We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kenni York. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kenni below.

Kenni, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Early in my writing career another author told me that I appeared boring on social media. I understand that social media is a platform through which readers and supporters are able to connect with authors and get to know them beyond their pen. Being mistaken for boring because of the professionalism displayed on my timeline made me raise an eyebrow… but that was said to me over ten years ago and I am still here. That is the thing… that is the lesson. It is important to march to the beat of your own drum and not fall prey to the pitfalls of what you think is expected of you. My brand rests upon authenticity and consistency. That far outweighs ploys for popularity. I also learned that everything isn’t for everyone. My public persona and my projects may not always be loud by way of dramatic effect, but they are always poignant, timely, relevant, unique, hard-hitting, and well-developed. At the end of the day, as a writer I AM a business driven by passion and purpose. If that’s boring to some, that is okay with me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a traditionally published and self-published author. I have been in the literary industry for 14 years and in that time I have not only lived out my own dreams but have also been instrumental in helping other authors in developing their careers. I came into the industry eager to learn and grow and met a few important people who taught me to dream bigger, conduct authorship as a business, and aspire for multiple ways to utilize and monetize my talents. With over 30 book titles to date ranging in genre from urban fiction, erotica, LGBT fiction, and even some young adult tales, I have been blessed to construct stories that resonate with readers across communities and across the globe. I am most proud of taking control of my dreams and branching my career in multiple directions including entering the film industry. In the last four years I have written and executive produced several films including my 2020 feature film release, The Secrets That Bind, which is available via Amazon Prime. This experience challenged me creatively, innovatively, organizationally, and professionally. Venturing into film independently helped me prove to myself and others that you do not have to wait for permission from larger or mainstream entities in order to make your mark in the world.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is reflective in my personal/professional mantra: Making a difference and not just a dollar. Through this philosophy of conducting business and creating, I am a devoted to assuring that every project I touch has meaning. When readers pick up a Kenni York title or watch a Kenni York film the hope is that they walk away with some kind of intrinsic value from the experience. Yes, I aspire to entertain, but even more so I endeavor to enlighten and educate, express empathy for those in unique situations or facing challenges, and encourage others to think outside of themselves and their norms to embrace the ideals of something different.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are two top rewarding aspects of being a creative. 1) The tangible or visible evidence of building a legacy. I am able to sit back and look at my books collected on a shelf. I am able to watch a film that I wrote and produced from beginning to end with the memory in mind of how that storyline grew from notes on a page to credits on a screen. There is a sense of accomplishment you feel when you are able place eyes on something you’ve built and recall the process through which it took to get it to that finished product. It is a humbling yet rewarding experience. 2) Acknowledgement of the impact of your body of work. Every time I get an email, inbox message, or meet a reader/viewer who felt inspired or touched by something I’ve created I know for certain that I am living and walking in my purpose. When someone tells me that my words spoke to their soul and that they felt a connection with a character I fabricated…that something within one of my works did something to change their life or their perspective, I know that I have done my job. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing that the difference you aspire to make is a reality and not just an aspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kenniyork.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyettayork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063795870432
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Kenni-York/e/B00BZ14WI4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Image Credits
Kalika Wade Photography, Dale Hutchins Photography