ME! Magazine
June 2018
A Literary and Purpose Driven Magazine
Magazine revised from ME! Newsletter Issue 19
The Love of A Child
Books, Purpose, and More
Featured Author: Rashonda Aiken
New York Book Bag Drive
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About This Publication ME! Magazine is a trademark of Hampton Publishing House, LLC. The magazine encourages you to be yourself. It is time that you show the world who you really are by being who you were intended to be. Hampton Publishing House, LLC’s focus is to assist authors with publishing material that engages the community and provides knowledge of many societal matters. The company creates material that coincides with real life experiences and gives creative inspiration to those who are motivated by literature; whether it is written, spoken, or visual i​ nterpretations of text. It is the hope of the company to increase awareness and maintain open lines of communication by receiving manuscripts that relate to the following areas: friendships, marriage, domestic violence, depression, how-to-information, social ills, and other subjects that will allow readers to understand the moralities of the subject matter. Contributors Editor Melica Niccole Writers Monae Jones Justin Lambert Melica Niccole Photographer Zora Nelson Interested in sponsoring or advertising in our next issue? Contact Hampton Publishing House, LLC using the information provided below. Hampton Publishing House, LLC P.O. Box 1254 Union, NJ 07083 Twitter.com/Hampton_Publish Instagram.com/HamptonPublishingHouse
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Letter From The Editor On behalf of Hampton Publishing House, LLC and ME! Magazine, we would like to thank you for your continued help in supporting our efforts in increasing literacy, developing writing skills of others, and educational programs to assist the youth. We hope to be the best in what we do and provide you with essential information as an author, writer, publisher, and reader. This is our second magazine issue; however not our second publication. We have published numerous publications, such as: Newsletters, literacy promotional materials, blogs, and much more. All of which has helped prepare us to create and release a magazine. This issue will include featured authors, a specialial New York Book Bag Drive, events, literacy advocates in the community, and other educational related events. If you are a reader or subscriber of this magazine, know that we accept suggestions, guest writers, and other information to assist in distributing our magazine. We want to thank our wonderful sponsors who helped make this magazine effort come true. A specialist thank you goes to Rahway Girlz Publishing. This wonderful company has supported all of our efforts from the inception of our concept. This is a true display of how supporting each other can lead to amazing things and possibilities for both parties. Make sure to check back soon for other upcoming events and programs that we have in the works with Rahway Girlz Publishing.mWe hope you enjoy our second installment of ME! Magaine which releases June 30, 2018. Sincerly,
Melica Niccole Editor-In-Chief 3
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Read to Lead Write to Enlight This is a concept and way of life for us. What is your concept or way of life?
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Inside This Edition
Page The Love Of A Child 6 Best Poet of ME! Magazine 7 Featured Author- RashondaAiken 8 New York Book Bag Drive 10 Upcoming events and partnerships 12
Featured Author Continued 14 Services We Provide 16
Sponsors Rahway Girlz Publishing, Author LaDonna Marie Books, LLC, The Social Exchange Group, Rahway Girlz Publishing, Zora Nelson, & Lady Calla’s Children’s Book Club
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The Love Of A Child Written by Justin Lambert
PJ and Shay showing a little love
The love of a child is amazing. They make us smile, laugh, cry, and express a host of other emotions, which shows that we care and love them. They also love others openly and honestly. Children also love books, especially when these books include characters they can relate to because of culture, traditions, ethnicity, religion, morals, and activities. Take for instace the two precious kids above, PJ and Shay. PJ and Shay love each other. They also love books. A few years ago, they both co-authored a children’s book. PJ co-authored PJ’s Work and Shay co-authored All In Together Girls. Check out their books below and on Amazon.com. Below, you will also find other children’s books we have published.
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Best Poet of ME! Magazine Congratulations and thank you Sonya F Jenkins for participating in the “Best Poet of ME! Newsletter” contest last year. She will retain the title for one year. This edition will feature her first poem, “Happiness of Live”, as holding the title. Please feel free to follow her, purchase her books, and support her writing efforts. Writing a book is the easy part, but support from your community means so much more. Now let’s see if we can continue to support her poetic efforts. Tweet her to find out ways to buy her books.
My heart is filled with so much love, The more love it gives out the more heartbreak and pain it feels. Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like If my heart didn’t have any love. I think my heart would be so empty and lonely. The shell would be so cold and hard. No feelings, no pulse, sadness would be the only thing that flows through it. How can I live like that, it would be such a non-existence. Can you ever imagine that? I can and I’ve tried but then I realized that my heart stopped beating And then I died never to return again. So, I think I will stay the way that I am with 7
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Author Rashonda Aiken
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Author Se’Quince Aiken
Rashonda Aiken
Written by Rashonda Aiken and Mona Jones, Edited by Melica Niccole
Rashonda Aiken is the author of three books, with plans to release two more books by the end of 2018. Her books deal with animals, the alphabet, mental health, love, m arriage, and divorce. A huge portion of her books contain reality oriented content, created to help, e ducated, and unite the community. As well as being an author, she also is a wife, employee, and the mother of two beautiful young “...never feel as women who are twins.
though you are asking too many questions...”
