“What’s Your Story?” is a guest post feature on BCBA’s blog. Indie/Self-Published authors are invited to write about their books, writing journey, creative process, inspiration, rewards and challenges of publishing, etc. They can go in whatever direction they choose. We are excited and grateful for their willingness to share, and we hope you enjoy Chinwe Mbonu’s story. Go here for more WYS? posts.
My name is Chinwe Mbonu, and I work as a clinical pharmacist at my local veteran’s hospital. I am a wife and mother to two little boys. I received my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State University in Michigan.
My journey as an author has been both exciting and challenging. I have not nursed a lifelong desire to author a book; motherhood inspired the author within me to emerge. Like most working mothers, I find my time filled with work and family life and struggle to keep my work-life balance positive.
The inspiration for my book was birth when I noticed my youngest son had a very active imagination. He would find reasons to avoid sleeping in his room; his stories would range from Spider-Man leaving a web on his bed to the Power Rangers knocking on his window. As hilarious as this was to my husband and me, I thought it would be an opportunity to teach him about shadows and provide reassurance that if he was in any serious problem, we were always one call away.
When I thought about my storyline, I knew the typical go-to parent for bedtime issues would be the mother. However, I wanted to showcase the emotional side to fathers that do not get enough praise. Fathers are most times labeled as the stoic disciplinarian in most African households. But I find that they provide that emotional comfort that most children crave. My hope for this book is for my readers to enjoy my stories and relate to the characters. I want to engage early and young readers with stories they can enjoy over and over.
I initially wrote my book for my boys and did not intend to publish it, but that quickly changed after I finished the writing and illustrating process. Do You See the Monster Under my Bed? is my first children’s book and was released in April 2021. I have been blessed with various platforms to promote my book; it is currently available for sale online on Amazon, Target, and Barnes and Nobles. You can also listen to me speak about my book on a podcast called Authored by Us.
Do You See the Monster Under My Bed?
Tullip Studio | May 3, 2021 | 24 Pages | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Chinwe Mbonu was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ferris State University, Michigan. Chinwe enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys at their home in Georgia. Do You See the Monster Under My Bed? is Chinwe’s first children’s book.
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