Elona Washington, MSM

The Author's Journey

Owner

c7marketing boutique

HarperCollins Christian Publishing

● Led the development and execution of comprehensive digital marketing initiatives for the HCCP Fiction team.
● Implemented a highly effective paid advertising strategy that delivered a 30% boost in Google Analytics metrics each quarter.
● Continuously outperformed industry benchmarks for social media and email campaigns, month after month.
● Introduced and optimized multiple streamlined processes, yielding significant time and cost savings for the department.
● Supervised and mentored a direct report, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team performance.

Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Fiction

American Reading Company

● Successfully implemented a national webinar strategy, increasing average registrants from 220 to 1,100 within a span of six months.
● Devised a webinar strategy for a new product launch, leading to $1MM in sales from one webinar.
● Orchestrated national conferences, managed a speaker's bureau, and coordinated regional events, driving a surge in qualified sales leads.
● Expertly planned and executed various events, ensuring their seamless success and impact.
● Recruited and effectively managed a talented team of two employees, fostering a collaborative work environment and outstanding outcomes.

Director Of Marketing, Customer Acquisitions

As an author and award-winning hybrid publisher, I've been fortunate to gain mainstream media visibility, from ranking on Book Riot to being interviewed by outlets like USA TODAY, The Washington Informer, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I even had the honor of speaking in front of Congress about survivor legislation.

Also, as an IngramSpark Pro Publishing member, I understand the challenges authors and entrepreneurs face in gaining attention and visibility for their life-changing messages. My own journey has shown me that opportunities are abundant if we grow our brand, build our community, and develop strategies to seize them.

Are you struggling to make an impact with your story? Do you want to use your voice and power to make a difference but are unsure where to begin? 

Let's connect to discuss ways to:
> Publish your book
> Build your brand presence
> Sell books as well as your products and services

Together, we can turn your story into a movement that resonates with readers worldwide.

Owner, Fractional CMO

● Drive strategic positioning, precise market segmentation, and compelling messaging to maximize brand impact and business growth.
● Optimize and improve clients’ online presence.
● Build the marketing & sales automation infrastructure.
● Create prospect onboarding and nurture programs.
● Develop and execute content marketing strategies and establish a strong thought leadership presence, driving engagement, building credibility, and cultivating a loyal customer base.
● Leverage paid search and organic search marketing expertise to optimize online visibility, drive targeted traffic, and maximize conversions.
● Institute social media campaign resulting in 271% registrant increase 30 in days.

"You sounding like your own biggest hater." 🫰🏽🫰🏽-- Rebecca Dupas

Award-Winning Indie Publisher for Athletes, Lawyers, Doctors, & Execs🔺IngramSpark Book Marketing🔺ABC CBS NBC FOX🔺USA TODAY🔺Best of Book Riot List🔺ΔΣΘ

“Y’all going to respect these str*pp*rs from now on.” —Cardi B

In a 2018 interview with Cosmopolitan, Cardi addressed the stigma surrounding her past. She said:

‼️“People say, ‘Why do you always got to say that you used to be a stripper? We get it.’ 
Because y’all don’t respect me because of it, and y’all going to respect these str*pp*rs from now on…”‼️

While folks laughed, dismissed her, or focused on the soundbite, I heard a woman standing fully in her story, demanding respect not just for herself, but for every woman who’s been underestimated, misunderstood, or mislabeled.

THAT'S why I love her.

She’s always been bold. But lately? I see something else.

Clarity. Growth.

A quiet strength that comes when you start removing what no longer honors you.

She’s fiery. She’s flawed. She’s human.
And she’s got layers—more than the internet gives her credit for.

🔴 She was featured in Elle magazine talking politics and was part of a voter mobilization campaign alongside Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
🔴 She sat down with Bernie Sanders in a Detroit nail salon to discuss student debt, healthcare, wages, and police brutality.
🔴 In 2022, she was named Creative Director of Playboy, overseeing entertainment content and pushing creative boundaries.
🔴 She launched Whipshots, a vegan, vodka-infused whipped cream brand in late 2021—selling over 5 million cans by March 2024

A great mom. A savvy businesswoman.

A woman who’s been through things most people wouldn’t survive and still finds a way to be soft with her child and strong in the world.

I’ve been watching her lately, and I just feel… proud of her.

