Meet Trailblazer LaShonda DeVaughn

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaShonda DeVaughn.

LaShonda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story started in 2007. I was in a really dark place at the time. My first love was murdered when I was 18 and my younger brother was murdered when he was 18 years old. I continued to lose a slew of family and friends to the streets or prison and I needed an outlet to escape the pain. I started writing letters to my first love when I missed him and eventually the letters turned into stories. It was then that I realized that I was on to something. I read an article in a magazine about urban writers who published books and that a new genre in publishing was on the rise called urban fiction. I was excited because I knew that I had a compelling story and that there were other LaShonda DeVaughn’s out there who were experiencing the same struggles and fighting through the same pain as me. I wrote my first book “A Hood Chick’s Story” and here I am fourteen books later and over twenty published by other Authors under my company, LSDV Productions.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey in publishing hasn’t been smooth. At first, I wanted to get signed by a publishing house. I just knew that I’d receive acceptance letters immediately but it was just the opposite. I received tons of rejection letters and that’s when I started researching self-publishing. I researched the subject tirelessly because I was determined to master it. It was my only option since some of the veteran Authors that I reached out to were giving me crumbs of advice and the rejection letters were still slipping into my mailbox every day. Once I decided to self-publish, since controlling my vision, brand and revenue seemed attractive, it was like miraculously I began receiving acceptance letters. Some publishing houses wanted to sign me to two book deals, others offered four book deals and some of the sign on bonuses were pretty hefty. After discovering what self-publishing could offer me, I used the same willpower that I used growing up in urban environments around hustlers who could sell any type of product and I turned down the offers and took a chance on self-publishing.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LSDV Productions, LLC – what should we know?
I’m known for writing gritty urban fiction and urban romance stories. My first series, “A Hood Chick’s Story 1-3” which is loosely based on my life and how I grew up in Dorchester in a single-family home on public assistance and battling pressures from the streets is my most popular series. I’ve written fourteen books total and that’s still one of my most popular urban series. Since I was able to become successful in publishing, I decided to recently write a book to help other up-and-coming Authors get published or self-publish their own books. My new book is called, “Write That Book And Make That Money”. I detail my publishing secrets and how I was able to create my publishing empire. I also speak at schools and different events to promote entrepreneurship and using your gifts to walk in your purpose.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
The biggest barriers for females in leadership is that there isn’t enough collaborating. Some women don’t realize how much power there is in numbers. Fortunately, I and three other Best Selling Authors have put the unity in my industry to use. We call ourselves, “The Queen Pens”. We started touring back in April. Being Best Selling Authors and businesswomen has enabled us to use our abilities to promote women working together, unity, and the power of using all of your strengths for one common goal, to inspire.:

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lashondadevaughn.com
• Email: lashondadevaughn@yahoo.com
• Instagram: lashondadevaughn
• Facebook: Author LaShonda DeVaughn
• Twitter: @hoodchickstory
• Other: Snap Chat – UrFavAuthor

Image Credit:
afropixx

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