as I get there.

"I Accomplished one of my biggest dreams."

Well, with all of that said, when moving forward in action to get this done, I set up a few plans for what I needed to do when I received my copies in hand. Now, apart of one those plans was to be sure to send a book to one of the greats, Nikki Giovanni. I did just that.  One reason is because I met her in the year of 2007 and I was able to speak with her and share some of my concerns about self-publishing my book. Nikki, being the down to earth lady that she is, spoke with me and gave me great advice and what came from that was page 70 in my book, a piece called My Encounter with a Living Legend. As well as page 68, the third paragraph of a food for thought piece, The Greats and Me, explaining my feelings on Nikki Giovanni's style. To me, I wanted to show her just what had taken place, how I had moved forward and how she was apart of the inspiration in helping me pull through to get it completed.  

"Hey, I haven't heard from Nikki?!"

Now, in my heart of hearts, did I expect to hear from her? Being honest, yes. Only because she has never displayed anything but real. Never displayed anything but down to earth qualities from her personality, to her writings and interviews, regardless of her title and who she is. But I really didn't think anything else of it. It wasn't until June 2015 I realized, "Hey, I haven't heard from Nikki." LOL!!! Bold huh, like we're old friends. It's truly funny, how I think sometimes, but it came to me just like that. I honestly believe poets are all old friends. Seriously. But I digress, I was talking to my husband and we were watching something that triggered that thought. He was like you should contact her. I said "You know what? That's exactly what I'm going to do." So, on June 24th of 2015, I contacted her office through email and expressed my name, who I was and explained that I sent a book to Nikki Giovanni's office and just simply wanted to know if she had received it.

"I honestly believe poets are all old friends. Seriously."

 

LOW AND BEHOLD, July 9th of 2015 a surprising email at the most random time----from Nikki Giovanni herself. Wow!!! You talk about a feeling, CRA___ZY! LOL! Of course you know I read it over and over again right? Below, here is what she had to say:

"Dear Quandra:  Thank you for your follow through.  I thought I had responded to you.  I did receive A Conversation with a Living Legend and enjoyed very much what you are doing.  I also thought I had shared how much I love your name:  Until.  Its hopeful and clever.  I don’t know if you know but I have been ill and though I’m doing really well I’m still taking it slow.  Take care of yourself.  Good luck with your writing.  All the best, Nikki"

"Of course you know I read it over and over again right?!"

This, was simply AMAZING...  The fact that she even thought she responded to me is like what? I was on your list of folks to acknowledge? I must have flip my lid, I mean, geesh, it took me almost a month to respond. Anyone who knows me, knows I always have a lot to say so, to quiet my tongue, means that I was  astounded and OVER the moon. Because here is the thing, did she have to respond? No. Could you imagine how many people contact her a day through letters, emails, phone calls and such? Being who she is, do you know how busy she is? Yeah, so, the fact of her responding was enormously more than huge. I can't thank her enough just for the acknowledgment of my name, my email and my writing. You do know I am FRAMING this right?! I mean, honestly. LOL! I will end the way I end other food for thought pieces in my book, in closing with a conclusion:

"I also thought I had shared how much I love your name: Until. Its hopeful and clever."

  Summary: When you set out to do something, complete it. Don't worry what others say, don't let them distract you. You have a plan, execute. It took me ten years to complete this book, and it's only a year old but the rewards of me completing it are endless and look at what happen above. I will cherish that forever. Only you know how your dreams make you feel and only you will know what that feels like to accomplish them. You owe it to yourself to feel that feeling; that feeling of happiness. Complete, accomplish, finish...your dream (s).

"You do know I'm FRAMING this, right?! I mean, honestly. LOL!"

If you would like to purchase my book called "I Just Want to Write! Please visit my website at www.untilnomore.net. Check out the photos above. It is my tribute to Nikki Giovanni, I used that same picture tribute on the back of my book. I wonder if she noticed.*smile*

Until...

8/5/15 (c)

Until No More

I just want to write
For the rest of my life
Pen and Pencil
Flirt with me, and,
  I'm so enticed

I want us to run away together
Question loyalty no more
We'll be together always
With many life subjects to explore

Until someone ask's
Do you take this Pen and Pencil
  to be your lawfully wedded quills?

I will respond with,
 I do, forever, always Until

Someone will ask, Until what?

I will say, Until we both die
Until we both lie
In the coffin together
No more for my quill
No more for I


Written by Until...
(c) 2014

*This poem has been published in the book called "I Just Want to Write!" written by Until in July 2014. *This poem performed in Max Blooms Art Gallery and Coffee House in Fullerton, California on Saturday, August 1st of 2015. If you would like to find out more about Max Blooms Cafe Noir please visit the link: http://www.maxbloomscafenoir.com/.

#Ijustwanttowriter #untilnomore #MaxBloomsCafeNoir #LovePoetry #JasonFairhurstWall

Poet and Newly Turned Author Until will be featured..

This is going to be such an exciting event. I can't wait to share some of my gems with you. I will be performing my infamous poem "I Just Want to Write" and many more.  I hope to see you there!!! 

Love 

Until...

"Remember Poetry is me. Therefore I am Poetry."

