Tell us a little bit about your childhood and what led you to start writing.
The saying that it takes a village to raise a child is 100% accurate where it comes to my life. I was raised primarily by my grandmother with special contributions from my mom and her siblings. I stayed very close to her skirt in that she and I were inseparable. My grandmother was a writer, and I was a dreamer hence she encouraged me to let my thoughts out and put them in writing or draw them. I subsequently wrote my first book when I was either in the second or third grade. There’s a hilarious story about that book that I’ll share at another time.
Who were some of your author role models as a child and how do you think they have shaped your writing?
While I’ve published three books myself and have helped others publish theirs, I don’t consider myself an author. I consider myself a writer instead. That's important to note because it lends credence to my Aunt Tracii. I believe that she majored in Professional English in Undergrad but that was a long time ago so please don’t quote me on that. Aunt Tracii never wrote a book that I know of, but she writes often and teaches others how to write in being an ELA Teacher. Moving along, what you can quote me on is that she molded me into a writer when I was younger. She did so by reading the various pieces that I wrote [E.g. book reports, term papers, etc.] provided constructive criticism where I requested it. But not only that, she often provided constructive criticism where it wasn’t desired, like she would literally take my journal, read it, and provide feedback on things. She did so with a red pen that completely infuriated me. I didn't appreciate what she was doing at the time, but I totally understand and appreciate all of her efforts now. Aunt Tracii was teaching me the rules for writers that couldn’t be found in textbooks. I appreciate those lessons moreso now because they are the foundation of who I am as a writer today.
Aunt Tracii has volunteered herself to be the editor for my literary offerings, but I abjectly refuse her overtures due to being traumatized by her red pen, LOL. It would be worthwhile for me to get over myself largely because she’s the best writer and editor that I’ve ever seen. While that’s the case I just can’t get over the trauma of that red pen. It’s like I’m a bull and she and that pen are my matador in that regard, LOL. Notwithstanding, she tells me that she assures me that she uses different color pens today in dealing with her students these days. As such, any commentary that she offered in my literary pieces would likely be in green, purple, blue, etc. But nope, I don’t trust her particularly with my knowing that she has a particular affinity for all things red with her being a member of Delta Sigma Theta, LOL. While I refuse her help, I’m so very proud to say that my Auntie is my muse and giving her flowers in that regard. But not only that, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her current ELA Students. Perhaps they’ll be playwriters or internationally best-selling authors who will credit her for teaching them the true rules for writers as she did me.
What are some ways in which your family and friends have shown their support for your career?
One friend in particular, Genesis Amaris Kemp often tells me that our stories aren’t for us to keep. She says that they’re in fact for someone else. Those individuals can identify with us because they have similar ordeals and circumstances in life yet they’re struggling to find their way through. Sharing our stories gives them a framework for seeing their way through while simultaneously letting them know that they aren’t alone in their struggles. In that sense she along with various other friends and family frequently encourage me to dig deeper and keep writing. But not only that, they have introduced me to various platforms and influencers where I can share my stories to elevate them. That’s in fact, how I found out about AllAuthor.
What was the motivating force that made you start, finish, and publish your first book?
My daughter, Haelee was the central motivating factor in publishing my first book. That book is entitled The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold. The story recounts traumatic experiences that she and I lived through while sharing how we became one another’s hero in the process. But before I get to that Haelee went first in publishing her self-help book entitled, The Rules of a Big Boss: A book of self-love on June 25, 2020. She shared how she overcame depression, anxieties, and betrayal to help not only herself heal but others as well. I met two fellow authors and podcasters by way of Haelee. To be specific they interviewed her on their platforms. In doing so, they said something to the effect that she was so very wise for her age and that they were floored by her resilience and testimony. Having said that, they told her that they’d like to talk to me to gain additional perspective. After hearing my side of things, they told me that I needed to write my own book and that they would assist me in doing so if I was willing. I started writing The Unexpected Journey in concert with Haelee in November of 2020 and published it on March 5, 2021. Shanique Davis held true to her word in helping me publish it in serving as my editor. Genesis Amaris Kemp helped me push past my pains and traumas of reliving the events that transpired in the book by keeping me encouraged throughout the writing process and each day thereafter.
How did you come up with the idea of your book, Telemedicine Services? Were any of the events in the three books inspired by real life?
Telemedicine Services: An Argument for Use in Africa, Haiti, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Healthcare Systems is not my book as in I’m not the author of it. Dr. Hugues Fidele Batsielilit is the actual author of said book. I am credited as his compiler and editor in publishing it. Dr. Batsielilit is the founder of International Consulting Aid Network (ICAN). ICAN is a 501c3 registered non-profit whose mission is to enhance health promotion and awareness in rural and urban areas, donate health equipment, and improve the birth survival rates and welfare of African families. Everything stated within this book is based on actual events and his own independent research.