There’s a new peace about her. A stillness. A clarity that only comes after life has thrown everything at you and you still choose to keep your heart open.

There’s something sacred about releasing what drains you.

Something life-changing about walking away from toxic relationships, especially when they feel familiar.

Because that’s when the real story begins.

And if the energy in her new track is any clue?

Cardi’s not just healing…
She’s back outside.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear suits for court dates.

This Father’s Day, I want to honor the dads who step up when the world assumes they won’t, or worse, when the court system refuses to see them.

My best friend is one of those dads. He fought for years to gain custody of his son after the mother walked out, leaving behind trauma, instability, and a boy who needed safety more than anything.

Despite documented abuse and a mental health diagnosis, the system kept favoring her. It took years for the truth to be seen, for the courts to stop assuming “mom means better,” and finally award him full custody.

And in that fight, he found he wasn’t alone. Thousands of fathers are in the same battle, caring, stable, and loving men being sidelined because of outdated assumptions.

There's a nonprofit he connected with, full of dads pushing for family court reform because when a mother is unfit, a child deserves to be protected regardless of gender roles.

Here are a few more:

🔹The Fathers’ Rights Movement
🔹 Support Fathers’ Rights (End Parental Alienation)
🔹 Fathers Help Network
🔹 Fatherly Justice Association

So today, this post is for:
🖤 The fathers who fight like hell for their children
🖤 The ones who show up even when no one believes they can
🖤 The men who are proof that good fathers do exist

Happy Father’s Day, and please don't give up.
#FathersDay 

Pic: circa 2004 family cookout with father & son

"Black women's default setting is on extra." -Lisa Hurley 

#SpaceToExhale

Twice now, Coco Gauff has faced Aryna Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final.

And twice, she’s come back from a first-set loss… to win the whole thing.

Let that sink in.

The 2023 US Open.
The 2025 French Open.
Two different tournaments.
Two different surfaces.
Same result.

But after her second loss, Sabalenka had a choice.

She could’ve said: “She was the better player today.”
She could’ve owned it.
She didn’t.

Instead?

She blamed the wind.
The clay.
Her own mistakes.

Said Coco didn’t play “incredible.”
Said it was just a bad day.

Here’s the truth:
Coco didn’t win because conditions were easy.

She won because she adapted to the same exact conditions Sabalenka couldn’t handle.

That’s not luck.
That’s greatness.
That’s what champions do.

And if someone beats you twice on the biggest stage, in the same way, it’s time to stop dodging the credit.

Give Coco her flowers.

But we know why she won't. 

#CocoGauff #FrenchOpen2025 #USOpenChampion #BlackExcellence

space to exhale launch day party is today! 

and the space is sooo pretty!

plus, it smells like incense and peace. 🧘🏽‍♀️

📉 I lost 652 followers last week, and I’m not alone.

Turns out, LinkedIn did a sweep.

Creators across the platform have seen drops in the hundreds or even thousands.

At first, I thought it was me.

I wondered if it was the DMs, the posts, or the algorithm.

But nope. Just digital spring cleaning. 🧹 

And honestly? I’m not mad at it.

Let the bots go.
Let the ghost accounts go.
Let the folks who were never really here go.

I’m here to build a real community.
With real people.
Doing real work.

If you're still here, thank you.

And if you were a little discouraged about losing followers, I hope this gives you some perspective.

◾ ◾ ◾
Hey, I’m Elona, owner of the award-winning The Author’s Journey. I work with authors who are serious about selling more books and making a meaningful impact.

I’ve worked on marketing campaigns for NYT and USA TODAY bestselling authors, led high-performing ad strategies, and helped first-time authors hit major milestones like 1,000+ book sales.

If you want the truth about the publishing world, practical book marketing tips, and a sprinkling of kindness and motivation for your author’s journey:

◾ Follow #TheAuthorsJourney
◾ Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter w/ 12k+ subscribers
◾ Tap the 🔔 on my profile so you don’t miss any of my posts

Tonight, Kendrick Lamar collected BET Awards like Infinity Stones... 

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

And I missed every single one because I only watched BET to see my niece perform with B2K.

Priorities were set. 
No regrets.

🤷🏽‍♀️

Her performance is in the comments. #BETAwards

Sometimes I can be blunt, and yesterday I blurted out, "I believe in my authors more than y'all believe in yourselves."