*If you would like to purchase Until's book entitled "I Just Want to Write!" please visit her website at

 www.untilnomore.net

"My Encounter with a Living Legend"

I had the pleasure of meeting Nikki Giovanni at Esowon Bookstore in Lemiert Park in Los Angeles, California, on February 25th of 2007 for her book signing. Promoting her latest book at the time called, Acolytes. Here is our conversation: 

Until - It's a pleasure meeting you, I really enjoy your work.

Nikki Giovanni - Well, thank you!

Until - I wanted to get your thoughts, your opinion on something.

Nikki Giovanni - Okay! (With a smile)

Until - I'm almost done with my very first poetry edition and I wanted to ask you this question since you're a professor. Do you think it's necessary for me to go to school to publish it or should I just put it out?

Nikki Giovanni - No, it's not necessary to go to school for it. I think you should do what you feel.

Until - Really?

Nikki Giovanni - Yes. Put it out there because you never know where it will take you. See where it takes you.

Thank you Nikki Giovanni!!! You're the best!!!

Love Until...

***********************************

I loved this brief yet easy conversation with Nikki. Our conversation provided me great inspiration to continue to move forward in action to accomplish my dream. That dream came true July 3rd of 2014.*

You can find "My Encounter with a Living Legend" in the poetry edition called "I Just Want to Write!" on page 70. If you would like to know purchase an autographed signed copy please visit my website at www.untilnomore.net. 

Until speaks with Authors N Focus....

Authors N Focus 

interviews 

Author, Until... 

Until No More says, I Just Want To Write!

JUN 17

Posted by authorsnfocus

With her latest book, I Just Want to Write!, Not only is Until No More becoming a name in the literary world, but she’s making her mark as a reporter and talk show host. In this interview, Until shares her views on writing, poetry and her upcoming projects.

Thanks for taking time out to speak with us. Let’s know more about Until No More. Who are you?

My name is Quanda R. Graves but I’m better known by my pseudonym “Until.” I am first and foremost a poet as well as a journalist and literary columnist for the California Crusader Newspaper that coincides with my Youtube Channel and assisted blog entitled Until TV.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for over twenty years (20).

What inspired you to write your book I Just Want to Write!?

What inspired me to write my book entitled “I Just Want to Write!” was this book called “Round the Corner” by the Bankstreet Reader Group, published in 1965. It was the first book I had ever purchased at my first book fair in my elementary school at 6 years old; in which I still possess, that still provides great inspiration.

What steps did you take to get your book published?

The steps I took to publish my latest works (which is my first edition) was the following: 1.) I wrote the book 2.) Found two editors 3.) Sought out a Graphic Design artist to manifest my vision for my book cover. 4.) Filed a DBA (doing business as) for the name I created for myself as I chose to be a self-publisher “Black Swan Publishing” 5.) Purchased my ISBN number under my company’s name. 6.) Purchased formatting, Distributing, ebook and paperback copy services from Create Space. Let them post it on Amazon. 7.) Created my own website attached to my Paypal and did my marketing and PR with the contacts I have. Not all in this order but that is the just.

What’s your favorite part of I Just Want to Write?

My favorite part was the whole process. Because I love to learn, there was a lot that I was enlightened by. The research I had to do was crazy, but enjoyable. I have a poetry edition and you state for me to share one or two of my favorite poems, that’s hard because I have more than a few in this book. The three favorites are “Writing Heals” and “My Pen’s Position” and “My Life as the Sheet”.

What’s the one thing you want the readers to learn from your book?

What I want people to learn from my book are a few things: 1.) It’s never too late to follow your dreams. 2.) Never place your dreams in the hands of someone else without staying connected. 3.) Put in the work with anything you do because the rewards are endless and last but not at all least 4.) Have fun.

Outside of writing this book, I understand you’re involved in other projects. Would you mind sharing what those are with us?

I am involved with many other projects. Thanks for asking, no I don’t mind sharing them. I have created my company called Quanda’ Significance LLC, which specializes in greetings and decorative gift ideas and I’m currently in the process of getting ready to launch my very first line of greeting cards with my first theme called “Sometimes I Wish” this July of 2015.

I am also gearing up to create my own poetry segment that will be featured on my Youtube Channel called Until TV – slogan: You never know what you’ll see, on Until TV.

Do you plan on attending any events soon? If so, please tell us where you will be?

I am, however I’m still working on the particulars for each event I’ll be attending. But to read excerpts of my book, to find out my next move, events or interviews you can always visit my book blog called “I Just Want to Write!” at http://www.ijwtw.blogspot.com

How can the readers contact you if they would like to receive a personal copy? Do you have a website?

I have a website and readers can purchase my book and/or contact me on website atwww.untilnomore.net .

What advice do you have for someone just starting out as an author?

The advice I have for someone starting out as an author is, keep a notebook to write down all of your ideas, be organized. Hone down all that you want to do, make a plan. Once you do that, make a list of all you need, find out the cost and begin pursuing your checklist.

Where do you see yourself five years from now if you continue writing books?

Five years from now, I see myself as a well-established writer in not just books but in many genre’s I’m constantly indulging in, like greeting card writing, speech writing, essay writing and so on. I do many things, but to be honest, it all reverts back to writing. My joy is writing, so writing whether it be five year from now, ten years from now or more, writing in every way that I desire, I’ll just be—a WELL –respected and established yet loved writer.

Is there anything else you would like to say in closing?

Yes. I wish you and many others great success, happiness and joy in your writing and other endeavors you pursue. Many blessings Love Until…