Today we’d like to introduce you to Teya Lucas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in Memphis, TN, I moved to Atlanta, GA in 1998 with my mother. It was a hard adjustment to the big city so to express myself, I would keep a journal. My journal was entries about my day, my feelings, short stories, and even poetry. I kept every journal book from 16 until 25 years old. One day during the midst of a move, I ran across the box that held my journals and I decided to collect all of my poems and publish a poetry book. It took a few years for me to go through all of my journals to pick the right poem to go into the boo, so it could flow. I mentioned to a friend at that time what I was doing and I even shared a few poems with her. Every time she read a poem, she would ask what was going on during that time that that poem was written. I would just tell her and one day, I decided to add the stories behind each poem which turned into the book series, Urban Tales of A Southern Belle.
The first book was published on Amazon in 2015 and relaunched in April 2019 by a digital relaunch suggested by a great friend of mines. May 2019, I published the 2nd book. I am currently working on the 3rd book. My goal is to publish a total of five books for this series. I have been receiving rave reviews and was even acknowledged and named Artist of the Hour from a popular site who recognizes authors, actors, actresses, etc.
Has it been a smooth road?
This road as a single mother is never smooth whenever you are trying to accomplish one of your goals. I have no clue about the literary world so learning about the industry has been a little challenging, yet rewarding. I am a single mother of an active 15-year-old daughter so the balance between motherhood and pursuing dreams is required. My first goal was to shop for a publisher to publish my book, however, they either wanted me to pay a lot of money and/or needed me to do a book tour and because of my kid, I had to turn it down. I did not have a team or village that would step in during my absence back in 2015. The road is not smooth, however, I have God on my side and He is so amazing that he continuously bless me with opportunities, such as this as well as bring certain people in my life. I am learning a lot in the literary world. Like with anything in life, as long as I have God, the will to work for it, consistent and determined, I can accomplish anything. I have accomplished a lot so far and this is only the beginning.
We’d love to hear more about your book.
My book is about a young girl, trying to find her way in the world that she was never prepared for by her family. She experiences, verbal abuse, abandonment, and manipulation from people she trusts. My book has opened a dialogue between mothers and daughters on cultivating better relationships with each other. I have spoken and still speak to young girls from 13-21 about mental illness and learning how to express themselves in a healthy manner. I have spoken to mothers about learning how to listen and pay attention to the signs of their daughters.
I, myself, make strides in maintaining a good relationship with my own 15-year-old daughter. My book series is a conversational piece and I believe both mothers and daughters should read it together.
Urban Tales of A Southern Belle is one avenue that I can utilize to launch a non-profit organization catered to young ladies. I want to take back our influence over our young black girls. I want to show them a different way to communicate with their parents effectively and other ways to be a leader without degrading ourselves. I want to help them become leaders in their classrooms, churches, and communities. I believe that is what sets this book apart. My book series has a goal to open up avenues to help change the narrative of mother-daughter relationships and young black ladies overall.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do believe every city should promote and cultivate healthy mother-daughter relationships or any parent-child relationship. If you ever had a therapy session or sessions, they always ask you, how was your childhood. Everything we go through as an adult stems from our upbringing and if we can change the narrative, I believe we will have better upstanding citizens in the world.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4046048575
- Email: meshay2000@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teyameshay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanTalesofASouthernBelle/.
- Other: Please purchase my books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/TEYA-M-Lucas/e/B07S944GDR?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
Image Credit:
Willie Johnson
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