Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ayana Bennett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ayana, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I’ve always wanted to write a book; ever since I read my first urban fiction story. I tried for many years and couldn’t get pass the first page. It wasn’t until I was 8 months pregant with my first daughter that I was finally able to get not only pass the first page but complete the book. My first book, A B-More Love debuted three days before my daughter was born. Once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I would have to say that it was my lack of imagination that kept me from being able to write a book. While it also was the fact that I was trying to write like how I’ve read books over the years. Once I put my own into my writing, it flowed like it was second nature.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. I went to college at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Graduated and moved to GA with my current husband, who I met in college. My love for reading and writing started as a child. Up to this very moment, I’m still in awe that I’m actually an author and now business owner. It wasn’t hard getting into the urban fiction world of writing. I searched for publishers who were accepting submissions and sent in what was requested. It was a no brainer to sign with Lucinda John. Had been with her the whole duration of my career until now. I finally decided to step away and become an indie author.

What I love most about being an author is showing my creative side. Having people wonder where in the world I came up with my ideas. I love story telling. I started off with urban fiction books and now I have three children’s books as well.

I’m most proud of my will to keep writing. Being in any industry isn’t easy by a long shot. You just have to want it. I love how over time I’ve expanded. How being the behind the scenes type of person I am and I’m willing to meet readers face to face. I love the impact my work has made or had on readers. I love helping and influencing others to go after what they want.

I love hearing people say that they were thinking about writing and I’m quick to tell them to do it. Keep writing until its done. Don’t just stop. Life happens. I was on a roll of dropping books monthly. Life happened and I’m trying to get back into the swing of releasing. With working full time, being a mother of two beautiful young girls and a wife, sports, and now a new business owner, I try my hardest to fit it all in. But it can’t all be done in a day. You have to tackle what you can when and while you can. It will get done. So don’t give up.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I went from just writinf urban fiction to now children’s books and currently running a clothing and accessory business. It’s hard but I somehow get it done. Learning how to navigate through it all can be tough but has to be done in order to get to where i want to be. I’m still learning. I’m still growing. But I’m staying true to myself.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I chose this question because the answer isn’t what most would be looking for. While I have an audience for my urban fiction books, I’m still trying to reach more of an audience with my children’s books. While now trying to reach an audience with my clothing and accessory line, 1520 Clothing. It’s all new to me and I’m learning as I move along. It can be hard but I don’t let anything bring me down. Most businesses fail within the first couple of years. Well, I won’t be giving up. I’m going to keep trying until I find that audience. You just have to keep putting yourself out there until it happens how it should. Not the way you want but how it should. The journey isn’t easy. Nothing happens overnight. But best believe that it can happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: Authorajwrite.co
• Instagram: Hiswife_hermom15
• Facebook: Author AJ Write
• Other: 1520 Clothing Etsy.com/shop/1520clothinginc