Contributing author to: "THE SOUL OF A MAN" A TRIUMPH OF MY SOUL ANTHOLOGY, Awarded the 2009 Anthology of the Year award by "The African American Literary Awards Show." Harlem, N.Y 2009
"The Soul of a Man: A Triumph of My Soul Anthology" released by Peace in the Storm Publishing.”
ISBN:978-0-9819631-3-6
-Contributor to the 6th annual Queens Book and Health Fair. September 2009
- Contributor to the Harlem Book Fair Long Island September 2009
-Featured in Mary B. Morrison’s latest novel “Who’s Loving You”. Personal article "Who's Loving Me?" By K. L. Belvin pages 246-249 Ms. Morrison is a NY Times and Essence Best Selling author. With over 10 books to her credit.Who's Loving You by Mary B. Morrison
Workshop: Creating the Poet: Exploring the Craft and Business of Poetry
The workshop explored the craft as well as the marketing and selling of poetry and poetic thought. It explored the different forms of poetry. The workshop went into detail on how to market yourself as a poet through chat books, CD's and the Internet. It also explores the national explosion of poetry slams.
Frequent guest and co-host on various Internet and Blogtalk radio programs,
KL is a humble but confident writer trying to create different works of art that can be respected for what they are. I am teacher, father, husband and Christian who loves life and trying to do what’s right… I am a very emotional man who has a deep passion for trying to do things well. I am person with a deep and strong past. Some of which I am proud of and some of which I am not. It from there I pull from to create my poems and stories. I am also feel that it is the Lord who guides my hands when I am working on something written, since this wasn’t something I thought I would be doing.
2. I started with the hardest question because I know that inevitably who you are is illustrated in your new book, A MAN IN TRANSITION. Your opinions and thoughts are reflected in the poems, stories, and writings that you showcase. If you had 50 words in which to state why people should buy and read A MAN IN TRANSITION, what would you write?
This is a poetry book that comes from deep inside a man’s heart that has changed his life. Inside the book that will find poems that will touch your soul. In buying this book you assisting an educator to create a real life dream come true for his students...
3. What are various themes that you tackle in the collection?
A Man in Transition is broken into chapters that reflect who I am. The poems and stories and set up this way. Spiritual, Romance, As a Father, As a Teacher, Observation Of The World and Reflections of Self and the final section, A brief look at the man I was, Poems and Stories of Erotica. There is also a tribute to my lovely wife with featuring a poem she wrote for me. She is truly my heart and I wanted to make sure the world gets to see.
4. it’s difficult to write, period, but I would assume it's an extra tedious task when you're compiling various styles of work to go into a collection. Did you have the idea for the collection first and then wrote pieces for it, or did you write the pieces and then realize the opportunity to compile them into a collection?
The poetry pieces were written before I decided to put the book together and then I decided to set them up based on an idea I had on trying to show my transformation as man. This became my guide in setting up the chapters.
5. What brought you to writing?
That is a good question. Actually it was a way for me to express all these feelings I had going on inside me. I never thought I was any good at it so I kept much of my work to myself. As I grew older and the internet was a boom, it allowed me to write from the privacy of my home and that gave me confidence. I am still nervous when it comes to my writing but if you’re not willing to step out on faith, nothing will be gained.
6. What's your favorite thing about A MAN IN TRANSITION?
WOW, that is tough. I would say the book itself. Seeing that I completed a book that has my work in it, knowing how I feel about my work is at times overwhelming. So to clearly answer your question honestly, I don’t have a favorite it’s the whole book I like.
7. What are three adjectives that best describe A MAN IN TRANSITION?
Reflective, Heartfelt, Moving
8. What are three adjectives that best describe YOU?
Passionate, Humble, Intellectual
9. I know that faith and God are paramount in your life and that they are reflected in A MAN IN TRANSITION, too. Do you believe this thread will find itself in future works of yours?
The Lord will always be a part of what I write but not in a way that I would ever preach to someone. However, in the future non-fictional and fictional titles I want to write, there will be a connection some where to the faith. Can’t say it will be the main focus but a role.
10. Here's another tough question: what is ONE poem, ONE story, and ONE writing in A MAN IN TRANSITION that you find yourself strongly connected to and why?
That is easy the one poem is “Perfect Woman” it’s a tribute to my wife. The one story is the “The Birth” which speaks to the being there for the birth of my first son. The one writing would be, “My Queen” which was written as mother’s day gift to my mother. Watching her face when she read it was classic. She even framed it and keeps it in her room.
11. What have you done and what are you doing - as author - to promote A MAN IN TRANSITION?
I started with friends and family to let them know I even have a book. My colleagues and students have offered to support me. I have been to Tampa for the Black Writers Conference to try to network so I can learn more ways to promote. Of course I have a website that I use to present the book to the world. I do plenty of internet radio stations where I can read some poems and network with other poets and those that like them. I also plan on going to poetry shows here in NY. I am also going to look into going to colleges to talk to young men and woman about some of the subjects in the book and of course just hitting the streets to talk to people and read to those that will listen.
12. Who are some of your favorite writers, and how do they inspire you as a writer?
I can’t say I have favorite but here a few I enjoy, Maya Angelo, The Last Poets, Malcolm X, Langston Hughes, the writers of Marvel and DC comics and the bible. I have very strange taste and feelings about things.I am inspired in many ways. Each of the above authors will speak to me in different ways so it depends on what mood I am in at the time that will decide what I get from it. There so many others I could have listed but we would be here forever. Smile...
13. Word Association. What comes to mind when you see the following words: LIFE:is Precious must be protected in all forms. FAITH: Is needed to make it through the day to day. Needed to connect you to the maker WRITING:At times difficult, but rewarding when completed KL: A man with deep emotion and pride wants to be a role model to so many. Protector. A MAN IN TRANSITION: A Book to be shared and read out loud with others around to enjoy. A book which shows what is in a man soul when he changes his life for the better.
14. What projects are you currently working on?
At Bravin Publishing we are working on the second title to be released in 2010. A non-fictional piece called “From Gigolo to Jesus. I want to expose all the games men play with women by allowing my past life to be put under a microscope.
