R.C. Secrest is a first-time self-published author. Having started writing poems at the age of 12 after being introduced to them by her sixth grade English teacher, she began using it to cope with bullying and a difficult home life. Now in her late twenties, Ms. Secrest enjoys cooking and going to museums & symphonies.

What inspired you to step into your power as an author and share your story with the world?

I was inspired to share my collection of poems that I’ve written over the years about my own experiences by my grandparents.

Every great book starts with a spark. What moment or message led you to begin writing your first book?

After losing my grandparents earlier this year, and grieving for two months, I decided it was time to get back into writing poetry and publish it for them and for myself.

The publishing journey isn’t always easy. What challenges did you face bringing your book to life, and how did you overcome them?

Since a lot of my poems are very personal, I was very hesitant to publish them. Letting the world read about my darkest moments was a genuinely terrifying prospect. Being called a liar throughout my childhood because I was still able to smile and tell jokes by multiple adults, and because I never outwardly showed my struggles, was also a big damper on my willingness to publish. With the help of a very close friend of mine, I was able to gain the confidence in myself needed to publish.

As women in business, visibility is everything. How did you approach marketing and positioning your book to reach your ideal readers?

I took advice from other authors. I started posting content on Instagram and Threads and interacted with people on both platforms. There are a lot of groups and people who are willing to help small authors out.

Storytelling is a form of influence. How do you hope your writing empowers or impacts women who read your work?

I hope that the people who read my poems will be able to relate to them and see that they are not alone in whatever problems they’ve faced/are facing.

Behind every successful author is a tribe. Who or what has been your biggest source of support throughout your writing and publishing process?

My foster mom has been absolutely wonderful in helping me. She helped with any grammar issues I missed while editing, read my works to help me weed out the ones I didn’t really want to publish, and provided constructive criticism. My close friend also played a big role. She was a great source of comfort and wasn’t afraid to tell me when I was overthinking things. When I was hesitating on whether or not to publish my collection because I was worried about upsetting certain people, she told me that they didn’t matter and to just do it.

Balancing purpose and profit can be tough. What advice do you have for women who want to turn their passion for writing into a brand or business?

The best advice I can give is to connect with other people on social media, be careful of scammers, and keep your chin up. Remember that anything worthwhile takes time, and do not to give up, no matter how discouraging it can be. If you love it and it’s something you really want to do, work hard and often, and you will eventually reach your goal. Reddit can also be very helpful. What advice I haven’t gotten from my support system and social media has come from there.

Your story is your legacy. What do you want readers to remember most about your message and your journey?

I want readers to remember that although life can be tough, it is possible to find light in darkness and that you’re not alone if you’re struggling. It might seem like the end of the world now, but if you want something badly enough, it’s possible to achieve it with time, patience, and drive. Don’t let your dreams and talents go to waste just because people say you can’t. Ignore the voice(s) in your head telling you negative things no matter how loud they are. You’re capable of great things.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you as a writer, creator, and woman on a mission?

Looking ahead, I’m hoping that I have people resonate with my work and that at least some of them like my poems. I’m currently working on my second collection, which might take a while. But I do have high hopes for my future.

@r.c.secrest on Instagram and Threads