It was hard but I largely stayed away from poetry when i was writing (especially during editing) Not A Monolith. I wanted to find my voice in my debut poetry book and i know i have the tendency to “sponge”! But once I published, i made a commitment to explore all types of poetry and it’s been a pleasure seeing all the different ways people reflect the world. So as we enter 2025, i encourage the book world to leave a little more space for poetry because i’m telling you it’s on the rise 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 As always thanks to all purchasing Not A Monolith! Good news, i am officially out of the probation period which means i can take more than 50 orders a day 😭😭😭 #poetrybook #poetrylover #blackafbooktok #poet #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #viraltiktok

Replying to @vocallyceara allow me to reintroduce myself my name is Shantasja Naomi Laing, Proud poet of Not A Monolith. Thank you to over 26k followers . I believe each and everyone of you have helped push the reach of this page. I thought it’d be nice to share a little bit more about me ☀️ clearly didn’t have a script so i might do this again 😭😭😭 #introvideo #booktok #indieauthor #poetrybook #supportlocal #viraltiktok

Can i be vunerable for a minute. I really dont like reading my poems. This is probably my 30th take, no exaggeration… but as i sat outside ready to record, i sorta mindlessly opened to this page and thought this is hella timely 🤣 The Breaking Point, that’s where a lot of people are finding themselves and that’s where a lot of black people have already been. As we all anxiously await another 🍊 presidency, increased censorship, bans and hardships. We all should be asking ourselves, is this really living? Furthermore, how do we build back our communities and take back our collective lives from the hands of dishonest companies and corrupt government? What will we do when we reach the breaking point? #poetrytok #blackafbooktok #blacktiktok #fypシ #viralvideo

** i mentioned this sorta late in the video but I will be pausing sales friday-sunday because i will be out of town for the holidays** I’ll be back and running next monday! Thank you for everyone, i can’t thank you all enough. Also also as people thier copies can you show me how you’re displaying them around the house 🫶🏾 show me them bookshelves something 😭 #christmasgift #poetrytok #blackafbooktok #bookrecommendations #supportindieauthors #viralvideo

Replying to @Jess✨Mom✨ yall it’s like i know christmas is coming up but i havent even thought to use that to my advantage. Looking for a way to support but can’t buy. I understand, while there are alternative ways to get Not A Monolih (unfortunately can’t spell them out here)… you can also just help push me to new **aligned algorithms** Thank you to everyone authentically engaging… you make all the difference. 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 Road to 1k is very close #christmasgift #christmas2024 #poetrybook #supportblackwomen

**please watch full videos before engagement. I know the natural inclination is to hit all the buttons but real engagement is slow, purposeful, intentional. I know that doesn’t always go hand and hand on this app but I implore you to reflect on how you ingest content on this app. If you stuck around, this is a condensed version of the orgins of Not A Monolith🫶🏾 I started off so angry, a lot of those poems didnt make it (they were for me) but it did help give my voice somewhere to go. So to all my aspiring writers or big dreamers, if you find yourself with an idea you can’t shake… explore it and see where it goes 💞 #poetrybook #booktok #supportme #supportblackwomen #dreamscometrue #viralvideo

Hi there! I’m getting these orders out as quickly as I can. These orders will be at the post office by the time you’re seeing this🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 I’m so close to 1k book sales for my debut poetry book which is kinda insane. 🥹🥹 if i’m counting all sales, i’m at 740 sales for the year with tik tok being the bulk of that!! thank you to everyone that has been showing me so much love and support! I have so much more i want to share with you all so let’s keep growing. #blackafbooktok #poetrytok #bookish #supportblackwomen #viralvideo #voiceover

Ok I flipped the image so yall could see the cover correctly that’s why i look off lol. Anyway, want to keep it brief until i have something more to say. Thank you for all the support! Each and everyone of you are helping me get closer and closer to my dream. My big dream is to sell a million copies of Not A Monolith.My hope is that poems in this collection become a part of something much larger, a black renaissance 🫶🏾☺️ #poetrytok #bookcover #blackafbooktok #voiceover #supportindieauthors #viralvideo

Replying to @vdoesthat Hi there, i finally feel like i can talk to yall again. When my books arent in stock, i dissapear on this app even though im still active… i digress. While I have you, thank you so much for the continued support. Also big thanks for those that don’t necessarily enjoy poetry but you’re giving it a chance 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 Like i’ve been saying I see a poetry renaissance so to speak in the near furture so thank you for supporting this little indie poet 🫶🏾 #poetry #poetrytok #blackafbooktok #booktok #supportblackwomen #fyp #indieauthor #viralvideo

I cant promise readings will become a regular thing but i tried to do right by my the first poem of Not A Monolith, The Sun is on my payroll. As I said in a previous video, I was so proud of this poem that I wanted to actually share it!!! This is a big deal when you’ve spent most of your life keeping your poems close to your chest. I’m so proud of where Not A Monolith is heading and I love sharing the journey with everyone 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 #poetry #poemreading #blackafbooktok #poemstiktok #supportblackwomen