We had the good fortune of connecting with Joslyn Marks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joslyn, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
As an avid reader of African American fiction, I noticed a lot of the Independent authors were not getting the same recognition as traditionally published authors. Independent authors have to work extra hard to keep their name and work recognized and often have to use social media as a means to promote their work. So I decided to host a literary event specifically designed for African American authors, where authors can meet their fans and fans can show love and support to their favorite authors as well as meet new authors.

What should our readers know about your business?
Indie Love Promotions LLC was founded in 2015 and held its first event in 2016 entitled “Indie Love In The A Soiree”. The event was held at the Riverside Epi Center, in Austell, Ga and was free to the public. Readers were so excited that they traveled from Alabama, Virginia, New York and Los Angeles just to meet some of their favorite authors. We started that year with ten authors and a packed building. I was so overwhelmed my the participation that I smile even to this day that so many people came to an event that I poured my heart, time and finances into as well the authors who trusted me enough to travel and participate as well. There were plenty of Literary events for traditionally published authors but very few that focused on the Black Independent Romance Author and that was my focus. In the beginning I had several naysayers say that people to come to events like this, why would they come to an event to buy a book when they can get the same book on their E-Reader device. I had all those thoughts swirling in my head as well as close family and friends asking me why I was doing this and what did I have to gain from putting on an event like this and my answer was simple…..Because I want to and I want to see Independent African American Authors have the same recognition as their counterparts in this field, to shine a light on their gifts and talents. I wanted to expose them further than what social media could do. As I move into year six my brand has grown so much and continues to grow. Authors are constantly asking for any form of promotion, whether it’s through my social media or participating in one of my events. As a result of Indie Love there is now and influx of events popping up for Indie Authors but the difference between me and them is I keep my events intimate with a limit of twenty authors or less, we like to say that I give you a “Boutique” experience where it’s not to big and overwhelming but just enough that everyone gets to experience all the from both the reader to the author and the author to the reader.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Love Belvin and Christina C. Jones for their support and encouragement as I took on this journey. They offered sound advice as well as what they as authors themselves would want to experience at literary events.

Website: Indielovee.com

Instagram: Indielove2021

Twitter: Indie Love @indielove2016

Facebook: Indie Love

Youtube: Indie Love

Image Credits
Kelly Cooper 365 Photography Teresa McMillian

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