And it’s good.
Graphic Policy: First things first, tell us a little about yourself?
Malachi Bailey: Hello, I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. I was that kid reading novels and comics up in trees. I loved reading about science fiction and fantasy, but it was the X-Men cartoon and comic book that would set me on the course. Their action-packed stories made me want to write. My siblings encouraged. So I’ve been writing since I was 9. I haven’t stopped and don’t plan to!
GP: I hope you don’t! What can you tell us about HER without giving too much away?
GP: Where did the inspiration for the book come from?
MB: My siblings and I have always had the most fertile imagination growing up. We’d weave these engaging, dramatic stories involving our toys. Then we fell in love with the X-Men from Marvel Comics. I became utterly obsessed with Storm. Strong. Black. In charge. A true Nubian queen. She was the genesis for Her. I wanted a superheroine to have those qualities and attributes.
GP: How long had you been thinking of HER before you put pen to paper?
MB: Would you believe my mentor put the idea in my head? I was her editorial assistant intern and she told me that I would be published so think of a book idea by the next time we had a meeting. The next time, I gave her rough breakdown of the HER novel. Hr face lit up. She was beyond excited. She told me to have it finished by October 31st 2015. Um, I was given the assignment in May! But I did it. I put pen to paper on Memorial Day and finished the manuscript two months ahead of schedule!
MB: Originally I was going to publish through Brown Girls Books. I’d been interning with them at the time. But after much thought and soul-searching, I felt it was beneficial for me to self-publish my first novel. So I did. Also, I created my own publishing house, Mother One Publications.
GP: Well you certainly jumped in at the deep end, eh?
MB: You could say that. It’s all or nothing. And HER deserves everything I’ve got!
GP: Which brings me to me to the Indiegogo campaign. You’re relaunching the book?
MB: Yup! I am re-releasing HER through a crowdfunding website called Indiegogo. Frankly, I wasn’t thrilled with the typos I found in the book and, well, also I’ve been itching to showcase a new cover. Doing all this isn’t cheap. So a month into it, I’ve been blessed to have donations after the campaign launch.
MB: I’m just getting started! HER is only the beginning of a series I’m working on. I’m thinking right now there will about 5 books. I’m also publishing other books through Mother One Publications. I have two different novel ideas floating around in my head that NEED to come out!
GP: Anything else you want to add before I let you go?
MB: I just want to thank you for taking the time to interview me. It truly means a lot. Also, I am very glad the campaign has been going well and I cannot wait until HER is back on the shelves. Still touched by the overwhelming wave of support. This is only the beginning and I don’t intend to stop writing!
GP: Any time!
You can find Malachi on Facebook @MalachiTheWriter.