We recently connected with Patrice Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Patrice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Learning what I do took many years of training that was offered by my job at Charleston County Public Library. There was a lack of sources for African American authors/ books. I took the training and made sure that African American authors were represented to the best of my ability. Know what I know now, I feel the only way to speed of the learning process would be to attend college classes, but on the other hand even with that I feel that African American literature will still have not been given the same representation as a mainstream author of a different nationality. The skills I think that I feel is the most essential is diversity and not being judgmental. I feel that individuals need to understand that we are not what we read. Reading is a place of escape for many. Just because I read a urban/ street lit novel it does not mean that I am “about that life”.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Growing up, I could not find books I liked, so I stopped reading. My love for literature (mainly African American authors) came from a phone call from a patron at the public library where I work. After that encounter with that patron, I started to think about what can I do to bring attention to books written by African Americans. Books became my escape from day-to-day problems. It became apart of my self-care routine. That is when I started doing book reviews. I would read books and write reviews and place them on several platforms. In 2020, I met Angela Thomas Smith (Queen Of Collaborations), and things changed. She allowed me to take my reviews to another level and gave me a chance. For that, I am truly thankful. Now I am the Director of Book Reviews for Aspiring Authors Magazine. I am most proud of the fact that I am able to help shine more light on African American authors/books.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The particular goal or mission driving my creative journey is the stigma that has been placed upon people of color. I want everyone to know that African American or people of color do read and are proud that we are readers. I would like the younger generation to know that it is ok to carry a book and be proud to say that you are a reader.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
The best advice that I can give those that are starting to build a social media presence and or trying to build an audience on social media is to show up for your brand. Gaining information from Torri Hammond ( owner BASHD and the creator of Sase Hair Care) and Angela Thomas Smith (Founder of The Aspiring Authors Magazine LLC), I learned that I have to show up for my brand. That my reviews are just that; my brand. I have to it (SCBookGal and Friends) the same amount of attention that I would my regular job. Do not treat it like a hobby. Each day I should post at least one component of my brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.scbookgalandfriends.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scbookgal843/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scbookgal843
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriceFriends
- Other: Tumblr scbookgalandfriends@gmail.com Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4750785-scbookgal LibraryThing SCBookGal_Friends