GangTales™️ Publications – The Independent Underground Railroad For Books
With a passion for writing and wanting to connect with others, Stanley E. “Babyface” James II decided to do more than write his own stories and poems; he founded his very own publishing company. After growing up as a former gang member in Long Beach, CA, James founded GangTales™️ Publications in 2017 and began selling his books.
GangTales™️ Publications’ mission is to be an “independent publishing company that gives its authors 100% ownership of their creative work.”
James added that he envisions his company being known worldwide “as the Independent Underground Railroad For Books that don’t get the same privileges or spotlight as those from the big [five] publishing houses.”
According to James, he founded GangTales™️ Publications independently with money he had saved prior. The business officially opened its doors at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many independent companies took off the ground.
Books Published by GangTales™️ Publications
To date, GangTales™️ Publications has published 19 books by eight authors, including James himself. Some titles include:
- Travon Edwards – ‘Project Baby’
- James Soil – ‘Addicted’
- Taee Jaxx – ‘In The Family’ ‘In The Family 2’
- Major Shepherd-El – ‘Stunt Pullers’ & ‘Thoughts From The Bottom’
- Gigi Blanco – ‘Bliss After The Storm’
- Eduardo Reyes – ‘Love Sex Intimacy And Understanding’
- Stanley E. James II & Keshia Williams – ‘Escobar’s Revenge.’ ‘True 2 The Streets’
- Stanley E. James II – ‘Tears From A Fallen Angel,’ ‘Skin & Bones,’ ‘Sky’s The Limit,’ ‘UpTown Renaissance (The Revolution Will Not Be Televised),’ and ‘Shakespeare In Long Beach.’ ‘The Bust’ (LiveByTheGunDieByTheGun)
Publishing With GangTales™️ Publications
According to James, “some new fresh faces from around the world [will] be dropping under the company” soon. He also explained part of the publishing process.
“We have a team of submission reviewers who handle the review process. Authors can email their first three chapters along with a bio to stanspenclub@gmail.com for submission entries.”
Looking to the future, James also shared that sequels to ‘Project Baby’ by Travon Edwards and ‘In the Family’ by Taee Jaxx are set to release later this year. Poet Eduardo Reyes also hosts monthly poetry workshops and spoken word events in Long Beach, CA.
Moreover, GangTales™️ Publications books sell “pretty much… anywhere and everywhere,” James said, including Amazon and eBay. Readers may also purchase signed copies through the business’s Instagram.
“We’re currently working on a deal to be stocked at [four] airports here in Southern California,” James added. “I’ve started selling my first 50k books straight from the trunk of my car like Master P, JT Bigga Figga, Too Short, and Big Face! [And] we have GangTales™️ books in all public libraries and some independently-owned bookstores that we as publishers and authors must keep alive!”
GangTales™️ Publications Challenges and Goals
Through developing and managing his publishing company, James shared that he had to overcome several challenges.
“Some of the challenges I faced early on [included] building a solid and loyal team from the ground up [and] learning the business of the book industry with little to no prior college education as well as resources in law entertainment compared to my counterparts,” he said.
James also added that he had to overcome “networking and maneuvering through good and bad deals as well as fake friendships and crooked smiles.”
“I’ve dealt with many challenges already independently and those that I’ve once helped,” he said.
Moreover, James shared that he has several big goals for GangTales™️ Publications. In particular, he said he wants “to be able to attain authors from my roster on the New York Times’ Bestsellers list” and “to give back just as much as we receive to the low-income communities that stayed loyal with unmatched support.”
James also wants to turn some of the books published by his company into films and series, help intertwine hip-hop with urban literature, and set up scholarships for young writers to help pay for their college education.
Additionally speaking about his personal goals, James said he intends to be a New York Times Bestseller. In addition, he also eventually wants to break into TV writing and show production. And he’s currently finishing two projects: his next novel, ‘Bottom Bytch’ and his second complete collection of poems, ‘Teardrops & Tattoos.’ James plans to release both this summer.
