Daily Inspiration: Meet Angela J. Ford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela J. Ford. 

Hi Angela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m an indie author, and my journey actually began when I was 12 years old. I started writing novels in my free time and over summer break. Once I started, I couldn’t stop, and when I was a teenager when on to query agents. I’d never heard of self-publishing and assumed I’d have to work with a traditional publishing house to get my books out into the world. Ultimately, I just wanted to get my books into the hands of readers, but since it was an uphill battle, I graduated from high school, went to college, and studied Entertainment and Music Business instead. When I graduated from college, I realized there was no money in the music industry and I went on to find a “real” job, but the one thing I kept coming back to was writing. Throughout college, storied buzzed inside my head and I had to write them down. It wasn’t until 2013 I stared hearing about authors who self-published their books and actually made money from it. I did my research, worked on a few nonfiction book launches, and in the fall of 2015, published my debut novel: The Five Warriors. The book was well-received, and I had a book launch party that exceeded my expectations, and so I decided to keep writing. Fast forward to 2022, I’ve written and published over 25 novels and have an e-commerce shop. I sell books directly to readers and provide them a unique reading experience with book boxes. Book boxes are made in-house and themed for each book, they allow readers to go beyond just reading and provide a sensory experience that compliments the book. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any business, there have been updates and downs. After the release of my debut novel, I had writers’ block for about a year and struggled to complete another book. I took some time to focus on studying the art of writing and had some breakthroughs that allowed me to completed my first series. In 2018 my first series hit the bestsellers list in the US and UK and stayed there for months. It got a lot of attention both positive and negative and made me sit back and decide how to structure my writing journey moving forward. Originally, I started writing epic fantasy, however as time passed, I began to pivot and in 2020 finally started writing fantasy romance instead. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a writer, my goal is to tell an entertaining story that takes readers away from the every day. My epic fantasy books focus on unlikely heroes who save the day because of their determination. My fantasy romance focuses on giving those who make mistakes a second change at love and life. The underlying theme in all my books is a focus on unity and bringing diverse people from various backgrounds together to build a stronger world. I believe that what makes us difference is unique, and when we come together with our unique perspectives and backgrounds, it only makes us stronger. My books are character-driven with lush worlds, relatable characters, and twisted plots. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
A few books that have helped my career are: 

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel 

Creating Characters ARCS by K.M. Weiland 

My favorite apps and tools for writing include: 

4thewords for writing sprints 

Scrivener for organization and writing 

ProWritingAid for self edits 

Vellum for formatting 

My favorite nonfiction read of the year is: 

Atomic Habits by James Clear 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://angelajford.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/aford21

Image Credits
Angela J. Ford