Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Gadson

Hi Gina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

The Distinguished Authors Guild started with three very eager individuals who wanted to do something for authors outside of the ordinary. The questions at hand; How do we support authors? What can we do to put them in front of a larger audience? After further thought and deliberation, the decision was made to host an author’s award show. This show would be dedicated to honor the past and celebrate those before us for their distinctive contributions to American literature. Hence, the Distinguished Authors Guild (aka D.A.G.) was created.

The first few years posed challenges. In 2020, the pandemic hit. Our initial thought was to pick up with D.A.G. once the pandemic was over. However, collectively, we decided to host it virtually. This was something we had never done before, but we stepped out on faith and 2020 was the first Distinguished Authors Guild Literary Award Show. By 2021, two of the three partners had moved on. Co-founder Gina Gadson kept pushing and in 2021, D.A.G. had another successful virtual event. In 2022 and 2023, D.A.G. went live in Las Vegas, NV. On November 10th, 2024, the 5th Annual Distinguished Authors Guild Literary Award Show was hosted at Theater 47 in Park Forest, IL. It presented a next level experience with entertainment, awards, and accolades.

In 2022, D.A.G. partnered with Dr. Carolyn Stephens of BHC Media Group to create media kits to promote authors and their books. She has designed EPKs, book trailers, and promotional fliers, just to name a few, for exposure. DopeliveTV plays a major role in giving authors visibility. Founder Greg Gray has been a part of making D.A.G. a success since the beginning by extending his platform to nominees year after year. He has produced, edited, and filmed the production since 2020. This year, Karl Ray of Karl Ray Photography, was brought on board. Greg and Karl produced a phenomenal outcome. Another intricate party is Maurice Bishop, the man behind the promotions. He works tirelessly to create exhilarating videos to make D.A.G. shine. Johnika Standmore, who is co-producer, has an important role in looking at the entire layout. What works and what doesn’t. She is the 2nd eye of the organization and does not take her role lightly. This group has worked diligently and as a result, the 5th Annual Distinguished Authors Guild Literary Award Show was a huge success.
By design, D.A.G. is more than an award show, it’s a community. We work to connect authors with individuals, companies and agencies. We have placed authors in front of audiences that they would never have reached. We’ve placed books in public libraries. Books have been picked up by school districts, fraternities, and magazines. It doesn’t stop there. D.A.G. award scholarships to creative writing students in their freshman year of college. Over the past five years, we have given five $500 scholarships to college students. This was done through donations from loving and supportive individuals. The goal is to award $1000 to 10 college students per year. If you’re interested in donating to the scholarship fund, you may Cash App $DAGxx20.

Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” The amazing authors associated with the Distinguished Authors Guild wrote books because they wanted to tell a story that hadn’t been read. Over the past years, we received submissions from authors who have shared their stories. They come from all over the world, all walks of life, and they call D.A.G. family. And just like family, we stay connected. I thank God for sending the individuals who planted the seeds and those who watered and fertilized the Distinguished Authors Guild. As we move into 2025, we encourage you to submit your published book. We welcome you to be a part of the D.A.G. community. Registration opens January 2025 and ends May 2025. View the registration form on the Distinguished Authors Guild Facebook page. After all, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” by Maya Angelou.

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?

The road to D.A.G. wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge is funding the award show. Everything is funded through donations and ticket sales. We rely on these donations to cover expenses such as the entertainment, the venue and scholarships. We walk a fine line because when one thing goes awry, it’s a huge loss for a small entity such as this. In 2023, we had several last-minute cancellations. This meant a loss of funds for hotel rooms and airfare. Not to mention, trying to secure replacements at the last minute. It put us in the red. However, as with any business there are obstacles. They may slow you down, but they shouldn’t stop you.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

D.A.G. was developed to honor our literary pioneers who opened doors that we now walk through. Those who broke down barriers so that we may have literary freedom. D.A.G. was developed to reward future writers who use their words in different styles and techniques to communicate their creative ideas. By design, D.A.G. is more than an award show, it’s a community. We work to connect authors with individuals, companies and agencies. We have placed authors in front of audiences that they would never have reached. We’ve placed books in public libraries. Books have been picked up by school districts, fraternities, and magazines. It doesn’t stop there. D.A.G. award scholarships to creative writing students in their freshman year of college. Over the past five years, we have given five $500 scholarships to college students. This was done through donations from loving and supportive individuals. The goal is to award $1000 to 10 college students per year. If you’re interested in donating to the scholarship fund, you may Cash App $DAGxx20.

How do you think about luck?

You may call it bad luck; I call it a blessing. In 2022, my position of 18 years was eliminated. To pour salt on the wound, it was eliminated two weeks before my 60th birthday. Initially it rattled my mind, but then I reflected on my 10-year plan. At the age of 50, I wrote out a plan to retire at the age of 60. The plan was to have all my bills paid in full, retire, and dedicate my time to the Distinguished Authors Guild. I tried to deviate from my plan in 2022. A year after the pandemic hit and we worked from home, my employer chose to not bring us back to the office and continue to have employees work remotely. In my mind, this was ideal. My thought pattern was that I no longer have an hour and a half drive to get to work, so I’ll work another 5 years. That was not in God’s plan. You said at age 60, so it shall be done. At that point I looked at the termination as a blessing. I now have time to do the things that need to be done for D.A.G. without interruption. This is the result of that blessing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAuAOcyVZMo

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064145820687
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAuAOcyVZMo
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1998581220523496