Today we’d like to introduce you to Levi Beard.
Levi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
While I was teaching overseas in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, I begin writing my first novel, “The Consequence of Chance”, which I released in 2015. That was the true beginning of pursuing a career as an author. Subsequently, 6 years later, after many rewrites, revisions, edits, and comments from the beta group of readers I assembled, I released my latest work, “Praise & Worship”, both independently on my publishing label, The Late Bloom, LLC.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being a self-published author has its pluses and minuses. First and foremost, the ability to create on my own terms, with the type of content that speaks to my creativity, is golden. Of course, any self-published author would want the support of a major publishing house, the networks and platforms that it can put you on are very valuable, but this is a grassroots campaign. Thanks to social media, I have a platform and a voice; I still reach the people on my terms. The process of writing is a labor of love. I care about what I produce, and I care about the reaction to my work. This latest novel has controversy, due to the juxtaposition of religious tropes and the sexual content married within the storyline. My female audience has made it known that they had to clutch their pearls a few times, but it was still received.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
By day, I am an instructor at Houston Community College, where I teach developmental reading and writing. I’ve been with the institution for five years. I love this atmosphere because I love teaching, especially when my students want to learn; most of my adult students are eager to improve their lives through education, and that’s my motivation.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentors are a funny thing. It’s like the Rick Ross song, “Idols become Rivals”; there are times when seeking a mentorship goes sour because the mentor, or supposed mentor, may be off put by simply, your potential. Sometimes, you have to mentor yourself through information, finding informative videos, conversations with people who’ve shown their support time and time again. However, be prepared to be your own mentor until that person comes along, inshallah.
Pricing:
- $15.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelatebloom.com
- Instagram: @thellamont
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelatebloom
- Twitter: @thellamont
Image Credits
Glennesha Johnson
