Today we’d like to introduce you to Pria Dee.
Hi Pria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Writing has been a fundamental part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up with parents who are dedicated doctors, our family frequently relocated to provide healthcare in developing countries and underprivileged communities. This unique upbringing inspired me to express my experiences through writing, as I would often send long letters to friends and family, sharing my adventures and observations.
My passion for storytelling blossomed at an early age. I was an avid reader, and I spent countless hours creating stories in my head and scribbling them into my journals. Collaborating with my sister and friends, I even crafted mini-plays to entertain adults at gatherings. This early love for writing only deepened over the years; I contributed to my high school newsletter, and made heartfelt handmade greeting cards filled with original artwork for my loved ones.
As I grew older, characters and plots began to take shape in my imagination, urging me to put pen to paper. Over the years, I have drafted several stories, but a few stand out as my favorites. Initially, I wrote children’s stories to captivate my own children and those of friends, even using Kindle Direct Publishing to print a handful of copies as gifts.
With aspirations of traditional publication, I queried agents in 2020 with my first significant work, “Balu Saves the Day.” However, my timing coincided with the onset of the pandemic, which profoundly affected the publishing industry. The experience was sobering; I realized the importance of seizing the moment as we faced uncertainty and loss all around us.
Using a gift from my mother, I decided to take a leap of faith and self-publish my book. Partnering with the incredibly talented Kim Young from the Savannah College of Art and Design, we brought Balu’s story to life beautifully. I chose to dedicate the book to all those affected by the pandemic, a heartfelt tribute to resilience and hope.
The response to Balu was overwhelmingly positive, with readers embracing the story, and it gained recognition with excellent reviews and several awards. Holding my book for the first time was a remarkable experience, one that reminded me of the dream of sharing stories with children around the world.
Since then, I have not looked back. With ten published children’s books and additional projects in the works, my journey has become an empowering testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. I am excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to engage young readers with my stories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Balancing time and resources presents a significant challenge for me. I juggle the responsibilities of family life, a full-time career, and my passion for writing, often finding that my writing takes a back seat to these commitments.
Querying publishers and agents can be an intimidating and time-consuming endeavor. While I aspire to collaborate with an agent to help promote my work, the demands of my schedule have led me to continue independently publishing, as I have not been able to dedicate the necessary time to the querying process.
Additionally, marketing poses another substantial challenge for writers. I find it difficult to effectively promote myself on social media and various platforms. To address this, I have sought the guidance of coaches specializing in advertising and outreach. Nevertheless, I recognize that I still have considerable progress to make in this area.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a storyteller at heart, and I find excitement in sharing my stories with others. My writing features diverse characters who navigate everyday situations in a variety of settings. Parents and grandparents often tell me that my stories remind them of the experiences of children in their lives. I enjoy incorporating humor and creating flawed characters who grow throughout the narrative, ultimately becoming better individuals. My brand focuses on childhood literacy, as I firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to read, see themselves in books, and lose themselves in a story.
I believe in writing about what I have lived and experienced, which lends authenticity to my work. My unique and diverse background and experiences contribute to my stories and set them apart from others.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
AI is set to make a significant impact on the art world, influencing both writers and illustrators. However, there are concerns about plagiarism and the potential for people to use AI to mass-produce low-quality books.
On the positive side, AI can be a valuable tool for learning and improving in the artistic field. substandard books.
I also worry that the younger generation is increasingly dependent on technology and spends excessive amounts of time scrolling through social media instead of reading. They often rely on AI to find answers for their homework rather than engaging with the material themselves.
Writers need to rise to the challenge and create new content that captivates the younger audience, drawing them into the story so that they want to read the entire book instead of relying on AI-generated summaries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.priadee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priadeeauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priadeeauthor
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/authorpriadee
- Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18001718.Pria_Dee
