Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Lewis.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got into publishing in a very unique way.
By the time I finished my third book, I was approached by a publisher. I was ecstatic to have won their attention. In no time, they drew up the papers for the publishing deal. Before I could put pen to paper and sign the documents, my gut told me not to do it. Something about the deal just felt wrong. I let the publisher know and what happened next crushed me.
In response to my decline, the publishing agent proceeded to tell me how horrible my writing was anyway. How they were really taking a chance on me. They said without them, no one would ever read my books and that I wasn’t really author material. I couldn’t stand to hear another word. I didn’t want her to hear weakness in my voice so I told the woman thank you for her time and hung up the phone. Then, I cried. I recalled every word she spoke about me. Each stung worse than the one before it. It was a horrible feeling that took me about two weeks to shake.
Once I got my bearings back, I decided to do something different. I thought about the countless others that may have had the same horrific experience. The only thing I knew for sure was that I just wanted to help. At the time, I didn’t want anyone to suffer the hand life had dealt my early childhood years. But after speaking with the publisher, I no longer thought about myself. What if there were others who just wanted to help make someone else’s life better from the lessons they learned in their life? That’s when I knew. In that very second, passion was awakened and I made up my mind to become the resource heart-centered experts, leaders, and storytellers could go to for all of their writing, branding, marketing and publishing needs. Contrary to that publisher’s belief, I believed there was more to my story than the 3 (now 11) books I wrote. I also believed there were others and I was going to help them live out their dream of becoming a published author.
And that’s exactly what I did.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the most important factors of building a successful business is establishing the structure. From an operations perspective, I initially built my business around me serving my clients. Just me. Later I learned this business model would not only wear me thin, it wouldn’t bring me profit. Additionally, the structure I had in place was a reflection of the very small mindset that got muddled in many struggles.
I’ve hired and fired team members. I’ve lost money due to poor processes. I’ve also worn myself so thin by never taking a break. The good news is obstacles in business stretch you to overcome. It may require a lot of creativity and letting go of a few things you thought you couldn’t live without but in the end, it’s worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Extreme Overflow Publishing?
Extreme Overflow Publishing is a full-service independent publisher. We help writers go from paper to published and from published to profitable!
We don’t just mill-publish books. We help authors create problem-solving solutions that position them to be an authority in their industry. We’re known for our creativity – we’re never short of ideas that bring BIG results, which is just one of the things that set us apart from the rest.
We’re most proud of our growth mindset as a brand. No matter the times, the one thing we always know is what you need. By keeping a pulse on changing times, social climates, and economic challenges, we are always in a position to present you with the options that will propel you to your greatest levels of success.
In addition to our publishing packages, we also offer services including: author branding, business consulting, booking for speaking events, marketing strategy, and writing coaching.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe the quality most important for my success is the ability to adapt. In a business that is always learning, growing, and advancing, a leader should always be ready to adapt to the market needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.extremeoverflow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extremeoverflowpublishing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/extremeoverflowpublishing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/extremeoverflow1
Image Credits
Photocredit: Ayanna Freedom, Taisha Crayton, Jarek James, ADJ Media
