An introduction, inspiration, and segue to journalism

In the world of literature, new voices emerge every day, but few resonate as deeply as Serena Grant’s. With three books already available on Amazon and a fourth set to be published in November, Serena’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and creativity. Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing her for The Suburban Girl JA, and her story is nothing short of inspiring.

When I asked her, “How did you get into authorship?”, Serena’s voice lit up as she recounted her journey. “Wow. Okay. So I’ve been writing creatively for as long as I can remember. Anybody in my family will tell you, that’s my thing. Anyone who needed anything written, whether it was a poem for school or anything like that, they came to me.”

She continued, “Since I was eight years old, I wrote journalistically, meaning that I started experimenting with writing articles at that age. Writing was what I was good at, and I wondered, what am I going to do with this talent?”

Serena’s fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Myers, played a pivotal role in her writing journey. “She made me realise that writing could be a lucrative career,” Serena shares. Mrs. Myers, who taught all subjects in the rural school, asked the class to write an essay about their summer. When Serena handed in her essay, Mrs. Myers was so impressed that she took it to the principal, Mrs. Williams. “They couldn’t believe I wrote it,” Serena recalls. This moment was a turning point, solidifying Serena’s belief in her writing abilities.

Mrs. Myers continued to encourage Serena, telling her she had a talent and should keep writing. “She was one of the first people to tell me I could write,” Serena says. This encouragement lit a fire in her, giving her the confidence to pursue her passion.

“Even if someone critiques my work, I know I can write,” she asserts. Serena credits Mrs. Myers for instilling this unwavering belief in her abilities.

Mrs. Meyers told Serena she could be a journalist and, “that began my mission to go into journalism,” Serena explained, highlighting that she also had a list of figures she hoped to interview.

Among the names on her interview wish list were prominent political figures and influential personalities like the Minister of Education at the time, Burchell Whiteman, and former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. Serena also had a special place on her list for Barbara Gloudon, a renowned radio personality.

“My grandmother was a big RJR fan, so I had to listen to her,” Serena reminisced.

Although she never got the chance to interview these figures, she did manage to connect with Barbara Gloudon before her passing. “I told her via Facebook message how much her presence on the radio impacted me,” Serena shared. “At first, I was forced to listen because my grandmother wouldn’t let us change the station, but then I started to take an interest in current affairs and her style of interviewing.”

Barbara Gloudon’s response was encouraging.

“She told me to keep going and that she was happy to hear she had an impact on my life,” Serena recalled fondly.

This interaction, along with others, fueled Serena’s passion for journalism and creative writing, shaping her into the accomplished author she is today.

Serena’s admiration for journalists extended beyond her childhood. “People look up to celebrities, but I look up to journalists,” she said. Growing up, she didn’t see many people who looked like her on television.

“Seeing Paula Ann Porter, a dark-skinned person like me, in media was inspiring,” she explained. Serena recently had the chance to meet Paula Ann and express her gratitude. “I think it’s important to tell people who inspire you how much they mean to you,” she said. These interactions, even brief ones, can feel like mentorship and provide encouragement.

Serena’s journey was also marked by her personal battles and triumphs. “I wasn’t allowed to get locs because my family believed I would be discriminated against,” she shared. Despite this, Serena admired Paula Ann Porter, who wore her locs with pride. “Seeing her, an articulate and educated woman with locs, helped me prove a point,” Serena said. Eventually, Serena got her own locs, which she wore for 14 years. “It wasn’t rebellion; it was more of a cultural and spiritual connection for me,” she explained. For her, locs represented a closer connection to her roots and a sense of majesty.

Her cousin Berjah also played a role in inspiring her hairstyle. “He had beautiful, well-kept locks and always told me they would suit me,” Serena recalled. Although her grandmother initially disapproved, Serena’s desire for locks went deeper than just proving a point. “It was about feeling closer to my roots and embracing a cultural and spiritual identity,” she explained.

Serena’s passion for writing extended beyond that profession. “I have a lot of short stories and poems that I’ve written over the years. The other day, I found an old poetry book at my mom’s house filled with love poems I wrote. They might not sound good to me now, but they were original poems that I wrote.”

Early years

Serena’s early life was marked by dramatic events. Born on the day Hurricane Gilbert struck Jamaica (September 12, 1988), she was sent home early from the hospital as part of the disaster plan. “Later, they found out I had a few birth defects, but they weren’t severe,” she shares. Her parents lived in Over River, St. James, where she spent her early years. However, their relationship ended in a difficult split, and at five years old, Serena was sent to live with her maternal grandmother in Adelphi, in the same parish.

Living with her grandmother in the rural, green, and friendly environment of Adelphi had a profound impact on Serena. “It was beautiful up there, with lots of fruit trees and flowers,” she recalls. The large yard where she lived was a place of exploration and joy, and the community’s warmth left a lasting impression on her. “Most evenings, I had two dinners because everyone was so kind to me,” she says with a laugh. The entire community, filled with relatives, took care of her, ensuring she was never hungry or lonely.

