These 4 phenomenal authors, creators, and entrepreneurs, Jessica N. Watkins, Lashonda Devaughn, Shan, and Tamika Newhouse, as known as, Queen Pens, are changing the literature game, with not only their intriguing/best selling books, but these women are coming together to create this girl power tour. All of the ladies have their own individual success, but now their joining forces for a great cause, to empower, enlighten, and educate black women, who are aspiring young entrepreneurs. I had the honor of conversing with these successful women about their upcoming tour, that will be in a few different cities across the country.

¼ of Queen Pens is Jessica N. Watkins, who is a National Best Selling Author and CEO of Jessica Watkins Presents, which is her own self publishing company. She has written and published hit books like, “The Cause and Cure is You”(1&2) and her book trilogy, “Thug Love” (1-3). Then there’s Lashonda Devaughn, who is also a National Best Selling Author and motivational speaker, who gave us books like, “She Got Love For a Bean Town Thug,” and her book trilogy, “Hood Chick’s Story” (1-3).  And then we have Shan, who’s not only a Best Selling Author, but a screenwriter, and CEO of Shan presents, which is her own book publishing company. Last but not least, we have Tamika Newhouse, who is not just an author, but a screenwriter, producer, and creator of AAMBC(African American on the Move Book Club Awards).

Queen Pens is a group of women, who are not only authors, but successful business women. When I asked the ladies, how did they link-up? And why was it important, for them for them to so? Tamika, the mastermind behind Queen Pens explained, “ The concept of Queen Pens was developed for influential women, who are in the book industry to have one agenda, togetherness, because we’re usually so divide.” Lashonda added to what Tamika said, “I am a ambitious person, so when I get around ambitious women, who are it doing too, it drives me.”

So the women of Queen Pens are taking their talents on the road, during this summer and fall, to a city near you. One of their workshops is being held at Essence Music Fest in July. When I asked the ladies what can we expected, or what will we walk away with, after attending one of these workshops, Shan explained that, “We will walk away feeling inspired, with a whole new mindset…feeling like a boss, already.” Tamika chimed in and said, “Because her and the girls, are both artist, and the boss, they know both sides of the industry.” With the ladies not only being authors, but self publishing their own books, they can give insight to both spectrums, to being in front and behind the scene.

And although the ladies are in the literature field, they made it clear that, this workshop is for ALL aspiring entrepreneurs, both Shan and Jessica agreed, “It doesn’t matter what field you’re in, the same hustle applies to all fields.”

So one of the main purposes of this workshop is to connect, not just with the ladies(Queen Pens), but with the attendees in the audience. Tamika told us, “The most important people, aren’t sitting on social media…you never know what that person does or who you will meet… They can connect, not only with us, but the women in the audience, who are on the same journey as them.”

Queen Pens are bringing something new and fresh, that’s never been done before, and what’s setting them apart from the rest is “u.n.i.t.y.” Tamika explained, Queen Pens represents unity, and that’s rarely taught, when learning about building your business. Lashonda followed up by saying, “It’s power in numbers, and when put our heads together, we can do so much more.” Jessica mention how even the atmosphere is different from other workshops, stating, “An event we had in Chicago, we had fun, unlike another seminars, where people just ramble… It felt like a knowledgeable party.”

So if you’re interested in checking out the ladies on tour, you can visit their website www.thequeenpens.com, there’s a list of all the tour dates. Not to mention, all the ladies have books you can purchase on Amazon. The Queens are working on a wordbook, together, that’s based on all the things they have learned, and how they overcame all the obstacles in their life/business. And if you want to keep up with what the ladies are doing, you can also follow these queens on IG and Facebook- @thequeenpens

By: Jaleana Hammond