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Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Southern, Navy veteran, and lifelong reader who has always been drawn to the darker edges of storytelling, such as mysteries, thrillers, and the paranormal. Through the encouragement of some of my favorite authors, I decided to step into the author space myself. I’ve always loved storytelling, whether that was through reading, writing fan fiction, or creating short stories here and there.
I’ve always been drawn to the way imagination can take you to different places, worlds, and even into the minds of others. I’m especially drawn to stories that explore power, survival, and the unseen forces that shape us. Now, I’m excited to share the stories that have been living in my head for years and I hope readers enjoy what my imagination cooks up.
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always had a strong imagination and loved bringing it to life whether that was through fabrication, music, or now, storytelling. Creating has always been a part of who I am, even when I didn’t have a name for it yet. For a long time, my stories lived only in my head—playing out like scenes, conversations, and what-ifs that I never really intended to share.
That changed when Melody Lynch and Tessa Stone encouraged their reader group to start responding to monthly writing prompts. What started as something small, just answering a prompt here and there, quickly became something more. Those prompts gave me a reason (and a little push) to take the stories out of my head and actually put them on the page.
The short stories I created from those prompts unlocked something in me. It was like a switch flipped and I realized I didn’t just enjoy storytelling, I needed it. And naturally, my imagination didn’t take the easy route. It leaned into the darker edges of power, survival, the supernatural, and the question of what exists just beneath the surface of what we think we understand.
What started as a creative outlet turned into a full-blown writing monster… and now I can’t stop. At this point, I’m just trying to keep up with it.
Did you choose traditional, indie, or hybrid publishing? Why?
I chose the indie route, and honestly, there are a few reasons for that.
First, I’m a little impatient. I didn’t want to wait on someone else’s timeline or approval to tell my stories. Second, my grandmother likes to say I’m “controlling”… in a very subtle way. Once I really thought about it, I realized she might be right. I like having creative control, and I don’t love the idea of being told what I can write, how I can write it, or when it gets released.
Now, is that exactly how traditional publishing works? I don’t know, but in my mind, it feels like a level of restriction I'm not yet ready for. Which leads me to reason three: I didn’t want to pitch myself in that way. I know, it sounds a little contradictory because I’m still putting myself out there to readers, but in my head, it’s different. One feels like asking for permission, and the other feels like sharing what I’ve already created.
That said, I’m not opposed to traditional publishing in the future. Indie publishing just fits where I am right now. It gives me the freedom to move how I want, create what I want, and build my stories on my own terms... even if that means being a one-woman show most of the time.
At the end of the day, my stories center power, survival, and identity, and it felt important to build them in a space where I have full ownership of how those stories are told.
Where do your story ideas usually come from?
My ideas come from all kinds of places. Sometimes it starts with a single image. For example, I created B.O.S.S. from the vibe of a premade cover by a cover artist who goes by Pentress Imani on Facebook… she is GOODT. I’ve bought several of her premades, and that one immediately sparked a story in my head.
Other times, it comes from structured creativity. A few of my short stories in Bindings of the Fated started from single-sentence writing prompts from Melody Lynch, while others came from a simple three-word exercise (shoutout to Author Angel Gonzalez for that one). If I can clearly picture a scene in my head, there’s a good chance it’s going to turn into a story.
I’ve also pulled inspiration from music. I’ve collaborated with authors like Shani Denise, Katrina Williams, C. Wynter, and A. Denise on a project titled An Album of Love, where we wrote pieces inspired by love songs. I highly recommend checking it out. That’s something I come back to often. There’s even a chapter in B.O.S.S. based on Shorty Swing My Way by K.P. & Envy (one of my favorites), and I have an upcoming collaboration led by Monique Love inspired by Biggie’s Life After Death.
At this point, inspiration can come from just about anywhere, an image, a prompt, a lyric, a moment. Anything is fair game.
