We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacquitta A. Mcmanus a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jacquitta A. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Finding my purpose was more of a series of small moments than a single revelation. It began when I searched for fantasy adventure and science fiction stories for my daughter. She was getting into early reader chapter books, and I wanted to share that genre with her. But when I tried to find books with Black characters, I couldn’t find any. At the time, I had just finished my first short film, a drama, and was working on its continuation. I realized I didn’t want to write drama—I always had stories in my head, but it wasn’t until I connected the lack of Black protagonists in children’s fantasy and science fiction that I thought, I could write these books myself.
As I began writing and working with illustrators, I realized my purpose wasn’t just about creating stories for my daughter. It was about writing the books I wished I could have read growing up and making sure other little girls could see themselves in the pages of a story—adventuring, discovering, and being the hero.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an independent children’s book author and the founder of Worlds To Discover, a platform dedicated to publishing fantasy adventure and science fiction stories featuring diverse characters—particularly Black girls. When I started, I noticed a real gap in representation, and I wanted to help fill that gap by creating stories that entertain as much as they empower. Sometimes, I just want to be entertained, to go on an adventure, meet new friends, or visit a new world. I want my readers to feel the same excitement, imagining themselves as heroes, problem-solvers, and explorers.
What I love most, beyond seeing the finished book, is the process of character and world development. I love imagining the details, watching the illustrations come to life, and experiencing the journey just as my readers eventually will. It’s incredibly fulfilling to create that visceral connection—something I don’t often find in movies or TV shows—and to craft stories that resonate deeply.
After months—sometimes years—of working on a story, the ultimate reward is seeing its impact on young readers. When parents share messages or photos showing how much their child loved a character, or how they finally saw someone who looks like them in an adventure, I know I’m on the right path. Those moments of connection make everything worthwhile.
Currently, I’m focused on expanding my book series, adding new characters, and inviting readers into even more imaginative worlds. One of my most exciting projects right now is my first graphic novel, Sanjo. It’s a long process—much longer than I ever imagined—but it’s incredibly fun to work on. You can check out some of the characters and pages at WorldsToDiscover.com. I’m also helping a new author who is just 16 years old. It’s amazing to see someone so young be so passionate about storytelling and art, and I’m thrilled to be part of her journey and to help bring her book to life.
The goal isn’t just about books; it’s about creating a broader vision where every child knows they belong in the story.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, I believe these are three qualities that have been especially impactful: resilience, curiosity, and empathy. These qualities have not only shaped my work but have also helped me navigate the many ups and downs of being an independent author.
Resilience has been essential because creating books independently is no easy feat. There are countless setbacks, from navigating the publishing process to handling criticism to working with limited resources. Resilience is what keeps you moving forward when things get tough. My advice for anyone just starting out is to embrace challenges as learning opportunities. Don’t fear failure. Every obstacle you overcome builds your strength, and every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”
Curiosity drives the stories I create. I love watching new characters and worlds come to life, discovering the themes of a story, and pushing myself to grow as an author. Cultivating curiosity means never losing that sense of wonder and always wanting to learn more. I recommend reading widely, experimenting, and asking questions. When you’re curious, everything becomes a potential story idea or a new perspective to explore.
Empathy is perhaps the most crucial quality for storytelling, especially when writing for children. It allows me to step into the shoes of my young readers and think about what they need, what excites them, and what challenges they face. Empathy also extends to my characters, helping me create realistic, relatable personalities that resonate. For those early in their journey, I suggest truly listening to the people around you. Understand their hopes, fears, and what drives them at their core. This understanding will enrich your writing and make your stories more meaningful.
These three qualities—resilience, curiosity, and empathy—are my foundation. For anyone starting out, the key is to nurture these qualities daily. Be patient with yourself. Let me emphasize this: be patient with yourself. Patience might just be the fourth quality. We may not have as much time as we want, but we have enough time to breathe, steady ourselves, forgive ourselves, and embrace the calm persistence needed to move forward. Don’t let the script in your head of how things “should” look and feel discourage you. Life isn’t about following a script—it’s about embracing the journey. Stay open to the world, and never forget why you started.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
One significant challenge I’m currently facing is using social media to drive sales. As much as I love writing, the reality of being an independent author means I also need to handle marketing, distribution, and all the logistics that come with publishing—and social media is a major part of that.
It can be overwhelming because building an online presence requires consistent effort and creativity, which demands a very different mindset from the one I need for writing. Balancing the need to engage on social media and create content that might not receive much attention—if any—often takes away from my ability to fully immerse myself in a story. This constant shift in focus means sacrificing valuable writing time, and it can feel isolating, as if I’m the only one struggling with this.
I can’t do both effectively at the same time, so I have to choose where to focus my energy. This balancing act is something I’m still learning to navigate, all while trying to overcome my fear of being in front of the camera. I’m trying to dedicate weekends for social media, but that also becomes a balancing act with family time. The idea of putting myself out there on social media is intimidating, but I know it’s necessary. I’m taking it one step at a time, hoping that each effort pays off, and reminding myself to be patient throughout the process.
Have you ever faced similar challenges with balancing creative work and the need for visibility on social media? I’d love to hear how you’ve managed it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.worldstodiscover.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldstodiscover/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquitta
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
