Myunique C. Green's Blog, page 12

The Book Report: Roald Dahl's The Twits

Known as one of the world’ greatest storytellers, Roald Dahl has produced great literary works of fiction. One of my childhood favorites, The Twits, is sure to bring a smile to your beginner readers. It’s a light-hearted and fun read for the whole family.

Don’t be Bitter, Okay?

Today marks the official start of the Bitter pre-sale! I’m so happy to bring this to you all.

This is my first Psychological Thriller release and I had so much fun writing it; I think of all the genres I’ve written across, Mystery & Thriller have been my favorite. So, I think of this as kind of a return-to-form.

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I know I’ve mentioned before my hiatus from Nonfiction and just wanting to develop something entertaining for a while. Consignment was birthed a few months ago and now Bitter.

Since Bitter the first of its kind as far as genres, I’m also doing something a little different and making it Exclusively available on the new iWriteBooks Publishing book store. Both in digital and print. I’ll talk more about the new exclusive content later though.

But, you didn’t come here to see me! You came here for Bitter.

So, here’s the very first look inside my new thriller. Included in this sample is a discount code, and a bonus excerpt. I’ve also linked the new book store for easy access.

Bitter_SampleDownload



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Let it Shine: Hiya Sarma

This week, I’m honored to feature, award-winning author, Hiya Sarma!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Writing came to me as a blessing when I was facing my lowest and hardest times back in 2013. I didn’t realize my writing made sense until people started telling me that they connect and I should at least share my writings on social media.

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Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far. 
I write poetry about almost anything and everything that touches my heart.  I had started as a very how do say it below average writer. Who would just pen down her darkest emotions and thoughts.. It all started from there and now I write about me, people around me, nature, and at times poems and quotes that motivate. Not that I’m a very good writer.. but I keep trying.

Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.
My pen name or rather pseudonym is hiyasays.  Not exactly pseudo since my nickname is Hiya..  but also the meaning behind f my Pseudonym is “as the heart says”. And I think it’s apt for how and what I write.

What genre do you write and why?
Is Poetry a genre?? I don’t know.  And in poetry.. I don’t choose a fixed genre.. I write about everything that I can..

What are you currently working on?
I have just published my second book on October 2019. And I’m now trying to compile a third one. A collection of poetry again.

What inspired you to write? 

My own life., and the dark pit hole I was in at that point of time in 2013 made me start writing. I wouldn’t say it was an inspiration. But it came as a rescue to me.

What are your top 5 favorite books?
You Can Win by Shiv Khera, Harry Potter series by JK Rowling (I know! I know it is clichéd), Travels with Tessy Braun (an IG writer), The Alux Chronicles by Aluxard (again an IG writer), Anchoring Me by Nicole Hartley (yet again an IG writer).

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What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success to me would be when people would read my work and say.. oh! I connect to that.. and yes I’ve been there.. felt that.

How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?
I do not have a fixed routine or fixed number of writing hours. Since I have a full time job. And I write whenever a thought hits me or an emotion overpowers me.

How do you incorporate feedback into your work?
I take every kind of feedback very positively. Because it is only through feedback ls one can get better at their art. So I try to work on whatever flaws get pointed out. And errors get shown to me by anyone.

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What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?
Never give up. Just keep writing your heart out.

Fact: I do not know if its an interesting fact. But I just won an award for Woman Writer of the year 2020  on the 15th of February  in Chennai, India, organized by Author Pages Magazine ( a branch of Swipe Pages).

Let it Shine: Sukanya

Today, the spotlight shines on bestselling author, Sukanya!

Are you an indie author or a traditionally published author?

I’m a traditionally published author.

Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far. 

