We were lucky to catch up with Xavier Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Xavier, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My story is driven behind the fundamentalism and necessity of reading. Literacy is the cornerstone to all learning. I wanted the people in my hometown of River Rouge Michigan to witness that. I read books when I was younger but lost the habit in my high school years. In college it returned. Thanksgiving, work, work on Thanksgiving, grocery store, even birthday parties I had a book in tow. The outside world would clamor at fact, and claim to have not read a book in years. Some would read if I lended or recommended. More people than I ever thought told me they would only read a book if I wrote it.
I already wrote scripts intended for series, feature film, and a little journalism on the side. Storytelling was always there so I took this as a challenge. This bred me releasing a short story book and own self publishing company. I’ve ran the company with the intention of spreading thought provoking stories and helping those around me tell their own.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve taken multiple routes to make it to the industry. I’ll credit journalism, my 2015 Bachelor program of Electronic Media and Film from Eastern Michigan University. Through these two entities, I’ve earned the skills and experience to take my business forward. Journalism gave me my very first chance to be published at seventeen years old, and still carries me to thirty. At Emu I learned how to apply my skill to a professional setting, and apply it soundly to other forms of media. I also got the chance to write a movie in the 2015 48 Film Festival. The film won second place, and Best Writing. I was credited as the writer on the project. Technically making me an award winning film writer.
I help potential clients look inside themselves for their story. Through interviews, workshops, journaling, or reading. I want the people I deal with to know that the story on their heart is important. Nobody can tell it like them. So let’s do the work, look inside ourselves, and get the story out.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal driving my mission is to tell stories from a an original way from what has been done before. More organic content and less manufactured and redone material.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I worked. Hard. I was substitute teacher and a fry cook and dishwasher. I worked 60-80 hours a week to fund the editing, illustrations, and printing. I’ve also have investments from family and friends that helped springboard my process.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-jones-a07490100?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Book-0-Xavier-Jones-ebook/dp/B07MB8P36F
Image Credits
JEM Photography The Ricky Shift Daizy Doodles Corey White CNyce Productions