We recently connected with DaQuisha Whitaker and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, DaQuisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
What do a 2-year-old and an ice machine have in common? Water Rocks! My son came up to me one day in the kitchen and asked for “Water Rocks” as I was making myself a glass of ice water. I chuckled after a quick delay of trying to figure out what he was talking about, but then when it hit me I was blown away! The ice was in fact WATER… ROCKS! I held onto that brilliantness until the time came for me to publish my first book and I needed a name for my publishing imprint that wasn’t my own, that was unique and meaningful to me. Water Rocks Publishing.
DaQuisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Da’Quisha Whitaker and I am an author and owner of Water Rocks Publishing, a publishing and author branding agency that helps new and aspiring authors publish and brand their books with the intention to build a legacy, connection with their audience, and profit. I write stories as D.M. Whitaker, helping parents, educators, and caregivers, teach children’s daily life and social skills that will help them be their best in their homes, classrooms, and communities. Before I was an author, publisher, speaker, and brand strategist, I was a middle-grade reading teacher and community social services provider. My work with children and their families inspires the stories I tell in my books.
After walking away from the classroom 5 and a half years ago to take care of my baby boy who was born with a congenital heart defect, I knew there was something else outside of the classroom, greater in me still left to achieve. There was a purpose that I hadn’t met yet. After a year of taking care of my son, I started writing again. It is what I went to college for, and becoming an author had always been a dream of mine, though it seems so unattainable or financially wise to do some 8 years prior. But as a new parent, I was motivated to start writing and telling stories that I knew from my experience as a new mother and past experiences working with children, the world needed to have on their bookshelves.
Fast-forward to 2 years later, I am a mother of two boys and a homeschooling momma. I have professionally self-published 10 books (3 of which I co-wrote with my now 6-year-old son, Duce), launched a publishing and branding agency for other writers who want to become independent authors, and provided branding services to authors to help them to show up professionally and be branded to increase their authority, trust amongst their target audience, and revenue as a book business. Not only do we help writers become authors through our done-for-your publishing and coaching services. We also provide done-for-your author branding services, like social media graphics, content strategies, author websites, Amazon branding, workshops, resources, and more!
As a business owner and author, I am most proud of being in my first year as a business owner of Water Rocks Publishing, having helped over 10 authors publish and brand their stories. We have repeat clients and clients who refer us to their friends, colleagues, and family because of the quality of work we produce, the relationships we build, and the education and coaching we provide authors. They leave us feeling equipped and empowered as authors, and that plays a key part in their overall success.
The main thing I want potential clients and followers to know is that we all have a story deep down inside of us. It is our responsibility to tell that story to educate, inspire and entertain. To be the author of your story means that you tell it your way, own it, and build a legacy and generational wealth from it. The hardest part is writing the story. Once you have done that, we at Water Rocks turn it into a polished and profitable manuscript that will change your life and the lives of your readers. At Water Rocks Publishing we are all about empowering the writer as they transform into an author. All of our clients maintain creative control, copyrights, and royalties for their books. We are simply here to serve you to ensure that you publish a book that you are proud of and that can stand next to any traditionally published book and be respected, adorned, and profitable.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The first book that I published was through an independent publishing company that I was referred to by another author that I had met in a Facebook group of VIPKID teachers. She shared how she had been using her teaching money to pay for her book publishing. I asked her for the publishing company’s name, contacted them, and pitched my story. They loved it and accepted me as a client. A process that I expected would take 6-8 months to complete, took 18 months! I was given dates that my book would be released, 0nly for the date to come 3 different times and there would still be no book. I was disappointed, worried, and embarrassed, yet resilient! I continued to push and ask questions of my publisher until the book was finally released. But in the meantime, while I waited, I continued to write and pray. And in that time of waiting, writing, and praying, I met my now business coach who taught me the ends and outs of publishing. I took all of that information and published my second book independently 1 month after my first one. By the end of 2020, I had 2 books, when the year had started and I had none. I could have thrown myself a pity party rightfully so, as I thought my time and investment were in vain. But in all actuality, it set me up for a bigger blessing and opportunity I could have never imagined. Being a 10-time author and owner of my own publishing and branding agency. Had I quit and not trust the process that God had me on, I wouldn’t be where I am today. There would be no Water Rocks Publishing, and there wouldn’t be 9 other books out in the world to be enjoyed.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What has helped me build my reputation within the publishing market is my own personal portfolio of works I have published, and learning from and being endorsed by my business coach. Publish one book and people think it’s cool… a hobby or a bucket list item checked off. Publish more and they start taking you seriously. I have published 10 books within the first 2 years of being an author and business owner, and they all are very eye-catching, professionally designed, edited, and formatted books. Because of this, people not only want to buy them, but they also want to tell others about them. Because of that, I have built the reputation of not only a children’s book author that writes books teaching children skills but also a publisher who publishes very professional-looking books that children and adults love. And many want to do the same!
I also invested in a business coach whose reputation proceeds itself as she is an award-winning author and diversity publishing pro. She has taught me the ins and outs of publishing and running a publishing business. She has also referred and endorsed me to other authors for my publishing and branding services, increasing my visibility, reputation, and client list.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.waterrockspublishing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterrockspublishing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterrockspublishing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmwhitaker22/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dm_whitaker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjTthPFLOpke333-V9vVxuw
- Other: D.M. Whitaker Children’s Book Brand: Website: dmwhitaker.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/dmwhitaker_writes/
Image Credits
Ron Coleman of C4 Photography