Serena’s grandmother encouraged her to explore and play outside, fostering a sense of independence and curiosity. “There were a few black spots in my upbringing, but overall, it was great,” she reflects. Church played a significant role in her life, with her aunt, a pastor, having a profound impact on her alongside her grandmother and grandaunt. “I credit them for how I handle a lot of situations,” Serena says. Their teachings of kindness and restraint have stayed with her, shaping her into the person she is today.

The newly established author spent her first five years with her mother in Over River, the next five with her grandmother, then her teens into adulthood, in Mt. Salem, St. James.

The Shadows of Green Hill

With a solid foundation of who Serena is and what she hopes to continue to be, the conversation shifted to her published works. The Shadows of Green Hill, tells the story of a little boy whose father is falsely accused of murder. The shock of the accusation reverberates across the entire town, as the man, an unassuming carpenter known for his decency, suddenly finds the police at his door.

The story follows Liam, the boy, who refuses to let his father go down for a crime he didn’t commit. Enlisting the help of a retired detective, Mr. Riley, Liam embarks on a mission to uncover the true culprit. The community of Green Hill, inspired by Serena’s childhood home of Adelphi, provides a rich backdrop for this tale of determination and justice. Set in the mid to late 1990s, the story captures the close-knit nature of the community, where people would visit each other’s homes and look out for one another.

Serena emphasises that while the setting is inspired by her experiences, the story itself is entirely imaginative. “I have so many stories that I’ve written over the years,” she says.

“People might be surprised at the frequency of my book releases, but it’s because I have a lot of these stories already written.”

The character of Liam is particularly special to Serena. “Liam reminds me of my cousin,” she shares. Her cousin, Sadeque, always struck her as much older than he was. “He was always so resourceful and smart, always had the right answers,” she recalls. Despite his mischievous nature, Sadeque was serious when it mattered and wouldn’t stop until he got to the bottom of things. “This character reminds me of how I saw him growing up,” Serena says. Raised by their grandmother, Serena and Sadeque shared a close bond, navigating childhood together in their grandmother’s care.

Serena fondly remembers her group of cousins. “All my cousins were so resourceful,” she says. One cousin, in particular, was cooking from a very young age. “She could cook brown stew chicken, roasting breadfruit, among other things at six or seven, and moving on to more difficult meals” Serena recalls. Her cousins were not just book smart but also street smart, knowing exactly what to do in various situations. “They could handle money and do everything at a young age,” she says, admiring their capabilities.

Liam’s character is inspired by these resourceful cousins. “In the book, you see Liam going around by himself, just like my cousins did,” Serena explains. They didn’t need much guidance; they instinctively knew what to do. “At least, that’s how it looked to me,” she adds. Liam, at 12 years old, embodies the independence and determination Serena saw in her cousins.

Serena’s dedication to authenticity in her storytelling is evident. While she didn’t need to conduct extensive research for the first book, she did delve into legal matters for the sequel. “I don’t want to give away the plot, but I had to research something legal for the second book,” she explains. Serena wants to ensure that her story remains accurate and believable, especially for readers familiar with legal intricacies. The sequel’s publication date has not yet been announced.

Despite the imaginative nature of her stories, Serena’s commitment to detail and realism shines through. “The first book is all out of my head,” she says, emphasising that the setting and characters are products of her creativity, inspired by her experiences and observations.

Serena shared that her readers eagerly await the sequel to “The Shadows of Green Hill,” especially since the first book ended on a cliffhanger. “People are already asking me when the second one is coming,” she shares. While she plans to keep the series concise, with just two books, she is excited to continue Liam’s journey and explore new dimensions of the story.

When asked about her target audience for “The Shadows of Green Hill,” Serena explains that it is aimed at preteens and early teens. “It’s for preteens and teens, early teens,” she says, comparing it to the audience of Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books. However, Serena also has an adult book coming out soon, expanding her reach to a broader audience.

Other Books

Switching gears, Serena reflects on her first published book, “Cindy’s Lesson,” part of the “Country Chronicles” series. “Cindy’s Lesson is loosely based on my life in Adelphi,” she shares. The story follows a little girl named Cindy, who tries to fit in with her adventurous cousins. “I get in trouble trying to fit in with them,” Serena says, laughing. The book captures the challenges and humorous moments of her childhood, inspired by her own experiences and the colourful characters in her family.

The characters in “Cindy’s Lesson” are inspired by the people around Serena during her childhood, especially her grandmother and cousin Sadeque. “My grandmother was raising us at that time,” she explains. Serena considers “Cindy’s Lesson” her baby because it was the book that forced her to learn about online publishing and Amazon KDP. “It forced me to be knowledgeable about Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP),” she says. Despite initial offers from other publishers, Serena decided to self-publish to maintain control over her work and its marketing.

The first cover of “Cindy’s Lesson” wasn’t perfect, but Serena has since updated it. “People have to upgrade and elevate,” she says. She plans to write a second part for that book as it was initially intended to be a collection of short stories, inspired by books like “A World of Prose.” However, she felt that the other stories weren’t up to par, so she focused on “Cindy’s Lesson.”

