We were lucky to catch up with Keylonda Wheeler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Keylonda, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I started my author journey in 2020. I was on maternity leave after having my second child and decided it was finally time to begin writing out the children’s book idea that I’d had for years. In some ways, I wish I had started sooner. In other ways, it was the perfect timing! Starting sooner would have allowed me the chance to jump into the growing market of self-published books earlier. Starting later when I did, allowed my own children who most certainly inspired many aspects of my book to be involved and grow in their understanding. They’ve literally grown up with my books!

Keylonda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in Louisiana. Looking back, my writing was always praised from elementary school through college. Whether it was my short stories, poems, or research papers. My life’s journey shaped and prepared me for everything I’m dong today! My goal is to highlight and bring acceptance to disabilities and differences of all kinds. My first three books, collectively called the Inclusive K.R.E.W.E. series, have featured a wheelchair user, speech, language, and learning disabilities, and Type 1 Diabetes. The series is named in homage to Louisiana culture with “krewe” also being an acronym for the mission and values behind my products and services: kindness, respect, equity, wisdom, and embracement.

Since publishing my books, I have connected with some amazing supporters and organizations across the country who share my same enthusiasm for disability inclusion! I originally set out to publish my own books and then ventured into coaching services when I realized how many of my fellow independent authors were being misled by some vanity publishers. What sets me apart is my heart to see others succeed! My goal is that each of my clients will have customized support that leads them to self-publishing their books while retaining all of the rights and future royalties to their content. I always encourage aspiring authors by saying that there is someone out there searching the web for the book idea you are sitting on– they are waiting for you to publish!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Absolutely! I had to pivot right after publishing my first book. I was learning a particular self-publishing platform and inadvertently clicked the “publish” button before I was ready. I decided to form a launch team of my family and friends. They all purchased the book and some left reviews online. By the time of my actual planned launch date, my book was the #1 new release in its category!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the perfectionist tendencies I cultivated in myself over the years. While I was a student and even when I began my career, I took pride in trying to never miss a day and never make a mistake as if that would somehow make me more worthy of the role. With publishing, no book will be absolutely perfect. There is some error somewhere and maybe readers will notice and maybe it will be one that only you know about. I had to learn that being purposeful is better than being perfect. So long as the error doesn’t prevent your message from being communicated, don’t sweat it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.keylondawrites.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/keylondawrites
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/keylondawrites
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/keylondawrites