Yvonne J. Medley

Biography

Yvonne J. Medley is an author, features writer and photographer, currently concentrating on the sequel to her debut novel, God in Wingtip Shoes (April, 2012, Urban Books/Kensington) and promoting Domestic Violence Awareness, using her second novel, Jubi Stone: Saved by the Vine (July, 2013, Urban Books/Kensington). Jubi Stone is the prequel to God in Wingtip Shoes. Upcoming is her collection of novellas and novel-lattes, titled, Two Old White Ladies in Africa: and Other Life Journeys and her screenplays, titled, The Number Hole and Journey to Nowhere.
As a journalist, Medley has worked on staff at The Washington Times and freelanced for several publications, such as The Washington Post, People Magazine, Gospel Today Magazine, and other national/local outlets. Medley’s volunteerism/work, encouraging women behind bars as well as the general public received recognition from the 2012 White House, Women of Impact and Trailblazer organizations. News stories have been published about Medley’s contributions. Her photography has appeared in The Washington Post, other news outlets, and featured in the Charles County Arts Alliance’s 2014 Spring Gallery Exhibit.
Medley travels the country, interviewing intriguing personalities as well as daily heroes, proving that everyone has a riveting and beneficial story to tell. As an author, she is also invited to book clubs, nationally; and invited to participate in Author events, such as the Writers Live! Series, held at the Enoch Pratt free Library (Baltimore), and she creates and/or sponsors events, some in partnership with the Charles County Public Library. To effect healthy life skills/mental health, Medley created Literary Therapy℠.
She conducts her Life Journeys Writing Workshops, designed to empower/encourage incarcerated men/women as well as youth/adults within the general population. Some of these workshops have been supported by the Maryland Humanities Council’s One Maryland: One Book. Medley is the founder of The Life Journeys Writers Guild, Inc. (LJWG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serving writers and lovers of the Literary Arts. She has also taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and ABE (Adult Basic Education) adult learners. Medley is a Point of Change Jail & Street Ministry, Inc. volunteer, dedicated to uplift/positively impact incarcerated men/women and their families. For her volunteer efforts, she received the 2012 Drum Major for Service Award from The White House.
She was nominated a Woman of Impact (2015) by the Southern Maryland Women’s League and A Woman Trailblazer (2016) by Charles County Commission for Women. Medley conducted her writing workshops for The Maryland Writers’ Association’s 22nd Annual Writers’ Conference, MWA’s Annapolis Chapter in 2014, Maryland’s Big Read, featuring Ray Bradbury’s science fiction masterpiece Fahrenheit 451 (sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts), The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture as well as for various educational programs and churches. Under the LJWG, Medley also conducts intense writing workshops, monthly, titled, Write on Wednesdays—with a Twist! and Write on Saturdays—with a Twist!
Medley’s available offerings include: novels, God in Wingtip Shoes and Jubi Stone: Saved by the Vine; The Prison Plumb Line, a novella and stage play (credits include: College of Southern Maryland, DC Black Theatre Festival and THEARC [view or book the play at www.prisonplumbline.com]); and her Novel-Lattes, titled, The Number Hole and The Counselors. Medley is a wife and mother of four, and lives in Southern Maryland.

Smashwords Interview

Who are your favorite authors?
Toni Morrison, John Grisham, C.S. Lewis, Hoda Kotb, Walter Mosley, Jesmyn Ward, J. California Cooper, and children's author Anna Dewdney. Note: this is not a complete list by any means. My fingers just got tired. My list is ever-growing!!! Also among my emerging favs are a current list of awesome local writers in Southern Maryland.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My husband who has loved, taken care of me, and who has been my biggest fan for decades. (Yes, decades!) The yearning to pray for the safety and success of my offspring. And, okay, what you've really been waiting to hear -- I'm inspired to get out of bed, daily, because it offers another opportunity to either write, teach about writing and/or to give a would-be writer the courage to be a writer.
Years ago, expressing myself via the written word saved my life and afforded me personal liberty!
Read more of this interview.

Where to buy in print

Videos

Yvonne J. Medley, The Book/Writer Whisperer
Medley, journalist, author and the founder of the Life Journeys Writers Guild, Inc. shares the catalyst and her inspiration to head a charitable nonprofit bound to inform, encourage and protect lovers of the literary arts. “It’s a calling,” says the author, and print reporter who has written for major outlets such as The Washington Times, The Washington Post, People Magazine and Gospel Today Magazine. She also coaches and encourages writers to get to the finish line of authorship.

Books

The Counselors
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 6,330. Language: English. Published: September 6, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Short stories
Click this freebie, an excerpt from the upcoming Two Old White Ladies in Africa and Other Life Journeys—a collection of novellas and novel-lattes! The Counselors: Austin gets caught with his whatever in the neighbor-lady’s cookie jar. His wife, Rena, turns to reverends Darnell and Elizabeth Glass for healing. But they have cookie-jar issues, too! God’s gonna get the last word, but how?
The Prison Plumb Line
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 20,260. Language: American English. Published: October 29, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
The Prison Plumb Line, a novella, inspired by the lives of five real female inmates! It's Easier to go to Jail Than You Think! Five gifted women/Five chances for survival and second chances! It's a quick and edgy read that provides a safe place to have serious conversations about relationships, perseverance, faith and redemption. Check out new 2018 version/new book cover taken from the stage play!