DADDY & TEA CAKES

Daddy and Tea Cakes is a tender, reflective collection that explores the nuances of memory, love, grief, and growing up. Through poetic prose and vivid storytelling, the book honors the bond between a daughter and her father, capturing the beauty of small moments and the lasting imprint of loss.

In late 2022, I discovered Saul Leiter’s photography collection from a bookstore. I was drawn to his ability to capture the most private human experiences in a busy, big world.

A few months later, I was complaining to a friend about the lack of momentum I was experiencing as an artist. My friend suggested that I create a portfolio to showcase my writing. I began collecting my stories and taking inspiration from my wonderful friend, Kyndacee, an artist, writer, and creative genius who had self-published her own books. Thus, “Daddy & Tea Cakes,” a collection of my short stories, was born.

I learned much during this process that I want to share.

First, trust yourself—the way you see, feel, and experience the world is your voice.

Second, it takes a community. Which I have a few I want to thank: Charlene Fleetwood (my mom, editor, encourager, and mail assistant in the US); Simone Jackson & Kyler Spickler (Editors and grammar warriors, I salute you); and Kyndacee Harris, my creative inspiration. Thanks for showing me the power of creating on your terms and making do with what you have available. You push and inspire me both as a friend and an artist.

Next, is patience, because creation takes time.

Finally, and most importantly, gratitude. I am grateful that artists and people persist. There are so many works of art and ideas that I see in a different light now. Anything that you touch is something that someone has persisted in creating, and I believe that is worthy of my gratitude.

So here is my book. I’ve included a link to a short story that is dear to me because art is here to inspire, and that should be accessible to us all.

During the process I learned Adobe Illustrator, Marketing on Social, and Product Launching