Hi, Fellow Creatives!
I'm back with another edition of Conversation with Creatives. May marks month three of this series, and it's also Mental Health Awareness month. If you've been following P2P for some time, you may notice a lot of content geared toward children's books and that's because children's book editing has become P2P's most highly requested service; however, I do edit nonfiction too as real-life topics can be both fascinating and insightful.
This month, I'm chatting with the incredibly wise Tracey Cobb, author of The Art of Being Authentic: Nine Ways To Live Authentically You! Tracey is a licensed therapist and staunch advocate for authenticity and giving yourself grace.
This conversation is special because Tracey shares the realest version of herself (that's all you're gonna get with her!), and she takes a moment to speak with us about why mental wellness is important. Without further ado, Tracey Cobb, ladies and gentlemen. *For an optimized reading experience, please click the "view in browser" option above the newsletter. *
Conversation with Creatives, Author's Corner: Tracey Cobb
P2P: What’s the name of your book? When was your book’s release date?
T. Cobb: My book, The Art of Being Authentic: Nine Principles to Living Authentically You! was released by Inkwell Publishers in March 2021 to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of my father’s passing. It was a beautiful way to honor him and so much of what he taught me about life and living without teaching.
P2P: Many of P2P's clients are indie authors, but you collaborated with a publisher for Authentic. Do you mind sharing a bit about your experience of working with a publisher and what the editing process looked like for your book?
T. Cobb: Working with Inkwell was amazing! I felt completely supported in every way. I began writing my book back in 2010 right before my father died and as I was completing my master's program—it sat on my computer for almost ten years because I wasn’t ready to look at it again. Beverly Floyd at Inkwell had always told me that she wanted my book Authentic to be published by her company when the time was right. I was perfectly ok with it [my book] sitting on the shelf because I wasn’t ready—and what I know now is that I needed more experiences and lessons for it to fully come to completion.
As for the process, I felt very comfortable with Inkwell because each step of the process was transparent and open from the beginning to the end. I understood exactly what their role was and what my responsibilities were. I could ask any question I had and felt fully engaged in the business part of the process as well.
Once we got to the creative part, I had an amazing developmental editor who connected with me and my book and helped me clarify and deepen parts of my book as well as explore and process my thoughts. The developmental editor also helped me get out of my head and supporting me with making my thoughts understandable to the reader.
I loved the idea of collaborating with someone who was responsible for making sure that everything made sense outside of my head. I didn’t have to worry about the clarity of thought so much, I was free to think and flow and experience . . . she was able to coordinate the words and together we were able to flesh it out lovingly and quickly.
After we were comfortable with the content, we moved to the copyediting process that covered all the other important aspects of making sure that we had a quality product.
I love the fact that we all worked as a team—that in each part of the process my publisher and editors were open to my ideas and offered me constructive criticism and support that enabled me to share a product that was in my voice.
P2P: Thanks for sharing all of those details, Tracey. I'm sure many people will find your experience insightful. Let's take a little shift here to discuss mental health. Since May is the month where we highlight Mental Health Awareness, can you share some wisdom on how Authentic and books like Authentic can support people on their mental wellness journeys?
T. Cobb: I believe that Authentic offers individuals the opportunity to be themselves—to not have to show up in this world the way others expect or demand. Often, the way we think we should be impacts our mental health. I want our communities to understand the power that we each possess within ourselves. I want the stigma placed on seeking help to be dispelled. I want individuals to know that there is no weakness in asking for help where mental health is concerned. If a person had a broken arm, they wouldn't hesitate to seek medical assistance nor would they be ashamed that they sought professional help.
Living through the last two years of COVID-19, political chaos, and racial unrest has left us all with residual emotional pain and mental processing issues. We don’t have to bear the burdens alone. We are all in pain. Books that focus on healing and offer hope can help us manage these difficult times and let us know that individuals have gone before us and have made it to the other side. My book was a reminder to me that I have survived things that could have destroyed me. This book has given me an opportunity to gather my experiences and build a foundation and bridge to the next part of my life.
P2P: Wow, Tracey. Thanks for that powerful punch of wisdom. What advice would you give someone who has reservations about therapy?
T. Cobb: I would tell them that reservations are normal and natural if they are thinking of trying something new. Those facts don't have to keep them from seeking help. I would suggest they interview therapists and look for someone who offers a free consultation so that they can experience a bit of how the therapist shows up.
