Daily Inspiration: Meet Karla Simpson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Simpson.

Hi Karla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
So, I’ve been a content creator for close to two years now but my love for books goes back much further in high school and throughout my undergraduate years, I was an avid reader, especially when it came to mystery and thriller novels. However, after college, I slowly fell out of the habit. I would pick up a book here and there but not nearly as often.

Toward the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, I realized that something was missing from my life. So, as part of my New Year’s resolution, I challenged myself to read at least ten books that year. I reached that goal within just a couple of months, so I decided to increase it to 50. By the end of 2025, I had read 78 books and, honestly, I felt like I had rediscovered a part of myself that I didn’t even realize I had been missing. Reading became my happy place and my safe space. There’s something special about being able to open a book, step away from the real world for a little while, and immerse yourself in another setting and another person’s experience. Whether the story is completely fictional or nonfiction, I love getting to know the characters and seeing the world through their eyes. Reading brought me a sense of joy that I hadn’t felt in a really long time.

As I became more involved in the book community, I also discovered another passion: advocating for Black authors, particularly both trad and independent authors. I eventually started referring to myself as a Black Author Advocate and TBR Enabler because that really captures what I love to do. I use my social media platforms to promote Black authors, Black narrators, diverse books, and all things bookish.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Interestingly, when I rediscovered my passion for reading, I was also right at the end of completing my doctoral program. So, in many ways, those two things were happening at the same time. I had this renewed excitement about books and reading, and all I wanted to do in my spare time was read. But at the same time, I had dissertation revisions to complete and a defense to prepare for. Finding that balance was definitely a challenge because I wanted to spend every free moment immersed in a book, but I knew I had a responsibility to finish what I had worked so hard to accomplish.

Thankfully, I was able to find that balance, successfully defend my dissertation, and officially become Dr. K. Nicole 🙂 That was such a proud and exciting moment for me. And now that I’ve completed my doctorate, I have much more time to dedicate to creating the kind of bookish content I’ve always wanted to create.

Another challenge I’ve been working through is simply putting myself out there and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I’ve always considered myself an introvert, so being more visible, meeting new people, attending events, and putting myself out there creatively doesn’t always come naturally to me. But interestingly enough, the book community has become such a safe and welcoming space for me. It’s my happy place, so I’ve found myself becoming more comfortable attending book events, meeting other readers, and connecting with authors and fellow creators.

There are still areas where I’m challenging myself to be braver such as creating more content where I’m actually on camera, reaching out to authors for interviews, or simply saying yes to opportunities that might initially make me nervous. These are obstacles I’m still working through but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. One of the biggest examples of that growth happened recently when I applied to become a content creator for the 2027 Black Romance Book Fest. I was absolutely thrilled to find out that I was selected! I’m not only excited about the opportunity, but genuinely grateful for it. I’ve attended the festival before, but this will be my first time attending as a content creator, which makes the experience even more special.
I’m really looking forward to meeting more people, connecting with authors and other creators, and seeing where this opportunity takes me. For me, it represents so much more than just another content creation opportunity, it’s another reminder that I’m continuing to push myself beyond my comfort zone and grow into the person and creator I want to be.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So, when I’m not reading, I’m working my day job in education. I’ve been in education for 19 years now, and it’s something I’m not only passionate about, but honestly, it’s what I’ve always known. I initially earned my degree in psychology with the intention of becoming a school counselor. However, I decided that before making that transition, I wanted to gain some experience in the classroom. I ended up discovering that I really enjoyed teaching and working with students and 19 years later, here I am!

But as I enter into my 20th year in education, I’ve started thinking about what I want the next phase of my career to look like. I consider this potentially the final phase of my career and I know that I want to do something different you know….something that aligns more closely with my passion for reading. I’m not exactly sure what that next step will be yet, but I trust that I’ll gain clarity when the time is right. Whether I stay within education in a different capacity, move into something related to literacy, or find a completely unexpected path, I’m excited to see where it leads.

What I do know is that these past two years as a content creator have taught me so much. I’m especially passionate about promoting books and content created by people who look like me—Black authors, Black narrators, LGBTQIA+ creatives and creators from communities that have historically been underrepresented or marginalized.

That’s particularly important to me because we’re living through a very real literacy crisis, especially here in the United States. I believe that one of the things we can do is make reading feel more accessible, relevant, and enjoyable. Not everyone is going to pick up a book because it’s considered a classic or an important piece of literature, and that’s okay. Sometimes you have to start with what someone actually enjoys. Maybe it’s sports. Maybe it’s animals. Maybe it’s romance, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels, or something completely different. It doesn’t have to be a particular type of book for it to count. I think those baby steps matter. If we want to get more people, especially young people reading, we have to provide access to stories and topics that they can actually connect with. Representation matters, but so does simply allowing readers to see that there is a book out there for them.

Ultimately, I hope that whatever this next phase of my career looks like, I can continue to be an asset in that effort. Whether through education, literacy, book publishing, content creation, or some combination of all, I want to play a role in helping more people discover that reading can be enjoyable, meaningful, and something that belongs to them too.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
That’s an interesting question because I can’t say with complete confidence that luck has played a major role in my life. I’m sure there have been moments where timing or circumstances worked in my favor, but I’m more of a firm believer in pushing yourself even when it makes you uncomfortable and being consistent.

I think consistency and resilience play a huge role in what we’re able to accomplish. You have to understand that the answer isn’t always going to be yes. You’re going to experience rejection, make mistakes, encounter obstacles, and sometimes have things happen that are completely outside of your control. But I believe those experiences can also become great learning opportunities. Even when something goes wrong or someone does something that negatively impacts you, there can still be a lesson in the experience.

Do I believe that some people are dealt a better hand than others? Absolutely. We don’t all start with the same resources, opportunities, or circumstances. But I also believe that when you are given an opportunity or access to a resource, it’s important not to take it for granted. You have to make the most of what is available to you and continue moving forward. That’s really what I try to live by every day. I’m not going to encourage other people to push themselves, remain consistent, or learn from their challenges if I’m not willing to do those things myself. I believe in practicing what I preach. So, while I can’t necessarily say that luck has played a role, I can say that persistence, consistency, and resilience have played a vital role in getting me where I am today.

Contact Info:

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