POLOKWANE – Lee is a self-published author who explained her book, Inspiring Lives Changing Lives, was influenced by her personal challenges.
“This book is close to my heart, I still get emotional when I read it. I wrote this inspirational book as a reminder of when life was really difficult for me with all the challenges and emotional strains I went through at a certain time in my life. With the grace of God, however, I managed to overcome all those challenges and today I aim to give hope to those who may feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. I want to reassure them they are not alone in their struggles and remind them that it is just a phase which too shall pass,” she said.
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“I draw inspiration from strong women such as the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who showed the world women are indeed capable of achieving whatever they set their mind to and can contribute to change within the community, I dedicate my book to her.”
The 24-year-old added she believes writers are natural-born leaders. “I am an artist at heart and an inspirational speaker driven by passion and hunger to bring social change in our country. I always knew I had an affinity for public speaking. I remember the teachers always picked me to give motivational speeches when I was in high school at Tshebela High School. I knew I would be an author one day but I chose to study towards a degree in chemical engineering as it is a career field which allows you the freedom to be innovate and creative, much like writing. The studies involve many practical reports which helped me to develop my writing skills. I learned to be an advocate for my life, the book is merely about recovery.”
Aside from the challenge of putting pen to paper and relive her trials and tribulations, having her book published and distributed was another challenge all on its own.
“I struggled to find someone who would publish my book and at the end of the day I just decided to start my own publishing company, Royalty Publishing, and published the book myself. Self-publishing was also something I decided on because I wanted to avoid losing my hard-earned content and craft.”
With Royal Publishing Lee intends to give back to the community by hosting writing workshops and later a book club.
Inspiring Lives Inspiring Change is available from PNA stores, LifestyleBooks in Tzaneen, African Flavours and online at www.myafricanbuy.co.za and www.afrokulch.co.za.
“I invite established businesses to buy my book in bulk and donate it to communities, NPOs and prisons. I also encourage the Department of Art and Culture to buy and distribute it to libraries in Limpopo so they can help local authors like myself to make it as writers,” Lee concluded.
