Today we’d like to introduce you to M.K. Williams.
Hi M.K., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always loved to read and write. As a child, I dreamed of being an author. But I was encouraged to follow a safe path, one that would lead to a steady job. I studied Economics in college, but I still loved to write. I took an elective, “Writing Killer Fiction.” The term assignment was to finish a 50-page short story. I turned in 100 pages of an unfinished novel. My professor passed me and encouraged me to keep writing.
Reality had some other plans. I graduated college in 2010 when there were few job openings. I found a practical job and kept writing on weekends.
In 2013, I went to an event at the library. A local author was reading and talking about her path to publication. I thought this is it! I’ll make a friend, we’ll chat about books and writing.
Nope. When I went up after her presentation to say hello and introduce myself as an aspiring author she said, “You’re what? 23? What could you possibly have to say?”
I was crushed. I didn’t write for months. I stopped querying agents for my completed manuscripts.
Then my husband challenged me to look into self-publishing. It was a kick I needed to take control of my books and writing career.
I published my first book in 2015 and since then I’ve released 12 books under my own name. I’ve helped hundreds of other authors through my Author Your Ambition brand and YouTube channel.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh goodness, definitely not a smooth road. Each book I write I look at as a unique challenge and growth opportunity for my craft. But, it has also been a challenge to stretch my skills and knowledge as a publisher and business owner.
One of the biggest struggles was knowing when to leave the safety of my corporate job and become a full-time author.
I liked my day job and I had this idea that I could “do it all.” But as my business grew with more authors asking for help I was wearing myself down. It was hard work to disassociate my personal worth from my paycheck.
I knew that as a full-time entrepreneur my income would be variable, and potentially nonexistent for a bit. It’s a constant battle to remind myself that my worth as a person is not about what comes into my bank account. I still need a reminder sometimes though.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an author, I write a little bit all over the place (like Colleen Hoover but without the TikTok following.) I write science fiction, suspense, and satire. I also write how-to guides for aspiring authors to help them navigate self-publishing and book marketing. I help authors through my YouTube channel as well.
I’m most proud of the community that is building around Author Your Ambition and my YouTube channel. There are so many different experts in the writing and publishing place and there is someone for everyone. Our community is all about helping and encouraging each other through their journey.
What sets me apart from others is that I am open and honest about the mistakes I make. So many “gurus” talk about how many figures they are pulling in, dropping big money on ads or new software. And a lot of people don’t relate to that. So many authors share the same challenges with finding an audience and marketing their books without breaking the bank. I talk openly about those challenges on my channel and I think that gives other authors hope and a sense of community.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
One big risk I take each time I release a book is that I write in multiple genres. The standard advice is to only write and publish in one genre. If you write a book in a different genre, you’re supposed to start a pen name to keep the genres separate. But, I like to read across the spectrum and therefore I write across the spectrum.
It’s a risk because I know I’m going against the standard advice, but I want my writing to be a place where I can be 100% myself. Where I can write about time travel and vampires and how to self-publish.
As an author or a creative, you have to take risks. These don’t have to be outrageous or scandalizing risks. But in a world that rewards likes and shares and retweets, to be your authentic self, regardless of the latest algorithm change, is a risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1mkwilliams.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1mkwilliams/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1mkwilliams
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/1mkwilliams
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvBO4kjuBSYe6Bi3RYQAQA
Image Credits
Jason Williams