As you may know, creating content about individuals with disabilities is one of our focuses, in an attempt to help people understand those with disabilities and the people who love them. Below, you will here the testimony from Rashonda herself about raising a daughter with a disability and tidbits of things you can do to help you continue Words From Rashonda: Being a mother with a child with a disability is the most challenging part of being a parent. Day-to-day struggles with normal life activities, sometimes make me feel like I am being judged or looked at differently because of my daughter. I often notice others watching me. Now, this could all be in my mind; however these overwhelming feelings and struggles can make you become bitter and angry. They can also make you think that you did something wrong. Something I learned from life was that you must let go of these types of feeling. Once you acknowledge your feelings, you can become better equipped to face new challenges. This will allow the anger and bitterness to stop draining your energy and initiative. You must not feel intimidated. As a parent, you may also feel inadequate in the presence of professionals who are constantly telling you about your child. You should never feel as though you are asking too many questions concerning the effect of the disability on your child’s future. You must take charge and read a lot about your child’s diagnosis to fully understand what you will are dealing with. (Continued on page 21)
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New York Book Bag Drive
We are working with Rahway Girlz Publishing and Anthony Tucker to collect book bags for the New York Book Bag Drive. The New York Book Bag Drive was established in 2017 to collect book bags filled with literacy goodies for the children of Learning Through Play Pre-K. ME! Magazine
Book bags will be given to students between the ages of 3 - 5 years of age
These goodies can include: Books, safety scissors, notebooks, rulers, pencils, crayons, markers, and a note of encouragement in starting a new year of school. The school will also accept Kleenex, paper towels, handsanitizer, desk and hand wipes, and other dontations to make this school year a pleasant one.
As of right now, we he collected 29 book bags with hopes to collect at least 21 more book bags by August 1, 2018. If you or someone you know are interested in donating book bags to such a wonderful cause, feel free to reach out to us, using the contact information on the back page. 11
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Upcoming Events and Partnerships
U.S. and Nepal Compilation Book Book Festival
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Fashion Me A Poet New York Book Bag Drive Margaret Jeanne Talley Excellence in Diversity Award
Got an idea you would like to partner with us on? We would love to work with you on a future literary event.
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Rashonda Aiken Continued Justin Lambert: What made you want to become a writer? Rashonda Aiken: I have never considered myself a writer. I started out writing by helping my daughter become a writer/ author. I often stay behind the scenes as a typist and publisher. JL:What inspires you to write? RA: My daughter, Se’Quince, told me I shoud write because I help her with writing and publishing her books. I kept telling her no, until I saw an opportunity k nocking and I took a chance. Last year, I wrote my first piece for an anthology with a group of women in the book called Love Marriage and Divorce. My piece was about Marriage. At the time of it being published, my 20 year wedding anniversary was approaching. I wanted to see my name on a cover. It was small, but it was something I was proud of. Another opportunity came knocking for another anthology. This time, the s ubject was about mental illness and suicide. It was a collaborative effort for a charity. This project gave me a great opportunity to express my story, awareness, feelings, and methods on healing. I had not gone through any of these things personally; however my husband had wanted to commit suicide in the past. My story suicide was a way to express how I felt at that moment and how we dealt with the situation. JL: Who are some of your favorite writers? RA: I don’t per say have favorite authors, but I do like a few that I have been following a long time until I finally met them in person over the years. These individuals are Kimberly Lawson, Brian W Smith, Moody Holiday, Alsaadiq Banks. JL: What advice would you give someone who was interested in becoming a writer? RA: I’m not the person to give advice on writing, but what I tell my daughter all the time is do what you feel and write what you love. Never let anyone tell you cannot do something. Writing is a passion and it comes from the heart. Do what makes you happy and proud to call yours. JL: What is one thing that you continuously do to continue to pursue your dreams? RA: My dream is to continue to help my daughter write and self-publish her books. Her ability is limited due to her disability. I help motivate her to keep on pushing. ME! Magazine
Want to know more about Ms. Aiken? Follow her at: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sequincesaiken Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sequincesarah/ Twitter https://twitter.com/angelaiken Company website https://sequinceaiken.wixsite.com/sequinceaiken/meet-rahway-girlz-publishing
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Services We Provide Hampton Publishing House, LLC is a book publisher located in Northern, New Jersey. We can assist you with turning your manuscript into a printed work of art with your exquiste stories and our knowledge of publishing. Below you will find information on our services. Marketing Need help with marketing your book, event, or creating a marketing plan? We have created and marketed well attended events, written marketing plans for authors, and researched consumer purchase information in regards to books and other information. Formatting Not quite sure how to format your book to meet the standards of the publisher, Amazon. com, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords? This service is just right for you. We have formatted books that have been accepted by private and public entities. Editing This service includes having your manuscript professionally edited by an experienced editor. The editor will proof read your work, review for content, grammar, and provide other editing services as needed. Please note that as of right now, we are only accepting short editing pieces. This includes pieces between 1 - 50 pages. Design We can assist you with designing a creative book cover for distribution online and bookstores. Whether it is graphic design or illustration. Hampton can help you with your needs. Event Planning Do you need assistance with planning and implementing a professional book signing? We can help you with planning your next book signing or author related event. The company has had much success with planning these events and has received a wealth of positive comments regarding the type of programming and activities implemented. Consulting Consult with us about writing workshops, press releases, steps in becoming published, promoting your work, and how to make your name a household name.
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Books Other Services You are more than welcome to contact our company about other possible services, which may not be included in this magazine. Some of our successful partnerships or events: Children’s Book Festival, Voice My Choice Youth Political Event, It’s A Book Celebration, Dead Wrong Book Signing.
Readings
Festivals
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This Magazine was sponsored by The Social Exchange Group, Rahway Girlz Publishing, Author LaDonna Marie Books, LLC, Zora Nelson, & Lady Calla’s Children’s Book Club For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Hampton Publishing House, LLC
Hampton Publishing House, LLC
P.O. Box 1254, Union, NJ 07083 Follow us at Instagram.com/HamptonPublishingHouse, Https:www.Facebook.com/HamptonPublishingHouse and Twitter.com/Hampton_Publish ME! Magazine