Have you ever created a character that you felt particularly attached to?
Yes I have. That character is a caricature of me. He will be revealed with the release of my upcoming book, Dear Daughter: A Love Story.
Was your daughter Haelee the first person to get the first copy of "Dear Daughter"?
While it’s finalized, Dear Daughter has not been officially launched yet. It’s scheduled for release this Valentines Weekend. My daughter, Haelee and my illustrator, Arsalan Khan are the only people to have received a copy of the book to date. Haelee was first because I chose her as my hand selected editor in lieu of Aunt Tracii or Shanique. But not only that, the book is moreso for her than anyone hence she should very well have been the first person to receive a copy. The true magic of it all is giving her the gift of not only love but trust in the publication of the book. The trust is in her being my editor.
What was your reaction when "The Rules of a Little Boss" became a finalist in the 2021 Independent Author Network Book of the Year?
The Rules of a Little Boss is not my book as in I’m not the author of it. I was in fact the editor and compiler of said book. My then 13-year-old daughter, Haelee, is the actual author of this literary offering. I was simply her editor, formatter, and compiler. Mere words can’t begin to express how proud I am of her due to the fact that she’s a straight A student, small business owner, and published author at the tender age of 14-years-old. Those things in and of themselves are experiences that many adults can’t say that they’ve ever had. Her being a finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Contest was literally the icing on the cake for me. I resultantly went the extra mile to ensure that she was celebrated and congratulated after receiving word of her accomplishment on November 14, 2021. In other words, I went the extra mile to ensure that she received everything that she wanted for Christmas.
Do you listen to your own motivational talks when you feel low?
No I don’t largely because I have unfortunately tuned out my own voice over time. I instead listen to gospel music, read my Bible, or listen to podcasts from inspirational people like my good friend Genesis Amaris Kemp when I’m feeling low.
How do you manage being a Chief Operating Officer of The Rules of a Big Boss LLC along with writing books?
My daughter Haelee is the CEO and Founder of the company. We do everything by way of a genuine partnership. She’s the boss while I’m her employee but not only that, we’re best buddies. I have strength where she has blind spots and vice versa but not only that, the both of us are receptive to constructive criticism. With that being the case, we operate pretty effectively in taking care of the various things that need to be done. I pray that it always remains that way.
What are some common traps that a lot of new authors fall into and what did you do to avoid or get out of them?
One of the most prevalent traps that new authors fall into is signing publishing agreements with vanity publishers. Proceeding as such can lead to any myriad of issues for them to include signing over the rights to their own stories or worse yet their owing money to the publisher after publishing their book. With respect to the latter, they don’t receive any royalties from their book sales because they’re operating in the red. I avoided said traps because I thankfully have a background in developing and managing contracts at the federal level. With that being the case, I know full well to look for in reading legally binding agreements. What’s more, I took the initiative in speaking with a myriad of other authors to gather their collective lessons learned prior to publishing.
If you could turn back the block to ten years ago, is there anything you would like to change in any of your books if it meant more success?
Everything that happened yesterday happened exactly as God intended for it to happen today. With that being the case, I wouldn’t change anything because everything happened in accordance with His perfect will and plan.
Where do you think you would be today if you weren't an author?
As I said before, I don’t consider myself an author but a writer. Notwithstanding, to answer the question, I would remain what I am today and that’s being a parent. I call myself a parent as opposed to dad because I have been raising her by myself since she was 2 years old. She’s 14 now as I previously prefaced. At any rate, being her parent and her dad is the title that I will forever hold most dear.
Is there anything new that you're working on? When can we expect the next book to come out?
Dear Daughter: A Love Story is an expressive story that reveals my heart through a series of short love letter to my daughter, Haelee. I wrote this story not only for her but for daughters across the world. I wrote it to let them know that I love each one of them through an extension of Haelee. This book is scheduled for release this Valentine’s Day Weekend.
But not only that, I’m working on a book for boys as well. This book will be my fourth literary offering. It will specifically cater towards boys that are growing up without their fathers. I’m not ready to share specifics on it as of yet due to it still being a concept. I’m planning to share more details in the next few months in anticipation of a Summer 2022 release.
When did you join AllAuthor and what are your thoughts on this website?
My good friend and fellow author Genesis Amaris Kemp is a member of the platform. She figured that I would see the value add in the platform hence she referred me to it and she was right. I was absolutely enamored with it in seeing how you could make new contacts and the various tools contained within for authors particularly those that have a premium subscription.
