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Our Galaxy Curator, Author, and Visual Artist Launches New Series
Our Galaxy Publishing is launching a new writer interview series with curator, author, mentor, and visual artist, April Stults.
Pondering Prose: A Writer Interview Series intends to be a space that cultivates conscious conversations about the challenges and triumphs around pursuing the creative writing craft. It’s not about the book, but the process by which we create—or don’t.
Watch the series on YouTube and listen on Spotify: January 18, 2023.
April Stults is a multi-faceted creative. When she’s not writing, illustrating, and self-publishing her children’s coloring storybook series, Milo the Doodle Cat, she’s bringing her visions to life through acrylics and watercolors on canvas. Aside from also self-publishing YA and adult fiction works, April is a mentor for young, budding writers.
While the Florida mom is not new to artistic expression, her drive to continue expanding her creativity hasn’t come without its challenges. Yet, despite the juggling act of being a homeschooling mom and private teacher who struggles with chronic pain, April said the biggest thing that keeps her from creative goals is herself:
“When I succumb to the victim mentality of I can’t because I’m in too much pain, I don’t have enough time, work drained me, etc. When I get into that mentality, I allow excuses to rule me.”
For her, it’s mind over matter that has always determined whether creativity would take a back seat. April said that in the last few years, her creative process had shifted amidst obstacles that took precedence over her art. But deep self-reflection realigned her perspective:
“I sat with myself and realized I had been the one standing in my own way. Every time, the fear of being seen or heard has been what stopped me from continuing.”
April’s self-awareness is precisely what led to her breaking some heavy cycles and forging a new path along her journey. As she said, she’s “ripping off the bandaid and merging” what she loves the most: “creating and communicating.”
As a press founded on the notion of amplifying the voices of women in writing and finding innovative ways to bring them to the forefront of the publishing industry, it was a no-brainer to me when April presented her idea for running an author interview series that I wanted to be a part of it.
When I asked her what she wanted out of a series like this, she said:
“My primary goal is to reach aspiring creatives and share insight from those who have walked the path of beginning a creative career or continuing one despite struggles.”
No matter where you are in your writing journey, you know the discouraging feeling of the unknown when making the decision to share your work with the world—and everything that follows. Each writer’s version of success in their craft is different. For April, it’s simply about being able to “construct a representation of work that closely matches what I’ve envisioned within the limits of human ability.”
Now, we’re collaborating to open the floor for other writers to be in on the conversation about the creative process. Pondering Prose: A Writer Interview Series intends to be a space that cultivates conscious conversations about the challenges and triumphs around pursuing the creative writing craft. It’s not about the book, but the process by which we create—or don’t.
It’s been a rewarding experience to watch April develop this series behind-the-scenes, and I am grateful to know she feels confident that Our Galaxy will help her do it justice. She affirmatively said:
“I believe Our Galaxy is a fit for this partnership because their goal has always been to empower women writers and the creative community.”
As we gear up to launch the 15-episode series on Monday, January 18, 2023, April says she’s using this time to ponder about the interviews she’s done, taking the inspiration each woman has given her and going back to the drawing board. “Having the opportunity to be in this space where all this creative wisdom is shared has been incredible,” she said.
Our Galaxy Publishing is a New York City-based, women-owned, and operated independent press with a nationwide team serving aspiring authors the tools to write and publish. Our seamless publishing experience focuses on action-based tools and resources to publish, exploration of all core storytelling elements, and empowering an entrepreneurial mindset. Whether seeking to self-publish a book or find a traditional publisher, work with us for book publishing, book editing, book marketing, and writing mentorship to publish a successful book.