For the next 100 days, We are featuring Female Authors from across the nation for the sole purpose of highlighting books created by women for women.
Children’s diversity author and storyteller, Marsha Campbell was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. While her background is in Insurance Technology, she has always had a love for storytelling through books, poems, and photography. Throughout her life, Marsha kept a notepad filled with creative writing centered around characters of color.
In 2019, she gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter named Aria. Becoming a mother enflamed her passion for writing, but also manifested a new calling—education. Now, utilizing her gift of storytelling along with her calling for diversity education, Marsha is committed to crafting beautiful stories centered on self-affirmation and purpose.
You’re Here for a Purpose: Positive Self-Talk for Black Children is Marsha’s first picture book, which she is self-publishing. Her goal with this book is to provide a language to black children to increase self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image; all of which lead to self-love. She believes children who master positive self-talk are more healthy, confident, motivated, and productive.
In addition to working on several new picture books. Marsha has also created diversity-affirming clothing and merchandise. Marsha enjoys volunteering in the community with her beloved sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She lives in New York with her hubby and daughter.
When did you discover your passion for writing and sharing stories of affirmation?
I always had a love for storytelling through books, poems, and photography. Throughout my life, I kept a notepad filled with creative writing centered around characters of color.
Who has been your biggest influence thus far in your journey?
Two of my biggest influencers are my mother and also my friend. Both are career women, but also self-published authors creating content they are passionate about, and bringing positive messages to both adults and children.
What inspired your debut book “You’re here for a purpose”?
I became interested in sharing stories of affirmation when my 1st daughter was born and I realized none of her books included positive self-talk or affirmations.
My goal with this book is to use positive self-talk to provide a language to black children to increase self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image; and also couple the affirmations with powerful images of black families (young fathers, disabled grandparents, etc.)
What message do you hope readers walk away with?
I think it is important to show that boldness can come from little children. It takes bravery and boldness to stand for what is right. That bravery can come in different ages and different sizes, big or small.
What has been your biggest takeaway during this experience of writing your first book?
The creative process (writing and illustrating etc) is the easy part, the real work starts when you release the book and need to pivot to marketing and promoting it.
What tips do you have for first-time authors?
Be patient and take the time you need to find the right team: illustrators, book format, promoters, etc.
What is next for you?
My goal is to continue to write diversity-affirming books centered on purpose. I have 2 more books that I will be releasing soon. I also plan to create more diversity affirming clothes and merchandise that align with the images and message in “You’re here for a purpose”
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
A woman with multiple streams of income who is creating a legacy that her family will inherit one day.
Support Marsha by purchasing her work here.
