Dr. Monk Kelley

Pre-Interview: Dr. Monk Kelley was raised to celebrate family and to get to know her relatives. Annually, she would travel near and far to visit her "kinfolks" from Connecticut to North Carolina, Connecticut to Canada, and Connecticut to Kansas. Most people know their 1st and 2nd cousins, but how about the rest of their bloodline? Why is it important? Genealogy was very important to GOD, and he has blessed the family unit since the beginning of creation. It was Noah's family that populated the world after the flood. This author has been in front and behind the camera, a mom, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a historian. She does it all, but in this book, you see the raw, uncut behind-the-scenes of family drama. Many people in this book, business relationships from breakups to joy to peace to love, are among the celebrated Monk-Hawkins' history. Hello Cousin Book is going to give you all of it right here. BEHOLD YOUR COUSIN!

Dr. Pamela Monk Kelley has written several volumes for the All Roads Lead to Newton Grove series and soon-to-be-released The Day My Babe Died. In addition, she has appeared in People Magazine's June 27th, 2011 issue, featured in an article titled Healing Slavery's Wounds. Pamela is a Special Education Educator for New Haven Public Schools with a Bachelor of Science (BS) and 6th-year degree in Special Education, a master of Science (MS) degree in School Psychology and Counseling, 6th year in Administration (092) degree, and a Doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies.

Author Interview:

1.What inspires you most to write?

My inspiration for writing is a deep passion and desire to share the story of my incredible family. I am driven by personal experiences and true stories, and I believe it is crucial to preserve the memories, stories, and legacies of our family for future generations. My work is built on my own life—my joys, sorrows, and struggles—while also celebrating the successes of my bloodline.

Lately, the reality of no longer having my parents has made this work feel more personal and urgent than ever. I am acutely aware that my grandchildren will never have a living connection to my grandparents, and this genetic link diminishes with each passing generation. While I have 50% of their DNA, my grandchildren will have only 12%, and their grandchildren will have just 3%. This is why the work we do now to trace our family through records and DNA is so critical. Our third great-grandparents are our grandchildren’s fifth great-grandparents, and it is our documentation and DNA that will link them together.

I am deeply grateful for all I have learned about how DNA can help us find and document our families, and for the opportunity to share these ideas with others. I feel this urgency not just for myself, but for you, my readers, to go find that missing 2x great-grandmother and tell her story. As it says in Habakkuk 2:2, "The Lord answered me and said, 'Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.'"

In 2009, I lost my son at age 25 from injuries he sustained in a car accident. In his memory, I found writing about my family to be a way of coping with this overwhelming loss, and I dedicated myself to this work as a tribute to him.

2. What is your favorite genre?

I am a creative and artistic individual by nature, with a deep appreciation for both music and literature. My favorite genre is music, and I am a lifelong fan of the performing arts. I enjoy a wide range of musical styles, with a particular love for gospel, jazz, and R&B.

My passion for music is rooted in my family history. I come from a musically inclined family, with several celebrated artists in my bloodline, including legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and singer Nat King Cole on my paternal side, as well as singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams on my maternal side. My family also has a multi-generational gospel choir that has spanned over five generations. I play the piano and am the founder of a production company, where I produce plays and help launch the careers of new singers and models.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

Richard Wright is an author I deeply admire. His novel, Native Son, was one of the first books that profoundly impacted my career path and activism.

The novel, published in 1940, tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young African American man grappling with the systemic racism he faces in 1930s Chicago. The story powerfully explores Bigger's descent into violence, which stems from the overwhelming feelings of hatred, fear, and frustration caused by racial and economic oppression. The novel follows his journey as he grapples with these emotions, ultimately leading to a sense of power and identity he had previously lacked.

The themes of the book are particularly relevant to my work as a teacher. Having worked in the inner city of New Haven, I have seen many students experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of Bigger Thomas. Wright's work, through its unflinching portrayal of Bigger's struggles, served as a crucial source of inspiration for my own career and activism.

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

I am a prayer warrior, and my inspiration comes directly from God. I believe He directs my path and sends me thoughts and ideas. When I begin a new book, I pray about it to overcome any writing blocks or spells, trusting that He will provide the guidance I need.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

When it comes to publishing, I have found that the traditional route with publishing companies, both local and online, can be an overwhelming and expensive process. I felt that it often led to a loss of the writer's creative control, and that no one could tell my story as authentically as I could. For these reasons, I made the decision to self-publish my work. This approach has allowed me to maintain full creative ownership and ensure that my vision for my stories is fully realized.

