Meet Sekaya Harris: Self Published Author Turned Publisher

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

Hi Sekaya, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While self publishing my first couple of books, I found myself buried in research as I navigated this new world alone. In an effort to make the process “easier” for me, I opted to giving away all of my economic power as an author by publishing through a big name on demand publisher. By doing this, I found myself missing out on hundreds of dollars that I truly felt I had earned. I had put the blood sweat and tears into my book to make nickels and dimes off of it. I knew there had to be better way. So I dug deeper into research and came across an affordable printer that I could use to print my own inventory. I had decided, if I’m going to be an Independent Author, I need to really be INDEPENDENT. So, I ordered my own inventory, built my website, and started marketing and selling my books independently and never looked back. Armed with this knowledge, I was inspired to launch Sekaya’s Corner Publishing LLC as a Self Publishing Partner to other Authors who want to take this route but do not have the means or resources to find the way. Of course throughout this process, I have experienced adversities – mostly self imposed I might add. None of them have been more plaguing that imposter syndrome. I often times find myself asking questions like, “How can I compete with big name publishers?” or “Why would they want to go through my service instead of a bigger and seemingly cheaper service”. Those thoughts and fears seep in sometimes creating doubt for me and the future of my business. When I have those moments, of which I’m no ashamed, I try to remind myself that working hard and helping others are the core of my purpose. As long as I am doing those two things, there is no other option but success.

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?
I have dedicated a combination my talents, knowledge, and what I believe to be my life’s purpose -helping others find fulfillment- to launching my Self Publishing company. The main pillar of my company is Author Empowerment through educating and assisting them on maintaining their economic power as a self published Author. Just like with any form of entrepreneurship, it has not been an easy road! But I am pleased to say that it has felt like a very natural journey for me. Being an active Self Published Author myself I’ve found it easy to understand the journey and frustrations that other Authors deal with when trying to achieve this goal. This has helped me to not only relate to their issues, but find the solutions and implement them into my business model. Along the way, this journey has taught me many things that I apply to not only my business but also my everyday life! The most important lesson I have learned has been having more patience for others and their own journey. Self Publishing a book can be a very vulnerable process for Authors because they are giving a piece of themselves to the world through their art and this cannot be rushed. I have learned to be more patient with other Authors as the prepare not only their books but also themselves for this new phase in their lives. In turn this has made me more patient with myself as I roll through the emotions that come along.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my bestie were to come into town I already know EXACTLY where we would go for the day! We would hit up the wellness spa Place of Kai! I have been there often and it is the most calm and enjoyable environment. We’d start with having their Yoni Steaming service, where we could either relax in solitude with their sound blocking headphones and personal curtains or we could leave our curtains open and chit chat over our sparkling cider. Then afterwards we would do my favorite activity there, their Halo-therapy Salt Cave. We’d follow that with their personal foot care detoxing and oxygen bar. Being Ultra relaxed, we would then go back to our luxurious hotel room that we booked in the city, order room service, watch movies, and catch up on life over wine! Sounds like some great pandemic fun to me! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, of course! I’d like to start by shouting out my Authors who not only took the leap on jumping starting their career as an Author but also trusting me to help them along that journey! I’d also like to thank my family who has also offered endless support by investing their time, money, and sometimes even service into helping my dream come true.

Website: www.SekayasCorner.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/scpublishing_co/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sekayascornerpublishing