When searching for a therapist, you want to work with someone who can hear and see you as you are. Someone who gives you the space to show up as you are and who sets the tone for a safe space to experience the ups, down, highs, and lows that will absolutely show up in therapy. Therapy is not self-care like manicures and massages. It will challenge you and the person you are in order to give you a foundation for the person you desire to become. Your therapist can hold space for it but can't do the work for you—a therapist will be your support and guide.
P2P: I completely concur. You dropped so many gems in Authentic. How does it feel to let people in on a bit of your personal journey?
T. Cobb: Part of the reason why my book stayed on the computer for ten years is because I was afraid of what people would think of me. I thought about how I would be judged for being myself. People tend to cast judgment in those ways. I was conditioned to "lead with your best self and to never show any weakness," but in the real world that doesn’t work.
There are times when all of us are vulnerable and have weaknesses. I believe sharing my triumph and challenges gives the next person an opportunity to focus less on being perfect. Perfect Ain't REAL (A new Tracey Truism)! I also understand that not everyone will agree, believe in, or value me or my experiences, and that is quite ok! When I recognized that, the game changed because it gave me the space to be my authentic self.
P2P: And we are so here for the authenticity! Please share your best advice to someone who may be on the fence about writing their own book—especially those who might be new to the traditional publishing process.
T. Cobb: Please use your voice! There is room for each person’s story and perspective, and what you bring to the table can be the healing salve someone else needs in their lives. I love Jill Scott, her voice and her words. I remember when I was struggling . . . her music helped in my healing. When I was miserable, working in a local company as an accounting assistant stuffing invoices in envelopes, her powerful words reminded me that I would have never been impacted by her had she not used her gifts and shared her words with the world! Her voice was powerful to me in so many ways—I might have given up on my dreams. I can’t imagine not having her beauty to support me through some of the hardest times of my life.
P2P: What opportunities have come your way now that you’re a published author?
T. Cobb: My book has opened doors that have allowed me to be featured in VoyageATL magazine, to support different community groups. My book supports current clients in my counseling practice to navigate their way to self-love, self- compassion, and authenticity with a blueprint.
I am working on a training program that will focus on the principles in Authentic as well as teach people how to get to self-love. We often tell people that "you need to love yourself," but what happens if you have no frame of reference for that? For some people those are just words. If you have never had love or if you don’t even like yourself, what are you to do? I want to be part of the conversation that takes people from trauma and pain to a real love of self.
P2P: What has the response been for your manuscript? Whatever responses you’ve garnered (hopefully positive) what do you think were contributing factors?
T. Cobb: From the beginning my book has been held in high regard—no one has informed me that they didn’t like it. I would love to debate and understand those who may have alternative ideas about my concepts, though. I believe the factors that contributed to the positive reflection include the fact that it was a quick and easy read, it was based on my real-world experience that is transferable to the lives of many others, and the fact that I was willing to lay bare my own challenges and shortcomings—in hopes that my story encouraged others to offer themselves some grace around their own challenges.
P2P: Can you share some of the cool, interactive ways you and your publisher are promoting Authentic?
T. Cobb: We currently have a fun interactive quiz that recommends a free chapter of the book for people to read based on their answers to the quiz questions. The quiz can be found here. We are also considering an e-journal to complement Authentic.
Just for fun: What was your favorite part about working with P2P during the copyediting process?
T. Cobb: I love the fact that P2P [Meish] was willing to challenge me in the writing process. P2P [Meish] could see when parts of my work were outside of the book's overall goal, and she lovingly offered alternatives and correction that still incorporated my voice. That showed me that she was invested in my vision for the book, and she felt the spirit with which the book was written. I will be forever grateful for that. It taught me that I could trust P2P & Meish with my baby!
P2P: Tracey, that was BEYOND good. Your words feed the soul, and I want to thank you for your in-depth responses and wisdom about your journey and mental health and wellness. I certainly hope this won't be the last time we hear from you!
To learn more about or purchase Tracey's book, The Art of Being Authentic: Nine Principles To Living Authentically You! Visit the InkWell Publishers website by clicking here. You can also follow Tracey on Instagram to stay in the know about what's to come for Authentic.
I'll be ruminating on these words for a while, and I hope you will too. Take care of yourselves.
Until next time. . .
Happy Creating!
Meisha
