Soignée Sisterhood Conversation with Angelia Vernon Menchan
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an author, publisher, and public speaker who owns two publishing companies, Honorable Menchan Media L.L.C. and MAMM Productions. Menchan has over 400 books in print. Menchan is a retired Budget Analyst and former Job Corps Counselor. You can access her bibliography on www.amazon.com search words: Angelia Vernon Menchan. Menchan has also published the work of thirty other authors to date.
She is a sought-after speaker for young women audiences because she speaks honestly, straight, and openly to the issues that plague them, such as teen pregnancy, the importance of education, and making life impacting choices. Menchan is the founder of #JustLOVEMinistry, a mentoring and giving ministry.
SLM: When did you first realize you wanted to be a published author?
I have always written since I can recall. However, in 2005, after my youngest son went off to college, I started writing to publish. I released my first book on January 25, 2006—and I’m still writing about those same characters.
SLM: If you had to describe yourself as a writer in three words, what would they be?
Realistic, diverse, positive.
SLM: Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? Do you have other writers in the family?
My readers are my biggest supporters. Both my sons are published authors.
SLM: How did you become involved with the subject of your book?
My most successful books are about philanthropist Black cowboys. I’ve always loved cowboys and horses, but after binge-watching Yellowstone, I felt inspired to write about Black cowboys. In just two years, I’ve published eight books—and this series outsold everything else I’ve written.
SLM: Can you share something about the book that isn’t in the synopsis?
There’s a sense of connection across the books—relationships that span years of writing. Readers from The Temptation Series tell me it feels like family showing up again.
SLM: Introduce us to the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them tick?
Bleek Blackmon is a rancher, philanthropist, and wealthy, self-defined cowboy known as The Blackest Cowboy for his love and support of the community. He’s also the area’s most eligible bachelor—until he hires Anastasia Wright. She’s unimpressed by his wealth and status, but she stirs something in him that no woman ever has.
SLM: Describe your writing process. Do you outline or plan, or is your writing more organic?
It’s very organic and character-driven. I don’t write with rules or formulas. When I’m writing, I write most days until the book is done.
SLM: Do you write while listening to music? What music inspired or accompanied this book?
Sometimes. I’ve been listening to King George, a soul singer, and Kendrick Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist. They’re my current muses.
SLM: Have you been able to incorporate your previous experiences in your writing?
Absolutely. I travel often, and those experiences introduce new stories and ideas. I also pull from memories—some of them find their way into the books without me even realizing it.
SLM: What is the biggest thing people think they know about your subject or genre that isn’t so?
I honestly don’t know what people assume, and I try not to focus on that. It would stall my creativity. I write for those who choose to read and return.
SLM: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My goals are always the same: to give readers a good story that sparks conversation, emotion, and thought—whether they love or hate the characters. If they’re feeling something, I’ve done my job.
SLM: How can readers support you?
My readers support me in more ways than I can vocalize. I’ve written over 500 books—and many of my readers have read every single one. They also share my work, which means everything to me.
SLM: What other projects are you working on right now?
I’m continuing this series and also working on my skincare line, #JustLOVEOilsandButtas.
SLM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
I’m active on Facebook and Instagram, and all my books are available on Amazon.
SLM: Do you have a Goodreads, BookBub, or Facebook community?
Yes—I have a Facebook group called Angelia’s Books and Conversations.
Connect with Author Angelia Vernon Menchan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angeliam
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/angelmenchan
Blog: http://honorablemenchanmedia.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angeliamenchan
An Unplanned Journey: My Walk Through Breast Cancer by Angelia Vernon Menchan
This is a book and journal of sharing and hopefully encouragement. On August 4, 2023, I had breast cancer surgery after discovering a lump in March. I am now cancer-free and share my mini journey with others.
I lost my mother and aunt to breast cancer and those mighty warriors inspired and inspire me. Ora Lee Vernon, Mama, and Alice Vernon, you are my warriors and you both encouraged me in doing this. I love y’all.
For my husband and caretaker, I have no words other than GOD blesses our union, and you are the LOVE of my life.
Excerpt: An Unplanned Journey
In January, I was exhausted, tired, tired. I thought I was doing too much. I was writing a novella a month, creating organic oils and butter to support my ministry, #JustLOVEMinistry and going through life. But that wasn’t new and it felt different.
Every year on my birthday my husband takes me away. The year before we had spent five days for my birthday in a new and very beautiful hotel but it was freezing in Florida, in the twenties and we mostly cuddled. So, this year, he took me back. The weather was gorgeous, and he got the best room available with amazing views of the beach. My heart was full, but I was weary. I had just grown used to admitting I was tired but after Mench planned such a beautiful birthday I didn’t want to ruin it by saying it.
But…he paid attention to me and knew. There was time in the sun, great meals in the hotel and close by but I slept…a lot for six days. I was rested but it was temporary.
In February we took another getaway to Savannah; I was more active and spent a good time walking the streets of a city I love and with my love. We people watched sitting on benches with cups of coffee and had meals at our favorite restaurants. However by the end of the month that exhaustion was on me again. I was ordering food rather than cooking and housework was perfunctory at best. Guilt filled me, but it was not enough to fuel me.
I checked my blood pressure, blood sugar, etc., and they were both good. The word cancer jumped inside me. In 2020, I was told I had uterine cancer but after a hysterectomy was told it was never cancer. Praise GOD and for twenty-five years I had my mammogram faithfully. But I sensed it, felt it, knew it.
On the first of March, I woke up with my arm over my right breast. I felt something. I did an exam and there was definitely something there. I nudged Mr. He checked and sat up in the bed, his eyes searching mine.
“There is something there.” He said softly, his hand still on me. We prayed. It was Sunday morning. I couldn’t fall back to sleep. I got up and started puttering…I cooked, poured oils, cleaned a bit, and talked to God. I didn’t ask for anything other than for His Will to be done. I had a journey to potentially walk in the footsteps of the warriors who came before.
( Continued… )
An Unplanned Journey: My Walk Through Breast Cancer by Angelia Vernon Menchan – https://amzn.to/47kXElf
About the Author
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an author, publisher and public speaker who owns two publishing companies, Honorable Menchan Media L.L.C and MAMM Productions, Menchan has over 400 books in print. Menchan is a retired Budget Analyst and former Job Corps Counselor. You can access her bibliography on www.amazon.com search words: Angelia Vernon Menchan
Menchan has also published the work of thirty-two other authors to date.
She is a sought after speaker for young women audiences because she speaks honestly, straight and open to the issues that plague them such as teen pregnancy, the importance of education and making life impacting choices. Menchan is the founder of JustLOVEMinistry a mentoring and giving ministry.