8/17/2025

My Author Journey:The Highs, The Lows, and What’s Next

Welcome back to Mind The Typos! It feels great to finally be writing here again after nearly a year-long hiatus. A lot has happened—book signings, conventions, new projects, personal challenges, and fresh beginnings—and I’m excited to catch you up on the journey.

1. On the Road with Blackguard – Events, pop-ups, cons, and selling out in Vegas

This past year has been one wild ride. From book signings and cons to podcast appearances and pop-ups, I’ve had the chance to meet some amazing vendors, artists, and readers who continue to keep me motivated. I’ve been pushing Blackguard: Way of the Askari harder than ever, and the response has been incredible. At the Front Row Card Show in Vegas at the Rio Hotel, I even sold out completely—which blew me away. Books, shirts, and other Blackguard merch were moving, and that momentum sparked the idea to expand the world into something bigger: a trading card game called Blackguard Battlegrounds TCG, and even a prequel comic, Blackguard: Echoes of Defiance, which is now officially in the works.

2. When Life Hit Hard – The personal struggles and setbacks that paused the journey

But as life tends to do, it threw me a heavy curveball. Toward the end of last year, I faced a devastating personal situation when my marriage fell apart due to betrayal from two people I cared deeply about. From October through February, I was derailed—angry, hurt, heartbroken, and exhausted. At that same time, I was working 80 hours a week between three different employers, barely sleeping, sacrificing my health and time for my family. It was one of the darkest stretches I’ve faced.

3. Turning Pain into Art – Writing Flawed King and sharing raw, honest poetry

Slowly though, I started piecing myself back together. Out of that pain came Flawed King, a rap-lyric-inspired poetry collection written from the deepest and rawest parts of my soul, reflecting on the last five years of my life. Its release culminated with a book launch and signing party at the end of April 2025 at the Sisha Room Hookah Lounge in downtown Pomona. Seeing people come out to support meant the world to me.

4. New Ventures & Creative Sparks – Launching Speaks to Memes, podcasts, and live showcases

I’ve also branched out into other projects—launching a T-shirt brand called Speaks to Memes, where I flip funny memes and pics from social media into wearable jokes. On top of that, I’ve been getting back into podcasts and showcases again. Recently, I was a guest on the Smoking with Sdot Podcast where I dove deep into the Blackguard saga. I also hit the XZBT Showroom in Fullerton for a pop-up and artist showcase, selling books and shirts while connecting with some really cool creators. I even performed poetry at a late-night comedy/rap artist showcase—something I haven’t done since I was much younger.

5. What’s Next for Blackguard & Beyond – Upcoming projects, faith, and future plans

Looking ahead, I know things won’t be easy. I’m still going through a separation and divorce, and financially, times are tough. But I’m staying focused on pushing forward. My faith has grown stronger through all of this, and I plan to share that journey in the future.

For now, the script for Blackguard: Echoes of Defiance is finished, and the artist is already working on the first three pages. Blackguard Battlegrounds TCG is close to having solid gameplay mechanics locked in, and once I do, I’ll be setting up a GoFundMe and seeking an artist for card designs. The outline for Book 2 of the saga, The Exiled Path, is also done, and I’ve already written the prologue and some of the opening chapters.

I’ve got more podcasts, book signings, and conventions planned, and I’m hoping to get back into growing my YouTube and reviewing books again.

And hey, if you’ve made it this far—thanks for riding with me through the highs, the lows, and yes… the typos (because this is Mind The Typos, after all 😅). To everyone who has supported me, shown love, or just stuck by my side through the chaos—thank you. Truly. This journey isn’t easy, but with your support, I’m able to keep going. The story is still being written, and I can’t wait to share what’s next. Make sure to follow @mindthtypos on Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and Threads for updates, laughs, and whatever madness I create next.