I shouldn't have said it like that but those words had been stuck in my throat for YEARS.

When you read the stories of Nyoka Samuels-Gilchrist MSN Ed or Candice Hayes or Dr. Mary DardenRobinson PsyD,LPC,LSATP,MAC,CSAC,HSBCP  you'd understand why.

Thank you, Nyoka for receiving it so lovingly, the way it was meant.

View Nyoka Samuels-Gilchrist MSN Ed’s profile

📖 Sometimes the most important chapters are written by someone else’s belief in you 📖

Picture this: You write words that feel important, but you’re not sure if they matter to anyone else. Then someone comes along and says, “The world NEEDS to hear this story.”

That someone was Elona Washington, MSM 

Through The Author's Journey she didn’t just help me become a published author in the beautiful anthology “The Courageous Pursuit of Authenticity”—she helped me discover that I AM an author. 

There’s a difference, and it’s everything.
Most people think authorship is about stringing words together. 

But real authorship? It’s about excavating truth, facing your authentic self, and having the courage to share what you find. 

It’s archaeology of the soul, and Elona’s company guides you through every layer.
The beautiful irony? 

We built this life-changing professional relationship without ever meeting face-to-face. Until NOW.

Two years later, I’m standing next to the woman who believed in my voice before I fully owned it. The experience of working with her didn’t just change my career—it changed who I am at my core.

The Nyoka in this photo is someone the old me couldn’t have imagined becoming.

Elona, thank you for seeing what I couldn’t see, for insisting my story mattered, and for creating space for transformation. I know this is just the prologue to something even more beautiful.

To anyone sitting on their story: find your Elona. Find someone who believes in your voice. The world is waiting.

#AuthorLife #Storytelling #Mentorship #Transformation #AuthenticVoice #PublishedAuthor #BelieveInYourStory #WritersJourney #TheAuthorsJourney

No alternative text description for this image

Destiny Selormey, Msc Security and Justice Administration

Coco Gauff just made history.

Again. 

At just 21, Coco Gauff became a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the 2025 French Open in a stunning comeback against the world's ranked No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka.

Coco was the first American to do so since Serena Williams in 2015.

But this isn’t just about a trophy.

It’s about every time she was told she was too young.

🎾 Too loud. 
🎾 Too Black. 
🎾 Too something.

When Coco first broke onto the scene, it wasn’t just her talent that made waves.

🎾 It was how she carried herself. 
🎾 The way she spoke up for justice. 
🎾 The way she stayed grounded, even when the world wanted to mold her into something else.

This French Open win?

It’s proof that excellence isn’t about conforming.

It’s about showing up in your full self and letting the results speak for themselves.

Whether you’re an author, a speaker, or just someone trying to make your next bold move, take a page from Coco’s playbook.

Don’t wait for permission.
Train. 
Show up. 
Speak up.

And if you fall? 

Rally. 
Comeback. 
Win.
 
#TheAuthorsJourney #CocoGauff #BlackExcellence #FrenchOpen

Love this author joy! Congrats to Mychal Threets!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE 🥹 Presenting the book cover of “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy,” written by myself and illustrated by my friend Lorraine Nam. Published by Penguin Random House 🐧💚
 
Preorder at bit.ly/ISHYH-Reveal 📖

Video Description:
A jubilant Mychal, in an Out of Print sweater, happily reveals the book cover of the picture book written by himself and illustrated by Lorraine Nam. He is very proud of their project, hoping it reminds library grown-ups, library kids, and library people that they all belong in the library. He has loved books all his life and worked with them, but he never thought this day would arrive. Mychal cannot wait for you to read his and Lorraine’s book ✨

Here's a message for the men. #mensmentalhealthmonth #dontgiveup

It's #SocialSaturday and I'm tagging some connections who are kind, visionary, and walking fully in their purpose.

✨ Desiree Cocroft, MBA, PCC 
✨ Myriam Taylor de Carvalho 
✨ Geanine Thompson MBA  
✨ Ebonie Michelle, MPH 
✨ Giselle Baumet 
✨ Felecia Buycks 
✨ Erika Lynnette 

Follow these brilliant women;  they’re doing powerful work.

And if there’s someone in your circle who’s equally inspiring, tag them below so we can follow and expand our community.

