We recently connected with Seymone Kelly and have shared our conversation below.
Seymone, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Everyone has their own version of what success looks like. My success isn’t limited to what others think. I’m on my own personal journey. Success is being able to achieve a goal. For example, if you want to become a teacher, you take whatever necessary steps to do so. When you wake up and say “I’m going to the gym,” and you actually go, that’s success. Success isn’t limited. It’s an accomplishment you achieved for yourself.
Your inner voice will help direct you to success. Even when it doesn’t go your way, there is always a lesson behind it!
When I was a kid, writing was always my outlet. I would write stories, poems and raps (lol) in all my journals. Back then, I never thought my words would turn into my films and published books. I’m not a New York Times Bestseller or Emmy award winner yet but my version of success has turned my ideas into something I can share with the world. People have shared how I inspired them but they inspire me to keep going. That to me, is a successful win.
Seymone, 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 Seymone which is pronounced C-mone and I’m from Harlem, New York. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in English/Journalism and Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a Specialization in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
Being an author is one of my greatest accomplishments. I have published four books. Three of them are my urban fiction books called “Kared and Shyann: A Harlem Love Affair (1 & 2)” and “Caine and Athalia: Loving on the Low.” My fourth book is a children’s book called, “Joyner and Magical’s Big Dreams.” In the future, I will publish more books.
Before I became an author, poetry was my first love and still is. I have performed on many stages. In 2016, I was selected and performed at the Harlem Arts Festival.
In 2018, I wrote the “Interlude” featured on Dave East’s EP called “Karma 2.” My first film and screenplay called “HOMI3S” came out that same year! In 2019, “HOMI3S,” was selected for the Uptown Culture Film Festival which won two awards.
In 2020, I turned my poem “Where I’m From” into a visual. This poem was about Harlem which is not only my birthplace but has fueled my creative endeavors. Furthermore, I wrote and produced my own mini-series called “Imani” within that same year. This mini-series starred actor Danny Johnson, who was in Netflix/MCU’s “Luke Cage” and “Daredevil.” Currently Johnson is in CBS drama series “The Equalizer” starring Queen Latifah.
#Storiesbysey was created in 2021 as a series of poems and stories. Each month, there was a new visual, 12 for 12! “I Am A Woman,” was separate from the series but another visual that I did that year. “I AM A Woman” featured over 25 women I consider my community of family and friends. In April 2023, it was selected and shown at the Queens Underground International Film Festival.
Outside of writing, I’ve been a part of the African-American Day Parade committee since 2021. The AADP is the largest African-American parade in the country since 1968. I help AADP with their social media, involved with their community-based events and the organization of the parade.
I am always open to collaborating with other creatives. If you have an idea or need some copywriting done, I’m your girl!
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Around 2019, I decided to put in submit my work to the 2020 Sesame Street Workshop Writer’s Room. At the same time, I submitted my children’s book “Joyner and Magical’s Big Dreams,” to be a part of the ‘Just Like Me! Box.’ ‘Just Like Me! Box’ is a subscription box which curates 2-3 books for ages 0- 12 that feature Black characters or books written by Black authors every month.
March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, I received an update from both companies. I was not selected for the Sesame Street Workshop. However, for the ‘Just Like Me! Box,’ selected my children’s book to be featured for their January 2021 box.
Fast-forward to November 2020, I needed to send 460 copies of my children’s book to them by January 2021. YUP 460 copies!!! I had to ship the books to them, so they could ship to their customers. At the time I had left my job a couple of weeks prior, my dad’s health was declining, and I was in need of a better printing company.
I had to go back and forth with the printing company. For example, upload a digital copy, get one or two copies shipped to me because I wanted to make sure the physical copies were aligned. Job hunting, was not easy. I ended up having interviews and started a new one that January. To top it off, my dad passed away December of 2020 so I was in the middle of grieving.
I had my doubts and questioned my faith, but I made the deadline!
January 2021, copies of my children’s book were a part of their subscription box. 460 copies, I still cannot believe it! That is a major success to me. If I did not apply and trust my inner voice, it wouldn’t have happened. Children that look like me have my book at home and can dream BIG! I have sold more copies of my children’s book than I could have ever imagined. If that isn’t a dream come true, I don’t know what is!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing and hearing how many people I have impacted. When I’m writing, something pushes me to share it with the world. I must listen. Writing has always been my release and my talent. I write because I know there is a reason God has given me these ideas, the words and the stories. Being a creative is being true to yourself. Your message is healing for not only you but others. For those days that are harder than others, those days that fuel my spirit with happiness, there’s a message. The reward is understanding that my gift which is writing is my superpower.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.seymonekelly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesmonewrites/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/yesmonewrites
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarlemSongtress/about
Image Credits
@RoseGoldCoze (black & white)