We had the good fortune of connecting with Tayler Simon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tayler, how do you think about risk?
Starting my bookstore, Liberation is Lit, was the biggest risk I have taken in my life. Usually, I am risk averse. I hate uncertainty because it gives me a lot of anxiety. But when I decided to quit my full-time job to pursue this path, I felt like I had to make a choice for the sake of my mental health. I decided to bet everything on myself, and so far, it has been paying off. I continue to remember that betting on myself doesn’t have to be a risk, and as long as I believe in my mission, everything will be alright.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a writer for a long time. I have had this deep desire in my heart to tell stories that make people feel something. I never thought I was creative enough. I felt like I couldn’t get my words to look like the work of my favorite authors. I decided to stick to blog writing and leave creative writing for the actual artists.

When I started my bookstore, I met a woman who asked me if I was a writer. She would become my first book-coaching client as I helped her self-publish her book. I set myself to learn all I could about the process, so I ended up self-publishing my first book of poetry because of her. I looked through all my journals over the years and found a treasure trove of poems. This made me realize I was more creative than I thought.

After three self-published books (Phases, Love and Other Forms of Heartbreak, and Writing Our Truths: A Guide to Self-Publishing for BIPOC Writers), I still face imposter syndrome. I felt like my poems didn’t look like other poets. But I embrace that my art looks like my art, and I am accomplishing my goal of making people feel things through my art.

I have realized that many people don’t have permission to be authentic or vulnerable. We are told to create a persona of the life we actually want to live. I want my writing to give people permission to be who they are, through their light and their shadows, and find that vulnerability to reach out to others when they need connection. This is the world I seek to create through my writing and empower others to self-publish their writing to bypass the gatekeeping of the publishing industry.

 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I remember thinking I couldn’t wait to leave Columbia because there was nothing here. Now, when people visit, I have plenty of places to take them! Of course, we have to go on the bookstore tour and hit up Queer Haven Books and All Good Books. While we are in 5Points, we can get a matcha lemonade from Drip, but we could also grab a coffee from Azalea or Curiosity Coffee (these three places are my go-to places to write and work). Continuing with the book theme we could hit up the main branch of the Richland Library to craft some cool things in their Maker Studios. If it is Saturday, I’m taking advantage of being a wanderer at Soda City Market instead of a vendor like I usually am with Liberation is Lit. We could see art from Brain Boy or Victoria Rickards and get a record from The Library Record Shop. Depending on the vibe for food, we could grab something from Basil Thai or get some pub food from Transmission Arcade Bar. We would go to the Riverwalk or throw some axes at Craft Axe Throwing for recreation. To end the night out in town, grab a drink at The Woody or catch a drag show at Capital Club. The possibilities are endless!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I couldn’t have made it to where I am now without my mother and sister being my biggest cheerleaders, my friend Marla being the biggest sustainer of Liberation is Lit, my friend Shannon, who coaches me with so much love, and my friends Jackie, Chio, and Karla for showing up and lending a hand every single time. And a special shoutout to my ancestors, especially my Nanna and my friend Quin, for protecting me from the other side.

Website: taylersimon.com

Instagram: instagram.com/tayler_made_books

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayler-simon-lmsw-8173307b/

Other: TikTok: tiktok.com/@tayler_made_books 

Image Credits
Carolina Content Studio

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.