We had the good fortune of connecting with Renée A. Moses and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renée A., can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, I didn’t even realize I was starting a business when I published my first book. I found out soon after that being an author meant having a business. It wasn’t a bad thing. I just hadn’t properly prepared myself for all that came with it. Being a Black Romance author was always a dream of mine because I loved storytelling. I’m still learning as I go but it definitely required a mindset shift. Understanding that what I put in was what I’d get out of it seemed simple, but it was a lesson I learned. Every aspect of building a brand should be well thought out. I wished I’d planned that part first, but it taught me a lot when it came to other business ventures. I now know to do research, understand what’s required, then create and execute my plan. Write down the vision! Keep it somewhere visible and be descriptive. Vision is what will keep you going when you don’t feel like it. Seeing yourself with everything you’re working for pushes you to persevere.Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Every part of what I’m trying to create with my work keeps me busy. I recently opened an online store with my kiddos called AARZ Designs, I have a Book Review Podcast with two lovely ladies called Same Book, 3 Time Zones, and first and foremost, I am a Black Romance Indie Author. I create the stories I love to read. The kind that highlights Black Love but also the flaws in relationships, both previously developed and new. I will say that I’m not always a happy ending type of author. It really depends on the conflict that arises with the couples. I truly love the work I do. My readers are amazing. I communicate with them more through email than anything. Hearing how they feel about my stories and how it relates to certain times in their lives is truly what makes me the proudest. I’m still feeling my way around the industry. Even with that, it’s not crazy difficult but it can be tedious. Time management and proper planning are essential to successfully wear all my hats. I don’t get it right every day but when it counts, I do. My biggest lesson is trusting God and the supernatural more than the natural. Yes, I feel led to be where I am and where I’m going but I’d often felt overwhelmed and doubtful. Once I recognized my failure to put God first, I had to pause and regroup. Personal life can do a number on your belief in yourself and what God has promised you. I learned to lean on Him more and more. It just makes things so much easier to endure. I’m so quiet and stay to myself. I don’t want my brand to be that way. I’d love for people to see the words between the pages and find themselves within those same pages. Honestly, it’s that simple. My stories are not about flawless characters with blemish-free backgrounds or perfect childhoods who happen to run into each other and fall in love. I make them go through a lot and make mistakes along the way. I want readers to see all the forms of Black Love from my eyes and imagination. Black Love is so underrated but it’s so full and rich. It’s choosing each other despite how we are usually depicted before the world. We love one another just as hard as anyone else, if not harder. We are treated and perceived as less than or just one type. I’m not changing the world, but I’d love for my characters to display positive and real imagery of good ol’ Black Love.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I don’t get out much, even before Covid. However, from my experience so far, I have a few ideas. If I had a friend visiting, we’d have to hit up a Waffle House a time or two for breakfast. Then we’d move on to the Breakfast Klub. I’ve been there only once, and I definitely want to go again. I love seafood and have become obsessed with Lotus Seafood. It’s so bad that I mention them in my books. Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe will absolutely be on the list. On another day, we’d have to hit the Turkey Leg Hut and Gumbo Mama by Tina Turner. For activities, everyone does their rounds at The Galleria Mall. I love Studio Movie Grill. We’d take pictures at the Water Wall. I recently heard about the Mural Instagram Tour which sounds interesting. I’d also take them indoor Skydiving and succeed or fail at an Escape Room. Lastly, I love Paint & Sip events. We’d close the visit out with that one.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, a personal shoutout to my kids. They are my greatest little supporters. I also can’t go without mentioning three more names: Florence (Momma), Bridgette, and Gustavia. These women pour into me in ways I never imagined. Love, support, encouragement, you name it!

A few Black-owned businesses I’d be honored to shoutout can be found on Instagram. Gumbo Mama by Tina Turner @tina_gumbomama, Luxe Beauty by Leah @luxebyleah_ & Little Miss Innocent @littlemssinnocent.co

Website: www.authorramoses.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorramoses

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorramoses

Youtube: bit.ly/sb3tzYT

Other: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L5i6kR

Image Credits
photo by LW photography

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