Ann, a historian and extreme planner, had an adventurous time touring Greece with her husband. During the trip, she shared photos of places she had learned in her undergraduate program. As they began their return trip, civil unrest occurred blocking all flights to leave Turkey, cruise and all. Quick decision, they decided to get out of the country whichever way they could. Both landed in Paris, only to be separated to get back home to the USA. Separation was a non-issue. Their goal was to return safely to their two kids waiting back home.
Times of Crises
There are times of crises as in Ann’s case. But most often we do have opportunities to plan ahead. Financiers will preach that we should plan for times of crises too.
Why is it important to set goals? Because if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Where you will end up, who knows? That’s when you will just have to go with the flow.
Goalsetting is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus
So why do we need to set goals? Because setting goals is the process of identifying desired outcomes and creating a plan of action to achieve them, providing a sense of direction, motivation and focus.
That’s the reason it a pleasure to facilitate the writing process with authors. The event was held at the Broward County’s West Regional Library in Plantation, Florida. This session focused on Writers Goal Setting for 2026 books through the Writers Group of South Florida.
If you are an aspiring author, or are ready to take your leadership to the next level and need a copy of the Goal-Setting guide, connect to get yours today. Leadership Assessment also available.
Not an author but ready to take your leadership to the next level through setting your 2026 goals, let’s chat. Referrals are warmly welcomed.
I am Somebody. We are Somebody. ~ Dr. Ralph Hogges
Beyond the Bend of Trees Avenue
By Patricia Reid-Waugh
You would think that a street named ‘Trees Avenue’ would be lined with tall, manicured trees of exotic variety, standing like sentries on either side of the roadway. Strangers entering the L-shaped avenue might imagine that around the bend, leafy branches would shield them from the blistering sun, and a rustling chorus of leaves would welcome them. But such was not the street on which I lived.
My ‘Trees Avenue’ was no different from other residential roads nearby, paved in asphalt, with a strip of grass separating the roadway from the walls of each property. Neither my parents nor the other homeowners thought it important to give the street a personality matching its name. To the casual visitor, it looked tidy, pleasant, but rather ordinary.
The houses stood close to the front boundaries, verandahs stretching wide to court the evening breeze. These verandahs became living rooms in their own right, alive with laughter, morning greetings, neighborly gossip, and the occasional raised voice.
I remember my people; like a piece of sweet, firm sugar cane spilling its juice over my tongue and lips; lips framing expressions of a language of thunder and soft rain. My roots – peopled with characters of such unassuming elegance I could not really see them until, exiled, I craved remembrances like sweet sugar cane. What sweeter dance than a handcart man, lithe, muscled – swinging and dipping, black sinews rippling their way down Orange Street.
Journey to Spiritual Growth: A Path Toward Lasting Transformation
By Dr. Delores Smiley
Journey to Spiritual Growth is a Christ-centered ministry designed to guide believers toward a deeper, more intentional walk with God. Rooted in the call to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” this ministry provides practical tools and clear teachings to help individuals grow in spiritual knowledge, examine their hearts, and live out the commandments of love – preparing for heaven as the ultimate home. It recognizes that faith is not a single event but a lifelong journey that calls us to grow in understanding, surrender our hearts, and live out the commandments of love.
Effective preparation sets the stage for success and sparks creativity
Authors write, publish and leave expecting miracles. It doesn’t happen. Authorship happens mostly by accident as writers choose to share what’s on their hearts. It might be a memoir, poetry, fiction or non-fiction. As their passion unfold, they write then later realize that they have suddenly been thrust into entrepreneurship! How do they get those books off bookstore shelves? Selected on amazon? Shared among family and friends? It behooves them to sit, pray, and wonder why their books just remains stagnant. Most often these are excellent stories that remains dormant for years, not gleaned by readers.
Realizing this pattern, the Writers Group of South Florida held a workshop. Hosted by the West Regional Library in Plantation. This initiative was facilitated by Dr. Shelly Cameron. Here’s a summary of the takeaway points that attendees authors gleaned.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER: Build the Foundation & Warm Up Your Audience
Update book cover, blurb, and Amazon listing with holiday-friendly touches.
Secure podcast, blog, and media features for October–December.
Plan holiday content calendar (mix of promos, tips, behind-the-scenes, giveaways).
Launch pre-order bonuses or limited-time bundles.
October: Visible Campaign & Early Gift Push
Submit to gift guides, bloggers, and niche media lists.
Collaborate with other authors for holiday bundles or giveaways.
Feature reader testimonials and reviews on social media.
Run Early Bird discounts to attract early shoppers.
November: Holiday Sales Mode
Run a gratitude-themed campaign for Thanksgiving.
Offer Black Friday/Cyber Monday E-Book discounts or signed copy specials.
Partner with local stores for Small Business Saturday promotions.
Send an email countdown series leading up to Thanksgiving.