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
I would say it’s a character no one has met yet. Her name is M.E. James, short for Mary Elizabeth. If you’re an OG Lifetime channel fan, you might recognize that name from Any Day Now. I actually planned to name my first daughter that, but we ended up naming her after my great-grandmother and grandmothers instead. So of course, I had to give the name to one of my characters.
M.E. is the main character in The Pull of the Storm, and I poured a lot of myself into her. I did a lot of research for that story, but I also wanted to ground her in something familiar. So she carries pieces of me from different parts of my life, my earlier career working with electronics, her weapons training, her aesthetic, and even the way she thinks and processes the world.
A close second would be Lorraine from B.O.S.S. The other two women in the story, Traniece and Chanti, possess pieces of the person I wish I was, but Lorraine is the closest to the person I am today.
And if we’re talking about characters written by other authors, it’s a toss-up between Damali from L.A. Banks’ Neteru Vampire Huntress series and Tammy from Tessa Stone’s Wintermoon Fated Mates series.
Which of your books is your favorite and why?
I currently have two collections of short stories, one collaborative anthology and one that serves as a brief introduction to my writing, along with a novella. Those are Bindings of the Fated, An Album of Love, and B.O.S.S.
Out of those, I consider B.O.S.S. my first “real” book, so I’d have to say that’s my favorite. I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone with that one. I wrote in multiple points of view. I explored spicier scenes, which required a little consultation because I’m about as vanilla as they come. I also leaned into something grittier and more mafia-inspired than anything I’d done before.
That said, my favorite individual story so far is Undone from An Album of Love. That one was fun because I got to play with perception and flip things for the reader in a way I really enjoyed.
And if we’re including unreleased work, The Pull of the Storm is my baby and currently holds the top spot. That story feels different in the best way, and it’s the one closest to my heart right now.
Why did you choose to write in your current genre?
Reading has always been an escape for me, so when I started writing, it only made sense to add a little magic and the unknown. My stories lean into the unexplained because I don’t like limiting my imagination to real-world rules. If I’m going to create something, I want to explore what exists beyond what we can see or fully understand.
That said, I sometimes wonder if I chose this genre or if it chose me. Melody Lynch once posed a question to a writing group she started with Tessa Stone and Elle Madearis, asking what we dream of writing. For me, it’s high fantasy, but with a sci-fi and paranormal edge. I’d love to build worlds that feel as rich and expansive as the ones created by Gene Roddenberry. I’ve even played around with creating my own languages, but that’s a little harder when you don’t naturally have an ear for languages.
So for now, I’m writing where my imagination flows most naturally, but I definitely see that kind of high fantasy in my future, something that blends the supernatural with a more sci-fi lens, assuming I have the patience for it. And yes, I’m a huge Trekkie. Qapla!
What book changed your life?
Oh goodness… I don’t think a single book ever changed my life, but there are definitely stories that changed the direction of my literary interests. For me, those were the Neteru Vampire Huntress series by L.A. Banks, The Blood Colony series by Tananarive Due, and the God Don’t Like Ugly series by Mary Monroe.
It all started when I found the African American fiction section in Borders and realized there were stories written by us, for us. Prior to the late 90s, the only Black fiction I had really read was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, which I had no business reading lol. There were other books that included us, but they didn’t always feel like they were written from a place that truly reflected our perspective.
I don’t necessarily need to see myself in every story I read, but there’s something different when the writer shares a similar cultural background. It shows up on the page in a way that just feels more authentic and connected.
So while no single book changed my life, those authors absolutely expanded what I believed was possible. They showed me that we belong in every space, including the literary and paranormal spaces I love to write in.
What do you do when you're not writing?
I’m a mother with a 9–5, so if I’m not writing or marketing my books, I’m either working or spending time with my family.
Recently, that’s looked like helping my oldest create a cosplay for a con, and having a simple day with my youngest to celebrate her birthday. My husband, my youngest, and I played board games, got Slurpees, and ended the day with a Happy Meal. It sounds simple, but my baby loved it. And to top it off, her big sister surprised her with some K-pop Demon Hunter merch from the con.
