Early August

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Mars for the Seasons Capsule Collection by Early August

Also Available in olive green

Available now at earlyaugust.net

I would like to introduce you guys to my 17-year-old baby sister, Mars. She is pursuing her dream of being an artist in the music industry. She currently attends a music academy where she performs across the LA County. She performed alongside her best friend R.E.D (@isthatrichied) at my most recent book signing for The Language: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Mk7h3YvU8

IG: @marsii.nana

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Seasons Capsule Collection shoot with Mish and Ty

Photographed by Early August

caps available now at earlyaugust.net

Instagrams: 

earlyaugust

tywithlove

shortstuuff

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SEASONS CAPSULE COLLECTION 2018 BY EARLY AUGUST

Today February 2nd, 2018 The first item from the Seasons Capsule Collection was released. This collection will feature images from my first publication SEASONS:

These caps are currently available in four colors at earlyaugust.net

IG: earlyaugust

Twitter: earlyaugust

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EARLY AUGUST - A REGISTERED A BUSINESS.....

As of November 13, 2017, Early August became a registered business. For me, this move is a continuous walk in faith because I am literally learning as I go. While starting a business, I am still continuing my education to become an English/Creative Writing teacher.  On this journey, I've witnessed the impact that literature can have on students in school and prison. I want to spread light in my community, and I want everything that Early August produces to be an extension of that light. 

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August’s writing process Q&A with Melian J 

visit melianj.com

(Image of August’s work desk in Sepetember 2017) 1. What inspired you to write your book? Was there a particular life incident? Being an author has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I started writing poetry when I was 8 years old and I never stopped. My first book, "Seasons" is dedicated to Lamont "Duka" Terry. He was my first love. After losing Duka to Cancer on August 9, 2014, my ongoing struggle with depression and anxiety worsened. Throughout this experience, I documented my emotions through poetry. I just remember being very depressed and lonely after his passing, and I felt like there had to be more to life than just pain. It was in that uncomfortable space that I found the inspiration to make my mark in life by putting out my work.

2. What motivated you to actually take the steps to get this done?

Pain is what motivated me. I knew that the pain I was feeling was there for a reason - it was placed there to reveal something to me. Considering all that I had been through and survived, I knew that I had a purpose. I believe my purpose is to share the gift that God has given me, to use my poetry to minister to others, and to be a living testimony that love continues to live on even after death.

3. Did you do research or schooling on writing a book prior to writing this one?

I honestly had no clue what I was doing. At one point it seemed impossible to me. I would do online research and ask around to get information about publishing. I had the book written and got the artwork done before I even knew how to make it into an actual book. I just trusted God and he provided me with everything I needed to get it done.

4. Is this your first of longer writings?

Yes. I will definitely be writing more books.

5. What helped you persevere throughout writing your book to its completion?

It helped me to just write from the heart and not worry about the finished product. I just focused on writing what was real to me and what I was feeling at the time. I wanted to keep my work as pure as possible.

6. Where there any points in writing your book where you felt like you wanted to give up?

No. When I write books, it doesn’t really feel like I'm writing a book. I just write because it's what comes to me naturally and then I put it together when I feel it's time.

7. Are you planning on writing any other books?

Yes! I love writing. I've been writing for so long that I can't imagine not writing. I've become comfortable with the process of publishing books, so I plan to continue writing, publishing, and growing.

8. Where there any books that you sited within yours that readers should also read?

I didn't site any books within mine, but here are some books that inspired me.

"The Rose That Grew from Concrete" by Tupac Shakur

"The Mastery of Love" by Don Miguel Ruiz

"Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kuar

"Heart Thoughts" by Louise Hay

9. Did you dedicate this book to anyone? If so why?

I dedicated "The Language" to my mom. In the process of writing the poems and free-verse included in this book, I experienced emotions that required me to dig inside myself to create the closure I needed. While doing so, I discovered my inner voice which reminds me a lot of my mother’s voice. My mom was a teen mom, she had my brother when she was 15 and had me when she was 17. I've watched her work so hard to be the best mom she could be. She carried herself a certain way, she stayed strong, and she never folded under pressure. Watching her so closely planted something in me. I believe that God placed me under her care so when I grew to discover my inner voice, I would find comfort in hearing hers.

