Two years ago today, on August 1, 2024, I climbed into my car and drove to one of my favorite places in the world, the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Whenever I need inspiration, I find myself there.
After wandering through the exhibits that morning, I eventually made my way to the Contemplative Court, the museum's stunning central space where a curtain of cascading water fills the room with a calming white noise. It is a place designed for reflection.
I sat down, pulled out a notebook, and began sketching an idea that had been tugging at me for years.
That notebook page became the blueprint for Finding Cornerstone Stories, my first book, which will be released this September by American Ancestors and 10 Million Names.
Looking back now, I realize writing a book was never one giant leap. It was a series of small, purposeful decisions that built on one another. Here are five lessons I learned along the way.
There is an old saying:
"They say you die twice. Once when you stop breathing, and a second time when someone says your name for the last time."
That quote has stayed with me for years.
As a genealogist, I spend my days uncovering the names of ancestors marginalized by history who led productive, courageous lives which might otherwise have been forgotten. Every discovery reminds me that preserving someone's story is one of the most profound ways we can honor them.
That conviction became the heartbeat of Finding Cornerstone Stories.
Every author has a different motivation. Mine was to ensure that the names, stories, and lessons of my ancestors continue to live on.
Before you write a single word, give yourself enough quiet to hear the story you are being called to tell. Chances are, it is one only you can write.
One of the most influential books I read while developing mine was Clint Smith's How the Word Is Passed.
I loved how history was told through individual places and stories. It gave me permission to think differently about structure.
At the same time, years of reading leadership and business books taught me another lesson: readers appreciate practical takeaways.
Those two influences came together in my book.
Each chapter tells the story of one remarkable ancestor or genealogical discovery and concludes with a Cornerstone Story Tip that teaches readers how to uncover similar stories within their own families.
Your structure should not imitate someone else's. It should amplify what you are trying to accomplish.
Many aspiring authors imagine they must begin with a blank page.
That would have intimidated me. Instead, I started with something I already had.
For years I had been sharing short stories on social media about remarkable discoveries from my family's history. Some grew into blog posts, while others became presentations.
Eventually, I noticed a pattern: the strongest stories became chapters, and the collection of chapters became a book.
Do not underestimate the value of work you have already created. Sometimes the first draft of your book has been hiding in plain sight.
Today, authors have more options than ever.
You can self-publish, giving you maximum control and potentially greater royalties.
You can pursue one of the major publishing houses, although doing so often requires an agent, a substantial platform, and a highly competitive proposal process.
I chose a third path.
I partnered with American Ancestors, the nation's oldest and largest genealogical organization and the home of the groundbreaking 10 Million Names project, which seeks to document the names and lives of every person enslaved in what became the United States.
For my audience and for the mission behind this book, it was the perfect fit. I feel so fortunate to be working with such a talented American Ancestors publishing team that’s helping bring my book to life.
The best publishing strategy is the one that best connects your message with the readers who need it most and the right team committed to help you deliver it.
Many first-time authors believe their job ends when they submit the manuscript.
In reality, that is when a different kind of work begins.
Just one week after submitting my final manuscript, I completed a marketing plan outlining how I hoped to introduce the book to readers.
That plan included securing endorsements, building a sustained social media campaign, pursuing media interviews, scheduling speaking engagements, organizing launch events, applying for book awards, and growing a community around the ideas in the book.
If your goal is simply to write a book, finishing the manuscript may be enough.
If your goal is to change how people think, inspire action, or preserve stories that matter, promoting the book is part of the mission.
Every time I return to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I make a point of visiting the Contemplative Court.
For me, it is more than a beautiful space. It is a reminder that the best ideas often begin not with a laptop or a detailed outline, but with a quiet moment of reflection.
Two years ago, I sat there with nothing more than a notebook and an idea. This September, that idea becomes Finding Cornerstone Stories.
I am grateful I listened to the quiet voice that morning.
I'd love to hear from you. If you've written a book, or dream of writing one someday, what is the biggest lesson you've learned along the way?