De’Landria is a poet and children’s book author with a passion for inspiring youth to confidently pursue their dreams. She is an active advocate of reading, writing, and speaking up. She is passionate about telling stories that will inspire and capture readers, while allowing them to take a break from the monotony of everyday life. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, going out with friends, and watching television. Her most recent project is a series of books to encourage children to explore what they love and turn those things into careers.

De’Landria is a smart, dedicated, and loving individual who has a great appreciation for family, friends, and her community. She also owns an online bookstore called The Abstract Bookmark, featuring publications of all genres in hopes of sharing more stories with the world.

At what moment did you realize you held a passion for sharing stories?

In 9th grade, we had a writing assignment to prep for one of our state exams. After reviewing my work, my teacher mentioned that I was really good at writing and that motivated me to try writing stories more often. The more I wrote, the more I loved it and wanted other people to read my work.

What inspired you to write for children specifically?

My childhood inspired me to write for children. I wanted to create more books to inspire children to pursue their dreams and passions no matter what anyone else says. If I could get this message to them at a young age, they have better chances of being more motivated and resilient throughout their teen and adult lives. 

What message do you hope families take away from your work?

I chose the title, “All the Things You Can Be” for my latest project because it speaks to the truth that there are so many careers available, and so many ways to live your life. I want kids to know they don’t have to follow a traditional path or do something just because others are doing it or telling them they should do it.

I hope that parents and teachers can use this book as a tool for sparking conversations about what children love, what they’re good at, and how they might turn those things into a career. 

Where do you hope to see your work in the next 3-5 years?

I hope to see my work on shelves all over the country and in homes across the globe. 

 If you could collaborate with anyone in the world who would it be and why?

I would love to collab with Tamela Mann. She has touched the lives of so many people and been able to be successful in multiple areas of business. It would be a great opportunity to learn from her and share new ideas. 

What message do you have for new writers?

I encourage all new writers to be persistent and consistent. The road to success is never easy, but dedication and a willingness to learn will help you get there. I know I’m still learning and it’s a long journey, but here are some of the things I’ve learned so far. Get into the habit of writing every day. Even if you only have time for an hour, write for that hour each day. This is especially important when you’re starting out. You need to get into the habit of writing before you can start worrying about what you’re writing about.

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles? 

A Pretty Woman Who Hustles is one who keeps the grind going but knows when to take a break and love on herself. She doesn’t do it for the accolades, she does it because she loves it! She knows that when you take care of yourself, you can be the best at whatever you do.

Please visit her website to learn more, request a book reading, or sign up to receive email updates.

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