(Drawing by 5year old August)

10. What is your favorite chapter?

My favorite chapter is the second chapter, "Love Theory". It's pleasing for me to read and re-witness my idea of love evolve. I think this chapter will be relatable to those who fear love or run away from it. This chapter will meet them right where they are and they'll be able to grow with me and hopefully develop a better and safer outlook on love.

(The Language - Page 63)

11. What are your top 5 tips on writing & publishing a book for newer writers?

I would advise them to focus on writing and completing their book before anything else. There’s so much that has to get done (artwork, layout, editing, printing, etc.) to get to the finished product and it's so easy to get distracted or discouraged by all of these steps. By having your complete written work, it'll be easier to take all of these steps because you'll believe in the work you've completed. Another important thing to remember is not to rush it. After completing my second book, I just wanted to get put it out. My book was completed in June and wasn't released until December 2nd. During these 6 months, I got antsy but I learned that patience is a great quality to have during this process because it leaves room to get things done correctly.

12. What was your favorite part of writing this book?

My favorite part of writing "The Language" was pulling poems out of my journal and putting them together. I was so hyped just to see how I unconsciously shared my experience in sequence. It was like putting a puzzle together. I loved seeing all the pieces find it's fit.

(April 6, 2017 - August sorts through the journals that The Language was written in)

For more information visit

earlyaugust.net

IG: @earlyaugust

Twitter: @earlyaugust

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Part II: I could never forget that I’m drowning. 12am: Heart pounding My mind keeps hurting me With dark uncertainties -ignorance worries me. 1am: Waist deep The things my mind’s creating, They create me; they cremate me. They won’t leave. 2am: Neck deep To believe is to see I’m living a horror movie Where both the killer and killed are me. 3am: Drowning I give in to misery Like it is music. I don’t miss a beat. 4am: Drowned I’ve drowned. Deep down In myself; a sea Of possible realities That I create But can’t escape Because I made it that way.

Anxiety is not something you can just turn on and off, and unfortunately, mine keeps me up most nights. In this image, there’s a poem from my latest publication “The Language” titled “Waiting Waters”, while the caption (Part II) is one of my unpublished poems. 

I’ve always had a desire to bring more awareness to depression and anxiety. Here’s an article that was written by me and published with 4orceOfNature in January 2016 on the topic which you can read here: 

http://4orceofnature.com/index.php/2016/01/15/mental-health-matters-an-article-on-anxiety-and-depression/

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Here’s a recap of my book signing for The Langauge that took place on December 2nd at Art Share LA! 

Vocal Radio was my AMAZING hosts! You can find them on instagram @Vocal.vocalradio_  

I had an AMAZING opening performance from 12-year-old Sarae, who’s been dancing competitively since the age of two!

Next up, I had RED & MARS Perform a remix of “Waterfalls” by TLC where they incorporated a poem from The Language into the song. They both attend Hills Academy for music as well as Lawndale High. (IG: @Marsii.nana & @Isthatrichied)

Last, I went up and shared the backstory and read 10 pages from The Langauge. 

I had Dj Fyness (@Fyness) on the 1′s and 2′s

There was also a beautiful dessert table by @Sweetpeanikki28 

The event was filled with great energy as family, friends, and supporters filled the room!

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Excerpt from “Seasons” by Early August,

Available on Amazon.com & Barnesandnoble.com

Visit EarlyAugust.BigCartel.com 

To purchase “Seasons” & “The Language”

For more info visit EarlyAugust.net

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On Saturday December 2nd, I will be having my second book signing at Art Share in Downtown LA. I will be selling books there, however there is a limited supply so it would be best to reserve your copy by preordering “The Language” at earlyaugust.net . I hope to see you all there! LETS GROW! #TheLanguage2017

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The Language is my second publication of poems and free verse that will be released on December 2, 2017. I began writing The Language in October 2016 while overcoming an emotional experience that caused me to dig deep into myself to create closure from a situation that I had no control over. My inner voice is the voice that you will hear from in The Language. 

As I became acquainted with my inner voice, I eventually began operating from my higher self. This journey is what began my inner-search. During this process, I confronted myself and took ownership of the decisions I’ve made and discovered my greatest weapon, acceptance. 

On the cover, there is an image of me, in outer space, sitting in a meditation pose (looking just like my mother). It was illustrated by Brandy Turner along with the other images found in the pages of the book.

