Rising From the Roots Is Out: Virtual Book Tour!

I never got a chance to properly announce the release of my new poetry collection, Rising From the Roots. Life had other plans and to be honest, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of grief, pain, and quiet perseverance. But the book is here. It came out on June 24th, and now I’m finally ready to share it with ya’ll.

From July 14–25, my baby, Rising From the Roots will be on a virtual book tour hosted by RABT Book Tours. After everything that’s happened, this tour means more to me than just promotion. It’s a celebration...a relief...a lil shimmy with glitter raining off the shoulders for surviving, for honoring the mess and the magic that birthed this collection.

Why I Stayed Quiet Initially

On June 9th, just days before my book was scheduled to release, I was hit by a car. Once I got to the middle of the street, the jackass decided to accelerate to make a left. No, he did not stay on the scene, ya’ll.

 I’m okay now. Thankfully, my injuries were not life-threatening. I walked away with a sprained ankle and a bruised thigh, but I still walked away. My spouse and I lost our heart, our boss lady, our sweet cat Aubry. She was the most talkative, protective, sassy, big clit energy havin’ ass, I ever had.  She passed away suddenly on June 22nd, just two days before release day. Her absence is still felt heavily, and her presence is deeply missed in every corner of our home. I’m still sweeping up her car fur, or finding some on my clothes. But I can at least talk about her now without falling apart. In the midst of all that, I kept moving. Not because I wasn’t grieving, but because I knew Aubry would’ve wanted me to. Because healing doesn’t mean pausing your whole life...it means learning how to carry what hurts while still showing up. I’m still here, damn it!

Rising From the Roots

This collection was born from that very tension: how do we keep growing when everything around us is falling apart?

Well... These poems touch on releasing without judgement of what you feel, de-converting from Christianity, identity, grief, rage, joy, gratitude, love (the delicious kind), ancestral memory, and the courage to return to yourself. It’s a collection for anyone who’s had to rebuild themselves—gently, fiercely, again and again.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Starting July 14, I’ll be stopping by book blogs to be featured (just a spotlight about the book) talk about the collection, share excerpts, and reflect on the creative journey behind it all.

(I will hyperlink them as soon as I can!)

  • July 14 —Kickoff with RABT Book Tours

  • July 15 – Featured on My Bookmarked Reads

  • July 16 — Exclusive Excerpt on Book Junkiez

  • July 17 — Featured on Tea Time and Books

  • July 18 – Interview with The Avid Reader

  • July 19 — Exclusive excerpt on Girl With Pen

  • July 20 — Interview with Always Reading

  • July 21 – Q&A on Always Reading

  • July 22 — A Review of Rising from the Roots from The Indie Express

  • July 23 — A Review of Rising from the Roots from Novel News Network

  • July 24 – Exclusive Excerpt at Paper Phoenix Ink

  • July 25 – Wrap-up on On a Reading Bender

 

 What This Book (and Tour) Means to Me

Listen, ya’ll...I almost didn’t  do this...I was close to reaching out to Amanda (from bookbuzz.net) and telling her, I quit this promo-run so I can crawl in a ball and cry. But I’m glad I didn’t. This moment isn’t just about launching a book—it’s about reclaiming my voice in the middle of the all chaos. I do appreciate the fact that this tour didn’t begin in June. I had a lil’ wiggle room to fall apart. As things slowly begin to come together, I’m ready to honor the parts of me that still believe in showing up...even when things……… fall apart. I’m a phoenix...I’m a bombass flower, remember?

It’s also about Aubry. Her love and sass and soft presence carried us for years. I miss her every single day. And I know she’s still with us, curled up in the quiet, purring encouragement as I keep going. LOL. Of course not. She’s telling us what to do in spirit while demanding our pets and being a love bug.

You Finna Read Along?

Rising From the Roots is available now in paperback and e-book at:

If you read it, I’d love to hear what it stirs in you.

Stay Connected

Follow along using the hashtag #RisingFromTheRoots, and connect with me on:

So, Anyway...

This book is for the late bloomers, the ones scared to face EVERY emotion they feel, the others, the healing girls, and anyone who ever dared to flourish.

Later,

Jasmine