Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Barnes
Hi Courtney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love of teaching and books began when I was twenty two years old. I was living in the city of Dallas during 2007 and needed an escape from problems at the time. The first place I found peace in was Barnes and Noble while looking for a book and the type of genre to read. I came across the Paranormal Romance section and fell in love with the words, genre, and how the book’s development was created.
I continued teaching young children during my brief but memorable stay in Dallas Texas.
After many years of reading, 17 years to be exact, I can happily say I am still an avid reader of all books and genre types. My favorite book type would be anything that has to do with a happily ever after within the Romance section of any book store.
Through the years I continued teaching preschool students and eventually became a mother. While I was a stay at home mom I decided to start working again within the public school system.
During May of 2022 I graduated from Texas A&M University- San Antonio on the Dean’s Honor Roll with a Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, which equates to Special Education.
I have been a post-secondary high school special education teacher for one of the largest public school districts in San Antonio Texas. The last three years I’ve also been developing my resume as a content creator, honed my craft for writing, and continued with the hope of someday being a published Trad or Indie author.
My goal is to help other women escape with a book to read. Some of us go through the darkest times in our lives with not a single person to help us, and that’s where books can and do help.
They helped with my journey and have shown me along these last three and half years that you CAN start over at any age. Stay the course and life/dreams are a process.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My life has not been easy. I have several private issues that have prevented me from continuing my journey as a full time writer. Maybe someday I will share these two very important issues with a tell all, but until then I wish to lean a listening ear to any woman who needs help. You are not alone, there are other women who see you and we do believe you.
Never suffer in silence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I mentioned before, I am a certified High School Special Education Teacher within the state of Texas. I love what I do and aid students with disabilities within the English classroom meet their writing goals.
I am a content creator and influencer within the BookTok community. I love giving a voice to indie authors work. Many videos are reviews of books I have read or PR boxes I have received from authors who appreciate and understand the inspiration content creation/marketing can bring to their book and whether their work goes viral.
I love being creative and artistic with video, sharing my life, and being able to truly be myself within the book community. Making women friends can be hard for many of us, but since being on BookTok the last three and half years I have made several friendships that have lasted. We have met at book conventions and talk daily.
I am currently packing for a book convention as I’m typing this for your article. Wanderlust is a book convention hosted in San Antonio Texas where several authors and vendors come together to socialize with their readers.
I’ve also been asked to model for authors characters. I would love to begin a modeling portfolio and have my face on some of my favorite authors book covers.
I am most proud of my perseverance. Life has thrown a few curve balls my way, but I am happy to say that after a few vent sessions and always knowing that God is on my side, I have always been the victor in each aspect of my life. Even if the outcome was not in my favor there was always a lesson to be learned.
I have been told by others I stand alone and am different. I agree with this assessment. I have felt like an outcast for most of my life, but it has helped me with not wanting to be like others. I wear what I like and I am comfortable with. The new trends are fun but mixing those pieces with parts of my personality is who makes me, me. I’ve also learned that compassion for the people who do not have a voice is a gift.
Students or adults with visible and invisible disabilities are forgotten. It is our job to be observant and include everyone.
Judging a book by its cover can be done, but what’s inside that book is what matters.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe having a dream of any kind is taking a risk. I have a dream of being an author. If my words only stay for my eyes only, then I took a risk but it was for me. If I publish that books or hundreds of books, that was a risk but also an achievement.
Imposter Syndrome is a strong fear monger and what holds me and several other people back from their potential.
I would hope that within the next year Ill be able to say I RISKED IT ALL and published all my ideas currently sitting on my laptop at home.
I hope to offer book services in the future and charge for content creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/c.barnes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcbarnes?igsh=cm0zeDR2MTY3MWlt&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@canihi5urface?_t=8nSASZ9Q4i7&_r=1
