Today we’d like to introduce you to Emiko Love.
Emiko, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I guess my story starts when my mother was pregnant with me. I was about a week or so overdue and she was the lead in Michael Matthew’s hit Gospel stage play “I need a man”. She kept performing up until she was forced to have a mandatory c section with me. She used to say I was born looking around curious and smacking my lips so I guess I was meant to be a foodie. I was born and raised in Compton, California. Both of my parents were artists and entertainers, so creativity has in a way, been apart of me since birth. I like to say I’ve been writing since I learned how to spell, but if I had to pinpoint the exact moment when I started writing, I would say it was when I wrote my first poem with my mom for my dad’s funeral at seven years old. That year when I started the third grade, I fell in love with poetry, and I’ve been writing ever since. Writing has been my voice when I felt like I had nothing. No matter how many times I’ve set my pen down, my words are the only thing that has consistently felt like home. After I stopped writing briefly when my laptop crashed and my poetry collection was lost, I took a creative writing class at a local community college. I had just come back home from Cal State Northridge, trying to figure out my path and pursuing photography at the same time. My professor ended up publishing our short stories as a gift to us, and that was my first time published. Nearly four years later, I went on to develop a series called The Commandments of Womanhood while working from home for Hulu. I wrote my first manuscript in between taking calls and emails then later went on to self publish it in July of 2017 after receiving paperback requests during the free blog release of my book.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My road has not been a cake walk by any means. I lost both parents by the age of 15, struggled with depression, and have even been homeless a few times. At one point, I lived in Airports for some months, but through it, all God has continued to provide for me and bring me through some of the darkest periods of my life. I like to say purpose ain’t for Punks like the name of my podcast because when you’re on your path you have to step out of your comfort zone and even do the things that scare you. I’ve had to stand outside of Walmart in the sun selling my books. I’ve used the white pages and tried texting hundreds of numbers a day to promote my book. You have to keep going no matter how hard it gets because your struggle will determine how much you really want your dream.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Mindfulblisss is the multi media company in which I publish my books for now. I’m very proud of my three books (The Commandments of Womanhood, The Commandments of Black Womanhood, and Magik Interrupted) and the upcoming projects that I have in the works. I believe what sets me apart from other writers is my voice. I don’t just try to paint pretty pictures or give Luke warm stanzas. When I write I bare my soul and tell my full truth no matter how dark it is.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was very bold and outspoken, but after my dad passed, I became a little more reserved. I feel like as an adult, I’m just now finding my voice again and the boldness that I once possessed as a child. Growing up, I was always doing something creative, whether it be acting, dancing, singing, etc. I was always performing.
Pricing:
- The Commandments of Womanhood $15.55
- Magik, Interrupted $22.22
- The Commandments of Black Womanhood $25.55
- The Commandments of Womanhood Self Love Journal $11.11
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bit.ly/BooksByEmikoLove
- Instagram: Thedreamgenie
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