#SocialSaturday #TheAuthorsJourney

◾ ◾ ◾
Hey, I’m Elona, owner of The Author’s Journey. I work with authors who are serious about selling more books and making a meaningful impact.

I’ve worked on marketing campaigns for NYT and USA TODAY bestselling authors, led high-performing ad strategies, and helped first-time authors hit major milestones like 1,000+ book sales.

If you want the truth about the publishing world, practical book marketing tips, and a sprinkling of kindness and motivation for your author’s journey:

◾ Follow #TheAuthorsJourney
◾ Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter w/ 12k+ subscribers
◾ Tap the 🔔 on my profile so you don’t miss any of my posts

A lot of us have noticed the changes in LinkedIn's algorithm.

Have you checked to see whether you also violated their Professional Community Policies?

I have. 😔

While I'm trying my best to get out of LinkedIn jail:

1. I monetized my Facebook acct with less than half of this app's followers.
2. TikTok allowed me to go Live at 500 followers. I have over 1k now which means I'm monetized on that app too.
3. I joined a mastermind to help me build my YouTube channel so I can monetize.

I feel like I'm wasting time rebuilding a relationship with a platform that doesn't want a relationship with me.

And all the while, I'm being courted...and monetized... by platforms offering me more than this one.

Sooo... if you're not following me on the other platforms, please do. I'm going to scale back on LinkedIn.

Facebook: https://lnkd.in/e8H9s3F7

TikTok: https://lnkd.in/eHmygbV7

YouTube: https://lnkd.in/er66P83P

Send me a DM when you do so I can follow you.

When you hear “Outstanding” or “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” you know it’s The Gap Band.

But what many people don’t know is what the name really means.

G.A.P. stands for Greenwood, Archer, and Pine, three streets in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the heart of Black Wall Street, once one of the most prosperous Black communities in the country.

Born and raised in Tulsa, the Wilson brothers turned the trauma of their hometown into rhythm, pride, and power.

Even when America tried to bury what happened in Tulsa, their name kept the story alive.

That's what books and movies and songs are all about.

Because stories are our power.

And when we share them—whether through music or books—we pass down a legacy no one can erase.

#BlackMusicMonth #TheGapBand  #TheAuthorsJourney

◾ ◾ ◾
Hey, I’m Elona, owner of The Author’s Journey. I work with authors who are serious about selling more books and making a meaningful impact.

I’ve worked on marketing campaigns for NYT and USA TODAY bestselling authors, led high-performing ad strategies, and helped first-time authors hit major milestones like 1,000+ book sales.

If you want the truth about the publishing world, practical book marketing tips, and a sprinkling of kindness and motivation for your author’s journey:

◾ Follow #TheAuthorsJourney
◾ Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter w/ 12k+ subscribers
◾ Tap the 🔔 on my profile so you don’t miss any of my posts

I met Omar Tyree about ten years ago and he immediately became my mentor.

When we first spoke, he shared how, even though he was published by Simon & Schuster, he still did the footwork to get his book on shelves. His popularity grew because of the grassroots campaign he initiated on his own.

Gonna keep repeating this til y'all hear me: it doesn't matter how you're published, your book won't succeed until you start marketing it and finding ways to connect with your readers. #bookmarketing #selfpublishing #traditionalpublishing

"Sometimes, you have to leave to truly thrive." 

Wise words, Mercedes.

Career & Business Coach Inspiring ✨Black Woman Bliss✨ DEI & HR Speaker | Educator | Content Creator

Welcome to The Career Love Podcast, Sis! In this powerful first episode, I’m sitting down with my ride-or-die since kindergarten and structural engineer, Destinee Wheeler, to talk about what it really means to be a Black woman in STEM. With Black women representing only 2% of STEM professionals, the journey into and to success in this field is challenging but deeply rewarding.

Join me in this heart-to-heart to talk about Destinee’s journey, the importance of mentorship, betting on oneself, and navigating white male-dominated spaces! In the Career Love Podcast, we keep it warm, but we also get real about the struggles Black women face in career growth, dealing with discrimination, and why sometimes you have to leave to truly thrive.

If you’ve ever thought about a STEM career—or just need a reminder that you deserve to bet on yourself—this episode is for you!

https://lnkd.in/g5mZ47dJ

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