Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Face.
Hi Melissa, 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 backstories with our readers?
I have always written as a way to deal with life – to celebrate, lament, and sort. When I became a mother in 2010, I spent a lot of time alone and isolated. It was such a strange time, and I felt constantly needed, yet less like myself than ever before. I wrote as a way to deal with the feelings of isolation and overwhelm. I submitted many of the essays I wrote back then to other publications like Sasee magazine (South Carolina) and even Guideposts. I also had many stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. But a few years ago, I wanted to put together my own collection on motherhood, so I compiled and organized everything I had written since my children were born. The end result is my debut book, I Love You More Than Coffee: Essays on Parenthood (September 2020). It takes the reader from my first positive pregnancy test with my son to the first day of school with my daughter. Publishing this collection has been a dream come true, and I love every part of the journey from the writing and revising to marketing and author talks. Reaching readers and connecting with other moms is very rewarding. My book received a 2021 Gold Medal from Readers Favorite in the category of Nonfiction Anthology, and it is a Best Book Awards 2021 Finalist!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Writing and publishing are rarely smooth roads, but if you’re enjoying the journey, the potholes aren’t a deterrent. Forgive my overuse of the “road and journey” metaphor! It works so well, though. And I enjoy my writing journey more than I ever thought possible. I have a lot of goals and many hopes for my writing life, but if this is the zenith of my writing career, I can be happy for the rest of my life. In the past, I have received many rejections and those have all served their purpose, too. I’m not easily affected or discouraged by a “no” from an editor or a snarky comment from a reader. The biggest and most recent struggle has been getting my book noticed in the middle of a pandemic. But that has had its upsides, too. It has fostered another layer of creativity to my career that I didn’t know I had or even wanted, and I have met so many incredible authors and book influencers along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to writing, I am also a full-time high school English teacher. This is my sixteenth year in the classroom, and I truly have the best students ever. I teach at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology in Petersburg, VA, and this year I have sophomores and one block of juniors. I adore them all (sounds cliché, but it’s true), and I am especially grateful to have time this year with students who were with me last year when we were virtual. We got a second chance together – in person.
The subject I teach is World Literature, but I pride myself on my ability to work well with a variety of learners. I enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with students and connect with them and help them connect to what we are studying. I strive to maintain a classroom that is welcoming, safe, and engaging.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I write for some parenting publications in my area, and I am always looking for other places I can contribute to. I enjoy writing about topics such as: healthy eating, fostering self-esteem, pregnancy, childcare, and grief.
I enjoy reading from my collection of essays, and I’d love to read for a book club, mom group, or library event. I also host creative writing workshops in my hometown, and I would love to do more of those.
Pricing:
- $16.95 – I Love You More Than Coffee: Essays on Parenthood (hardcover)
- $6.99 – I Love You More Than Coffee: Essays on Parenthood (eBook)
Contact Info:
- Email: writermsface@yahoo.com
- Website: www.melissaface.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafacewrites/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFaceWrites
Image Credits
Pipe Dream Photography