I dedicated this book to my mother, Roschelle Dunning because my inner voice sounds a lot like her voice. I’ve learned so much from her by watching her, listening to her, and gaining an understanding of her which helped me to understand myself more. The first poem in my book titled “The Language of Pain” begins with a memorable conversation that I had with my mother when I was a child.

My hopes for The Language is to grow with my readers. There’s one thing that I believe everyone on earth can relate to and that’s pain. Some people experience more than others but all we know at the moment is that it hurts. In these pages, I document advice that I’ve given myself during those times in order to heal and rebuild. 

The Language continues my journey of growth that began in Seasons (available on Amazon). Let’s continue to grow together.

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LEARNING THE LANGUAGE

     There were so many times that I could have crawled into a corner and crumbled into thousands of pieces for thousands of reasons – but I am here. Some nights I feel so present that when I look up at the moon, I feel it looking right back at me as if the moon is the pupil of the universe. God is showing me that I am a powerful being. My neighbor read Seasons and cried right before my eyes and I opened my arms to embrace him. Maybe I touched him with my words, but it is him that touched me by allowing me to see his vulnerability. I remember questioning God: “God, are you sure you want me to be a writer? Please show me.” and right away he blessed me with a computer. Everything before “The Language”, was handwritten. When I was 8 years old I recorded “Changes” by Tupac off the radio.I listened to that song on repeat that entire day until I knew every word. That night, I prayed a different prayer than the one my mom taught me. I prayed “God, one day I want my words to be felt too” I was a quiet child, but I had a lot to say. Breaking out of my shell was a series of painful events that seemed never-ending. Those trials strengthened me to become who God planned for me to be.Depression was one of my toughest battles. I can remember being depressed even at 12 years old, but depression wasn’t a familiar term to me. I didn’t understand what was going on which made me feel it deeper. In 2014 I lost someone that I was in love with to cancer a week after my 22nd birthday, that’s when I fell into a very dark and deep hole. I was scared and unsure if I was up for the battle. My body even began giving up. My anxiety kept getting worse. I remember going to school and before I could make it to class I had an attack and hid under the stairs to call my mom. I tried to fight it, so I went to class, but it wouldn’t stop. My heart would race, I would go into a panic, I’d feel as if I couldn’t breathe, and I’d start crying uncontrollably. After walking out of class that day, I was too ashamed to go back, so I dropped it. Geology sucked anyway. A while later, I had some type of nerve attack. I was terrified. The muscles on the entire right side of my face were unresponsive and the right side of my body was weak. Thankfully a month & a half later my muscles began working. The depression continued to worsen. Most nights I would go to sleep hoping to never wake up (Alice). One day, I made up my mind that I wanted to die. It was on December 24, 2015. That’s the day I came face to face with depression. I was on my way to the Target on Greenleaf, Instead of going inside I ended up in the parking lot hoping to die right there, but too scared to do it myself. After spending 3 hours in that parking lot, I found the strength to leave. A part of me really did die that day, because I made up my mind that I NEVER want to feel that way again. Since then, I’ve been working more and more towards my happiness. Conquering depression is an everyday battle for me. It takes a lot of faith, strength, and determination to love myself and water my joy DAILY. The part that I still struggle with is falling in love with my story because sometimes it still makes me sad. I thought it would be best to not think about it and move on and that worked for a while, but now, I am ready to embrace my truth. I want a create the comfort of sharing my truth with myself and others. I no longer want to feel avoid my truth, because living in secrecy with yourself is the most uncomfortable way of living. Here is where I will be free.

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August, photographed by Soulfull Visuals

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MISCHELLE x THE LANGUAGE

Photographed by August

October 26, 2017

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It's here! I'll be taking pre-orders starting November 11th and it'll be released on December 2nd at my book signing which will be held at @artshare_la ! I am so excited. I'm grateful for everyone who supports what I do. #TheLanguage2017 🌻 Let's GrOw!

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Seasons is August's first collection of poems that captures an emotional and spiritual journey into womanhood. Summer exemplifies the struggles of being an artist and poet, Fall tells a personal yet relatable story of love and loss, Winter metaphorically embodies a battle against self-hate and depression, and Spring, testifies to the divine venture to finding peace and acceptance. In these poems you will bear witness to growth as her thoughts and emotions are transformed into a work of art.