Rising Stars: Meet Narell Hunt of Decatur Georgia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Narell Hunt.

Hi Narell, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began in 2017 when I first moved to Georgia from New York. I didn’t have a plan. In fact, my brother came and got my daughter and I in a caravan he rented. We packed what we could fit in the van and drove down. I cried the whole way, afraid of the unknown, now to only realize it benefited my daughter and I in ways we never thought possible. Learning to live in a new city is a job in itself. Coming from New York, I did not know how to drive, so I decided to work at a car dealership to learn everything I could, including getting a vehicle at a discount. In New York, 20 minutes flies by, so when the car dealership was 20 minutes away, I didn’t think much of it. Little did I know, 20 minutes in Georgia was not the same as 20 minutes in New York – hence the phrase – New York Minute, and Georgia’s phrase – A mile a minute. I remember getting my first car and having to drive myself home. My palms filled with calluses from me gripping the steering wheel in fear. The drivers behind me, honking, annoyed at my 40 mile per hour speed limit. Me, praying to God to make me a better driver and to take my fear away. Again, like moving to another state, I had to embrace the unknown when it came to driving. In fact, I equate entrepreneurship as the same experience of me moving to another state and learning how to drive. The same prayers, the same fears, the same determination – but most importantly, the same lesson – embracing the unknown.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like most of us who went to school – I can’t speak on private or Catholic school, but for public, we were taught to be employees. I’ve worked as a case manager, paralegal, car salesman, receptionist, anything that can bring in consistent income – but there was no challenge there. In fact, I often found myself daydreaming about my characters, ashamed that I had to abandon their development due to bills coming in every month, and as a single mother – we must provide. I found myself working 24/7. My day job and then writing when I could, which started to become at night, leaving little time for rest. I had to figure out how to be an entrepreneur, which meant to give 100 % to my publishing and writing career and generate an income doing so. I began doing vendor events at Clark Atlanta and Spelman. Taking on clients to help them with their publishing journey as well as holding workshops explaining the benefits of journaling. Now, I’m learning about government contracts to see how my company can be of service to the community. The challenge is switching the mindset from employee to employer. How do I become a successful entrepreneur doing what I love and servicing the community as well? This is a journey that I’m still on, trying to figure it out one day at time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It was difficult to pick between artist/creative and entrepreneur; but with careful thought, there wouldn’t be a publishing company if I did not create a book to publish first. So, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Narell Hunt and I’m a creative. I write fiction and poetry and curated an anthology, publishing the works of other creatives as well. I’ve always had an innate love for writing, but I didn’t publish my first novel, “Just My Imagination” until 2020. I then released my poetry novel, “Father, May I” in 2022 and an anthology, “Bounded By Ink” in 2024. I noticed that my audience was in the age range of 40 plus, which is great, but I wanted to reach a younger audience as well, which motivated me to release my line of journals … “Shh…I’m Writing” in 2023. Writing for me started with journaling, and I want others to know the benefits of journaling and how it’s beneficial to one’s mental health. Wanting to spread the message about the benefits of journaling – I held my first workshop at the City of Refuge, located in Atlanta where participants had the opportunity to not only learn about the benefits of journaling, but also created their own personalized journal. It was moving and it reminded me of why I began writing in the first place.

What does success mean to you?
Success is living a life that pours into your morals, values and integrity. Waking up every day and choosing yourself and the ones that you love.

Pricing:

• Journaling Workshop – $390 per session
• Self-Publishing Seminar – $690 per session
• “Just My Imagination” – $25 per book
• “Father, May I” – $20 per book
• “Bounded By Ink” – $20 per book

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lilacskypublishing.com
• Instagram: lilacskyllc_
• Facebook: lilacskypublishing
• LinkedIn: narell-hunt-writer
• Twitter: lilacsky777
• Youtube: writernarell
• Other: https://linktr.ee/writernarell

Image Credits
Tori L. Edwards & Kiana – The Commerce Club