December: Final Holiday Push
Promote e-Books and gift certificates for last-minute shoppers.
Run a “12-Days-of-Christmas” themed social media series.
Position your book for New Year’s resolutions or inspiration.
Post thank-you messages and celebrate your readers
PRO TIPS for Conversions
Author Branding Matters: Use consistent holiday visuals across all platforms.
Offer Multiple Formats: Paperback, e-Book, Audio-book—make it easy to gift.
Make It Shareable: Create “I’m gifting this book!” social media graphics for readers to post.
Always Include a Call-to-Action: Don’t just post pretty images—always link to buy.
Track & Adjust: Watch which promos get clicks and double down on what works.
There you have it. Did one, two or a few of the above stand out for you? As a published author, which will you adopt? Do share, we would love to hear.
With so many books to choose from, you’ll have the hard part of deciding which one to donate.
On Instagram I shared the hard task of purging my books. I have a million with little or no storage space. But what happened was…. During my purge, I ended up reading and re-claiming books.
I decided to share my work (purge in process), and an interested person asked, “where can you donate books?” I responded briefly but decided to post more here on the blog.
Popular and Unique Places to Donate Books
Local Donation Options
Public Libraries
Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
Schools & Colleges
Especially helpful for children’s books, young adult novels, and textbooks.
Contact local principals, librarians, or teachers to ask if they need donations.
Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
Hospitals & Nursing Homes
They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.
Charitable Organizations
Goodwill or Salvation Army
Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
Little Free Library
Find a nearby box via littlefreelibrary.org and drop books off for community sharing.
Online / Specialized Options
Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
Local Prison Programs
Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.
Are you a writer with a story burning to be told, but feeling overwhelmed by the traditional publishing maze? Listen to this electrifying workshop facilitated by Dr. Shelly Cameron on behalf of Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library. The tips and tricks will transform your publishing dreams from wishful thinking to strategic action.
In this game-changing discussion, you’ll discover the exact blueprint successful self-published authors use to launch their books, build their audience, and generate real income. We’ll pull back the curtain on the traditional vs self-publishing industry, revealing insider strategies that most writers never learn—from choosing the right platforms and mastering digital formatting to marketing techniques that actually sell books. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to take control of your publishing journey, this session promises to equip you with practical, immediately actionable insights. Stop waiting for someone else to validate your story. Listen and Learn how to become the author you’ve always dreamed of being—on your own terms, with your own power. Don’t miss your chance to revolutionize your writing career.
Key Insights: Publishing Questions from Authors You Must Know
Many questions were asked throughout the presentation. Here are a 14.
Should you use Ai for Book cover designs?
Are authors required to let readers know that you used Ai?
What is the full marketing potential for a book?
How do you translate a book into another language?
How do you negotiate speaking fees for your book?
Are there any supporting groups to guide on how to format books on KDP?
How can you hire someone to help with publishing?
I’m doing away with writing the Foreword or comments on back of book. What’s the trend?
Do you have resources to look for the audiobooks?
How much can editors charge for beginner writers?
How do you copyright a book?
How do you find someone to edit your work?
How can I get more exposure for sales other than amazon?
Do I have to be a published author to be an editor?
If you’re interested in publishing your book, listen to the presentation and accompanying responses. If you need help, we are passionate about publishing. Reach out for help today and realize your publishing dream!
Listening to the dulcet tones of a familiar voice is an appealing way to work our way through those books we’ve always meant to get around to, but haven’t.– Clare Thorp
You have written your book! Took it a step further and did the audiobook. Now what do you do? How do you get it into the hands of listeners? The options listed may help.
1. Audible (an Amazon company)
What they do: Industry leader in audiobook publishing and distribution.
Also produces: Audible Originals (exclusive content).
New and aspiring writers are curious about the publishing process. As a foundation, it is important to understand the basic advantages and disadvantages of each. These two infographics were prepared as a comparative analysis to help writers understand each especially when navigating the agent-publisher-author relationship.
Here’s hoping it will clarify any confusion associated with the process and help new authors make informed decisions.
Which have you used? Traditional, Self-Publishing, or a combination of both. Do share, we would love to hear.
The publishing process can be intimidating for an unknown writer. The traditional Agent-Publisher-Author relationship is hard. Rejection after rejection is common as Agents say ‘no’. Writers become discouraged and often give up. Manuscripts stay in the darkness of desk drawers for years.
As time has involved, so has the advent of self-publishing. Writers become bold and take advantage of their publishing plight. They make bold moves; step ahead, take the reins to achieve their publishing goal of becoming an author. With low budget and unplanned expenses, some cut corners and quality becomes compromised. Book covers are mediocre. Titles lack depth. Formatting is non-existent, which leads to the demise of some great manuscripts.
On the other hand, some writers step out, work hard, invest, learn the process, and viola! Success follows!
