I went to the best university in the world.  My classmates are some of the most awesomely talented people I know.  And I am so happy to introduce to you R. Bryant, a new author who published her first novel, Yesterday Mourning, earlier this year.  Read below to find out more about Ms. Bryant, her work, and her future plans.

Provide a synopsis of your book:

Yesterday Mourning delves into the reality of what happens to individuals and families when their expectations of one another are rarely spoken and subsequently not met. It deals with love, loss, and the fears surrounding both.

“Yvette is a forty-one year old woman devastated from losing both parents during her twenties—one to terminal disease and the other to life’s complications. Vera is the stepsister she never imagined nor wanted. When their father’s health takes a turn for the worse, both must decide if they have the strength to release yesterday’s burdens or will a childhood secret damage an already broken family.”

How long had you written it before it was published? 

There wasn’t a lot of time that passed between writing the final words and the soft launch in May. I would say about two months at the most.

Where did you get the idea of your story?

The novel is actually inspired by my life, my loss, and my regrets. Back in 2006 my mother, Vanessa, lost her short but painful battle with metastatic melanoma. The cancer is extremely rare in Blacks (lifetime risk of 0.1%) and quite fatal usually due to late detection.  Losing her was devastating for my entire family and we all went through a bit of soul searching.  Yesterday Mourning was a way for me to pay homage to my mother as well as acknowledge some of the unrealistic expectations I had for myself and others during that time in my life.

Do you have plans to write another novel?

Yes. I’m currently working on the second book in the Mourning series and I’ve already started outlines for a few more.

What has been your biggest challenge thus far?

Making sure I make the time. It’s not that I don’t have time to write or to do a lot of the activities that help build a writer’s platform, it’s being committed to it and being okay with sacrificing other things in order to see my dream materialize.

What is your favorite book?

The Alchemist. The themes in that book have had a tremendous impact to how I see the world and my life. Understanding how easy it is to go in search of treasure and become jaded, disheartened, lost, lazy, tricked, etc., only to find the treasure has been right under your nose the entire time. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years regarding your writing?

Several novels, short stories, and poetry collections published along with a very popular blog. I’d also like to start a nonprofit in my hometown that provides writing workshops for young girls.

Where can your book be purchased?

Currently it’s in eBook only and available on Amazon, Smashwords.com, B&N.com, and iTunes. However, the printed version will be available in October! That information is hot off the press!

Where can you be found on social media?

-Facebook.com/YesterdayMourningBook, Twitter: @Atiner, Goodreads,

Blog: myndmatters.wordpress.com

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?

I’d like them to know how much I sincerely appreciate their time, their feedback, and their support. It humbles me to hear them tell me how much my novel moved them to tears or made them reconcile relationships that had been non-existent for decades. My readers inspire me and for that, I thank them.

Big “Thank you!” to Ms. Bryant!  And exclusively for Southern Girl in the City readers, you can purchase Yesterday Mourning for only $0.99!  But hurry, this special ends next Monday, September 23.  Visit this site and use coupon code “NT38Z”.  As an avid book reader and self-proclaimed bookworm, this is a read you do not want to miss!  And I can not wait to read future works from Ms. Bryant!  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!