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Okay! So, I’m Sukanya, a 21-year-old multi-genre author, a film critic and book reviewer. My works have been published in various journals, magazines, and anthologies nationally and internationally including Reader’s Digest, Times of India, Sahitya Akademi Bimonthly Journal, Lucidity Int. Poetry Journal, SEAL (South East Asian Literature) festival anthologies and AIPF Int. Anthology (Austin International Poetry Festival). I have also received a number of awards; The Best Manuscript Awards for fiction & non-fiction categories (Mumbai Litofest, Literature Festival 2018) etc. My short story ‘Healing of wounds’ has been awarded a certificate of merit byNational Children’s Literature Festival led by eminent author, Ruskin Bond. My latestreleases include Mocktail and #Metoo. My movie reviews have been published in various newspapers and journals of repute like ‘Just film’ international magazine, Different truths, ‘Creation and Criticism’ISSN: 2455-9687 (A Quarterly International Peer-reviewed Refereed e-Journal Devoted to English Language and Literature) and many more. My research paper ‘Voicing of perspective through creativity – an in-depth analysis of Devika Das’s works’. has been published by ‘The Expression: An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal’, ISSN: 2395-4132 (Online)| A Peer-Reviewed Journal |Impact Factor: 3.9. I’m the only undergraduate student to be considered for a research paper published by the journal so far.

Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.

I don’t write under a pseudonym but I’d love to do that sometime in the near future

What genre do you write and why?

As I said earlier, I do not stick to one genre. But if you ask me, I love writing poetry because it helps me understand and appreciate the world around. It is as an expression of self. As they say, poetry’s strength lies in its ability to shed a passive light on the world, so the truth sneaks up on you. No question about it. Poetry teaches us how to live, also I discovered my love for writing through poetry.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on a book project with Spear, my coauthor. The book we’re working on is called “Petals and Thorns”.

What inspired you to write your books?

I began writing when I was 8. I have always been self-motivated when it comes to writing.

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Who are your top 5 favorite authors?

I got more than 5, but my favorite authors are Ruskin Bond, Agatha Christie, Perumal Murugan, Joseph Murphy and Napoleon Hill.

What does literary success look like to you?

Touching a million souls through my work.

How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?

Oh, I don’t have one. I’m an emotional writer.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it be and why?

None really, books are like babies to me. I’m happy about writing my own 

What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?

Persistence, Patience and Perseverance. The 3 P’s for success, of any kind not just writing;

Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers? 

Yes, I do:

Www.sukanyabasumallik.com

But I mostly post updates on Instagram and Facebook.

https://m.facebook.com/SukanyaBasuMallikOfficial/

https://www.instagram.com/sukanyabasumallik_official/

Let it Shine: Andrew Weaver

This week our guest author is Andrew Weaver!

Here’s a little bit about Andrew: Atlanta based Creative, Andrew Weaver, is a professional Web Designer and author of I9. Andrew’s knowledge of Emotional Intelligence shines through his writing as a 4-time author in the Personal Development field. Andrew’s mission is to build a platform that gives everyone an equal opportunity to be their best selves.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I realized I wanted to be a writer when I caught myself carrying several notebooks around at a time. Random notes, marketing strategies, prototypes, designs, and more. I just always wanted to write down ideas.

2. Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far.

My writing journey started a couple of months after graduating from high school in 2017. I published two works between August and September. The following year in the month of November, I published I9, my third title.

3. Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.

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I don’t write under a pseudonym. I actually never put any thought into doing so. I think if I were ever to switch genres, I’d use a fictitious title. I currently author personal development content, so I don’t think it would fit right now.

4. What genre do you write and why?

I currently write under the genre of Personal Development, but my niche is Emotional Intelligence. I write under this genre because it’s more of the “neglected” aspect of life that people either don’t want to discuss (openly) or don’t know how to manage. Knowing how to manage your emotions is crucial to thrive in a social environment, so I feel it’s necessary to discuss in this time of my life.

5. What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on my next title, A Look Inside, which details the “conversation” people have between their conscious and subconscious mind in daily decision making. My goal is to generate buzz around that and “republish” my older books to new audiences.

6. What inspired you to write?

I’m inspired by the fact that in today’s time, people are generally allowed to express themselves in ways that others can’t. Some people in other places are not allowed to “be themselves”, so it’s a privilege I want to take advantage of.

7. What are your top 5 favorite books?

The Richest Man in Babylon, The Entrepreneur Mind, James, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, and 64 Lessons for a Life Without Limits.

8. What does literary success look like to you?

I believe that literary success is having a purpose in every word you put on paper.

9. How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?

I don’t write as often as I would like. I actually “type” most of the time. However, I tend to get my writing spurts early on in the day. It’s usually not the first thing I do in the morning, but if I’m resting or taking a break, I’ll find some time to write.

10. How do you incorporate feedback into your work?

Once I get a solid rough draft of work I usually find beta readers who don’t mind taking a look at unfinished work and critiquing it anyways.

11. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Find a process to follow before you begin working on a project. Set goals so you have a finish line to work towards. For writing down notes, or freewriting, sort or stash them in a safe place, so you can revisit them later. That stash of ideas may be a goldmine later on.

Heads Up!

Readers can buy my book by directly contacting me on Instagram @daiilyw

Let it Shine: Jasemine Knowles

This week, I’d like to introduce you all to Nailah (Jasemine)!

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Are you an indie author or a traditionally published author?

I was signed to a publisher but went independent two years ago, and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Mostly because I love the creative freedom and having the opportunity to be hands-on, whereas under a traditional publishing company, some publishers tend to try to “change” who you are as a writer, coerce you to write in a style that isn’t authentic and true to your own, and pressure you to complete a story on deadline.  

Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far. 

My writing journey has been challenging yet totally worth it. I’ve literally wrote my way into multiple jobs where my work has spoken for me. I started out as a journalist for a local black-owned newspaper company in Houston, where I reside. Under their company, I won multiple writing awards that gave me the boost to pursue writing fiction. While I still write books, I do work in higher education at a community college part-time. I was hired as the lead writer for their student life and financial aid blogs off the strength of the hiring manager having read some of my past work at the newspaper company. It’s safe to say, this “write life” is for me.

Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.

Yes. My pen-name is Nailah. It means “successful” in Egyptian. It’s perfect because I wanted to have a name with meaning and that paralleled with my literary journey. Not to mention, I used to believe I had to hide behind a pen-name and protect my identity because I write racy, steamy, erotic tales and also work in higher education. I didn’t want to get that shameful call to the bosses office and questioned. LOL. However, I’ve since revealed to my co-workers and others at my job what I do by night and they’ve been supportive and accepting. Most have even indulged in some of my tales and enjoyed them. 

What genre do you write and why?

I write romance and erotica. I write within this genre because I have a passion for talking sex, dating, and relationships and helping women embrace their sensuality, femininity, and own their sexy. These are things I used to struggle with as a black woman who loves sex and openly talks about it (I used to run a Sex, dating, and relationship column). Can I get candid here? I used to believe sex had to be this sanctimonious act. That you had to be in a committed marriage to do it. However, as I blossomed, I began to question why women got shamed for their sensuality by both women and men, but it was socially acceptable for men to have multiple women in rotation. Honestly, Ibelieve that the way in which women view their sexuality is very problematic these days. We’ve created a conflict between those who abstain and those who indulge. There’s no middle ground. But, at the end of the day, we’re all birthed from the handy-dandy vagina. So why shame it and side-eye and bash what women decide to do with their bodies? A woman’s sexuality is valid. We shouldn’t take away from her by calling her dehumanizing slurs such as hoe, slut, whore, or any other derogatory term. And anyone who does condemn are prudes and should more than likely mind the business that pays them. 

What are you currently working on?

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I’m working on part two of Nookie for the New Year, as well as part two of an upcoming release titled Wholeheartedlythat I’ll be publishing in February. I’m really excited about this story because it’s a full-blown romance I began to write during Hurricane Harvey, which was a tropical storm that changed my life drastically. The two lovers involved love each other deeply but battle with whether they are meant to be together due to outside sources interfering. Wholeheartedly is probably the best love story I’ve ever written in my entire literary career.

What inspired you to write your books?

