Today we’d like to introduce you to D.m. Lewry

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 name is D.M. Lewry, and I’ve been writing since I can remember. It started with fanfictions, posting weekly chapters for people to read online. When my stories started receiving tens of thousands of positive reviews, I challenged myself to write an original story, The Eos Key: Wynter Blood Book 1, and publish it myself. The challenge of self-publishing my work, lead me to starting my publishing company, Ash City Press, and helping to coach other authors in the publishing process.

In my work, I mix fantasy and mental health, which are two issues not commonly found together. I also wanted to have a young, adult Black female character at the centre of these stories, trying to do away with the age old stereotype of the “strong Black woman.” Not all Black women are inherently strong. Many suffered before finding their strength out of necessity. I wanted help other Black women like myself, find their perfectly imperfect reflection in my characters.

Since its publication in 2022, my book has achieved the status of an Amazon Bestseller in the category of Black & African American Fantasy Fiction, in both the USA and Canada. Currently, I have completed the manuscript for my second novel, titled “The Eos Rising,” which serves as a sequel to “The Eos Key,” and am currently engaged in the writing process for the third book in the series.

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?

It has not been an easy road. The process of self-publishing has been difficult, particularly for a book that tells the story of a Black female suicide survivor who assists a white vampire in finding meaning and motivation to continue living.

As a self-published author, I handle all aspects of the business. Finding an even balance between being a mother, a wife, full-time employee, and author means juggling priorities. I have dedicated significant time away from my family to focus on the work my novel requires.

When you’re self-published, you finance all elements of publishing, which included the production of a seven-narrator audiobook that I directed and produced in partnership with Ash City Press.

Like my character, Alia, I also struggle with anxiety and depression. Being an author means putting yourself out there when you really don’t want to. I’ve had to overcome much of the social awkwardness and gut wrenching anxiety that being in the public eye comes with, however in doing so, I’ve become more comfortable with public speaking and being in large crowds.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

As a Black female author in the urban romantasy genre, my goal is to represent women who face mental health challenges and provide them with relatable characters in their favourite genre. I aim to break away from the typical portrayal of Black protagonists as warriors and instead showcase a more diverse range of experiences and identities. Power doesn’t always have to be physical. The ability to stay mentally strong can contribute to our success and winning battles in our daily lives.

Though my characters may be vampires, witches, and werewolves, they face the same fears and emotions as everyone else. I take pride in the fact my books not only include a diverse range of characters, such as LGBTQ+ individuals and those with mental health conditions, but also offer readers the captivating blend of romance and magic they crave in fantasy novels. I am unafraid to address serious issues and highlight the reality that we all have flaws, but we also possess inherent worth.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?

Covid taught me I can do more than I thought I did. I never thought I could write and publish a novel. With Covid and the lockdown forcing us to stay home more, I could prioritize what was important to me. I aspired to craft a narrative that mirrors my personal battles with anxiety and depression. I learned I can do things I never thought possible. When I finally published, I wasn’t the only one who was proud of the work I did.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dmlewry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmlewry
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/author.dmlewry/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmlewry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5f-Qkj9hqJRzGGgwFHFFg

Image Credits

All my photos.