Check Out Ashley Van-De-Cruize Lampkin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Van-De-Cruize Lampkin

Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m an author and a nurse, however I’m at the point in my career where I’d like to be less of a nurse and more of an author. My first book, “Confident Sensuality,” was written when I was in high school, published in 2021, and rebranded in 2024. I didn’t have as a as nearly as much of a social media presence then, as I do now. However, at that time, I knew that I needed to create one. So I started telling stories that were associated with my nursing career, and my Caribbean family, and posting them. I figured that if I could convince people, with social media, that I am a good storyteller, it wouldn’t be quite as hard to market, a written story, such as my books. When I started doing that, it helped build my confidence and momentum to keep putting more literary masterpieces out, so I wrote my book of poetry, “Love Never Fails,” and then my more recent comic book, “Na Makasi.”

I’m now actively working on the second in the series to both “Confident Sensuality,” & “Na Makasi.” So stay tuned.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth at all. I had to re-write my first book entirely. I also, because of how new I was to the author world, had to publish my own books! And while I’m grateful and proud of myself for doing that, it was expensive and led to a lot of additional responsibilities that would otherwise be handled by a traditional publisher. Trying to manage this, and working full-time, while being in school, truly overwhelmed me. So I certainly did have my days where I questioned why I was doing what I was doing. However I have zero regrets, and if I had to do it again, I would.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an author! And I branded my storytelling skills by telling stories that derived from my experience as a nurse, and my experience as an American in an immigrant family. That being said, my family is Trinidadian, & Guyanese and while they are fun, loving and supportive, they are certainly stuck in their ways! That fact has always led to embarrassing situations, for lack of a better word. But it has also shaped me, molded me, and allowed for the sense of humor that I’ve been able to pour back into my stories and my books!

I have recently released a comic book, titled, “Na Makasi.” it’s my very first comic book, but I am very proud of how it turned out, and I am very appreciative of the response that it’s gotten from my followers! I am actively working on the second in the series that I am building from this comic book.

I’ve also written a Romance Mystery, titled, “Confident Sensuality.” That book is also going to be a trilogy. I am actively working on the second in the series to this masterpiece as well.

I also have a storytelling podcast titled, “Zaila.” This podcast is very sensual, while also maintaining a strong sense of mystery!

Finally, I have a book of poetry titled, “love never fails.” This book utilizes poetry to tell a story!

I am so in love with storytelling, that I find a number of different ways to tell stories. And I love it.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
As much as I LOVE storytelling, being able to relax and free my mind is what truly makes me happy. Being surrounded by the people and things I love also makes me happy. There a number of things that I absolutely love doing, but I’m happiest when there’s nothing to do, and the freedom to do what I’d like without restraints. I hope that makes sense.

Pricing:

• Na Makasi is 27.00 on my website
• My Patreon is either 5.00 or 10.00 a month
• My website subscription is 10.00-15.00 a month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dirtywordsmith.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulofmy_pen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PENitatreMySoul?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Twitter: https://X.com/AshleyWroteIt__
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Ashley_Paige
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ashley-paige-600242981/cry-me-a-river

Image Credits
@SashaReneePhoto on Instagram (Photographer)

@Kobby_Toons on Instagram (Artist for the comic book)