Meet Natima Sheree | Authorpreneur, Podcaster, Award-winning Anthologist, Independent Publisher and Literary Influencer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natima Sheree and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natima, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always loved reading books and have always loved journaling and writing. Since childhood I had an insatiable desire for stories and literature, particularly real stories from real people. I grew up in Jamaica Queens, NY and hadn’t traveled outside my area until adulthood so the books I read gave me perspective and helped me to understand life outside of my community. By the time I reached college I was obsessed with books, stories, literature and reading. A trip to Barnes & Noble was the highlight of my week and I never got bored with reading and consuming fiction, non-fiction, biographies, novels, etc. Like reading, I’ve always enjoyed writing, journaling my thoughts, writing essays for school or drafting short stories. Writing was soothing and a positive outlet for me.

Reaching adulthood my passion for reading continued and eventually impacted my social media persona. My platform and reputation for reading and reviewing books grew and I became affectionately known as “the Book Enthusiast” on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Although my role as “Rosie” in the 1994 cult classic film ‘FRESH’ played a huge role in my social media presence, my popularity as an independent author advocate and book enthusiast was increasing.

During the height of COVID-19 in March of 2020 I was drafting a chapter for a memoir I was hoping to self-publish, and a friend asked to read it. After reading it, she was moved to confess that she had always wanted to write but didn’t know how to get started. Having had already co-wrote my first book in 2016, I was well acquainted with the independent publishing process and invited her to contribute a chapter in my book. Inspired by the project, she shared this with several friends who also asked to contribute. In just several weeks what was supposed to be personal memoir had become an anthology featuring the personal stories of 10 amazing women.

In the midst of compiling the anthology I provided the contributing authors with advice, articles and resources for first time writers, encouragement and direction. Unconsciously I was developing my brand and business and was laying a foundation for what would propel me into entrepreneurship. Just before the release of the anthology, Pretty Broken: Transforming Scars to Beauty Marks, I decided to create and name the writing community the Diamonds Writers and launched an independent publishing and consulting firm Transparent Gem Inc (formerly Word Matter, LLC) which would publish the Diamond Writers very first anthology in March of 2021.

Starting my own consulting business and writing community, has allowed me to align my passions with my purpose in the most life changing and fulfilling way! Developing the platform and coaching my writers allows me to bring a collective of compelling, transparent and impactful stories to the world. Transparent Gem Inc. and the Diamond Writers invites women from all walks of life, and backgrounds to a non-competitive, safe space to find their voices, live their truths through storytelling and heal through writing. We welcome unexperienced and experienced writers, aspiring authors and bloggers.

I am often asked, why I started my business and writing community? Why I pour into women and provide a platform for them to tell their stories? My answer is the same every time… this is my purpose! It is what I was created and called to do. It is no coincidence that I have loved storytelling and literature since childhood. Living in purpose is rewarding but helping others to discover their greatness, and document their stories and experiences is fulfilling. This is my legacy, and I am so blessed to be in a position to do the work I do. I have so many projects that are developing as a result of Transparent Gem Inc. There is so much still in me and so much more ahead of me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
“Writing was the conduit to better understanding myself… my stories are permission slips allowing others to share in my experiences and live their similar truths…” – Natima Sheree

I’ve always understood and appreciated the significance of storytelling and documenting our experiences. In an effort to help black writers get more books on the market, I was inspired to launch Transparent Gem Inc. (formerly Words Matter Co.) in June 2017 and have spent several years assisting aspiring authors with manuscript development, story structure and finding their writing style in the indie-publishing space. My portfolio of services includes proofreading and editing, author brand development and comprehensive publishing assistance.

What sets me apart from another anthologist or independent publishing firm is my target client. I want to assist men and women who don’t have a huge following or social media fame. I want to help “every day” men and women who deal with life in the most relevant and real way. Whose story may never make it to the big screen or reality tv show but who’s life is just as interesting and significant.

It has not been easy to build this brand and business living in a world that favors gimmick and fame over substance and sincerity. It’s been challenging to build a brand on integrity and principal when you’re up against celebrity writers and influencers in your same medium. However, I keep going. I stay the course and focus on what God has called me to do. I remind myself of why I started and what my goal is. And that is to help thousands of people to leave a legacy through literature.

I want people to know that Transparent Gem Inc is built on service, love for literature and transparent, and transformational stories. My business is driven by purpose and not profit. We help inexperienced writers and aspiring authors no matter the budget because the bigger goal is to get their stories to the world. We partner with sponsors who provide monetary support so I can continue to publish writers who do not have the resources and funds to self-publish.

I also celebrate and promote artists and creatives on my weekly podcast ‘Hustle & Shine.’

There is so much more ahead that will continue to serve the independent literary community. The Diamond Writers are releasing their sophomore anthology on April 5th, Transparent Gem Inc. will launch ONYX, a writing community for men, in November 2022. TGI will also host a number of literary focused events throughout the year to connect and network with other creatives in this space.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many places I love in Atlanta. We would have to attend brunch at Park 75, and dinner and drinks at Two Urban Licks or Poor Calvins. We would have to do some shopping at Lenox Mall, or Mall of Georgia, and spend the afternoon at Vayu Spa: Massage & Wellness. And there is no visit to Atlanta without visiting the Trap Museum, Coca-Cola and the GA Aquarium.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is no success or achievement without the support, contribution or guidance from others. I’d love to take this moment to thank my parents who laid the foundation for me to chase my dreams, Kevin Harrington (of KHX Music) and Angelica Bradley of (Angelica’s Wear It Well). Much love and appreciate to my beautiful daughters Amiyah Lynn and Arijah Joyce, To my purpose mate and Husbae Morgan Smith (of King Energy). And to my VVS leadership team of the Diamond Writers, Mel V, Jazzy Kash and Talia Elise; and my shining gems, the Diamond Writers Sam Moore, Alyse Janel, Chelle Mack, Kris J, Skyler Freeman, Dyisha Parker, Jessica Newman, Chanee Robinson, Cathy Robinson, Colleen Nero, Adunni Afolabi and Tiffany Mathias.

Website: http://www.natimasheree.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natima_sheree/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natima_sheree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thee.NatimaSheree/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuSn_cV9TZolyvkgnxwmQQ

Other: https://diamondwriters.com