Funny enough, my oldest also brought me back a pair of Daria earrings, which instantly reminded me of all the Daria fanfiction I used to write. I might have to go find those and dust them off.
I’m also planning to work with my grandmother, who has published books about our town’s history, to write a story about my great-grandparents’ move from Alabama to Florida, titled Black Dirt. I honestly see that as more time spent with her than work, and I’m really looking forward to it.
How do you connect with your readers?
The phrase “your readers” still feels a little wild to me. I’m still getting used to calling myself a writer. I really just feel like I’m sharing my imagination and hoping people enjoy the movies that play out in my head.
Right now, most of the people who have read my work are people I know in some way or another, so I don’t feel like I’ve reached that point of connecting with “my readers” just yet, but I’m building that connection in my own way. I’m active in several Facebook groups, and I spend time in TikTok lives interacting with both readers and other authors.
I also try to stay accessible. People can follow me on my socials or visit my site and email me directly. I’m naturally a little socially awkward, but I do my best to respond to comments, DMs, and emails when I can.
For me, connection looks like showing up as myself, even if I’m still figuring things out along the way.
What would you like to say to your readers?
There’s that phrase again, “your readers.” Still feels a little wild to me.
Since starting this writing journey, I’ve discovered so many new-to-me Black authors across every genre imaginable. Just know, we’re out here doing the thang! Some of us are traditionally published, but a majority of us are indie authors, and there are so many incredible voices in that space just waiting for a chance.
So I’d say this, give indie authors a shot. You might just find your next favorite. And if you’ve already taken a chance on me, I appreciate you more than you know.
Hopefully, I’ll be one of the authors you continue to grow with.
Follow Vera T. Brown on the following platforms:
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Upcoming Events:
Black Romance Book Festival (Attending as a reader) - May 29-31 2026
Books in the Boot - March 19-21 2027
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Courtney Sharpe is 42 years old and a proud father of two. He currently works as an IT technician. Born and raised in the United Kingdom to Jamaican parents, Courtney comes from a large and loving family, with three sisters and three brothers. His background and experiences have helped shape the person he is today.
What inspired you to start writing?
What inspired me to write is that for years I had felt the burden of carrying a wealth of knowledge on my shoulders that I rarely get a chance to share with people due to the fast pace life of modern society where a lot of people are not really interested in substantial knowledge so I was inspired to spread my knowledge into a book and share with the people what I know based off my experience and the philosophies I have learnt over the years, so that's what has inspired me to write my books, also there is a lot of people that are struggling and do not know how to properly navigate modern society, so I really think my knowledge and understanding of society and how it works can help people to make more better informed decisions, so that is also where my inspiration comes from to writing my books.
Did you choose traditional, indie, or hybrid publishing? Why?
I chose the self-publishing route because I wanted full ownership of my work, and I wanted to control the narrative of my book without having to compromise my work.
Where do your story ideas usually come from?
In this case, my books are not a story; they are more of a blueprint, however my ideas came from life experiences and philosophers that I have studied over the years, which influenced my way of thinking and theories that I have tested out that work in real time, so in a nutshell, my ideas come from just life itself. I will say some of my philosophical ideas that are in books came from Niccolo Machiavelli and KRS One, if that helps to put more context on how my ideas came about.
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
My book has no characters in it as it's not a story but more of a philosophy.
Which of your books is your favorite and why?
I am not sure if I have a favorite when it comes to my books, as I equally like the both of them, I will say that the book that speaks to me more at my currently stage in life, as it stands, is Building Power In Babylon, as that's the direction I am going in right now so that particular.
Why did you choose to write in your current genre?
When I wrote both my books, I didn't really choose which genre I wanted to categorize my books; it was more of a case that once my book was done, I had to analyze it for what genre it was best to fit in.
What book changed your life?
The book that was the foundation of changing my book life was two books that I read called From Niggas To Gods, Part 1 and Part 2. Those books were hard-hitting. After I read those books, I was never the same since those two books instantly transformed my mindset.
