Life & Work with Ayana Bennett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Bennett.

Hi Ayana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I can’t start this particular story without mentioning my mother. It’s because of her that I’m a children’s book author. I started writing Urban Fiction in 2015. In 2017, my mother came to me with an idea of writing children’s books. She said that I could inspire someone with just a few words. Her saying that embarked a journey that I never thought was possible. Five years later, I have three children’s books and one in the works. It may not sound like a lot to many but it means a lot to me. Mainly because so many believed in me enough to take my words into their homes.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming an author isn’t necessarily easy but maintaining to be one is much harder. Finding your audience is very hard. Especially when you want to reach everyone. I don’t care to focus on just one thing. I’m more concerned about the topic than demographic. Whatever is on my heart to write is what I write about. I have a book just for girls, represented by butterflies. I have a book for kids with disabilities. I have another for black and brown kids. I don’t care to be fit into a box. So it’s hard getting people to see what you do when you have something for everyone.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a children’s book author, I have to think about what needs to be said to grab the reader’s attention while also trying to teach them something. I find it crazy that I can tell a story in a little amount of words. And then let the pictures do the rest. I feel that I’ve done an amazing job at doing so. My words are just a confirmation of what the pictures depict. My work is most known for encouraging. No matter the subject that I write about, my words are encouraging to the children and to the parents. I’m most proud of the fact that my books have made it inside of over 100+ homes. Internationally included. And I’m just getting started.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Becoming a children’s book author is a risk because the topics discussed can sort of make or break you as an author. There are many of parents who won’t let their child read certain topics. So as an author, we have to realize that we can’t and won’t reach every child or touch them in a way we hoped with our words. Just my topics alone are risky. I speak on bullying, praying, standing tall and firm in self, disabilities, beauty, believing, trusting and so much more. Not everyone can relate and that’s why I write it. When it comes to my children’s books, I’ll continue to take risks. It’s what helps me stand out.

Pricing:

• $10

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/Mai-B./e/B07KDGRHBH?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_arec_aupg&pd_rd_w=fkX2a&content-id=amzn1.sym.7f143d2f-a8db-4521-b079-42d1b54edc7a&pf_rd_p=7f143d2f-a8db-4521-b079-42d1b54edc7a&pf_rd_r=8SPEZKZNH3NHSQX90ZCJ&pd_rd_wg=QV0LF&pd_rd_r=102e291d-199d-4982-aa05-10f1542212f1
• Instagram: Authormaib
• Facebook: Author Mai B
• Other: www.authorajwrite.co