By Shanderia K. Posey
Editor
Nakoreya Roberson, 22, has accomplished in one year what some people need a lifetime to do – become a best-selling author.
The Atlanta, Ga., native and Jackson State University student has wanted to be a writer since the age of 10. December marks the one-year anniversary of when she signed a contract to write for a publishing company.
That was 16 books ago, and nine books released in the past year have become Amazon best-sellers. Her book, The Connect’s Wife, sold 50,000 copies within six months.
To add to her accomplishments, she is launching her own publishing company called NakoEXPO Publishing. Under NakoEXPO Publishing, she will groom other authors in the genres of African-American romance, mystery, and children’s literature. Aspiring writers can submit their work for review at NakoEXPO.com. She suggests writers not submit their entire manuscript for review, but maybe only 15,000 words and a summary.
“I didn’t know a lot before signing (my contract),” Roberson said. “I want to help other writers matriculate their literary journey.”
Though her books are categorized as urban literature, Roberson says her writing style is atypical of books in that category. She promotes self-respect and achieving goals in her writing.
Roberson grew up in a strict household. Her family members are die-hard University of Alabama fans, so naturally that’s where she wanted to attend college. However, an unexpected trip to Jackson introduced her to what life would be like attending a historically black college. She fell in love with JSU after one visit.
When she came to Jackson and JSU, she knew no one. A natural introvert, Roberson says that initially she was unhappy.
“My first two years will be a book one day,” she says. She had bad experiences managing the freedom of being away from home and in a new relationship.
Eventually she and some friends joined Relevant Empowerment Church, where Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber is pastor.
“That church gave me my sanity back,” Roberson says. She accepted salvation and decided to pursue her dreams.
Those experiences were the catalyst for founding a mentoring program at JSU called Molding Girls Into Jacksonian Women. The organization has helped more than 300 girls. “I didn’t want girls to go through the horrible things I experienced,” she says.
Roberson’s former academic advisor at JSU, Kenya Washington, recalls meeting her when she first came to the university.
“She was a little shy, but she always had dreams of writing books and making movies,” Washington recalled. “She’s one of the few students who still comes by to see me.”
Washington isn’t surprised by Roberson’s success. “She was adamant to make it happen,” Washington says.
Roberson is a senior mass communications major, but her recent accomplishments has led to so many demands in her life, that she’s taking a break from school to promote her books and publishing company.
When things settle down, the Georgia native wants to buy a house in Brandon next year.
“I came to Mississippi a snobbish girl, but I love Mississippi. I found my humble beginnings in Mississippi,” she says.
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