What do you do when you're not writing?
When I am writing, I am busy promoting both of my books and my new merch brand called Built To Rise. Sometimes, I may watch a little Netflix or Amazon Prime. When I am with my children, I tend to watch anime with them, which I enjoy doing.
How do you connect with your readers?
When writing my books, I speak very direct and straight to the point, which makes it easier for readers to connect to my message.
What would you like to say to your readers?
What I would like to say to my readers is that my books will make an impact on their lives through actionable strategies that are doable in today's world, and my work is worth the acknowledgement.
Follow Courtney Sharpe on the following platforms:
Website- www.courtneysharpe.com
Facebook- Courtney A Sharpe
Instagram- CourtneySharpe
Tik-Tok- Courtney Sharpe
Where Courtney Sharpe's books can be purchased:
www.courtneysharpe.com
Author Catalog:
What inspired you to start writing?
It is something I can do with my degree and I have wanted to write a book one day.
Did you choose traditional, indie, or hybrid publishing? Why?
Indie because I have more control over my work that way.
Where do your story ideas usually come from?
Everyday life, current issues and classic themes.
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
Characters who rise above their circumstances.
Which of your books is your favorite and why?
Cookbooks, poetry and other genres.
Why did you choose to write in your current genre?
I had a collection of poetry I wanted to publish.
What book changed your life?
Reinvention Roadmap: Break The Rules to Get the Job You Want and Career You Deserve because it spoke to me.
What do you do when you're not writing?
Read, relax, work out, dance, listen to music.
How do you connect with your readers?
Through social media and word of mouth.
What would you like to say to your readers?
I have more literary works coming so keep a lookout!
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T.D. Cowans is the Architect and Founder of The Analog Heart Press & The Studio. She is a wife, a mother, a music lover, and a seeker of high-fidelity living. As a creative strategist, author, and relationship coach, she views life through a unique lens—one that finds beauty in the quiet, intentional work happening behind the scenes.
With a background in Psychology, along with other meaningful accolades, her work has been thoughtfully shaped into what it is today. She has dedicated her life to learning how to “gate out” the noise of the world in order to uncover the true signal beneath. She believes that peace is not something one simply finds, but something that must be intentionally engineered. Her mission is to help others “mute the static” of a noisy world so they can finally hear their own unique melody.
What inspired you to start writing?
My own love story inspired me. It felt so "unreal" to people that a couple of our age and background could find such a perfect match. So, I returned to writing because I wanted to record an architectural manual for that connection. I wanted to create tools, like the 90-Day Studio Journal and Love Ballad, to help people move from "low bandwidth" living to a life of resonance. I looked around and saw so many people especially in our community trying to "autotune" their lives for social media while their real world connections were out of tune. I wanted to create a roadmap that treated intimacy with the same precision and soul as a classic R&B ballad.
Did you choose traditional, indie, or hybrid publishing? Why?
I chose the Indie/Boutique path through my own press. As an Architect, I needed total control over the "room tone" of my work. From the cover art to the weight of the paper, every detail is part of the message. Indie publishing allowed me to treat my books like a master recording: pure, intentional, and undistorted. I chose to be the Executive Producer of my own work. For projects as personal as Love Ballad and the 90-Day Studio Journal, I needed to control the "mix" to ensure the 10-verse structure and soulful message remained raw and authentic, rather than being overproduced by a corporate label.
Where do your story ideas usually come from?
My ideas emerge during the "Analog Hours" those quiet moments early in the morning before the world turns up its volume. I often draw from the "frequency" I feel in a room and keen observation. While social media provides inspiration in digital form, I find my true love-inspiration in the rhythm of my vintage vinyl collection. Many of my ideas come from the "Raw Track" the honest, unedited moments of growth that happen when the world isn't watching. I listen to the conversations people are afraid to have and the silences in between.
