Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Blake.
Hi Sharon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Sharon Blake. I have been in recovery from crack cocaine for 11 years, am a domestic violence survivor, and have lived through homelessness. My story started when I was a little girl living with my stepdad and mom. He was an alcoholic, physically and mentally abusive. My siblings, stepdad, and mother had a light skin hue; mine was more dark caramel. Because I was the darkest, he told me I would have to do the most and the hardest work around the house and that my life would be problematic because of my skin color. Several nights a week, we had to stay up late or were awakened when he came home drunk to be verbally and physically abused by him. These events lasted well into my teenage years, and then I started to act out and search for love and acceptance from others (anyone who would show it). These individuals mainly were on drugs or wanted to control and manipulate a vulnerable individual such as myself. This led me to become addicted and abuse drugs. By the age of 14, I was pregnant. At this time, teenage pregnancy was thought to be a curse, and I was assumed to be a bad girl. Actually, I was searching for love and acceptance. This road led me to 22 years of a full-blown addiction. I was a wreck.
Finally, I had enough of being used and using; I was sick of myself and wanted to change. But I discovered that change would require an overhaul of my thought life. A thought life that, at the time, I didn’t even know existed. See, I was on autopilot, just trying to numb my pain, not knowing that I could change my life by releasing the childhood trauma deep inside. So I started to write as a way to heal.
I am passionate about writing and journaling because it literally saved my life! This is why I started my publishing company to foster and walk alongside individuals to help them share their stories in a healthy, productive way to inspire others to heal. Starting Life Chronicles Publishing has changed my life and restored my faith.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting my publishing company wasn’t easy at all because I knew nothing about running a business. I didn’t know what I was doing at first, and I just knew I wanted to help others. I finally got a business coach who helped guide me, and then I took it from there. Marketing and having the capital to market have been my biggest challenges.
We’ve been impressed with Life Chronicles Publishing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Life Chronicles Publishing has been in business, serving authors since 2015. We specialize in assisting authors with any publishing needs for their books. We consider ourselves to be the midwife for the birth of their book babies. Our areas of expertise include cover design, formatting, children’s book illustrations, and editing any book genre. At Life Chronicles Publishing, we want all our authors to know that you will not be treated like just another person with a book.
We are most proud that our authors have been featured and promoted on major online tv networks, commercials, and newspaper and magazine articles. Some to include but are not limited to are Comcast, Oprah magazine, South Seattle Emerald, TBN networks, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, CNN, Puget Sound Business Journal, HuffPost, HipLatina, and so many others!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I educated myself by staying up to date with the book world through media, books, online courses, and workshops.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Life Chronicles Publishing
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Noni Ervin
July 28, 2022 at 10:23 pm
Y E S !