Travon Edwards and ‘Project Baby’
In August 2020, Stanley James II partnered with Travon Edwards to publish a book called ‘Project Baby.’
According to James, he met Edwards about ten years ago through street gang activities as once-rival enemies who formed an unlikely friendship. “He’s from 20 Crip, I’m from [Four] Corner Bloc Crip; I’m from the Northside while he’s from the east,” he said.
Per an ABC 7 article, James noticed Edwards trying to sell his own books on the street, and they connected over their love of writing.
When asked what inspired the book, James said, “[Edwards] actually wanted to write a book about the upcoming gangs rising in the south. Since he recently moved to Deltona, Florida, as there’s a set of 20s out there!”
James and Edwards have remained friends while James focuses on publishing more books, and Edwards managed his own vegan catering business in Florida. [ABC 7]
‘Project Baby’ Synopsis
The book’s description of ‘Project Baby’ states:
“This story is about a young biracial girl named Desirae. [She] and her sister Kim struggled to fit in; they were too white for the Black kids but too ratchet for the white kids. In an attempt to fit in with the project kids, Desirae and Kim join the neighborhood gang, the Insane Garfield Crips. The leader of the gang had a soft spot for young Desirae and used his influence over her to sleep with her. Their relationship flourished, and money came in faster than they could spend. After Desirae’s man gets locked up for a shooting, she and her sister Kim take control of the gang. In each chapter, Desirae describes an entire year of what her life is like being a Crip gang member,” (‘Project Baby’ synopsis).
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About Stanley James II
Life and Experiences
Discussing his life growing up in Long Beach, CA, James shared that he “grew up similar to the movies Boyz N The Hood and a Bronx Tale.”
“I had [the] best of both worlds. Born in the 90s grew up in the 00s. I started hustling at the early age of 12 while I saved the majority of my money and still have the first $100 bill I was given,” he said. “Growing up in long beach for me was unlike any other normal young Black boy coming of age maneuvering in a city filled with drugs, guns, and gangs.”
When asked if he’s encountered any misconceptions from others when talking with people about his story and experiences with his company, he said it’s happened “several times.”
“All I can say is “Never judge a book by its cover! [People] see me, gold necklaces [and] tattoos, [and] automatically cross the street or hug their purses. [That is] until after I hold the door for them and hold conversations, they leave with a different perception and a smile on their face while they’ll either downloading or purchasing my book.”
Community Involvement
James also continually finds positive ways to interact and engage with his local community through his business.
“We have book signings, book workshops, beach bashes, [and] book readings; pretty much everything that involves good books mixed with good vibes,” he said. “We’re looked at as an urban record label as we all move like rockstars. You’ll be surprised how many autographs the authors sign daily.”
Lessons Learned
Moreover, James shared the lessons he learned through his experiences.
“Networking and having great partners [and] mentors in your phone is worth more than any amount of fame. I have several New York Times bestsellers [and] literary agents as mentors and those that give me million dollars worth of game,” he said. “Always put your own money up if you want to be the boss is the main thing! I’m just like a sponge that absorbs game and gems from those I see myself in by any means necessary.”
The Journey
Discussing his favorite park about the work he’s doing, James said, “Really seeing the true results in helping authors change their lives financially, bringing in resources, and inspirationally coming from the backgrounds and lack of resources we commonly share.”
When asked about his journey starting his business and getting to this point in his life, he said it’s been “very interesting and cost spending but fun and exciting at the same time to say the least. Like Nipsey Hussle said, “It’s a marathon.”
After coming into the game independently, James said that seeing just how far he’s come only makes him more hyped for how far he still has to go.
“We’re going to be around for the next century!”
#GetinMotion with GangTales™️ Publications
To help support GangTales™️ Publications, check out the published books and consider purchasing one. If you do, make sure to write a review on Amazon or perhaps even make a video review for Instagram or TikTok!
“Always recommending is the best way of supporting,” James said. “GangTales™️ Publications For The Next 💯 Years!”
Learn more on GangTales™️ Publications’s website, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
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