Self-Publishing Success
Here are 15 Authors of color who achieved significant success through self-publishing:
Toni Morrison – While primarily known for her traditionally published works, she self-published her first novel “The Bluest Eye” before gaining wider recognition
Terry McMillan – Initially self-published her debut novel “Mama” before securing a publisher for subsequent works
N.K. Jemisin – First self-published some of her fantasy work before becoming the first author to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel three years in a row
Alexandria House – Found success self-publishing contemporary romance novels featuring Black characters
Kristen Ashley – Built a dedicated following through self-publishing her romance novels before signing with traditional publishers
Brenda Jackson – Pioneer in African American romance who began with self-publishing before becoming a New York Times bestseller
Alyssa Cole – Initially self-published her diverse romance novels before becoming an award-winning author
K.M. Jackson – Self-published romance author who found success writing diverse contemporary stories
Nikki Turner – Self-published her first urban fiction novel before becoming known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Fiction”
Beverly Jenkins – Started self-publishing historical romances featuring Black characters when traditional publishers showed little interest
Sister Souljah – Self-published “The Coldest Winter Ever” which became a groundbreaking street lit phenomenon
Nnedi Okorafor – Self-published some of her early Africanfuturist works before winning multiple prestigious awards
Kiini Ibura Salaam – Award-winning speculative fiction writer who self-published collections of her short stories
Octavia Butler – Though mostly known for her traditionally published works, she self-published some early stories
Zane – Built an erotic fiction empire beginning with self-published works before launching her own publishing company
These authors demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and literary talent often creating space for Black women’s voices. This occurred at a time when traditional publishing wasn’t receptive to their work. Many of these women went on to sign traditional deals. Suffice it to say they proved their commercial viability through self-publishing. Others maintained independence throughout their careers.
Need help to get over your fear to make the leap? Let these women inspire your journey. Thoughts about any of these or other women of color who have experienced success? Do share. We would love to hear.
“Writing is a process, a journey into memory and the soul.”
Isabel Allende
Award-Winning Storyteller and Journalist Sharon Gordon published her debut novel Sheribaby and started off with a bang! Introverts may not be as purposeful due to shyness. They are reserved and avoid putting themselves ‘out there’ for the world to see them and their author life.
That said, here are 15 women authors who found significant success through self-publishing:
Amanda Hocking – Became a millionaire by self-publishing her paranormal romance novels before signing with a traditional publisher
E.L. James – Initially self-published “Fifty Shades of Grey” as fan fiction before it became a global phenomenon
Colleen Hoover – Self-published her debut novel “Slammed” before becoming a #1 New York Times bestselling author
Rachel Abbott – One of the UK’s most successful self-published authors with her thriller novels
Lindsay Buroker – Found success with her Emperor’s Edge fantasy series and numerous other works
Bella Forrest – Self-published the phenomenally successful “A Shade of Vampire” series
H.M. Ward – Romance author who sold millions of copies of her self-published works
Jasinda Wilder – Self-published numerous bestselling romance novels before signing a traditional deal
Vi Keeland – Initially self-published her romance novels before becoming a #1 New York Times bestseller
Penny Reid – Built a successful career with her self-published romantic comedies
Rupi Kaur – Self-published her poetry collection “Milk and Honey” which became a worldwide bestseller
Sierra Simone – Found success with her provocative romance novels
Sarina Bowen – Award-winning romance author who began her career self-publishing
L.J. Shen – Romance author who built a massive following through self-publishing
Many of these authors began self-publishing when traditional routes weren’t available to them. They remained independent even after achieving success. Several eventually signed traditional publishing deals after demonstrating their commercial appeal through self-publishing
Need help to get over your fear of leveling up to achieve your goal of being a published author? Let these women inspire you. Have you or someone you know stepped out and achieved success? Do share. We would love to hear.
Absolutely thrilled to announce that Sharon Gordon’s debut book “Sheribaby is NOW AVAILABLE!
Journalist Sharon, is the talented 2025 Award winning Storyteller and niece of beloved Jamaica’s Singer Songwriter Beresford Hammond.
I met Sharon a decade ago when Reggae music matriarch Miss Patricia Chin, hosted my Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders book event at VP Records, New York.
It’s been such an honor to guide Sharon through the book publishing journey – from connecting her with Raquel, the perfect editor for her genre, to navigating publisher conversations and finally seeing her words in print.
Her dedication to the craft and willingness to embrace the publishing process made this success inevitable. This is why I do what I do!
Congratulations Sharon! Indeed, hard work pays off!
If you have been dreaming of becoming a published author but aren’t sure where to start, let Sharon’s journey inspire you. With the right guidance, YOUR story could be next on the shelves!
As humans, we die, but Books Live on Forever, culturally and intellectually enriching the lives of future generations.
– Ralph Hogges
2024’s Collection of poems, writings and gleanings from The Hogges, Cowins, & Smiley South Florida Writers of Color, literary Magazine shown in the link below.
