In this episode Food for Thought, we sit down with the amazing, multi-hyphenate Minaa B. as she discusses authenticity in publishing with her book Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World. With a background in social work, Minaa B. is a licensed therapist, mental health educator, and founder of I’M SO MATURE MEDIA. Her insights into the publishing process are invaluable for any aspiring authors who are hoping to learn more about this often mystifying realm. Let’s dive in!
Rooted in her love of reading and writing, Minaa B. had dreams of becoming an author from a young age. As an adult, she set out to write a book as a creative and fulfilling project, rather than a convenient or lucrative one. With her social work background and childhood dreams driving her forward, Minaa B. was adequately equipped to prioritize authenticity in publishing and writing as she developed Owning Our Struggles
This pursuit for staying true to her voice was impactful during Minaa B.’s proposal process. After Minaa B. secured an agent, the two worked together to develop and refine a writing sample which Minaa B. would submit as part of her proposal to publishers. As she began working through her agent’s feedback on this sample, Minaa B. realized that the voice she’d written the passage in didn’t feel like her own. She went back to her agent, having completely rewritten the sample in a voice that felt true to her. Through this process, Minaa B. discovered that authenticity in publishing begins with the author first.
After Owning Our Struggles was released, Minaa B. discovered how authenticity in publishing had transferability as she continued to promote her own personal brand:
“I will say, because I’ve been able to keep up with my brand, it’s worked out for me where both things are so interconnected that I’m finding people from my book. But then I’m also finding people from other mediums who, once they find me whether again speaking engagement, newsletter, whatever and now they’re interested in ordering the book as well.”
Minaa B.’s story is a lesson in remaining true to oneself. The opaque nature of the publishing industry does not always facilitate authors showcasing their genuine selves as they vie to get their books onto shelves. However, with tenacity, consistency, and authenticity, authors will feel more grounded as they navigate the publishing process.
Episode Resources:
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