We recently connected with Erika Kendrick-Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Erika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Publishing Prep is deeply rooted in my personal mission: to empower others to find their voice, share their stories, and build resilience through the power of storytelling. My journey to this mission began in college, during a time when I was battling significant mental health challenges. Writing became my lifeline—it saved me by giving me a purpose, a voice, and a way to process my experiences. That transformational power of storytelling is what drives me to help others realize their dreams of becoming published authors.
Through Publishing Prep, I provide aspiring writers with the tools, strategies, and confidence to navigate the complex publishing world. This program isn’t just about technical skills; it’s infused with mental fitness modules to equip authors with the resilience and clarity they need to succeed. Writing a book is as much an emotional journey as it is a creative and logistical one, and I want my students to thrive on all levels.
My public speaking and the Who Moved My Happy? tour are extensions of this mission. As a suicide survivor and mental health advocate, I’ve made it my life’s work to destigmatize mental health struggles and equip people with tools to anchor their happiness. Who Moved My Happy? was born from my own experiences of navigating mental health challenges and learning to thrive despite them. The Who Moved My Happy?</i> workbook and the accompanying tour are designed to help others create their own “bedazzled toolbelt” of resources to find joy and stability.
Lastly, my writing as an author reflects this same mission. Whether it’s in my middle-grade books like Instafamous, which explores the traps of social media, or Cookie Monsters, which tackles issues like anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD , I weave mental fitness and resilience into every fun middle grade story. These books are a way to reach younger audiences, helping them navigate challenges while feeling seen and understood.
My mission is meaningful because it’s personal. I know what it feels like to struggle and to feel unheard, and I also know the joy of finding your voice and your purpose. Every facet of my work—from Publishing Prep to public speaking to writing—is a way of paying it forward and helping others tell their stories, find their happiness, and live boldly.
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’m a bestselling author, award-winning speaker, and founder of Publishing Prep, a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower aspiring authors to navigate the publishing world with confidence. My journey to this point has not been easy or linear. From being an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls to teaching high school English in Los Angeles, each step taught me the power of resilience, storytelling, and finding purpose in unexpected places.
Writing quite literally saved my life. As someone who has faced mental health challenges, I found solace, purpose, and a voice through storytelling. But my journey to becoming a published author wasn’t easy—I was rejected by 18 literary agents (I stopped counting after that) before finally landing the agent of my dreams. That agent didn’t just help me become a bestselling author; she’s become a mentor, advocate, and even my dinner partner once a quarter. I want that kind of experience for others, and with the right tools and guidance, I know it’s possible.
Publishing Prep was inspired by the countless people who’ve approached me saying they wanted to write a book but didn’t know where to start, felt stuck and needed guidance, or finished a manuscript and had no idea how to get a literary agent to notice them. I’ve designed this program to meet aspiring authors where they are and give them everything they need to succeed.
Our flagship offering is the Publishing Prep Academy, a seven-week signature course that provides a deep dive into the publishing process. It includes:
– First-Page Critiques by Industry Editors: Students will receive professional feedback from experienced editors at major publishing houses on the first pages of their manuscript. These insights will help them make strong impressions and refine their work for submission.
– Expert Guidance from Literary Agents: Students will gain valuable information directly from literary agents about what they’re looking for in submissions, along with guidance on crafting compelling query letters, understanding market trends, and standing out in a crowded industry.
– Comprehensive Publishing Blueprint: Students will follow a clear, step-by-step roadmap through the entire publishing process, from fine-tuning their manuscript to understanding submission strategies, building an author platform, and avoiding common mistakes.
– Bestselling Author Insights: Students will also learn from bestselling authors through exclusive workshops and interviews where they share their journeys, strategies for success, and advice for aspiring writers.
For those at different stages in their journey, we also offer smaller courses tailored to specific aspects of publishing, from developing a query letter to polishing a manuscript. And for those just getting started, I host a free masterclass where I generously share publishing secrets (probably too many!), offer a comprehensive overview of the writing and publishing journey, and give people a chance to get to know me and my teaching style.
