LaToya Geter

Love Caused The Blind To See is the first book I published as an independent author. Before I was an independent author, I was a traditionally published author. Due to not having the funds to continue my writing career as a trad author, I started to learn about independent publishing. I was more determined than inspired to complete Love Caused The Blind To See because it was the first book I self-published.

No, I only wanted to publish a book. I was going to take my first book, which is The Recipe Of A Godly Woman, home and put it on the shelf or the table. My publisher at the time encouraged me to do more with my book, and so I ventured out into the literary world to see what it had to offer.

This milestone reminds me of when I went to a local library and first saw the name of the author who inspired me to move forward with my genre. Her name is E.N. Joy. Now, my book is on a shelf, and a young, aspiring female author may pick it up and feel inspired to write in the genre.

Re’Nique Publishing provides authentic and effective publishing guidance to aspiring authors, new authors, and evolving authors built on individualism, integrity, and realistic outcomes.

The most rewarding part of helping other authors bring their stories to life is hearing the excitement in their voices once they complete the publishing process and receive their books in their hands.

I am a Christian. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, my faith has inspired my writing journey because I can be honest and say, in 2014, when I started to write African American Christian Fiction, it was not a choice of mine. I write in the genre because God chose me to use the spiritual gift of writing to help other servants keep unity in the body of Christ.

In April of 2024, I lost my dad, my stepfather, who had been in my life since I could remember. I have no recollection of having lived with my biological father. I shared that because I am now the only living person in my immediate family. My mother passed away on March 3, 2013. Her mother, my maternal grandmother, passed away on September 26, 2014. My parents and grandmother supported me in everything. Their support fuels me to continue living out the legacy they worked so hard to build. I am their legacy. It is imperative that I live my life as a woman of class with grace for others, determined to make a positive and everlasting impact in the Kingdom of God.

Starting out as an independent author, funding to publish more books was challenging. I believe God sends you people to get you where He needs you to be. I overcame the financial challenge by asking an author about her process of publishing books every month. I learned the information she gave me. I began to self-publish books with the money I had. A second challenge was divorce. I was contemplating divorce when I began my career as an independent author. While contemplating divorce, I was reunited with a friend. This friend helped me understand that I can be a significant other and do whatever I wanted to do in this world. This was important because my spouse felt I needed to slow down. Yes, my friend wanted to pursue more than a friendship with me. When I rejected him by saying, “I’m probably too busy” for a relationship, he stated, “I have things to do too!” He expressed spouses who complain about their significant others doing what makes them happy don’t have things to do. After finalizing the divorce, my friend swooped me up! I was not purchasing my books at the time. I was publishing book after book. Writing was helping me battle the struggles in my marriage. My friend started to purchase my books. His actions showed me that he cared about my writing. I didn’t have to slow down with him. My friend became supportive of my writing career. My friend is now my husband, Deddrick McElroy. My husband provides for us so that I can focus on my career as an independent author. It feels amazing to be a wife and an author!

Every year, I look forward to the Speak Up Sis Awards in Augusta, Georgia. The sponsor of the awards is the Speak Up Sis Magazine. Angel Charmaine Wright is the editor-in-chief of the Speak Up Sis Magazine. She is also the founder and owner of Speak Up Sis LLC. The Speak Up Sis Awards is where I received genuine recognition for my success as an independent author. I was one of the top 5 inaugural finalists in the author of the year category at the 2023 Speak Up Sis Awards. Although I did not win the trophy, I returned in 2024 as an awards committee member. On September 7, 2025, I returned as the chairperson of the awards. Angel presented me with the Founder’s Heart Certificate of Honor! This honor is better than any trophy! Why? Well, before the Speak Up Sis Awards, I met Angel in 2018. We were two authors on a mission to get our books in the hands of women. This is my most memorable experience because it is one of growth that I feel and recognize with a woman who looks like me and who is doing what God truly called her to do. I needed to see another independent author writing for God.

I balance Re’Nique Publishing Bookstore and More, Re’Nique Publishing, and my writing career by pushing forward with a purpose. I believe in taking leaps of faith. Renting the space for my bookstore was a tremendous leap! Very rewarding for me. It helped me to understand that if I trust God with building a business, He will take care of that too! I believe in doing what I can at the moment because other moments will come for me to do more. I don’t take every client as it pertains to publishing. Re’Nique Publishing is not for every author. I am always writing. I write in my heart and mind, so it is easy to transfer my thoughts to paper.

The advice that I would give someone who has “publish a book” on their bucket list is to first erase “bucket list” and write “God’s Assignments for Me.” If they can’t write “God’s Assignments,” then they aren’t ready to publish a book. I have the word “bucket list” in my bio on websites, etc., because that was my thought at the time I published “The Recipe Of A Godly Woman.” I am transparent about my transformation. Once I started writing for God and rededicated my life, I realized publishing was not on my bucket list! Writing is what God had planned for me before I knew it.

I hope women who claim to be saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit stop judging the trying woman who is a single mother who had a baby out of wedlock, works two jobs, one being at a gentleman’s club, and is attractive to the single pastor! The above is life! Cruel women can be found in church. Those women or someone in the church may have damaged the woman who doesn't go to church. I ultimately hope that after reading The Recipe Of A Godly Woman, mothers come together to hear their hurting daughters, friends stick together when all seems lost, single women don’t give up on love and pastors love despite what members of the church think or say.

My writing process doesn’t really bother Ace, my boy dog. He helps create a calm environment to write in. He will lie at my feet or near my office chair when I am on my computer. Charlie, my girl dog does not like my laptop or my computer. She is always jumping on my lap or bringing me a toy. Her actions help me in self-care. I realize that I must step away from writing to enjoy the other aspects of life as well. Including their presence.

I am now an author coach and publishing advisor, which means Re’Nique Publishing is offering these services. Interested authors can email info@reniquepublishing.com for more details.

I have been with AllAuthor since 2020. I believe I found you all by scrolling the web for author-friendly sites. The website is very helpful! I will continue to be a member for as long as you all are running! LOL! I enjoy the perks and benefits! Especially being able to email followers about new releases! AllAuthor was the first to introduce me to book mockups via the magic tool! I consider the website to be one of the valid measuring tools I use to monitor the success of my books. Keep up the good work! You all are appreciated!