We recently connected with Alicia McCalla and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose as an author by recognizing the lack of representation of Black women, especially in the superhero genre. As a child, I loved characters like Wonder Woman but struggled to find role models that truly reflected me – a Black girl with big dreams and a sense of justice. I wanted to see Black women portrayed as powerful, courageous, and in roles of leadership.
As I grew up, I realized that the mainstream media and publishing industry severely lacked complex, believable Black female characters, especially in science fiction and fantasy. Black women were often relegated to side roles and stereotypical tropes. I knew that had to change.
My life’s mission became clear: to craft Black female superheroes as multifaceted as the women I knew in real life. Superheroines who struggle, grow, lead, and inspire. Characters that make Black women and girls feel seen, empowered, and limitless. Characters that show the depth, resilience, and heroism of Black womanhood to the world.
That is how I found my purpose – through recognizing the need for representation and stories that nourish Black women’s imaginations and share our truth. My goal is to create superheroines who save the day through their humanity, intelligence, and indomitable spirit. The heroes I needed as a child and that Black women and girls still need today.
I write to give life to the type of Black female characters I always wanted to see. Characters who stand shoulder to shoulder with mainstream superheroes. Flawed yet powerful, vulnerable yet courageous. Characters who look like me. That is my why, my purpose – to bring Black women superheroes to life for the little girls still dreaming of the heroes they were born to be. My stories tell them their time has come.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As an author, I focus on crafting thrilling stories and audiobooks featuring courageous Black heroines in science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal genres. My books, audiobooks, and merchandise celebrate badass Black women who show bravery, strength, and heroism as superheroes, warriors, slayers, and more.
My brand’s tagline is “Badass Stories Featuring Badass Black Women” and it is to provide representation and inspiration for Black women and girls through stories and products featuring powerful Black female characters. My goal is to highlight the depth, resilience, and heroism of Black womanhood. I want readers to see themselves reflected in complex, multi-faceted Black female protagonists who struggle, grow, lead, and overcome immense challenges.
Currently, I have several fiction series featuring Vampire Slayers and Superheroines. I also recently launched my nonfiction affirmations book, “101 Badass Superhero Affirmations: Positive Thoughts for Black Women.” This book combines inspiring thoughts from some of the strongest black female characters with empowering affirmations for real-world black women fighting their own battles.
The most exciting part of my work is seeing the impact empowering Black female representation can have. I hear from readers who say my stories and characters make them feel seen, uplifted, and motivated to tap into their own power. That fuels my mission to continue crafting more thrilling tales of courageous Black women saving the day through their humanity, intelligence, and unbreakable spirit.
I openly share my own experiences of overcoming adversity to inspire others. It is my hope that through my stories and products, people will learn life lessons, see Black women as the heroes they are, and recognize their immense power, bravery, and strength in themselves.
Please let your readers know that more thrilling adventures featuring Black female characters are on the way! They can follow me on social media, sign up for my mailing list or visit my website aliciamccalla.com to stay up to date on all the latest releases. My stories may feature fantasy and science fiction elements, but their mission is to celebrate the real-world courage, resilience, and empowerment of Black women.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important qualities that have impacted my journey as an author are:
1. Determination. Becoming an author requires persistence and the ability to overcome rejection and obstacles. My advice is to hold fast to your vision, start building your audience, and never stop writing and improving your craft. With determination, you can achieve your goals.
2. Resilience. On this journey, you will face criticism, self-doubt, and failures. Develop the ability to learn from your mistakes, make adjustments, and get back to work. My advice is to believe in yourself, stay dedicated to your purpose, and remember why you started this journey in the first place. Your resilience will see you through.
3. Creativity. As an author, your ability to craft stories and connect with readers depends on your imagination. My advice is to nurture your creativity through reading widely, participating in writing exercises, brainstorming with other authors, and feeding your mind inspiration. A fertile imagination is an author’s most valuable asset.
Beyond these qualities, continuously improving your writing and storytelling skills is key. Study the craft of fiction, work with editors, get feedback from readers, and practice daily. Build your knowledge of publishing and book marketing. Stay up to date with trends in your genre.
For aspiring authors, my advice is: start writing. It may feel overwhelming, but begin putting your story on the page. Start building your audience, learn from more experienced authors, stay determined, and keep going. Believe in your story, hold onto your purpose, and let your resilience and creativity guide you. If you pursue this journey with all you have, you can achieve your goals and become the author you aspire to be. The road won’t always be easy, but with each story you craft, and each reader you touch, you come one step closer to your destination.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to self-care strategies that empower and recharge me. A few of my go-to techniques include:
Daily affirmations. Reciting positive affirmations helps shift my mindset and reminds me of my strength and resilience. Affirmations like “I am courageous and able to face any challenge” or “My capacity for success is limitless” help motivate me when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Role play. Imagining myself as one of my superheroines in my fiction helps me tap into qualities I already possess – courage, determination, and perseverance. Stepping into a superhero persona ignites my motivation and determination. It expands my perspective so the challenges before me feel more surmountable.
Meditation and visualization. Spending a few minutes each day meditating, deep breathing, and visualizing success helps reduce stressful feelings. I visualize the outcome I desire and see myself overcoming the challenges in my way. This simple practice helps provide clarity and renewed motivation.
Limit distractions. When I’m feeling stressed, social media, news, and excessive mental chatter drain my energy. I limit distractions and instead do an activity that fuels my creativity like writing, art journaling, or brainstorming story ideas. Creative work helps shift my mindset and provides an outlet for my thoughts and feelings.
Connect with a support system. Speaking to other women authors or trusted friends who understand the challenges of my work helps combat feelings of being overwhelmed. We share strategies, advice, and encouragement which helps put challenges in perspective. Their support reminds me that I have the ability to get through this difficult period.
My advice for those feeling overwhelmed is to be gentle with yourself. Take a step back to rest and recharge. Tap into the qualities, skills, and mindsets that empower you. Use techniques like affirmations, meditation, visualization, creativity, and connecting with your support network. Don’t feel that you have to tackle everything at once. Break big challenges into smaller steps and feel accomplished achieving them one by one. You have everything within you already to overcome this and come out stronger on the other side. Stay dedicated to your purpose and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!
Contact Info:
- Website: aliciamccalla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_mccalla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaMcCallaAuthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliciaMcCalla
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2m8S3OXrPwHWIggl3P1q-Q
- Other: Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5621854.Alicia_McCalla
Image Credits
Dr. Howard McCalla
