When I first started this journey as an Afro-Latina from Honduras, trying to share my story felt like running into a brick wall. Big publishing houses told me there was no market for a protagonist that looked like me, a character with an Afro-Latina background. They said people wouldn’t buy it, and for a long time, I almost believed them.
But here’s the thing: that was my story. For too long, I had lived with the idea that my identity wasn’t enough to be celebrated. So when I launched LexxiKhan Presents Publishing, I made a decision that has shaped everything we do—my story matters. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned since, it’s that your story sells.
Today, we’ve had the privilege of speaking at prestigious universities, including Harvard, and working with Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 clients. The reason? We didn’t bend to what the world told us to be. We leveraged the power of storytelling—our true, authentic story. We stopped trying to fit into someone else’s mold and built our own. You can do the same.
Here are 4 things that helped us speak our truth and reach the right clients:
1. Planning
Before we even wrote a single word, we planned. When it comes to storytelling, having a plan is key. You need to know what story you’re trying to tell and why it matters. Are you telling the story that resonates with your audience, or are you simply trying to appeal to everyone? We honed in on what we wanted to say and laid out a roadmap for how we’d say it. For me, it was about being unapologetically Afro-Latina, and unapologetically myself.
2. Strategizing
Once we had the story, we had to figure out how to get it in front of the right people. Strategy is all about knowing your audience, understanding where they are, and figuring out how to reach them. We didn’t just hope people would find us—we developed a strategy to make sure they did. And the result? We reached readers and clients who were searching for the authenticity that our brand provided. Your strategy should be rooted in knowing who needs to hear your story and how you can connect with them in the most impactful way possible.
3. Doing the Work
You can plan and strategize all day long, but nothing happens if you don’t put in the work. You have to be willing to grind when no one’s watching and keep pushing when no one’s clapping for you. For years, I was running my publishing business on borrowed Wi-Fi from McDonald's because I didn’t have the gas to get anywhere else. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary. We built our brand from the ground up because we refused to give up on the story we wanted to tell. Are you willing to put in the work to share yours?
4. Recruiting Help When Necessary
You can’t do this alone, and you don’t have to. We’ve worked with editors, writing coaches, and leaned on community support to keep pushing forward. A strong network can be the difference between struggling in silence and succeeding with purpose. Whether it's finding the right editor or connecting with the right community of storytellers, help is out there, and it’s vital to your success. Yes, you can join Facebook groups and local meet-ups to get the support you need, but if you're ready for next-level guidance, our Author’s Lounge is here for you.
The Author’s Lounge is where we give you direct access to bestselling authors and industry insiders who can help you craft your legacy, stay motivated, and learn the best strategies to publish your story. We want to help you develop your story so you’re not just speaking to today’s clients, but building a legacy that resonates with future clients as you grow.
Moral of the Story:
Your story is your legacy, and it holds more power than you think. By planning, strategizing, putting in the work, and recruiting the right help, you can create something that draws in the clients who need exactly what you have to offer. Your story is already powerful; you just need to tell it authentically.
Ready to start? Join our Author’s Lounge today to gain access to bestselling authors, industry experts, and a community designed to help you share your story with the world. Your legacy starts now—let’s build it together.
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