Self-published writer Alonda Alloway says "Don't give up" by Adrienne Alloway.

"It's like mother hood. When you publish your book its like giving birth; you nurture and tend to it." Alonda Alloway, a self-published author states, as she reflects back on her first book. Alonda has self-published three books, one book of poetry called "Souls Sold" and two novels. Her first novel is called "Just in case" and then the second novel a sequel is called "Case Closed."
Alonda started her self-publishing company in 1999 called Abysmal Publishing Company. She decided to self- publish because she wanted to take control of her work and cut out the "middle man". She took control of her life and future and went out and purchased a self- publishing manual and followed the steps it provided her. By doing this, and combining it with her hard work and dedication to the industry she has become a successful entrepreneur. She has been able to continue her daily life as a wife and a mother of two children. Alonda has also decided to remain in the workforce and currently works at an Alternative School as a Social Worker. She has obtained a Bachelors degree from the University of Georgia in Housing and a Masters degree from Howard University in Social work. She states that her words of advise are to "Don't give up. It's hard and discouraging, because you don't see an immediate reward." Then goes on to say that in the end there's a wonderful feeling you get that's indescribable.

One might ask, how does she balance , self-publishing, job and family? Well she states that she has created her own space and time that her family has agreed upon. When she goes in her office and closes the door, her family knows that she is at work and not to be disturbed. Before she had an office, she would go to the library and make her own office space, by using the same table every time she went. She has also mastered time management, by realizing that when she and her children our out for school, she is able to dedicate more time to her works, without neglecting her family.

"Stay Focused" She says, " regardless of who's in your life. There may be people that are in your life that may not support you. You control your own destiny, nobody else. You must do what makes you happy." She stated these words very powerfully and with conviction. Alonda's says that her future will entail 3 more books and a screenplay. She has been writing since the Age of 11 and started off writing rap lyrics and then eventually slowed it down into poetry. She stated that by the end of high school, she was writing poetry and by her freshmen year of college she started writing her first novel. Alonda Alloway is truly an entrepreneur and a role model for the many others who are aspiring to walk in her footsteps.