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
Since Love Ballad is principle-based, I relate most to The Listener. In every master session, there is someone behind the board listening for the truth in the track; that’s me, isolating the lead vocals from the background noise. In terms of personal growth, I relate to The Architect. She is the version of me that refuses to let the world dictate her frequency the one who keeps the tape rolling even when the first take is full of static.
Which of your books is your favorite and why?
That’s a difficult choice, as they offer such different experiences. Love Ballad is my "Master Recording." It’s my favorite because it represents my own acoustic reset; it’s where I finally stepped up to the mic and said, "This is the rhythm we should be living by." However, the 90-Day Studio Journal is where the actual "recording" happens. Seeing readers use it to remaster their own lives and find their "Lead Vocals" again is the most rewarding part of this journey.
Why did you choose to write in your current genre?
I didn’t want to just write "self-help"; I wanted to write Soulful Strategy. I chose this space because Black love and personal growth deserve to be treated like high art, requiring a framework as sophisticated as it is emotional. I see my work as Life Engineering. We are living through a crisis of attention, and I wanted to provide the technical manual for reclaiming the one thing we can’t buy more of: our time and our peace.
What book changed your life?
I often return to books that challenge our internal rhythm. Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way was pivotal; it helped me get out of my head and taught me the importance of the "morning dump" clearing the static before the day starts. It laid the groundwork for my realization that we must actively steward our creative frequencies. These types of books taught me that you don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to have the most profound impact.
What do you do when you're not writing?
You can find me in my "Analog Sanctuary" listening to vinyl, recharging my battery, and spending valuable time with my husband and children. I am a proud wife and mother to two teenagers and my younger brother; being present for them is my priority. I spend a lot of time protecting my family’s peace and auditing my environment to ensure the "mix" of my life remains well-balanced.
How do you connect with your readers?
I connect through "Acoustic Sessions." I prefer intimate, soulful settings over large, impersonal stages. Whether it’s through The Studio’s Facebook page, my Substack, The Studio’s Blog website, or personal DMs, I treat every connection like a master session. I want my readers to feel like they are part of a private pressing exclusive, honest, and deep. I enjoy being a beaking to helping others re-spark love, whether within themselves or with someone else.
Follow TD Cowans on the following platforms:
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Author Catalog
Nadjejd Scott is a faith-driven author, advocate, and resilient voice whose life is a testament to the power of love and divine purpose. Born into adversity yet carried by unwavering grace, she transforms her personal journey into a message of hope, healing, and strength.
In her autobiography, "Nadjejda's Story-The Love That Carries Me", Nadjejd shares a deeply personal story of perseverance, identity, and the sustaining love that shaped her path. Her writing reflects a life anchored in faith and defined by purpose — reminding readers that pain does not have the final word.
Through her words,Nadjejd inspires others to trust their journey, embrace their story, and recognize that even in life’s hardest moments, love carries.
Carried by Love. Anchored in Faith. Defined by Purpose.
How do you balance your writing with other responsibilities in your life?
Since I am currently an online student. When I was writing I would try to write on the weekends.
What was the inspiration for your latest book?
The inspiration for "Nadjejda's Story-The Love That Carries Me" were my late adoptive parents Johnnie and Dolores Wright and my foster Mama Paul.
Have you ever considered writing in a different genre?
Being I am a first time author I haven't really thought about it. But I have been praying about doing something in the area of self help.
What is your editing process like?
I mainly use Grammarly before I send it to my publisher.
Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
No writing is not my career. Not sure if it could lead to a career. Only God knows.
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
Being a first time author I would have to say my favorite part was just being able to write my story in paper.
What do you think is the most important thing for authors to know about the publishing industry?
Since I am a first time author I haven't worked with many public companies. However, working with "Wings of Transformation Publishing" was a blessing.
What genres of books do you enjoy reading?
I would say I enjoy reading my Bible. I also read self-help books so I can better myself.
What would you like to say to your readers?
I would first like to say "thank you for taking time out to read my story." I would also say write your story because you never know how your story could help someone.
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