Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Ace.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was “that little girl”. That’s right! I was “that little girl” that wrote in her diary faithfully every chance I could get. Writing has always been a way for me to express my feelings without being embarrassed or being judged, and getting my head chewed off! You have to admit, the response you get after laying your emotions out on people isn’t always the response you hoped to get. I resented being told that my feelings weren’t valid, so oftentimes I would just write. You see, paper doesn’t talk back.And paper doesn’t have an opinion.
You could say that paper was kind of like my sounding board and my pen was my voice. I have taken this habit with me from childhood to my journey into adulthood, except now my diary isn’t always in the form of a book of paper and a pen that I write with. My diary is also my computer and the letters that I type are put together to be my voice.
I grew up in a middle-class family in sunny Los Angeles. My mom and dad did an excellent job of setting the tone for a strong and healthy family, so my diary was not filled with many dramatic experiences that today’s generation would say was ‘t.v. worthy’. So anyone that took a sneak peek into my diary would’ve been extremely disappointed and probably would’ve drowned in boredom. However, writing has always been therapeutic for me, even now as an adult.
After seven years of happily teaching at an elementary school in Watts, California, my husband and I made one of the best decisions that we could have made for our family. We decided that I would leave my job as a teacher and I would become a full-time, stay-at-home mom (SAHM) once our first little bundle of joy was born. Transitioning from working ‘outside the home’ to working – as a mom – ‘inside the home’ was not easy for me (or my husband for that matter). I was a new wife … and a new mom … with a brand new job where you train while you are actually doing the job! Nothing can really, fully train you for motherhood. You just have to experience it. And experience it is what I did.
As you would expect, there were times that were challenging. At these times, I would write. Yes, write. It was my safe haven, not to mention it was also healing. Laying my emotions down on paper gave me the opportunity to release my feelings and grapple with them in the most healthy and satisfying way. Whenever I needed some quick pick-me-ups about marriage and motherhood, I would also seek advice from fellow SAHMs and even their brave husbands. And what would I do with this advice? I would write them down in my handy dandy journal (By this time, I stopped calling it a diary and upgraded to a journal.). Surely, there were others like me that could benefit from knowing these golden nuggets. And this was the genesis of my very first book, which is a compilation book of advice for SAHMs from other SAHMs and their husbands so that they can persevere in their very important role.
And now, here I am … an author … of eleven books. Yes! I am currently a proud, self-published author of a whopping ELEVEN BOOKS! I have dared to tip my toes into the treacherous waters of writing and publishing. It’s a journey many say they want to take, but only a few do… and for that, I am proud. I literally put my entire foot into these rough waters, but I continue to stay afloat by the grace of God. My books vary in genre from self-help books for SAHMs, a book to assist Educators, Christian poetry books, children picture books, and an American history book about the Black Experience. Despite the difference in genres, the theme is consistently the same: PERSEVERANCE.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone that has self-published their own book will tell you that self-publishing is the most frustrating, exasperating, infuriating, yet most rewarding process ever! I, for one, often felt like a ‘one-woman band’ as I led the development of each and every single book. I played many roles: I wrote each book (with the exception of a book where my husband was the co-author). I formatted each book. I edited each book. My children and I illustrated the books. And I am marketing my books on a solo mission. Although this road has yet to be smooth sailing, I appreciate the challenge since there is so much to learn through struggles, and I am a better person because of them.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
If I could describe what I do in one sentence, I would say, ‘I use literature to cultivate endurance and enhance grit in all of my readers’. While I hope my readers are inspired to put forth their best effort in all that they do, my family has been my inspiration for success. I would not have been able to achieve what I have without the love and support from my family. They were the ones that kept me encouraged from the inception of me writing a book until the final process of completing a book. I am proud that I teamed with my family in the creation of many of my publications. Together, we had to literally practice this perseverance theme when we were faced with challenges. My husband, Wesley, and I wrote one book together – which is for Educators – and my children (currently 7 and 12 years old) were the illustrators for eight of my books.
One highlight that I will always appreciate is actually seeing my children’s picture book, entitled ‘Still I Fly’, on the bookshelf at Barnes and Noble. It’s a joy seeing your book selling online, but there’s nothing like seeing it – on the actual shelf among other bestselling books- in a brick and mortar store. Now my children can say that they illustrated a book that made it to the shelf of a well-known bookstore. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to work with my family and for them to contribute their gifts to make each book sensational.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My latest book entitled, ‘The 400 Year Head Start: Yet Still Destined for Glory’ recently launched! And by launched, I don’t mean that I just made it available for sale. This book has and still is blasting off the online bookshelves into the homes of many consumers who desire to learn about the Black experience here in America. Given the current climate of social injustice being highlighted, the time of my launch for my Black history book (late April 2020) was a pivotal time. This book release was perfect timing because it was what people needed as it brought clarity to the current outrage across our nation and even the world. Now that Black people have a more captive audience – due to the COVID pandemic – people are paying more attention, listening to Black voices, and reading more Black books. To say the least, my preparation met opportunities. Had I released this book a year ago, I may not have had the same response … at that time.
I am a firm believer that what God has for me will be mine. Of course, I need to do all that I can to prepare for any doors that may open, but I also understand that closed doors are probably not meant for me in the first place, or maybe… not right now.
Pricing:
- The 400 Year Head Start: Yet Still Destined for Glory $16.19
- Still I Fly $11.99, Still I Shine $11.99, Still I Try $11.99 (Book Trilogy)
- You Gotta Get Your Mind Right (Book Trilogy) $14.95 each
- Things I Wish I Could Do, But I’m a Christian $9.99
- The Stay-at-Home Mom and the Husband that Resents Her $12.95
- The Be A Winner Playbook for Educators : Discover the Winning Plays to Restore School Culture $12.99
- Words of Wisdom to the Stay-at-Home Moms $9.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NikkiAce.com
- Instagram: @the_400_year_head_start
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
