Today we’d like to introduce you to Stenetta Anthony.

Hi Stenetta, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From classroom to published author
Hello I am Stenetta Anthony, a multi award-winning author. I was an educator for more than 22 years before becoming a published children’s author… I was extremely comfortable in the classroom, until one day in October I was asked a question by a young child who asked, “Who is God? Looking at this child who was anxiously awaiting their answer. I gave them what I considered to be the appropriate answer to their question; however, I was not satisfied within myself that this was the answer they wanted. Reflecting on this question I began to researching furiously for an answer for this child or any child could understand who was not familiar with God, the bible, church, or other religious beliefs.

Confronting this question head, I began to delve for non traditional children books that could easily introduce a child to God. However more than a year of never finding a book that I considered appropriate, Although I never considered myself as an author, I was inspired to write and publish my first children’s book entitled The Love Story. Thinking this would be my first and only book, it was discovered fate had another plan for me. To date I have written and published 4 children’s books and have a feature poem in a book of anthology about Former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Several years after writing my first book. I took a leap of faith and retired as an educator to become a full-time author. Reflecting on how a simple question produced a person who never considered herself as a writer/author.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges Sometimes Encountered in Publishing
Some people believe that writing a book is a simple process. Seeing your name in print on a book cover had me feeling as if I was over the moon! Yet, I soon discovered seeing my name in print was just the beginning of the what some considered as an simple process. Not only did I have to write, but edit, look at hundred of illustrations, (because I do not draw, not even stick people), I had to identify my brand, learn how to market to my audience, establish business and so much more, while continuing to work on my next book. This was quite challenging for someone who spent most of their career in an academic environment.
There were moments when I felt as if writing another book was worth the time and effort. Yet, I pressed through those disheartening times; taking a quote from Butch Hartman, “Life is full of challenges, but I always have the three P’s Passion, patience, and persistence.” Learning that each obstacle is simply a process to having another successful moment.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My artistry of writing involves word and illustration creativity. Weaving words and sentences together to make a story that is entertaining, educational, motivational and most of all fun for the reader. Bringing characters from my imagination to life where they are seen are real. Being sure the words and illustrations read and seen are in perfect formation. Creating books or other genre of that writings that have original content and exploring various topics that are enjoyed.

What was your favorite childhood memory?

Favorite Childhood Memories

I have two fond childhood memories. Between the ages of 7- 10 years old Friday and Saturdays were the most exciting time of the week for me. During these years I was introduced to the neighborhood fish fried Saturday dinner sales. My aunt would fry and sell fish dinners to her neighborhood. She began taking orders at the beginning of the week and I would go out on Friday evenings after school with pen and pad to confirm placed orders.

On Saturday my aunt and her crew (which included me). We begin preparing the meals, frying fish, and prepping all the side dishes for packaging and delivery. I had lots of fun spending time with my aunt and her neighbor entrepreneur business. Always knowing on Saturday evening, I was going to get some money for helping.
My second childhood memory is when I had the privilege of spending time with my favorite uncle Sam. During the summer months my uncle would take me as a, “shot gun”, (front seat passenger) in his Yellow Cab. We would drive from one area of Chicago to another. Picking up passengers and viewing different parts of the city. This was exciting because he had to drive into various areas of the city that I had never seen.

Sometimes when there was a dispatch call for a passenger pick-up, my uncle would allow me to answer the call. After answering each call my uncle would say, “you did good girlie,” and laugh. After driving for several hours my uncle and I would always stop at a fast-food or snack bar restaurant. These moments together were very special to me because I got to spend time alone with my favorite uncle, see the city and eat all the junk food my stomach could hold.

Contact Info:

• Website: stenettaanthony.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stenettaanthony/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/public/stenetta-anthony
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stenetta-anthony-42b28544
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/StenettaA

Image Credits
Stenetta Anthony and Steven Willis @https://www.instagram.com/stevesphotoschi/