Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquitta A. Mcmanus
Hi Jacquitta A., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey of becoming a children’s book publisher was sparked when I was looking for fantasy and science fiction adventure stories to read to my daughter. I wanted to introduce her to some genres I love, fantasy adventure and science fiction books, but I couldn’t find any stories with black characters or Black female characters in particular in the early reader chapter book age range. This was an issue. I didn’t want her to experience having a love of reading but never finding books with black girl heroes. I didn’t want her to look, and I to never find a book with a character that looked like her. That was my experience, and I wanted something different for her and all the other little girls with brown skin and a love of reading. Diverse books with Black female characters are essential for confidence, self-esteem, and inspiration. So, I decided to fill that gap and published my first fantasy adventure story, Anyia – Dream of a Warrior. It’s the first book in a series that follows a young girl who is defying tradition to become a warrior. My books aim to entertain, inspire, and empower young readers, celebrating diversity, resilience, and girl power.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been both a smooth and bumpy road. Writing stories and publishing books have generally been smooth processes. I’ve been able to lean on my background as a graphic designer and my passion for storytelling to bring my ideas to life. However, there have been challenges along the way, particularly regarding marketing.
Marketing has been a bumpy road from the beginning—it’s been my biggest learning curve. As an independent author, I’ve had to navigate how to reach my audience effectively, build visibility for my books, and stand out in a competitive market. It’s an ongoing journey, but each struggle has taught me valuable lessons about connecting with readers and the parents who buy my books for their little ones. While there are still areas I’m working to improve, the process has helped me grow as an author and a publisher.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Worlds To Discover?
I founded Worlds to Discover, an independent publishing company dedicated to creating diverse and empowering stories for children. I specialize in fantasy adventure books for ages 0 to 12, featuring Black heroes who inspire young readers with courage, resilience, and individuality. As an author and publisher, my mission is to fill a gap in children’s literature by crafting stories that celebrate representation, girl power, and the magic of diversity, giving children stories where they can see themselves as heroes.
What sets Worlds to Discover apart is my focus on representation and inclusion. Growing up, I rarely saw characters who looked like me in the books I loved, and I didn’t want that to be the experience for the next generation. My published works include the Anyia series (Anyia—Dream of a Warrior and Anyia—It Begins), the Talee series (Talee and the Fallen Object, Talee and the Maze-a-thon Race), and Baby Princess and the Lost Doll. Each book is designed to entertain while empowering readers, offering exciting, imaginative tales with relatable characters.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how my stories have connected with families who are searching for diverse books that reflect their experiences and dreams. Hearing from parents and children who feel seen and inspired by my books is incredibly rewarding and reaffirms why I started this journey.
For your readers, I’d love them to know that my books are more than just stories—they’re adventures that spark imagination, build confidence, and celebrate diversity. Whether through fantasy adventures or relatable moments of self-discovery, my books aim to inspire children to embrace who they are and explore the limitless possibilities of their dreams.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Hmmmm. Something surprising about me is that I started my creative journey in film—I actually thought I was going to be a film director. Before becoming an author and publisher, I wrote, directed, and produced a short film. It was a fun and eye-opening experience that taught me so much about storytelling: how to craft engaging narratives, develop compelling characters, and emotionally connect with an audience. Those lessons have deeply influenced my approach to writing children’s books and building my brand. It’s a part of my journey that often surprises people, but it has been instrumental in shaping the way I bring stories to life today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.worldstodiscover.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldstodiscover/
