We were lucky to catch up with Michelle G. Cameron recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Michelle G. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My mom is my hero. M. Elaine Cameron was her name. She was a high school librarian and an English Literature teacher. Her love for books, words, and eloquent speech were passed down to me. She wouldn’t even allow us to speak our native dialect!
She read to us when we were little; her melodious voice is a cherished memory today. Her calm, even-keeled demeanor helped me when I felt anxious or unsure. She was highly respected within our community, and her students loved her dearly.
Her work flowed into our home via a sturdy wooden bookcase with glass sliding doors. The books that she provided were an oasis for me, and taught me a lot about life outside of our community and our country (I am Jamaican). I read a lot of well-known classics before I turned 12; To Kill a Mockingbird, Shakespeare, 1984, Animal Farm and Jane Eyre are a few examples. My love for reading translated into my writing. My teachers looked forward to reading my essays for classwork and homework. I wrote my first short story at the age of 15, and it was published nationally in a youth magazine. My journey began there.
Michelle G., 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 Michelle G. Cameron; eldest of 3 girls, mom of one young adult son, and someone who loves books!
My entry into the world of writing happened quite unintentionally – at least, that is my perspective. My mother, who was an English Literature teacher and high school librarian, probably would not have been surprised about how life unfolded for me.
I wrote my first short story during the summer when I was 15, and it was published nationally in the island of Jamaica.
I had no thoughts about writing again until I was an adult living in the United States. After experiencing the loss of my mother during my teen years, and the end of a marriage, the nudge to write returned. I started blogging on MySpace, and people began to respond to my writings. They urged me to write a book, so in 2010 I drafted my first book in a notebook with the help of a colleague who acted as my coach. In 2011 I met my publisher, and in September 2011 (on my mom’s birthday) I released “It’s My Life and I Live Here: One Woman’s Story.” I thought that everything would end there, but that is not what happened. I went on to complete four other books. The book that impacted my life and business the most is my hardcover, “Write That Book: Tips For New Authors,” which was released in 2018. The book was written based on demand; so many people kept asking me about how to write and publish a book so I wrote about it.
After my book was published in 2018, I realized that people needed more, so in January, 2019, I started hosting in-person writing workshops. After seeing photos online from my in-person workshops, my online audience demanded virtual sessions, so I held sessions throughout the entire year of 2019 – literally from January to December. Many of my client authors were birthed from those workshops. Their books started coming out in 2020 and thereafter.
I started editing for clients in 2015 when one of my friends sent me my first manuscript to work on because she was overloaded. I have worked to refine my editing process, and to date I have edited for more than 40 authors, with a few as repeat clients.
As time went on, I decided to take the plunge by assisting authors with the publishing process, leaning on my previous experience in working on my own books. It was a bit scary to venture into that area, but now that I have, I am learning quickly about the world of publishing. There is a lot to know! My clients have been happy with my work, and I am getting referrals for more clients. A few have watched me on social media and decided to hire me based on my presence there. Last year (2023) I helped 3 authors complete their books, and they were all happy with the results. This included editing, layout and publishing.
Based on what I have gathered through the years while working with clients, I have heard that I am very patient, and I guide everyone through a structured process that they can follow, which they appreciate. They trust me with their “book babies.” I am also very “strict” if you will, because in the past I had to fine a few workshop clients when they did not complete their work on time!
Because of the work that I do, over time I developed a structured process to help my authors lay out their book content. I refer to it as The Book Roadmap. This roadmap is intended to guide the authors in developing and laying out their content to minimize rabbit trails and excessive writing, and in turn, it becomes the map that the reader uses to understand and follow along inside my clients’ books.
Clients know that when they hire me for editing, I will present to them a manuscript that is “clean” and ready for book formatting and layout (as long as all recommended updates were accepted). They also know that my determination to get their work back to them in a timely manner is top of mind. Also, I communicate often during the process so that they are kept aware of any challenges or changes.
I treat each book as if it’s mine. I care a lot about the quality of the work that I provide to each client. I’ve had a couple issues in the past due to not having a developed system for filing versions of the manuscript along the way, so now I am very careful and conduct several quality checks along the way to ensure that they are receiving the correct files and that everything is satisfactory and beyond their expectations.
If I am expected to take their book to the finish line, I include additional editing steps for the content, and complete the layout/formatting process. I help the writer select the font/style that they prefer, and then I get to work in completing the formatting. A graphic designer versed in book covers is brought on to assist in that area. Once everything is finished, I help by providing done-for-you services to publish the book on the platform that I use. This aspect of the project includes a LOT of necessary communication between me and my authors. I want to ensure that they are very satisfied with the finished product.
I want to add that with the work that I do, it is informed by my corporate experience of more than 20 years as a Quality Assurance documentation specialist and a technical writer for Fortune 500 consumer goods and pharmaceutical companies. So, although I do not have a degree in English, Literature, or Writing, I have a lot of corporate experience working with documents that were (or are) audited by national and international governing bodies. Educationally, I have a degree in Biology and an MBA in Global Management.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
As a divorced mother, I had to restart my life in another city so that I could be closer to my job and to family for support with my young son. When I relocated, I started blogging, and that’s where my journey as an author, editor, and book strategist started. I went from co-owning a large 3-level home that was newly renovated, to almost being evicted 3 times. I surrendered my beautiful truck and was “carless” for months, all while figuring out how to handle everything as the only adult in our household. I was able to buy another home three years post-divorce, and even as we (mom & son) figured out life together, I pushed through illness, multiple hospital stays, under-employment, unemployment, and other challenges.
These experiences helped me not to give up as I started my business. There was no funding; I did not receive handouts. I wanted to “close my doors” several times, but I sensed that I needed to continue, even when it was not profitable. I realize now that there were other authors in the future who would need me!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I relocated from NJ to NC in 2022 in search of a new start. When I landed, I made it my priority to get everything transferred to NC for my business. As I am living in Charlotte, which I had heard many good things about for entrepreneurs, I decided that I wanted to connect with the population here, but I wasn’t quite sure how. I met with one of my business friends in person at the end of 2023 and I was asked what were my plans to expand my business. They challenged me to offer an elevated experience for my current (and future) clients, and so The Writer’s Experience was born. We hosted our first event on Friday, June 28, 2024 and it was indeed a success! Although attendance was not huge, the outcome was much better than I (or anyone) had expected. I received a standing ovation when I stood up and declared the event closed. And I landed my first five-figure client!
Since then, I have received other opportunities to work with clients at a much higher level, and my brand’s visibility has increased significantly.
I plan to host the event again in 2025 on June 13 – 14 in Charlotte NC. Add the dates to your calendars and make plans to join us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellegcameron.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellegcameronllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleGCameronLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellegcameron
Image Credits
Ada Stevens, Wardell Duncan, Malcolm Clark