We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Mangum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

Our company, Liberation’s Publishing House, is proudly family-owned—and that’s one of our greatest strengths. I love the idea of my children being part of the business because it creates a deeper sense of purpose and legacy. Our head illustrator, my daughter Brittany Deanes of Brittany World Studios, brings a vibrant, youthful perspective that helps us stay relevant in both storytelling and technology. Her creative input has elevated our brand in incredible ways.

In our family, writing runs deep—it’s a shared passion. Owning a publishing house together keeps us connected, constantly communicating, and aligned with a bigger vision. We’re not just building a business—we’re building a legacy.

Of course, working with family requires clear boundaries and open communication to avoid conflict, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch each other grow creatively and professionally while contributing to something meaningful together.

Nicole, 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?

Liberation’s Publishing House was launched from my home 11 years ago after publishing my first children’s book through Xlibris. While I was proud to be a published author, the experience left me feeling like there had to be a better, more empowering way for independent authors to bring their stories to life. That curiosity and dissatisfaction sparked a passion. I began studying the publishing industry, attending workshops, and showing up to events like Book Expo America. I even joined the Independent Book Publishers Association to sharpen my skills and truly learn the business from the inside out.

Over time, I perfected my craft—not just as a writer, but as a publisher and strategist. Today, Liberation’s Publishing House is home to nearly 300 authors. While children’s books are our specialty, we also support a growing number of autobiographical and academic writers.

What sets us apart is our holistic, creative approach. We are more than a hybrid publishing house—we are brand strategists and dream enablers. Our services go beyond publishing; we bring characters to life through our custom plush toy line, support educators in developing curriculum-aligned materials, and provide white-label back-office services for other independent publishing houses. We proudly oversee every stage of plush toy manufacturing—from prototype development to full production—ensuring that our authors’ characters can leap off the page and into children’s hands with quality and care.

We also believe in giving back to the communities we serve. Liberation’s Publishing House partnered with Memphis Parks Literacy Guild to publish ten inner-city youth finalists in Memphis, Tennessee—helping amplify their voices and celebrate their stories. We actively collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and companies committed to making literacy a foundational part of their mission.

One of our proudest innovations is The Morning Glories, our personalized children’s book line where we write and illustrate custom stories that feature each child as the star—drawn to look like them and crafted to reflect their unique personality. In 2025, The Morning Glories received the Best Publishing Innovation Award.

As the founder, I’m honored to have received the Mississippi Trailblazer Inspire Award, which recognizes leaders making meaningful contributions to the state. And I’m even more proud that what started as a personal pursuit has grown into a legacy-building platform for authors, educators, and creatives who want to turn their stories into brands and their passion into purpose.

At Liberation’s Publishing House, we believe that preparation meets opportunity when stories are told with excellence and intention.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Without a doubt, it’s the personal touch. At Liberation’s Publishing House, we prioritize relationships just as much as results. We allow authors the creative freedom to bring their vision to life while offering one-on-one consultations throughout every step of the publishing process.

Our support doesn’t stop once the book is printed—we continue to walk alongside our authors. We help coordinate book signings with libraries and bookstores in their home states, assist with bulk printing for special events, and even provide strategic counseling when authors are ready to expand into other business endeavors with their books.

For authors interested in merchandising, we oversee the prototype development of custom plush toys inspired by their characters and ensure their work is protected with copyright services. This level of care, attention, and long-term partnership has helped us build a trusted reputation in the independent publishing space.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

TikTok has been an absolute game changer for us. It’s allowed me to build a highly engaged audience and showcase everything we offer in one dynamic platform. With the combination of organic reach and affordable paid advertising, we’ve been able to attract a steady stream of new clients.

TikTok also acts as a central hub—helping us drive traffic to our Facebook and Instagram pages, where we continue nurturing relationships and sharing more about our services. We’ve gained several new authors this way, and it’s become a key part of our marketing strategy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liberationspublishing.com
• Instagram: @liberationspublishing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiberationsPublishing/

Image Credits

Credits belong to Liberation’s Publishing House