Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK Literary Cafe Magazine - April 2018 Issue | Page 17

Angelis Vernon Menchan
(Angelia Vernon Menchan)
and I had a great work relationship. He respected my created the curriculum. I was stunned by the support and
bravery and ‘genius’ as he called it, and I put up with my husband and longtime supporters saying, “This is
his idiosyncratic ways. We were a good team, but good you.” And it is.
teams break up.
#JustLOVEMinistry is my brainchild that provides
As soon as I gave my notice, I prayed about my workshops and safe places to share and heal for women
personal businesses. I had been publishing my own work and girls. Between August and November, I held four
since 2006 and never had a month with no sales. I wasn’t sold-out workshops and was chomping at the bit to be
on bestseller lists beyond Amazon, but was actually cool retired. It was time to go, but I promised December 31
with my writing career. I knew there was more. Though I and my word was bond. (Feels like I should say, Yo...)
wasn’t making any money doing it, I was breaking even
At the end, my supervisor and coworkers showered me
and giving opportunities to local authors who were lining
with parties, gifts and lauded me with accolades but It
up to have their books published. I had no complaints.
was time to move on. If I have any advice to anyone is
I have no complaints. The thing that was chasing me
retirement is something to prepare for, save for, plan for.
was my ministry with women and children. I had been
The sooner one starts, the better. If you have business
mentoring for years and created a voice that women of
ideas, work on them at least one year out.
all ages responded to. I knew it would involve speaking
Tuesday, January 2 was my official first day of
and mentoring, but it wasn’t fully realized.
retirement and it was surreal. I rose early to drive two
When I put the word out, requests to speak to children
hours to take my aunt to an appointment and drove
and girls rushed in. Sometimes it was gratis, other times
home. But the next day was real. I slept until eight, got
I received ‘love offerings,’ sometimes books were
up, went for a bike ride, came home, made coffee and
purchased. More than anything, I was doing what I love
sat down to read. And then it hit me; I OWN ME and my
while still working like I wasn’t going to retire. During
time. From now on, I get to ride this train on my own
that time, I published several books that were mentoring
terms with only God’s permission.
through writing. Specifically, Girlish to Woman, Grown
I jumped to my feet, bumping, grinding, and singing
Womanish and Schooling His Son. The reception of
those books blew my mind because they were supported off-key. I had done this thing in order and my reward
by a broad demographic and other authors such as Aja from this point was living and working –for me—on
Graves, Nikki Michelle, and Nia Forrester were literally my terms. How blessed and ummm sexy is that? Since
asking me to write books to situations. I was in my retiring, I’ve held two successful workshops, spoken to
groups, have author talks pending at libraries and will be
element, but there is always mud under clear streams.
at several book events this summer. In addition to that,
I made a few alliances that on the surface seemed
there are other glorious things in the works from people
fruitful, and to me, they were to some extent. What I
I admire who reached out to me. I’m very grateful and
came to realize was my brand was making others more
will do my level best to pay it all forward.
money than me. Of course being me, I addressed it, and
Other days, I’m reading or writing in my PJs,
my name was quite unfriendly with a certain crew for
wearing
perfume, waiting for my man to return home
a while, but I was built for it. Did it hurt? Damn right!
After wallowing a bit, I prayed, refocused and started to the comfort of his WOMAN. And that is certainly …
doing workshops where I designed the workbooks and #JustLOVE
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an avid serial writer. Her goal is to engage readers in ongoing stories
filled with people like them, who they can grow to know. Some will inspire love and devotion,
others rage and ridicule, perhaps. They will all inspire feelings and generate conversation .
http:\\honorablemenchenmedia.blogspot.com
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