An Interview with Aquelia Walker

Aquelia Walker is an accomplished multi-genre author, digital creator, and community influencer with a combined social media following of over 15,000 across Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social sites. Known for her expressive storytelling and dedication to social impact, Aquelia’s work spans fiction, children’s literature, poetry, and music.

She is the author of the acclaimed children’s titles My Best Friend’s a Girl and Time Takes Time (Page Publishing). Her writing for children is deeply rooted in real-world experiences, designed to provide moral guidance and wisdom for youth navigating a diverse modern America. Through her brand, Aquelia’s Books LLC, she is on a mission to combat low proficiency rates and closing the achievement gap caused by socio-economic and racial disparities by making reading engaging and accessible for all children. Aquelia’s academic background informs the precision and depth of her work. A Magna Cum Laude graduate, she holds an Associates of Science in Criminal Justice (Honors) from Post University. She was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and completed the NSLS Foundations of Leadership Program in 2023. Her insights have been featured in various media outlets, including a notable interview with Steve Olga for The Daily Scrum News. Based in California, Aquelia is a recent ‘empty nester’ who dedicates her free time to her family. A prolific creator with a natural gift for expression, she is constantly developing new projects, including her upcoming fiction novel, Son, and new children’s stories, Put That Phone Down and Lemonade.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I was inspired to write this particular book because I want children to feel valued no matter how young they are. Lemonade teaches children to be constructive, and have family values and structure.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Writing Lemonade took me all of three days. The plot was hard to come by but once I figured out the plot it was smooth sailing.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

It’s funny that you ask this question because I’ve started writing songs to all my children’s books and can’t disclose those song names. For my new fiction title Son, I’d include AC/DC tracks and Metallica.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

Steven King’s On Writing (memoir) and Dealing with People You Can’t Stand by Dr Rick Brinkman (business).

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have worked a lot of odd jobs. In my early years I worked as a fast-food prep, cashier, and customer service rep. I formed and ran a small hair business for twelve years, and now I’m the face of Aquelia’s Books LLC. Something about me that readers may not know is that I don’t have a favorite color. I have four favorite colors: I love pink, purple, gray, and brown.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I don’t think I ever wanted to write, it just happened to come to me so naturally. As I’ve gotten older, my writing has become more essential to me due to low proficiency reporting in adults and children.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I work best in solitude and it’s one of the most strategic tools I have. I can be easily distracted, and solitude provides me with a more consistent rhythm. Blocking outside interruptions and contact ensures that I capture only my voice in every title.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

I would tell my past self to expand your horizons. Don’t limit yourself. I wrote for years in one lane. Today I’m a multi-genre contributor. I don’t want our younger generations settling for the bare minimum. Why eat one banana if you can stomach the whole batch?!

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

What I want to stick is the belief that their circumstances don’t define their character. Aquelia’s Books tackle social economic setbacks by making reading accessible and exciting, but we use Jamel to teach the life examples that children are likely to encounter. Instilling principles, values, empathy, and moral integrity, I hope they close the book feeling like they have the tools and comprehension to read the words and the heart to change the world.

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