I just wanted to share my thoughts on my experience as a first time independent author. I released my nonfiction book titled “100 Years: A Journey to End a Vicious Cycle” in February of 2015. Within this book I shared the many mistakes that I’ve made during my teenage years. I shared my experience of being in prison also. I then went on to share the reality of how my family collectively wasted more than one hundred years in prison. I thought that this story is worthy to be heard and could help prevent others from going down the same path. I now see that being an independent author takes a lot of work, patience and touch skin. I am scheduled to have my second Book Sign at the Public Library in Montgomery, Alabama on Friday March 15, 2015. I plan to do a few things different such as include prizes and giveaways. I am also open to speaking to troubled youth or at risk teenagers concerning the dangers of drugs, the streets, and any criminal behavior. My goal is to make a positive difference in our society. I am glad that I took the independent route to publish my book. I have learned a lot during this process. I plan on writing my full experience concerning the challenges of getting my book on bookshelves. Currently my book is available on Amazon.com, BookAMillion.com, BarnesAndNobles.com, Kindle Ebook, Nook Ebook and my website http://www.journey100years.com. I am open to any advice or words of encouragement. Thank you for listening. The process continues.

Stop waiting for others to do things for us that we can do ourselves. There are times in life when we must take the initiative by stepping out on faith and doing things. I am the author of the independently released book “100 Years: A Journey to End a Vicious Cycle.” This is a true story of how one family wasted more than one hundred years in prison. I then share my journey on ending this cycle within my family and I’m reaching out to prevent others from experiencing the same thing. I invested a few years into this project and I’m currently available on #Amazon.com in paperback, #Kindle #Ebook, and on my website http://www.journey100years.com. I am currently in the process of getting my book in bookstores. Without taking the initiative to start on this manuscript, none of this would be possible. I also believe that this #Book will help those who read it. I would like to use my book in some of the community outreach programs within some of our inner cities. My goal is to shed light on the cycle of prison in our society and some of the behaviors that lead us there. Best wishes to everyone! You can contact me by email at mark100years@yahoo.com

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to remind everyone that dreams do come true. I made a lot of mistakes in my life. During my teenage years I started using and selling drugs. My academics in school declined to the point to where I gave up on any hope of being successful through working on a job. I then redirected my energy towards surviving on the streets. As a result of living the life of a street hustler, I ended up going to prison. After serving a two-year sentence, I continued the same lifestyle. Within a years, I was back in prison for drugs offenses again. During this sentence a saw more than a decade pass before being released in 2004. I took responsibility for the many mistakes that I’ve made in my past. I have been on a journey to make the best of the rest of my life. I now work with troubled teenagers. I recently earned another college degree. Now, I want to share the news that I just released my first nonfiction book that is now available on Amazon in paperback format and on Kindle ebooks.  This is a dream come true for me. I invested the last several years pouring out my heart and soul into this manuscript in order to make a difference in our society. The book “100 Years, A Journey to End a Vicious Cycle” is a true story of how my family wasted more than one hundred years in prison. This took place in one family because of the choices that were made. I understand that this is a problem that extended to our community as well as society as a whole. There are a number with multiple family members in prison or who’ve been in prison. My hope is to make a difference within my family, in the community as well as society. Many years ago I was told that my life was done. I am here as a living testimony, that my life now has meaning and purpose. I would like to encourage everyone to reach for your goals in life. As long as your alive, there is always hope! Thank you for reading this post.