Between 2012 and 2014 I published a New Adult Romance series entitled the Black Family Saga. There were three books published in the series and four books planned for two spin off series. Only one of the books in the spinoff series (Emerald City) was published. None of those books are available for purchase anymore and there are a couple of reasons why. 

I worked really hard on the series, spending ALL of my days writing and planning their release. I'd drop the kids off at school come home and write until it was time to pick them up. After dinner, homework and bedtime, I'd write for another few hours, go to bed, wake up and do it all over again. 

The books were received well (there are always some bad reviews but you can’t please everyone) though sales weren’t viral or anything (much to my disappointment). Still, I was really looking forward to telling the rest of the story. However, all four books in publication were added to free book websites without my consent. The time and the resources it would have taken to have those books taken down, were not worth it. So it was a loss for me.

As such, I moved on. I got busy with life, went back to school and now have an entirely different and rewarding career. 

But the bug is back. 

This summer, I had some unexpected free time. So, one day, on a whim, I decided to take look at some of my old stuff. I was really impressed..haha. Yes, impressed. And if you’re a writer you know that it’s not often we are impressed with ourselves. We are often our own worst critics. 

The stories were good stories. Real stories. It was romance the way I wanted to tell it. Not what was trending. But stories that included all the mess, all the grit and all the beauty. Just life the way it truly is. At the time, my marketing hook was “bittersweet romance”. 

But, what I’m ashamed to admit but will admit anyway is that I did give into one trend in order to improve visibility. But the way things turned out (my books being stolen and me giving up) has actually been a blessing in disguise. 

I wrote for the masses. Meaning, although I’m a Black author, only one of my characters was Black. And there are no other racialized characters in the series. Not one. 

Now, mind you, this is normal to me. It’s how I grew up. As the only. But it’s not the only life I know and I’m disappointed in myself for not representing life and romance in their full spectrums. There are many forms of romance and relationship that are not included in the series. I understand that I could never write it all and I don’t think I need to. But what I do need to honour is who I am. 

And so, I’m going to do that. 

I’m inspired by the many Black, Indigenous and racialized authors who have unapologetically told stories about what it’s like to be US in this world, even if you are the only one in the neighbourhood. Or one of a few. I look forward to sharing that authenticity with you. 

I’m planning to re-release the series under a different name. With different characters and different motivations. I have no idea when it will happen, but it’s coming. And I can’t wait.