Trisha Clerk, Author & Founder of Essential Bookstore

Welcome to My Blog!

Author builds high-concept bookstore to celebrate writers from the African diaspora.

I've had this website for over a year, but didn't feel the need to include this blog until now. It's not as if I had nothing meaningful to write. To the contrary. I had too much to say, but fear of retribution from former (and current) supervisors forced me to remain silent. I knew unwanted eyes secretly stalked my Twitter feeds and this website. Thankfully, I no longer fear speaking my truth. I forgave my wrongdoers, accepted their apologies, and overcame the animosity once shared between us. So hello world!

What's Happening With The Book?

This seems to be the burning question. My parents always ask me, especially my mom. She doesn't want me to give up on my dream. I told her, like I'm writing to all of you - I will NEVER give up on my dreams. My book will be published in 2023.

Let me be honest. I stopped querying after 26 rejection letters. I couldn't believe those agents had the audacity to reject my masterpiece, but I understand and accept their inability to want to market an urban fantasy romance that introduces a Black woman superhero. My epic novel series is a lot to digest. The elements of God, genocide, and genealogy is complex, but when it centers a Black woman protagonist. . .

In the end, I received a few partial requests. That was nice. Unfortunately, many of those agents suggested for me to remove "the God element". Never gonna happen. My main character is the female Moses. She talks to God and is on a divine mission to save her people from genocide as the country prepares to go to war. But don't get it twisted. Taking An L is not Christian fiction. The romance and use of adult language is far from acceptable for inspirational fiction. You can judge for yourself in January 2023, since I finally stopped crying over those rejections and decided to self-publish.

Essential Bookstore

My book will now be sold in Essential Bookstore and shipped across the country via our online shop. It really was the only way to go. Situations in life tend to direct your paths on different journeys. For me, realizing how difficult it is for writers of color to get traditional publishing helped me to explore my entrepreneurial side.

Essential Bookstore is a high concept bookstore and literacy center that features works from authors throughout the African diaspora. You read that right. My bookstore will primarily feature books written for, about, and by Black authors from around the world. It was necessary to make this about us because of the current state of publishing. (We'll discuss that later.)

I'm going all out for this venture. The design components, the art gallery, learning center, and coffee bar are just the beginning. Our hyper-immersive retail experience is something unseen in most bookstores. Technology is woven into every facet of the Essential Bookstore experience.

Keep Your Eyes Open

The next few months will be exciting as I prepare for the publication of my first novel and with the opening of Essential Bookstore. I hope you can join me on this journey. But even more so, I hope I can depend on your support. Buy a book. Buy two books. Just buy books from independent booksellers.

Want to stay in touch or receive an official invite to Essential Bookstore's grand opening? Head on over to the CONTACT page and leave your info. I promise I won't spam you.