My new children’s book, Princess Genevieve: The Hero with Girl Power (@PrincessGenevieveBook), is officially releasing on June 15th. My “5 Days to Release” countdown is supposed to start today.
But I just don’t feel right about being completely celebratory without acknowledging that I stand with everyone fighting for a better world– or their lives. Princess Genevieve is a book to empower ALL GIRLS to live their best lives, chase their dreams, and make a difference in the world.
What I didn’t recognize one year ago, as I wrote phrases like “Life is a fairytale starring you! And girl, you have the power to write your own story and be the hero of it, too!,” is that not ALL girls have that opportunity. Racism still exists. Just because my white daughter has friends who are black, Spanish, Asian, Indian, Egyptian, etc. and even though I feature illustrations of her diverse friends in the book, that’s not the reality of the world.
When I started writing Princess Genevieve, I envisioned debuting as a #1 New Release on Amazon. I’m a book publicist. I have media contacts and know how to create a marketing plan. Afterall, if I help others reach that status, I should be able to do that for myself!
I had a goal. I had a plan. I had more opportunity as a white woman to make my dream come true.
But the world turned upside down. COVID hit. People lost loved ones and jobs. It was not the time to promote my girl power movement. Then, George Floyd was murdered and it’s definitely not the right moment for my voice.
But it is the time to listen to black women. The mothers who struggle to build better lives for their children. The dreamers who need an opportunity to change the world. The women with stories to tell.
So, for the next few days, I’ll be doing my part and using my platform to help empower a community of women who are heroes, creators, and moms just like you.
I probably won’t have a #1 New Release but I have found more to celebrate.
Joelle Speranza
