Meet Crystel (pronounced cris.tell) Patterson | Children’s Book Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystel (pronounced cris.tell) Patterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystel (pronounced cris.tell), we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first started writing my ‘Inspired to Be…’ book series, my only goal was to help change and improve the narrative of Black people in children’s literature. I was inspired by my own children and their need to see positive representations of people who look like them. At first, I didn’t realize that I was starting a business. It wasn’t until after I published my first book that I realized how much of an investment it was and that I needed to start selling the book to make it widely available. That’s when I came to the realization that this was now a business. So, I put on my business hat and started learning about what that meant, including securing the proper licenses and taking the appropriate steps to run a business. But at the end of the day, my focus has always been on sharing positive narratives of Black people and inspiring children of all races to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is the stories that make up the ‘Inspired to Be…’ book series, which seeks to amplify positive narratives of Black people and inspire children of all races. What sets my books apart is their focus on real-life stories and experiences of Black people, which allows children to see themselves in the stories and be inspired by their own potential. I’m most proud of the impact my books have had on children and their families, as well as the recognition and awards my work has received.

Getting to where I am today professionally was not easy. Starting my own business and writing my first book series was a big leap out of my comfort zone, but it was driven by my passion to make a difference and inspire children. I had to learn a lot about the publishing industry and business operations, and there were definitely challenges along the way. One of the biggest challenges I faced and continue to face is marketing the books and making sure that kids all over had access to them. Visibility is key, and it is a challenge to get the word out and increase the reach of my books when I don’t have a huge platform to stand on. This is a challenge I’m still working to overcome. One of the most important things I’ve done is outreach to schools and organizations to let them know about my books and their positive messages. I’ve also connected with bookstores and participated in book fairs and pop-up events to increase visibility and reach. Additionally, I’ve shared my story and the story of my books on numerous news networks, which has helped raise awareness and generate interest. The awards my books have received have also been helpful in gaining attention and building credibility. Overall, I’ve been persistent in my efforts to market my books and make sure that they reach as many children as possible. While it’s been challenging, it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see the impact my books are having on children and their families.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of persistence and hard work. It takes time and effort to build a successful business and make a positive impact in the world, but if you stay committed and keep moving forward, you can achieve great things.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that it’s all about empowering and inspiring children to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Through my books and community involvement, I’m working to create a more equitable and inclusive world where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, while I’m not usually the one to show people around Southern California since I no longer live there (I left after Highschool), when I visit, my friends and family always take me to some amazing places. We always make sure to hit up some great restaurants and bars, especially those that serve Caribbean cuisine and play soca, reggae, and afro beats. Some of my favorites include Mama’s International Tamales in Inglewood, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood, and Harold & Belle’s in Jefferson. We also love to dance and party, so we usually find some great spots to enjoy the music and have a good time.

If I had a week in LA, I would definitely make sure to catch some live music and performances at venues like the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek Theatre. We’d also take a trip to the beach and enjoy the beautiful scenery and great food at places like Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. And since I love learning about history and culture, we’d also check out some museums and cultural landmarks like the Getty Center and the California African American Museum.

Overall, there’s so much to see and do in Southern California, and I always have a great time when I visit. I’m actually looking forward to the Hollywood Carnival at the end of June when I’ll be able to dance to some great music and celebrate my Trinidadian culture.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to dedicate my shoutout to my kids for inspiring me. My older son’s questions and curiosity after the murder of George Floyd inspired me to embark on this journey of becoming an author.

I also want to give a big shoutout to my best friend, Ashley Davis, who has been an incredible accountability partner throughout this journey. When I shared with her that I wanted to write a book series and told her what it was about, she immediately asked how she could keep me accountable and has been there every step of the way. Her support and encouragement were crucial in getting me over the finish line. Writing these books was definitely out of my comfort zone, so her role was so necessary.

I also want to shout out my husband and close friends who have listened to me read draft versions of my books countless times before they were published. Their feedback was invaluable and helped me refine and improve the stories. I am so grateful for their support and encouragement.

Lastly, I want to shout out my illustrator, Briana Young, who has worked on every one of my books. She is an incredibly talented artist who has brought my vision to life in the most amazing ways possible. Without her, my books wouldn’t have the beautiful illustrations that make them so special.

Website: crystelpatterson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtobe_cp/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystel-patterson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredtobe.cp

Other: Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Crystel-Patterson/author/B08TVYH4XC