I’ve always been a reader. I’ve been reading since fourth grade and knew right away I wanted to work with books. Before becoming an author, I wanted to read for a living and become a publisher or a literary agent. It wasn’t until I was deep in my undergrad studying English and journalism that I realized I had a storytelling gift. More than one professor praised my work in class—often even asked permission to use my assignments as templates for their future classes. One day, I was read an amazing book but the ending flopped. It was like the author rushed through the process just to get the book done, and I remember telling myself, “I could’ve wrote a better ending then that!” Of course, it took me a few days before I pulled out my computer and write… but since, I haven’t been able to stop telling stories.

What are your top 5 favorite books?

I have more than five favorites, but the first five that came to mind are diverse and in no particular order:

Allison Hobbs’ Secret of the Silk. She’s the first author that introduced me to the world of erotica and taught me that just because it’s erotic fiction, doesn’t mean the storyline is all about sex. Sex is a factor, yes, but these stories have amazing, thought-provoking plots.

Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale

Toni Morrison’s Sula

Ashley Antoinette’sEthic

Omar Tyree’s Flyy Girl

What does literary success look like to you?

I’ve always admired how Terry McMillan could write these black AF stories and sign these million dollar deals with traditional publishing houses—as well as have nearly all of her books adapted into film without folks criticizing her for writing stories about black people. Her stories are being read by all people. This, to me, is what literary success looks like. Writing the stories you want, gaining a wide range of readers from different backgrounds, and getting paid $$$ for it. 

How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?

I write mostly at night when everything around me is     quiet. It’s also the time when I feel the most creative. I typically don’t write by the hour, but by the word count. I make word count goals and don’t go to bed until I’ve achieved them.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it be and why?

This is a good question that I’ve never thought about before. After careful thought, and based on what I’ve expressed was “a literary success”, the only thing that makes sense to say here is the Bible. LOL! Why? Because it’s a book that all people from different backgrounds read. It’s a book that has been adapted into many films. And it’s a book that will never go out of style. These are all things I would like to achieve as an author.

What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?

I’ma keep it real simple with these three things:

Write what you want and don’t allow anyone else to attempt to change your authentic self.Stay in your lane! Don’t ever compare yourself to others. It’s the quickest way to fall hard and lose sight of self.Trust the process.

Fun Fact: If I wasn’t an author, I’d probably be a therapist (which is high key a dream of mine) or a spiritual healer. I’m that chick who’s into crystals, burns Palo Santo, and uses herbs for natural remedies. I’ve also always been the girlfriend-girl, the friend all the friends go to for advice and a listening ear. My intuition is my superpower. I’m highly claircognizant, and whatever advice I give or speak, my friends hang on to my words like a toddler with their favorite blanket at night, and they always come back to tell me my advice helped them. 

Stay connected with me!

Follow me on Instagram/Twitter @nailah_writes or Facebook at Jasemine Knowles.

You can check out Jasemine’s book here.

Let it Shine: Jasemin Knowles

This week, I’d like to introduce you all to Nailah (Jasemine)!

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Are you an indie author or a traditionally published author?

I was signed to a publisher but went independent two years ago, and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Mostly because I love the creative freedom and having the opportunity to be hands-on, whereas under a traditional publishing company, some publishers tend to try to “change” who you are as a writer, coerce you to write in a style that isn’t authentic and true to your own, and pressure you to complete a story on deadline.  

Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far. 

My writing journey has been challenging yet totally worth it. I’ve literally wrote my way into multiple jobs where my work has spoken for me. I started out as a journalist for a local black-owned newspaper company in Houston, where I reside. Under their company, I won multiple writing awards that gave me the boost to pursue writing fiction. While I still write books, I do work in higher education at a community college part-time. I was hired as the lead writer for their student life and financial aid blogs off the strength of the hiring manager having read some of my past work at the newspaper company. It’s safe to say, this “write life” is for me.

Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.

Yes. My pen-name is Nailah. It means “successful” in Egyptian. It’s perfect because I wanted to have a name with meaning and that paralleled with my literary journey. Not to mention, I used to believe I had to hide behind a pen-name and protect my identity because I write racy, steamy, erotic tales and also work in higher education. I didn’t want to get that shameful call to the bosses office and questioned. LOL. However, I’ve since revealed to my co-workers and others at my job what I do by night and they’ve been supportive and accepting. Most have even indulged in some of my tales and enjoyed them. 

What genre do you write and why?

I write romance and erotica. I write within this genre because I have a passion for talking sex, dating, and relationships and helping women embrace their sensuality, femininity, and own their sexy. These are things I used to struggle with as a black woman who loves sex and openly talks about it (I used to run a Sex, dating, and relationship column). Can I get candid here? I used to believe sex had to be this sanctimonious act. That you had to be in a committed marriage to do it. However, as I blossomed, I began to question why women got shamed for their sensuality by both women and men, but it was socially acceptable for men to have multiple women in rotation. Honestly, Ibelieve that the way in which women view their sexuality is very problematic these days. We’ve created a conflict between those who abstain and those who indulge. There’s no middle ground. But, at the end of the day, we’re all birthed from the handy-dandy vagina. So why shame it and side-eye and bash what women decide to do with their bodies? A woman’s sexuality is valid. We shouldn’t take away from her by calling her dehumanizing slurs such as hoe, slut, whore, or any other derogatory term. And anyone who does condemn are prudes and should more than likely mind the business that pays them. 

What are you currently working on?

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I’m working on part two of Nookie for the New Year, as well as part two of an upcoming release titled Wholeheartedlythat I’ll be publishing in February. I’m really excited about this story because it’s a full-blown romance I began to write during Hurricane Harvey, which was a tropical storm that changed my life drastically. The two lovers involved love each other deeply but battle with whether they are meant to be together due to outside sources interfering. Wholeheartedly is probably the best love story I’ve ever written in my entire literary career.

What inspired you to write your books?

I’ve always been a reader. I’ve been reading since fourth grade and knew right away I wanted to work with books. Before becoming an author, I wanted to read for a living and become a publisher or a literary agent. It wasn’t until I was deep in my undergrad studying English and journalism that I realized I had a storytelling gift. More than one professor praised my work in class—often even asked permission to use my assignments as templates for their future classes. One day, I was read an amazing book but the ending flopped. It was like the author rushed through the process just to get the book done, and I remember telling myself, “I could’ve wrote a better ending then that!” Of course, it took me a few days before I pulled out my computer and write… but since, I haven’t been able to stop telling stories.

What are your top 5 favorite books?

I have more than five favorites, but the first five that came to mind are diverse and in no particular order:

Allison Hobbs’ Secret of the Silk. She’s the first author that introduced me to the world of erotica and taught me that just because it’s erotic fiction, doesn’t mean the storyline is all about sex. Sex is a factor, yes, but these stories have amazing, thought-provoking plots.

Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale

Toni Morrison’s Sula

Ashley Antoinette’sEthic

Omar Tyree’s Flyy Girl

What does literary success look like to you?

I’ve always admired how Terry McMillan could write these black AF stories and sign these million dollar deals with traditional publishing houses—as well as have nearly all of her books adapted into film without folks criticizing her for writing stories about black people. Her stories are being read by all people. This, to me, is what literary success looks like. Writing the stories you want, gaining a wide range of readers from different backgrounds, and getting paid $$$ for it. 

How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?

I write mostly at night when everything around me is     quiet. It’s also the time when I feel the most creative. I typically don’t write by the hour, but by the word count. I make word count goals and don’t go to bed until I’ve achieved them.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it be and why?

This is a good question that I’ve never thought about before. After careful thought, and based on what I’ve expressed was “a literary success”, the only thing that makes sense to say here is the Bible. LOL! Why? Because it’s a book that all people from different backgrounds read. It’s a book that has been adapted into many films. And it’s a book that will never go out of style. These are all things I would like to achieve as an author.

What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?

I’ma keep it real simple with these three things:

Write what you want and don’t allow anyone else to attempt to change your authentic self.Stay in your lane! Don’t ever compare yourself to others. It’s the quickest way to fall hard and lose sight of self.Trust the process.

