Slyce: Brothers and Sistah’s, please welcome our sistah, Author Ayoka Boyce to “The Interrogation Room”!! Welcome my sistah :-). Are you ready?
Slyce: What inspired you to become an author?
AB: I have been an avid reader since childhood and always wanted to create with writing. But I got serious with it when I began writing skits and spoken word pieces for different events. After 2 years, a friend told me that she wanted to see me published before the event on the next year… so that’s what I did and haven’t looked back.
Slyce: What is the name of your publishing company?
AB: My latest book is published under StoryMaiden Publishing.
Slyce: In what genre do you write?
AB: I write Christian Urban Fiction as well as Christian Non-Fiction.
Slyce: Have you penned under another name?
AB: I have. My pen name is Nikki P Serene aka Author Serene. Nikki is my nickname from college. P stands for my maiden name and Serene is because in my first book, I was looking for peace regarding the book.
Slyce: You wrote a book titled, “Change Came Today”. What was this book about?
AB: I was at a church event and listening to the speaker talk about the woman with the issue of blood. It’s a pretty familiar story in the bible where she spent 12 years with this issue of sickness before she received her healing. As the speaker briefly mentioned her, I wondered how the woman would have felt that morning if she knew that it would be the last morning that she would have to wake up with her issue. That morning, she had no idea that it was the last day of her suffering…At that moment, I saw the entire book and went home and began to write. I wrote about her, the woman at the well, the blind beggar Bartimaues, the man with a legion of demons, and the man at the pool of Bethesda. Each of them lived in their own issues for years but then their healing came in a day. I also speak about some intimate details of my own journey of healing from issues.
Slyce: Is this book a stand alone or a series?
AB: It is written as a short standalone, but I have considered a second with other people in the Bible.
Slyce: How important are interviews?
AB: Interviews are very important. They present me with questions that make me think deeper, sometimes with things I had not considered. They also help with publicity.
Slyce: How important are reviews?
AB: Reviews…for one, they let us, authors, know that you actually took time to read the book. That in itself means so much. They also help us to build brand, and publicity. We also learn what the reader gets from our work.
Slyce: What does the term, “Building a Brand” mean?
AB: Building a brand is building an identity. For me, not only am I an author, I am also a licensed minister. So when I post, I am mindful of my words and my message. When you see me, ‘my brand’ should always reflect positivity, hope, faith and blessings. Even during tough times, my brand will always point back to my faith.
Slyce: What steps are you taking to build your brand?
AB: Right now, I am doing a lot of promoting online through groups, my author page and by using Facebook live. In person, I attend a lot of events in my city and I also host events, some on a weekly basis. This helps for people to see that my brand is really who I am.
Slyce: What goals would you like to achieve as an author?
AB: I want to grow my readership and eventually build myself as a speaker (for books). My short term goal is to write a full length play, Christian/Urban and go on tour.
Slyce: What advice would you like to share with aspiring authors?
AB: Write at least 5 or 6 days a week, even if it is only a paragraph, just keep writing. Don’t be afraid to be social and promote and make sure to have your books in paperback form.
Slyce: Is there anything else cooking in the lab for Author Ayoka Boyce?
AB: Yes, I am finishing up a ministry book that I am writing with my pastor..and I am also writing a Christian Vampire book. This one is challenging but I am having a blast writing it and keeping ministry inside of it.
Slyce: Do you write for the passion or the profit?
AB: I write for the passion. This is part of my ministry, I absolutely love it.
Slyce: Name three authors you’d love to work with.
AB: Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark and Omar Tyre.
Slyce: Where can our viewers purchase your book?
AB: The eBooks can be purchased on Amazon and the paperbacks can be purchased via my website or they can inbox me directly for the link to purchase.
Slyce: Is your book an eBook and/or paperback?
AB: This book is in eBook on Amazon and I now have paperbacks available directly from me or website.
Slyce: How can our viewers contact you?
AB: I can be reached on social media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram – Ayoka Boyce. They can also follow my blog (Morning Coffee and Daily Inspirations).
Slyce: I’d like to thank guest, Author Ayoka Boyce for joining us in “The Interrogation Room”!! Thank you my sistah. You were wonderful!!
Everyone, please go purchase, “Change Came Today” by Author Ayoka Boyce. Also, remember to check out her page on Facebook at: 
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