Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Marshall.
Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Nicole Marshall, I am originally from Kingston, Jamaica and I now live in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a children’s book author and I have written and self-published two children’s books titled “Little Nikki Her Journey to Self-Love” and “Ebony and Her Crown.” My writing journey started when I was a teenager and I knew writing would always be a part of my life in some way. I never thought I would be doing it professionally because I always looked at it as a hobby and as an outlet for me to express my feelings. Back in 2020, I found an old photo of myself and it brought back a lot of memories for me both good and bad. Memories of being a young and energetic child, full of life, and other memories of being bullied in school because of how I looked. I started to write down a little bit of how I was feeling and that is how my process started for my first book Little Nikki. Fast forward to the pandemic and I had no excuse but to finish what I started. I always had in the back of my mind that this was going to be nothing more than just a story but I said to myself “why not write a book?” I wanted to do more than just write a story but to be a resource to young children battling the same things I encountered as a child. I continued writing, did my research and that’s how my author journey began.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has not been easy, but I have learned a lot from my mistakes. Among other things, I struggled with deciding whether to self-publish or go through a traditional publishing company. Was it easy becoming an author? No, it was not. I researched everything and talked to other established authors. However, there will always be something that you miss due to your lack of experience. Now that I have written and published my first children’s book, “Little Nikki Her Journey to Self-Love,” I was a little more organized when I launched my second children’s book “Ebony and Her Crown.” I believe when there are struggles, there is room for improvement and I am always looking to improve my craft. Although I am still navigating this process, I look forward to learning more as I continue my writing career.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been writing for years but only recently decided to do it professionally. I am a self-published children’s book author and I chose this book genre because children are more impressionable than adults and need guidance to help develop a strong sense of self-worth. Children are also susceptible to outside influence and need positive representation. A lot of issues adults develop are a result of a traumatizing or negative reoccurring events in their childhood that they never addressed or resolved. I believe that representation matters and if young children can relate and see themselves as the main character of a book, it can have a positive impact on their emotional development and boost self-esteem. Both my books are centered around topics of self-worth, self-acceptance and self-love. I also made it a point to translate my first book Little Nikki Her Journey to Self-Love [La Pequeña Nikki Su Viaje Hacia el Amor Propio] with the hopes of impacting a broader audience. If I can still help impart to young readers the importance of self-love and confidence, then I will continue to write my books spreading a positive message. You can find all my books published on Amazon.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to a new author would be to trust your instincts, be original, and do the work. Nothing worth it is ever easy but do not get discouraged by negative feedback as that can only help you improve as a writer. Even though I advise you to research, try your best not to compare yourself to others as that may hinder your creativity and originality. Stay true to yourself and use your gut instinct when making executive decisions. As you learn, you will become more organized and knowledgeable enough to help others once in your position.
Pricing:
- Little Nikki Her Journey to Self-Love: $12.99
- La Pequeña Nikki Su Viaje Hacia el Amor Propio: $12.99
- Ebony and Her Crown: $14.99
Contact Info:
- Email: nicolemarshall88@live.com
- Website: https://nicolemarshall88.wixsite.com/author
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolem.theauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolem.theauthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolemtheauthr
