JULIA A. ROYSTON

Interview by La Sheera Lee

Julia A. Royston is a woman who is not scared to jump into new endeavours. This woman of purpose has appeared on The Bobby Jones Presents New Artist Showcase and ministered with notables such as Bishop Jackie E. McCullough, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Tudor Bismarck, Myron Williams and Bishop Richard “Mr. Clean” White. In December 2004 and 2005, Julia toured Switzerland with the Voices of Gospel Concert Series of St. Stephens Baptist Church.

Now this songbird has spread her wings into the area and books. She is on a mission to entertain, uplift, and to assist as many people as she can. Yes, she is still soaring to new heights. In 2008, BK Royston Publishing Company was established and released its first book titled, “All New Season in Word.” To date Julia Royston has written 50 books. In 2015, a second publishing company, Royal Media Publishing was established to provide an outlet for the authors with mainstream topics for a global audience.

Royal Media Publishing is committed to publishing high quality manuscripts to bring to the forefront issues that touch every walk of society. She is sitting down with Heat Seekers to tell us about her journey.

La Sheera Lee: How are you able to balance all of the different compartments to fit my lifestyle?

Julia A. Royston: Discipline and I was raised in a household that my dad was a teacher in the day, my parents were also an entrepreneurs day and night with their janitorial company with 50 employees and also they were both very active in our local, regional and national church organization. So, I was raised to do multiple things and determine which one determines your attention and a discipline for planning and preparation. My sisters and I had a pattern and two models of what a multi-gifted and balancing act between work and play looks like. I go to bed early and then wake up while it is still dark to plan for my day along with prayer, replying to emails and responding to client requests. It is a way of life for me. Fortunately, I have a husband who supports my efforts 1000% but even after retirement from my career, I have to practice balance in work and play even today in my business.

LL: You have traveled the world singing, how does that impact your life?

JR:When you have traveled the world singing on different stages, small, large, in buildings and sometimes I’ve sang in homes, you learn to expect the unexpected, you learn to be comfortable in your own skin, trust God and your gift. You learn to communicate with the audience. You learn to adjust because each and every time will be different and I’m nervous even to this day but I go for it and give it all I have.

LL: You are known for non-fiction work but what has been the greatest experience in this genre?

JR: Teaching and training from my own materials is the best thing about my non-fiction work. When I teach a writing class, I have my own book and workbook. When I am coaching someone about promotion, I’ve written my own book on book promotion. I speak and present from my own inspirational books, for example, I spoke at a women’s tea on Queen Esther and it was from my book, Queen that I released at the same event. So I love teaching and training from my books and ideas.

LL: How did your previous professional experiences prepare you for your work and life as a publisher?

JR: My professional career was as a teacher/librarian. That is probably one of the biggest and demanding public service oriented professions ever. All day for 30+ years it was about “how can I help you?” or “what do you need?” or “what are you looking for information about?” or “what kind of books do you like to read?” I’ve asked these questions from the 1st kindergartener to the lawyers and doctors that I served at university and corporate libraries. So, #1 is Service and #2 is working as a team to help the vision come to pass. No matter if the vision is passing a test, winning a legal case, solving a medical problem, writing a book or starting a business, my motto is let’s make it happen.

LL: You have written a romance fiction series, what was your motivation and what has been women’s reactions to this series?

JR: First, I have read more than 100 romance fiction books. When I was go to my sister’s hair salon, we would have a book exchange in the salon and I would read a 300 page book under the dryer because I read so fast. Secondly, I wanted to try my hand at it but also wanted to control the story, characters, narrative, plot, scenery, beginning and ending so the only way to do it to write it. So I did. As far women’s reactions, I had extremely emotional reactions to the books that I write. They love the book overall but hate some of the characters and swoon over some of the other characters. It is wonderful.

LL: How important is it for you to intertwine your faith into your series?

JR: Everything to me because I live, move, breath, work and survive by my faith. I believe that most people do even if they don’t speak it out loud or shout it from the rooftop. My faith is what keeps me grounded, with a relative amount of sanity and subsequently, hopeful. So, because it is a part of the very fiber of my being, then Faith will come out in my writings. I write from my heart, I write about what I know and have experienced, I write my mind, will and emotions, thus, my writing is me. Faith resides in me, so it will ultimately come in my writing.

Julia Royston is an author, publisher, speaker and coach. For more information, follow her on social media, purchase her books at www.juliaroystonstore.com or schedule an appointment at www. talkwithroyston.com