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Books by Thomas Long
Reflections of My Soul
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Papa Don't Preach /
A Thug's Life /
Cash Rules /
Around the Way Girls
DVD:
4 Life ( a film based on the novel
A Thug's Life)
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Bio-Sketch
Thomas Long is a 29-year-old
[2004], single Black male who resides in Baltimore,
Maryland. He graduated from Morgan State University in 1996, with a B.A. degree
in Sociology. He is currently enrolled as a graduate school student at the
University of Baltimore, majoring in Legal and Ethical Studies. Professionally,
the author is employed as an Addictions Program Specialist with a private agency
in Maryland that deals primarily with drug addicted clients who are under the
supervision of the criminal justice system.
Some of his hobbies include
weightlifting, playing basketball, listening to music (hip-hop, soul, and jazz),
and creative writing (poetry, fiction, and short stories). He lists writers such
as Michael Baisden, Eric Jerome Dickey, Karl Weber, Nikki Giovanni, Langston
Hughes, and Haki Madhubuti among his primary influences in the literary field.
Mr. Long began writing poetry as a teenager as a way to express his frustration
over the self-destructive behavior (drugs, crime, poverty) he witnessed growing
up in the inner city of Baltimore.
Reflections of My Soul
is his
first published literary work and features a collection of the author’s most
intimate poetry selections.
He is presently working on his second book, yet to
be named, which will explore his own personal views on intimate relationships as
well as propose dating tips for women in the new millennium. In addition, Mr.
Long is the CEO of his own publishing company, XSL Publishing,
which he plans to use a vehicle to self-publish his works as well as those of
many up and coming writers.
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Closing Thoughts of Reflections of My Soul
By Thomas Long
I am a firm believer that one's artistic
works should mirror or be an expression of his/her life experiences and
frame of thought. I hope that after reading my poetry, you have gained a
deeper understanding and insight into the mindset of a young Black male
attempting to reach full maturity in the face of various life obstacles.
I encourage any parent who has a child who shows an inclination toward
art in any form (acting, music, writing, sports, etc.) to allow that
child to pursue his/her passion without hindrance. I say this because I
have seen so many young people who, if given the right motivation at
home, could have gone on to achieve greatness in life, but instead their
existence has been wasted away in the inner city in a tangled world of
crime and self-destruction.
It is my duty as a living survivor of this same circle of
dysfunctional social behavior to impart the knowledge and insight I have
been given on to others. It is important to me to show all sides of my
life story (pain, tragedy, and triumph) to give the reader a clearer
picture of the evolution that has taken place within me in my lifelong
quest for self-mastery and a self-identity. Although I have come a long
way in my journey, I still have much further to go to reach the apex of
my potential. this book is just a small piece of me that I have given to
the world for you to dissect and there is much more to come!!!!! *
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posted 4/21/04 |
