Today we’d like to introduce you to Isatta Thorlu-Bangura.
Isatta, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a love of literature. I started reading at the age of 2 and never stopped. In 2017, I got tired of being the friend who talked about books ad nauseam. I created a blog called The Abominable Bookgirl. I had that blog for about 6 months before I was brave enough to create a social media page. It was mostly a faceless page and people were often confused by the handle, primarily because a horror book club/book box, started so people assumed I enjoy horror ( I am active scaredy cat so that was a BIG no.). I felt like I needed to fit a specific aesthetic and could only discuss certain types of books. These self imposed rules made both the blog and page felt restricting and I was no longer enjoying myself. I decided to start over and created @DearBLoveMe. The letter B has always been significant in my life. It is the first letter of my middle name, it is the first letter of part of my last name, it is also my nickname. B is also the first initial of my favorite romance author, Beverly Jenkins. I use an epistolary format to write musings, reviews, reflections to B with love from me. I did away with all the restrictions I applied to myself, and show my face as often as possible. I prioritize books by independent authors and books that evoke a big emotion from me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This road has not been linear. My biggest battle is my brain. I spent decades talking to myself like I hate myself. Unfortunately, anything you repeat to yourself long enough you believe. I have to fight against my belief that I do not belong in front of a camera. I have to fight myself from only reading what is “popular”. I also have been realizing growth only happens when I am consistent and myself. If my goal is to spread the joy of reading and tonspread the importance of why reading different stories matter, I can not afford to be to scared to show up as myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I highlight literature that stirs large emotion within me. Large emotions can be both positive and negative. I no longer limit myself in the reader/reviewer space. If a book illicit negative emotions, I will explain why without disrespecting the author. My goal is to show people that any book they read can be used as a form of self help, in addition to being a case study for how empathetic we can be. I interview independent authors to dig deeper into their story, after I have turned the last page. I am also an editor for a small group of authors because bringing their work to its maximum potential brings me joy.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I appeared quiet to most people when I was young. I was very inquisitive. I felt like everything around me had to exist or happen a certain way for a reason. I would ask so many questions, Mama (my mom) would direct me to the nearest dictionary of encyclopedia. After researching, she would ask me questions and follow up questions. This fueled my fire and thirst for information. I was always an avid reader, but I also had a great love for music, especially nursery rhymes. By teen hood, very little of this had changed, there were all just a bit darker. I had a dark sense of humor and appeared social, but would quickly retreat to my private bubble.
Pricing:
- Editing Services: $150 80k words or less, $200 85k-120k words
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/dearbloveme
- Other: https://Www.thingsbook.com/dearbloveme