In 2022, Serena explored the potential of self-publishing and learning from the experience. She had other projects in mind, including a book titled “Melly’s Melanin,” which is set to be released in November. Additionally, she has a children’s book that she wrote for her son years ago, ‘Time for Bed, Malik‘, which she plans to publish soon. “It’s a bedtime book I wrote for him years ago,” she shares. The book, inspired by her son’s reluctance to go to bed, is a short and sweet story aimed at young children.

Despite her son’s current age, Serena feels it’s the right time to release the book. “My son is 10 now, and I waited so long to put out the book,” she says. Reflecting on the delay, she admits that self-doubt played a role. “There was so much self-doubt and wondering if I could do it,” she explains. However, Serena is determined not to hold back any longer. “I’m not going to hold back anymore,” she asserts, ready to share her stories with the world.

Her recently published project, “Hymns of Deceit,” her first adult fiction book, published on her birthday, September 12th delves into the secrets of a church community, where everyone from the pastor to the congregants has something to hide. A detective infiltrates the church under the guise of finding a new church home, but she is actually investigating a cold case of a missing child. As she digs deeper, more secrets and skeletons come to light, making for a gripping and suspenseful read.

“Hymns of Deceit” is set in Hopewell and is not inspired by Serena’s own church. “Disclaimer, disclaimer,” she laughs, emphasising that the story is purely fictional. The pastor in the book holds the biggest secret of all, adding to the intrigue. “You will never expect what they are into,” Serena says, highlighting the unexpected twists and turns in the story. Just like in real life, the characters in the book have hidden depths and secrets that will surprise readers.

Publication Company

Serena recently launched a new venture called Grant Jam Publishing. This Amazon-based publishing company aims to help authors publish their works on a global platform. She shared that many local authors struggle with the technical aspects of publishing on Amazon, and Grant Jam Publishing was born out of her desire to assist them.

She mentioned, “Since I’ve been publishing since 2022, people have been approaching me for help. With this knowledge, I thought, why not turn it into a business?” Grant Jam, short for Grant Jamaica, is dedicated to making the publishing process accessible and straightforward for authors.

Titles Artwork

The artwork for Serena Grant’s books is a significant aspect of her brand. Each cover is meticulously designed to capture the essence of the story within. For “The Shadows of Green Hill,” the cover features a hauntingly beautiful illustration of a misty, verdant hill with shadowy figures, evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue. Interestingly, Serena uses AI to create these stunning visuals. She explained, “AI created all of the images. But the thing with AI is that you have to be extremely specific in what you want.” Serena often prompts the AI multiple times to achieve the perfect cover, ensuring that it aligns with the book’s themes and mood.

Serena’s openness about using AI for her cover art is refreshing. She believes in sharing her methods rather than gatekeeping, encouraging others to explore AI tools for their creative projects. Additionally, she uses AI for editing, which she finds incredibly helpful in refining her manuscripts.

Despite some skepticism about AI in the creative industry, Serena views it as a valuable tool rather than a competitor. She believes that leveraging AI can enhance the creative process, stating, “If we’re good at what we do and know how to improve and upgrade our skills, AI can help us.” Serena’s journey with AI began with skepticism, but as she educated herself on its capabilities, she found it to be an indispensable part of her workflow.

Aspirations

Serena looks up to literary icons like Lorna Goodison and aspires to have her literature books used in schools across the Caribbean. She shared, “I want to have literature books like her. Lorna Goodison is my idol.” Serena’s passion for literature and education is evident in her ambitious goals and dedication to her craft. She envisions creating a Grade 7 literature book to be used across the Caribbean, showcasing her commitment to education and literature.

Serena expressed her excitement about sharing her work with a broader audience. She said, “I’m just very excited that I get to put the knowledge about my work out there. People can see what I’m made of and explore my passions through these books.”

Advice for Aspiring Writers

When asked about advice for aspiring writers, Serena emphasised the importance of perseverance and self-belief. She said, “In the words of Nike’s tagline, just do it. Don’t care what anybody says. Sometimes we unconsciously seek the opinions of others to validate us or to discourage us. Just do the thing and put it out. Keep throwing something at a wall until it sticks. You must also believe in your work before you put it out.”

Serena advises writers to put their heart and soul into their work and not to be deterred by naysayers.

“Each time you put out something, try to make it better than the last. Continue to improve, go on YouTube, learn new ways to fashion your words, and keep reading a lot,” she added.

She also highlighted the importance of seeking mentorship and guidance from experienced individuals in the industry. “If you have access to knowledgeable and well-meaning mentors, take advantage of that. They will point you in the right direction,” Serena advised. She believes that having mentors is crucial in any field and encourages aspiring writers to find supportive and encouraging individuals to guide them.

Finally, Serena stressed the importance of passion and faith.

“Make sure your work has passion. Associate with the right people and have well-thinking mentors. And above all, put God in everything. Pray about everything. That’s what I do. I don’t make a move without talking to God first,” she shared.

Serena’s journey from a young girl with a passion for writing to a published author is a testament to her dedication and resilience. With each new book, she continues to captivate readers and inspire those around her.

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA