My target reader are individuals who are on a spiritual and mental health journey. Individuals that may be struggling to balance the two and could use some guidance and insight on how to do so.

Khiana Gray Wyatt-Locus – 22 February 2023

The Back Flap

A gentle reminder of the love, beauty, comfort that comes with recognizing God in every experience in our life.

Have ever struggled to understand death, love, depression, anxiety, purpose, doubt, hurt, blessings, hope etc. and how they fit in your daily Christian walk? This book offers you powerful, alternative perspectives to renew and strengthen your faith in God.

Teatime with God works as a daily devotional and journal. Each topic addressed within is divided into three main sections to provide deep, heartfelt reflections and encouragement to the reader. It starts off with scripture verses, then goes on to give a contemplative viewpoint from the author and ends with thought-provoking prompts for the reader to answer.

About the book

What is the book about?

Teatime with God is a Christian devotional journal that incorporates mental health practices in an effort to foster healing and a meaningful connection with God. Each topic addressed within is divided into three main sections to provide deep, heartfelt reflections and encouragement to the reader. It starts off with scripture verses, then goes on to give a contemplative viewpoint from the author and ends with thought-provoking prompts for the reader to answer. If you’re ready to unshackle yourself from the stigma attached to mental health and Christianity, then this book is for you.

When did you start writing the book?

The book includes some of my own handwritten personal prayers, so technically, I have been writing the book since around 2018. It wasn’t until 2022 that I actually decided to take my personal prayers and turn them into this book.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about 2 weeks to arrange my personal prayers into a book and journal format.

Where did you get the idea from?

I got the idea from doing PowerPoint parties with my friends. A friend suggested that I turn one of my PowerPoints into a book. Then it dawned on me that I should just turn my journals into a book.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled with including my personal handwritten prayers in the book because I thought I was giving too much personal information about myself.  I thought that people who knew me that read my book would look at me differently or feel sorry for me. And that is not the result that I was going for. But now I think these were just my doubts about the book performing well taking over my thoughts.

What came easily?

I also incorporate some mental health aspects in the book since I am a licensed therapist in NC. That part of writing the book came easily since I am newly licensed and had resources to pull from.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The real world person I used was myself.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I don’t think any authors in particular really influenced my writing style. But reading Finding Me by Viola Davis really inspired me to put my book out there and believe in myself. I had no idea she had been through so much and reading her story was touching and inspiring.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader are individuals who are on a spiritual and mental health journey. Individuals that may be struggling to balance the two and could use some guidance and insight on how to do so.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I don’t really have a writing process. I just do it and hope for the best.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No, I do not outline. That would probably be helpful in the future though. For this book, I had to flip through all my journal pages to find prayers that I wanted to include.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit as I go and then go back and edit again once finished.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I did hire a professional editor after the fact. Teatime With God is the second version of my book. There is a first version of my book that I self-published without the professional editor. I highly recommend hiring a professional editor if your budget allows for it.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No, I don’t listen to music. I have found myself to write or type what I hear in the past.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I have recently submitted my work to an agent. I wrote a query letter and sent it. I do not know much about this process, so I am just waiting and hoping for the best.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I decided to go Indie because of the cost. When I saw that it was free to publish a book on Kindle Direct Publishing, I figured I didn’t have an excuse and just went for it.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My book cover was professionally done by my editor.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have just been winging it, but I do not recommend doing that. I recommend having a marketing plan. I still don’t have one yet, but I need to get one.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

My advice is to take a chance on yourself and go for it. Take calculated risks. You never know where you might end up.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in North Carolina.

Where do you live now?

I still live in North Carolina, but now I live by the beach. However, I am not much of a beachgoer. This is just where I ended up.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’d like readers to know that I am my true and authentic self and being so is taking me many great places.

What are you working on now?

I am working on promoting Teatime With God through social media, podcast interviews, and my own newsletter. I am also working on a Teatime With God sequel.

End of Interview:

For more from Khiana Gray Wyatt-Locus visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Get your copy of Teatime with God from Amazon US or Amazon UK.