What sets Publishing Prep apart is that it’s not just about technical skills; it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. I’ve been in the trenches, and I know how overwhelming this process can feel. My goal is to provide a roadmap, support, and encouragement so my students can move forward with clarity and purpose.
What makes me most proud is the impact my work has on others. Whether it’s meeting someone at a book signing who tells me my story inspired them to start their own, or seeing my students secure literary agents, these moments reaffirm why I do this. Writing saved my life, and I know it can transform others too.
At its core, my brand is about empowerment—empowering people to share their stories, find their voices, and believe in the power of their unique perspective. Whether through Publishing Prep, my public speaking, or my books, I’m here to remind people that their stories matter, and with the right tools and support, they can change the world.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely. My creative journey is driven by a mission to empower people through storytelling and mental fitness. Writing saved my life during one of the most challenging periods of my life, when I was struggling with a mental illness and searching for a way to process my emotions, make sense of my experiences, and ultimately find hope. That transformation—moving from darkness to light through the power of words—drives everything I do.
Through Publishing Prep, I help aspiring authors turn their ideas and experiences into stories that can inspire and connect with others. Writing is not just a creative outlet; it’s a tool for mental fitness. It allows people to process their feelings, find their voice, and create something meaningful. Many of my students come to me stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to move forward. Publishing Prep gives them not only the practical tools to succeed but also the confidence and clarity to push through self-doubt. Writing has the power to heal, and I’m passionate about helping others tap into that.
In addition to Publishing Prep, my mental fitness tour, Who Moved My Happy?, is another extension of this mission. As a suicide survivor and mental health advocate, I know firsthand how critical it is to equip people with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges. Who Moved My Happy? provides practical, actionable strategies to help individuals build resilience, anchor their happiness, and thrive despite life’s ups and downs. It’s about reminding people that happiness is a journey, not a destination, and that even when life feels impossible, there are ways to steady yourself and keep moving forward.
This mission extends into my writing as well. In my books, I intentionally create characters who face real-world challenges—anxiety, depression, ADHD—because I want readers to see themselves in these characters and feel understood. I want them to know they’re not alone and that there’s hope, even when things feel difficult.
At the core of my creative journey is the belief that storytelling, whether through writing or speaking, has the power to heal, connect, and inspire. My mission is to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to share their own stories. Every book, every workshop, and every event I lead is another step in fulfilling that purpose.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn—and it took years—was the belief that rejection defines my worth. For so long, I thought every “no” meant I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or talented enough. It was a narrative I carried from my teenage years, through college, and even into adulthood. But the truth? Rejection isn’t a verdict; it’s a redirection.
The backstory of this lesson is rooted in my journey to becoming a published author. I was rejected by 18 literary agents before landing the agent of my dreams. With every rejection letter, my self-doubt grew louder. I started to question everything about myself: Was I even meant to do this? Was my voice worth hearing? But deep down, I knew writing was my purpose—it was the one thing that had saved me when I felt like I was drowning in the weight of my mental health challenges.
So, I refused to give up. I studied, revised, and kept submitting. And when that dream agent said yes, it changed my life. Not just because I became a bestselling author, but because I realized that every rejection along the way had taught me something—resilience, patience, and the value of persistence. Rejection wasn’t a door closing; it was life pushing me to build a better, stronger door.
This lesson became a cornerstone of everything I do now. When I speak on my mental fitness tour, Who Moved My Happy?, I remind people that setbacks aren’t the end of the story—they’re the plot twists that make our journeys worth telling. Through Publishing Prep, I teach aspiring authors not to fear rejection but to use it as fuel to refine their work and keep striving. And in my books, I create characters who stumble, struggle, and sometimes fail because I want readers to see that it’s okay to fall—as long as you get back up.
Unlearning the idea that rejection defines worth has been transformational. It’s helped me see that my value isn’t tied to someone else’s opinion; it’s in the courage to keep showing up, keep trying, and keep believing in the power of my voice. That’s the message I want to pass on to everyone I meet: You are not your failures. You are your ability to rise, learn, and grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: publishingprep.com
- Instagram: @erikajkendrick
- Facebook: @erikakendrick-johnson
- Linkedin: Erika Kendrick
- Other: www.xoerika.com