Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kenya Goree-Bell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kenya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am very happy as a writer and very grateful that I get to do what I love and earn a living from it. Having had a regular job I know how soul crushing it can be to feel like you are another cog in the wheel of a corporation. Even as a teacher where I felt great purpose in molding and shaping lives I still felt that joy was lacking and I was not living up to my full purpose.

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

As a romance writer I focus on several sub-genres: contemporary, African American, Sci-fi, historical and dark. Soon I will be adding dark fantasy.

I was always a writer even as a childI wrote short stories. I wrote my first romance without really knowing what I was doing, with only craft books as my guide. Then joined my local RWA and reworked that story and my first historical romance was written. My local chapter was key to me learning the business, craft and networking. I was inspired by others to venture into indie/self publishing. I soon learned after I published my first book that I had to learn a lot about being a indie author. I started following and connecting with authors I respected in the Romance world and many of them mentored me. By the time I published my first contemporary romance, Rapper’s Delight, I learned enough to garner a modicum of success with two bestsellers in The Mogul Series.

I fell in love with Dark romance and decided to write in the genre because I had not seen any heroines who looked like me — curvy or Black. Using what I learned from marketing, social media and networking, I wrote BAD GUY and it was an immediate bestseller. The success with The Blood Legacy Series continues with all the books that followed being bestsellers as well.

I’ve learned the importance of doing the front end work when writing a book. Branding, networking, marketing and social media presence is as important as writing a good book. You should start telling people about your book as soon as you start writing it.

Being an extrovert helps in these areas and helps me stand apart a little because most writers are introverts. I am also a high communicator and achiever, so I don’t rest long between wins. I always feel like there is more I should or could be doing, so I am aways looking for ways to improve.

My brand is me. I want my readers to know I am accessible a there is no success for me without them. I feel like they are sharing this journey with me. Their feelings are valid and I know they may not like every book I write but I appreciate them giving my books a chance.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot when I was writing contemporary. I had moderate success with The Mogul Series but the books, though getting great reviews weren’t getting the sales they deserved. Having a love for Dark Romance, I began a new series, The Blood Legacy Series that married small town southern culture with billionaire romance. I threw in two feuding families to add more conflict. It was an immediate success.

Don’t ever be afraid to take a chance on yourself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

One of my main goals as an author is for readers to see themselves in my stories. I write stories that touch of differing abilities, size, culture and economic status. Everyone deserves to have a happy ever after. Happy ever after is only part of the journey, there is much more to come and romance is only a snapshot in a characters life. I want to put a little joy into the world with my stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kenyagoree.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyagoreebell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenya.goreebell
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/kenyagoreebell