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

To date, I have written two books and created several supplemental materials, including a children's edition of my first book, a board game, and ancestors playing cards for my second book. While none of my books have reached bestseller status yet, I am actively working on key factors that contribute to a book's success, such as building an author's reputation, promoting the work within its genre, and strategically timing its release.

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

There are many movies and documentaries about family histories, and I believe there is always a new story to be told. I don’t have a specific movie script I would like to rewrite, but I would love to write a script for a movie about my 5th great-grandfather, Ambrose Hawkins (1803-1890).

Ambrose Hawkins was a notable figure in the history of the American Colonization Society and Liberia. A free Black man, he traveled to Liberia in December 1831 aboard the James Perkins with one of the largest single groups of immigrants from the United States following the Nat Turner revolt. He initially intended to scout Liberia for the American Colonization Society before deciding to move his family there. Although he ultimately made the trip alone and returned to the U.S. after a short stay, his journey deeply inspired other relatives to later emigrate to Liberia. His story is a powerful one of courage and determination that played a role in the larger back-to-Africa movement.

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

Some of the difficulties I have experienced in my writing career include finding editors with a limited budget and making the personal investment to purchase books to have on hand.

When it comes to book critiques and criticism, my approach is to embrace the comments. I investigate the criticisms for validation and clarity, and then decide whether to make changes, defend my position, or simply ignore the feedback.

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

My best experiences in my writing career have been the opportunities for personal growth and the connections I've made with others. Even though writing and English were not my strongest subjects in school, the process of writing my books has taught me a great deal about grammar and creative writing. Additionally, as a result of writing about my family, I have had the chance to meet some amazing people.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence or have some sort sound in the background?

As the middle child of eight siblings, I have always been accustomed to a lively and bustling household. I developed the ability to focus amidst noise, even learning to study with music or the television playing in the background.

While a silent environment is often recommended for concentration, I consider my preference for background noise a unique "gift" that allows me to effectively regulate my thoughts and emotions. This enables me to maintain focus on my projects without becoming overstimulated or frustrated. When needed, I simply take a break from my surroundings to recharge.

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

If I could offer some words of encouragement to another writer, I would say that you must have a passion for your work. For me, writing about my family is a hobby. Whatever you decide to write about, it is essential that you have a sense of ownership and a deep love for the topic.

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

I determined my pricing by first calculating my expenses and then establishing my worth. From there, I added a minimum profit to the final price to ensure it was affordable for my audience.

For promotion, I use both traditional and modern methods that I have been practicing for over 40 years. This includes using emails, snail mail, and radio ads, as well as social media, book launches, podcasts, and book clubs. Giving presentations at schools, organizations, and during Black History Month have also been effective methods. Ultimately, it is all about exposure once you have identified your audience.

13. Why should anyone read your book?

You should read my books to gain a deeper understanding of the vital importance of family and heritage. I was raised to celebrate family and kinfolk, and I believe that understanding one's bloodline is a sacred trust. This belief is rooted in my faith that genealogy is important to God, as the family unit has been blessed since the beginning of creation.

My unique perspective as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and historian, with a diverse range of experiences both in front of and behind the camera, allows me to tell these stories with a direct and engaging style. In my books, you will find the raw, uncut reality of family dynamics, from the drama and broken relationships to the enduring love that celebrates the Monk-Hawkins' history. My book, Hello Cousin, invites you to "Behold Your Cousin!"

I am the author of the All Roads Lead to Newton Grove series and the soon-to-be-released The Day My Babe Died. My work was featured in the June 27, 2011, issue of People Magazine in an article titled "Healing Slavery's Wounds." I hold several degrees, including a Doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies, and I am a dedicated Special Education Educator for New Haven Public Schools.

14. Did you have a book coach?

No, I didn’t have a book coach, but I am open to guidance. Instead, I consulted with many of my colleagues who are experts in Literary Arts.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

I had two favorite subjects in school: Math and History.

I enjoyed Math because it deals with definitive answers, making it undebatable. Unlike English, where there are many ways to express something, in Math, there is only one correct answer.

History also fascinated me, as I believe that "History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from it." It is a coincidence that I have been appointed as the State Chair of the DAR Connecticut American History Committee this year.

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere? 

I am self-published at this time.

Dr. Pamela Monk Kelley

Monk Bloodline Heritage Connection

Mobile Number: (203) 401-1255

Office Number: (203) 376-2238

Website Address: www.monk-hawkins.com

Email Address: pamela.monk.kelley@gmail.com

"Children are the Guardians of their Traditions"