Author Spotlight: Melony Hill

Melony Hill is an author, college lecturer, and survivor many times over. Constantly counted out by society due to emotional instabilities and a traumatic upbringing that led her down a path meant to destroy her, she has reclaimed her life and now, seeks to help others do the same.  Through her book, “Reflections of a Survivor”, she aims to heal through the written and spoken word, offering resources and services to survivors from all walks of life.

While publishing six books of her own in 2017, Melony assisted 10 others in becoming published authors as well. Life coach, digital marketing specialist, speaker, she is determined to impact the lives of survivors worldwide. The mental health advocate has been featured in a local Baltimore paper, Baltimore Beat, iconic TIME Magazine as well as featured on the local television show, Bmore Lifestyle TV. Despite being labeled emotionally disabled, Melony has continued to thrive. She’s been known to ask, “what’s your genius” before telling you about hers and the Genius is Common movement she’s partnered with to highlight the everyday genius in us all. Learn more about our author spotlight below.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Melony, Melony?

Melony: What makes Melony, Melony is her transparency and authenticity. In a world of clones and trends, Melony is fresh air. Melony is a woman who admits she is flawed, that she has a less than desirable past, and that she is not one dimensional. My transparency holds a mirror up for others to analyze themselves and find peace in who they are.

Fancy: So tell us about your book, “Reflections of a Survivor,” and what inspired it. 

Melony: “Reflections of a Survivor” was my fourth publication, but my first anthology. I wanted to be able to share lessons I’ve learned as I’ve healed from past traumas like molestation, physical abuse, bad relationships, and mental illness and allow others the space to tell their stories as well.

It turned into a beautiful 15-essay book with essays written by six authors, including myself. The book touches on topics like finding peace in being born disabled, emotional instability, family betrayal, domestic violence, and more.

Fancy: What do you want readers to take from your book?

Melony: We hope that readers can find peace in their own situations and understanding that we all suffer. Suffering is common, but how we overcome the adversity we face is what people remember most. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.

Fancy: You’ve been labeled as “emotionally disabled” can you explain what that means?

Melony: In 2010, I was diagnosed as legally emotionally disabled due to depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities). While I’m intelligent, my mind occasionally plays mean tricks on me.

Fancy: So what type of writing workshops do you teach? 

Melony: I teach a few, actually. On Tuesdays, I offer a free therapeutic writing workshop for the Baltimore community. I also have paid writing workshops such as Write to Earn, where I teach writers how to turn their creativity into a viable business with multiple streams of income. I also teach Publish Your Book on Any Budget, where I break down the 3 ways of publishing and how to publish your book no matter the budget, even if it’s $0.

Fancy: You assist authors as well. What services do you offer?

Melony: I’m a one-stop shop for indie writers and authors. Not only do I have a coaching program where I step by step, walk them through the process of self-publishing and marketing, but I also offer marketing services. What I‘ve found is that many writers and indie authors are so stuck in their creativity, they don’t know how to do the business end of running a writing business. I teach them backend work as well, as have plans where I take over the work in total. I work with writers through the writing process all the way to post production and marketing if needed.

Fancy: Do you feel emotionally connected to your work?

Melony: 100% because the mission of my business, “Stronger Than My Struggles“, is to heal through the spoken and written word. I work with non-fiction writers and survivors, you can’t help but be attached.

 Mental health is a big cause of mine, on May 19^th, I‘m hosting “Crazy Like a Fox” and event I’m sponsoring through Stronger Than My Struggles in Baltimore. It’s a Black mental health panel discussion with survivors, suffers and medical professionals. More information can be found at https://www.strongerthanmystruggles.com/crazy-like-a-fox-black-mental-healt

Connect and follow Melony below.

http://www.strongerthanmystruggles.com

http://www.facebook.com/strongerthanmystruggles

http://www.twitter.com/stmsbmore

http://www.instagram.com/strongerthanmystruggles

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sapphirethesexy1/

-Fancy