Interview with Shemaiah Gonzalez: Publishing, Platform, and Perspective

"Be a good literary citizen."

For the next few weeks, as part of my series, Publication, Platform, and Perspective, I will be sharing insights from writers who represent a range of experiences and background both in the writing craft and in the publishing business.

First up is Shemaiah Gonzalez. Shemaiah is a writer with degrees in English Literature (BA), Intercultural Ministry (MAPS) and Creative Non-Fiction Writing (MFA). She thrives in moments where storytelling, art, literature, and faith collide. Her work has appeared in America Magazine, Image Journal’s Good Letters, Ekstasis, The Curator, and Loyola Press, among others. A Los Angeles native, she now lives in Seattle with her husband, whom she has known since she was 14 years old, and their two teen sons.

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Karen: You recently made a social media post about reaching a milestone as a writer. Tell us about that milestone.

Shemaiah: Last year was the first time I made over 10k as a writer. Thankfully, I do not have to make a living, pay our mortgage or things like that, but I do need to pay my student loan payments, which are roughly the same amount.

In my post, I wrote I hope to make 20% more this year than last year. This amount would roughly cover the expenses I have incurred to further my career, like conferences or a website.

Karen:  Describe your writing background: what you write, how you got started, your aspirations.

Shemaiah: My undergrad was in Victorian Literature.  I thought I’d be an academic but ended up going to seminary instead. I always wanted to write but didn’t do so in earnest until both my children were in school.

I began by submitting religious reflections to Christian publications. As they began to be accepted, I looked to what other writers at those publications were doing. Who did I want to emulate? How were they building their platforms and careers?

I write Christian creative non-fiction. It has taken me a while, but I believe I have created an authentic voice that presents the gospel in an honest and relatable manner, that even those who do not believe find themselves curious.

I always want to point to Christ in my work. This is the interesting balance of writing as a vocation but also, needing to make a little income at it. Last year, I found myself in a position where Christian publications did not want to take my work because I wasn’t culture friendly, even though I was theologically sound. I lost a monthly column I wrote for three years because of this. It was a harsh blow but of course, God opened new doors that filled that income loss.

My aspirations are to move mainly to book-length projects, where I tell stories, that point to Christ, in essay form. I’d like to write more literary essays, less reflection-type essays. I recently discovered I’m not too shabby at speaking, teaching and editing. This has been a fun journey and informs my writing even more.

Karen: You also have studied writing. Tell us about that educational experience, the decisions that led to it, and the value of that experience.

Shemaiah: In 2019, I felt I had progressed as far as I could on my own with writing. I decided to enter an MFA program. The program was through a Christian university and specifically advertised as a program equipping Christian artists. The depth of the curriculum and community that first year was life-changing, but then 2020 hit. Our work was taken online without a discounted fee and the focus became extremely political. Often, besides an education in writing, what you are paying for at an MFA program are the connections to get work and visibility to move you through in your career. The value of the experience was all lost---and yet, I still have the extremely high student loan payments.  At this rate, it will take me around seven years of really hustling to be able to simply pay back my loan.

In hindsight, I would have hired a good writing coach to walk me through reading literature to inform my writing, in addition to teaching me to write well.  It would have cost less.

Karen: What was the  journey to publication of your book like?

Shemaiah: This past year I wrote a book, Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. It will be out with Zondervan next April.

I knew I wanted to explore the concept of joy and share what I learned through storytelling. I began by reading as many books about joy as I could, to see what was out there, what I liked and what I did not. Then I spent a month in England, staying with Benedictine monks and meditating on joy. What God showed me was transformative.

The book started as a Substack.  Each week, I wrote about where I found joy in 500 words or less. It was a spiritual discipline. The Substack gained momentum. In the interim I found an agent and she helped me create a gorgeous book proposal to send out.

Karen: What were the most challenging parts of the publication process?

Shemaiah: The most challenging part of the publication process is that it doesn’t always work out. I few years ago, I wrote another book. I researched, wrote the manuscript and went through the general and copy edits and it was not published after all.

I could look at it as two years of work lost but I did learn I could write a book. I learned how to put myself on a writing schedule and get the work done. It was not all lost. 

Karen: What do you wish you knew going in that you didn’t know?

Shemaiah: Two things I learned on the way which I wish my students and other writers would grasp quickly are:

A)     How much you need to read to write. Knowing how great writers write and filling your mind with good sentences and ideas are an important part of the process.

B)     To be kind and respectful to other writers. You never know who you are going to be on a board with or teach with, who might be your editor or panel member. In this business, so much relies on who you know and who knows you. Yes, do the work but be kind, make connections, amplify work you enjoy. Be a good literary citizen.

Karen: Why do you write? How connected are writing and publishing for you?

Shemaiah: I write as I believe it is my vocation. I believe that I can see God working in the world, in a way that others cannot. Writing is an act of worship, as I write about these things and shine light on them for others.

Not everything I write is published and that is fine.

Karen: What has been the most rewarding experience of writing/publishing for you?

Shemaiah: There have been a few times when I have been lucky enough to be edited by some top-notch editors. Being edited by Mary Kenagy Mitchel, Jessica Mesman, Lauren Winner and Katy Carl, was a free education. I learned to be a better writer through that process.

Reading my work and evoking a strong emotional response from the audience. I am so grateful when people come to share their own stories of Jesus’ transformation in their lives.

Karen: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Shemaiah: My book Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight is available for preorder on Amazon

My website is shemaiahgonzalez.com

My Substack Undaunted Joy can be found here: https://substack.com/@shemaiahgonzalez

I am on X @shemaiahng

Instagram @shemaiahg

FB @shemaiah.gonzalez