Fun Fact: If I wasn’t an author, I’d probably be a therapist (which is high key a dream of mine) or a spiritual healer. I’m that chick who’s into crystals, burns Palo Santo, and uses herbs for natural remedies. I’ve also always been the girlfriend-girl, the friend all the friends go to for advice and a listening ear. My intuition is my superpower. I’m highly claircognizant, and whatever advice I give or speak, my friends hang on to my words like a toddler with their favorite blanket at night, and they always come back to tell me my advice helped them. 

Stay connected with me!

Follow me on Instagram/Twitter @nailah_writes or Facebook at Jasemine Knowles.

You can check out Jasemine’s book here.

Let it Shine: Taya DeVere!

The very first author I would like to introduce you all to is Taya (Teija)! I had a really good time reading her interview and hope you all enjoy it as well!

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Are you an indie author or a traditionally published author?

I’m a proud indie! I published my first trilogy through a small indie publisher in 2019. I’m now working on two different Dystopian fiction series that I’ll be publishing through KDP on my own. My husband and business partner, Chris, is helping me with marketing and release strategies, which is making this process so much fun!

Tell me a little about your writing journey, thus far. 

I started writing a blog about my life after moving away from my home country, Finland. I first lived in Hereford, UK, and then, later on, moved to Vermont in the United States. We moved quite a lot, and I ended up living in eight different cities in five different states during my seven years in America. The more I experienced while seeing the world (well, North America), the more I had to write. It became my second nature.

Do you write under a pseudonym? If so explain why.

I write under Taya DeVere, which is basically my “Americanized name.” I wanted to write with my real name but also differentiate my author’s life from my real life. So far, this compromise has worked brilliantly for me.

What genre do you write and why?

My first trilogy “BORDERLINE” was contemporary fiction / women’s fiction. The two new series that I’m writing now are both dystopian fiction. One is dystopian sci-fi, the other post-apocalyptic dystopian. Each book I’ve written is character-driven and focuses on humanity. The trouble our world is in today inspires me to write about the future. I guess it’s therefore natural I’m writing dystopian stories.

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What are you currently working on?

The dystopian sci-fi series is a novella series. Each book will be released with a related short story. As of today, I’m writing the fourth book + short story. At the same time, we’re working with a cover artist, two editors, and multiple beta-readers to make sure everything is as close to perfection as possible.

What inspired you to write your books?

My idea for the BORDERLINE books came after I had lived in the United States for a few years. What if I never left Finland? What would my life have been like back home? The books take place in two alternate realities, one in Finland and one in America. I think this premise gave the story an interesting twist compared to other contemporary fiction out there. One of my readers described the books to be “raw yet funny.” I found that to be an excellent way to describe the series.

What are your top 5 favorite books?

“Stumbling” by C.M. Martens

“The Heart Goes Last” by Margaret Atwood

“Wool” by Hugh Howey

“The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller

 “To Mend a Broken Heart” by Myunique Green

What does literary success look like to you?

I got an email from a reader / reviewer after she read “Between Two Doors” (the first book in the BORDERLINE series). She told me she had struggled with her life as is, with depression and anxiety, caused by work and people, and life in general. She told me my story gave her hope and new momentum to fix what’s broken. This was my goal for the series: For my story to help someone else who’s lost. 

One time my yoga instructor friend has read one of my blog posts to a room full of students (after practice, during ten-minute relaxation). She said the whole room was in tears while she was reading. Multiple people came to thank her for the story before leaving the studio. That felt amazing.

How many hours a day do you write? What is your writing routine?

When I’m in the middle of writing a new book, I aim for 1800 words per day. If I have side projects or editing going on the side, I usually focus solely on those projects just to get them done. I’m a bit of a scatterbrain; it’s easier to focus on one mess at a time. Lucky for me, I have an amazing(ly patient) editor.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it be and why?

Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale. I would have kept writing the book to show what happened to June. The literary people may praise the open ending, but it bugs me beyond belief. Did they get it right in the TV show? What if they didn’t? Wasn’t Nick more of a creepo than a hero? Darn it, Margaret!

What advice would you like to give to aspiring authors?

Don’t be a jerk. A lot of authors who “have made it” (other authors, not me) have said this. I think it’s super important. We’re all in this together. Everyone’s fighting some sort of a fight you know nothing about. Everyone needs to eat and pay rent. There are enough readers for everyone. Be kind. Help each other out. Whether it’s a few encouraging words on their Facebook post, an honest review on their debut novel, or feedback on a first chapter or blurb. Be the person who lifts spirits, not the other way around.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

I’m glad you asked! My all-time favorite ice cream flavor is French vanilla. What? What do you mean “boring”? It’s not! I am not! French vanilla is completely misunderstood. It may first seem plain, simple, and dull. But good French vanilla is heaven. It’s simplicity with a twist. It’s a story that not everyone gets. A secret you’re about to trust with a new friend. It’s a flavor that brings people together. Because unlike raspberry-licorice, no one will turn their noses at a cone of French vanilla. They’ll happily take the cone from you and say, “Thanks for this. Though I wish it was my favorite flavor: _____________. What’s yours?”

You can view all of Taya’s fantastic books here.

Introducing Author Spotlights!

I’ve been saying for a while I’d like to start featuring authors, new, old and in-between. Today is the day I finally role it out! It’s been such a great experience to be able to meet and get to know all of the authors you all will be introduced to over the coming weeks.

With that being said, I will also be accepting requests for interviews. All authors and publishers are encouraged to contact me to get featured. New interviews will be posted every Wednesday. The overall objective is to provide tips, tricks, and goals for future authors and writers that will guide towards starting, completing or publishing a project. But I also hope to introduce you to some talented authors and great books!

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I’m really excited about this new addition to the site, and hope all of you enjoy it as well.

To request an interview please use the contact form here. I will follow-up with you as soon as possible; please be ready to provide a photo and ‘About Me’ bio, along with information regarding your book(s). Also, please be sure to follow me on Social Media.

IG: @_cmajor_ and @iwritebookspub

Twitter: @_iRiseFromAshes

SnapChat: @CeCe_Major

Oh, Baby!

The past few months have been very busy! From traveling, making appearances, and signing new deals, I’ve hardly had any time to myself where I get to do absolutely nothing all day.

More on all those things later.

Right now, what I want to talk about is something a little more personal. Something I’ve been transparent about in the past: infertility.

We have MFI. But I won’t get into any specifics about that. Just know that it’s a sucky thing and a lot of emotions are involved. We’ve known for a while now, and after trying several other treatments that were unsuccessful, we’re here.

IVF.

On December 19th, we go in for our first visit with CNY Clinic. We had been on the waitlist for a little over two months. The plan is to get the cycle going in January. I’m feeling really good about it! Watching other IVF journey videos keeps me up at night though, and sometimes my husband will literally have to pull me away.

I’m obsessive, ok.

I know for the most part what I have to look forward to, like the needles and the hormones, but, honestly, I’ll take a few needles to the belly versus being balled up in my bed crying myself to sleep any day.

Which brings me to being so absolutely grateful for everyone who made a purchase with me on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I was completely swamped the whole weekend filling orders!

*Side note: all book and cocoa orders made during those times have been shipped. Check your emails for tracking numbers*

Everything I made from those weekend sales are going towards our IVF treatment, and future baby Mikkonen thanks you too. We remain prayerful and optimistic about our future, and welcome any donations. (Cash App: $CMajor25). I am still taking orders for Specialty Cocoa until December 16, you can submit your request using the method below.

More updates soon, I promise!

Variety Box

Includes 3 Flavors:

1x Smooth Cocoa (Traditional)
1x Mocha Chocka (White Chocolate & Espresso)
1x Carmel Kiss (Salted Caramel)

$16.00

Single

Choose your flavor or randomize.

$7.00

Additional Options can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/nXA6Smyh85mhg4QD9