Inspiring Conversations with Kendra Thomas of Books By Ken LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Thomas.

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?
My author journey began with a passion for storytelling and a deep love for creating meaningful books for children—especially stories where they could see themselves represented. As a mother and entrepreneur, I noticed the importance of diversity in children’s literature and wanted to create books that reflected real experiences, confidence, learning, and family connections.

I started writing because I wanted to make an impact beyond just entertainment. I wanted children, especially African American children, to feel seen, valued, and inspired through reading. My main character, Kamari, was created to represent joy, curiosity, learning, and everyday adventures that children can relate to.

What began as one book quickly turned into a growing series and a bigger mission. I not only became a children’s book author, but I also stepped into helping other aspiring authors publish their own books and become indie authors themselves. I realized my purpose was bigger than writing—it was about creating opportunities, building representation, and helping others bring their stories to life.

Today, my journey includes author visits at schools and daycares, literacy advocacy, publishing support for new authors, and continuing to grow the Kamari brand. Every step has been built on faith, consistency, and the belief that stories have the power to change lives.

My author journey is still being written, and that is the most exciting part—knowing there are still so many more stories to tell and lives to impact.

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?
No, this journey has definitely not been a smooth road, but every challenge taught me something valuable. One of the biggest struggles was learning the publishing process and understanding everything that comes with being an independent author—from writing and editing to finding the right illustrator, marketing, printing, and distribution.

Another challenge was building visibility and getting people to believe in my brand before they fully knew my story. As an indie author, you wear many hats—you are the writer, the promoter, the business owner, and sometimes even the salesperson. There were moments of doubt, financial challenges, and times when things did not move as quickly as I hoped.

Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and my passion for writing was also a major challenge. It required discipline, patience, and a lot of faith. There were seasons where I had to keep pushing even when results were slow.

But those struggles helped shape me. They taught me resilience, consistency, and the importance of believing in your vision even when others may not see it yet. Every obstacle became part of my testimony, and it made the success even more meaningful.

We’ve been impressed with Books By Ken LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Books By Ken LLC is more than just a publishing brand—it is a platform built to inspire literacy, representation, and entrepreneurship. My business focuses on creating diverse children’s books that help young readers see themselves in the stories they read while also promoting confidence, learning, and imagination.

Through my Kamari book series, I create relatable stories centered around family, education, everyday adventures, and important childhood milestones. My goal is to make reading exciting and meaningful for children while giving parents, schools, and daycares books they can trust and connect with.

In addition to being an author, I also help aspiring writers become published authors through independent publishing services. I guide new authors through the process of writing, publishing, branding, and bringing their books to life. I believe everyone has a story worth telling, and I love helping others turn their vision into reality.

Books By Ken LLC also offers author visits for schools, daycares, and community events where I promote literacy, reading engagement, and entrepreneurship. My brand stands for purpose, impact, and legacy—showing others that your story can become your business and your passion can create opportunities for others.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I used to be a very shy person and didn’t like speaking in front of people. As i grew my brand i had to get out of that and really step into who I am.

Pricing:

• – 12.97 per children’s book
• – 7.97 per children’s coloring books

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kentheauthor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksbyken/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksbyken/