Meet Gabrielle Brown | Writer & Editor

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

Hi Gabrielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, it was the only choice that made sense for my ultimate career goals. As a Black writer myself, I’ve witnessed how the publishing industry goes out of its way to appease nonBlack people, full stop. Our stories get diluted time and time again, and even when we break into the industry, either as a writer or employee, we’re bogged down with so much red tape that it feels as if we’ve broken through the “glass ceiling” just to be met with a cement wall.
During my internship, while other classmates began looking for work as editorial assistants with the hopes of one-day becoming editors-in-chief, my director and I knew that wasn’t in the books for me (not because I “couldn’t”; I just didn’t want to). He encouraged my entrepreneurial goals, even providing me with information and support before, during, and after my internship.
That, coupled with the need to support MY people in this industry, led to the formation of Gab With Purpose LLC

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a writer, my stories will always feature Black people as the main characters, existing just as they are. The dialogue always consists of African American Vernacular English (Midwest style) and what folks call “standard English.” Every part of my Black existence must be evident in everything I do. Whether I’m speaking to a group of college seniors about the publishing industry or responding to interview questions, you gon see me. My English is proper English.

That is also reflected in the way I edit. I started freelance editing because I saw a need for more Black editors who understood that Black stories can do more than just educate nonBlack people on our existence. From horror to urban/street lit, Black literature does not need to be filtered for consumption. When I meet with clients, one of the first things I ask them is, “What is the purpose of your manuscript? What’s the vision?” It doesn’t have to be deep either; as a matter of fact, I love when it’s as basic as “I just wanna tell my story” because that’s a perfectly good reason.

When it comes to my work, I want every person who meets me to leave our interaction knowing that they are worthy of telling their story. It’s more than just fixing comma splices; it’s about speaking life into the very soul of each person I meet. This is what sets me apart from other editors and is something I’m incredibly proud of.

I got to this stage by being intentional and patient. YouTube University was my best friend in the early stages. I created my own website and, after months of going back and forth, opted to quit my day job to pursue Gab With Purpose full time. My reasoning was I would never give my all to this unless I had no other choice. Looking back on it, I’m glad I did that, but I would NOT recommend doing the same without some sort of additional support in place (big ups to my husband). I started my social media by doing book reviews and just building community. I got good at talking about books, and while it was fun, it wasn’t going to help me in the long run if I didn’t learn to pivot and focus.

I went almost nine months without consistent clientele, which was rough, but instead of quitting and going to get a 9 to 5, I decided to use the community I’d built. I joined a writers group called Wordmakers and began working on a novel about a divorcee finding love again (be on the lookout for that in 2023). While a part of this group, I met so many dope writers, editors, and creatives. I developed friendships that helped me to see that I wasn’t focusing on just one thing at a time. I was all over the place, and while it was hard to hear, I’m grateful for the people who encouraged me to get my head out of the clouds (my fellow Pisces will understand).

I shifted my social media content to reflect my writing knowledge, from character development to story arcs, and a whole bunch of encouragement. Gab With Purpose is not something you would correlate with publishing because it’s more than that; it’s a vision and a calling bigger than even I can see at this moment. Once my intentions were set, and my social media content shifted, the clients came pouring in. I’m big on being intentional because it truly does make all the difference. I’ve even begun planning for YouTube content to help others like me get focused on their social media strategies, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. I want to give as much free game as possible because not everything needs to have a price tag on it; some things should just be given away for free.

What I want the world to know about Gab With Purpose LLC is that I’m willing to learn my lessons in the light (thanks, Tasha L. Harrison) so that you and everyone else can see that it’s ok to make mistakes. If we try to wait for the perfect time, the perfect setting, the perfect plan, we will never get started. Yes, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I plan on making a few more if I’m honest—and that will not stop me from putting one foot in front of the other. I will dream big dreams, and I will live to see some, if not all of them, come to fruition.

My creativity is a gift, and I plan to honor it in as many ways as possible while also giving back to as many people as possible.

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.
Wherever I am, that’s where the party is! Seriously, though, I’m a simple girl who lives in a pretty laidback town. I love basic things like bowling, karaoke, and just chillin’ on somebody’s porch watching people honk as they drive by cause, more than likely, they know you or some of your kinfolk. We definitely hitting the Barnes and Noble at least once or twice and hittin’ somebody’s bar for drinks so we can gab (see what I did there) about all the books on our TBR [to be read] that we’ll probably never get to because we’re going to add about fifty-eleven more before the week is out. The girls that get it, get it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely gotta shoutout my husband, Steven Brown. His support and love have made this journey so much easier. Having a partner who believes in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself (I’m looking at you, imposter syndrome), makes all the difference!

Also, my grandmother Rubie M. Caldwell. She transitioned this past April but has always been (and always will be) the woman who inspired me to BE more. Watching this beautiful, dark skin Black Woman live life with pure audacity ensured that I would refuse to settle for the bare minimum. As a writer, my stories reflect the love, support, and gentleness that Black Women are owed. Our existence is beautiful, every bit of it, and I vow to always honor her with every word I write and every writer I help to see their visions come to fruition.

Website: https://gabwithpurpose.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabwithpurpose

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gabwithpurpose

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCkXkfNdXYYOfHsF4VQaYHyA?sub_confirmation=1

Other: TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdjk9raX/ Interested clients, feel free to fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSex02aFtglzM6W4lmPr9lgcgPpIEHbMoJ3ekReAkL757whWPw/viewform?usp=sf_link