Representationmatters Stories

Marcus Wheeler is a 26-year-old trucker who thinks he's seen it all-until a routine delivery to a small Illinois town called Anna changes everything. Some places in America never moved forward. And sunset is in four hours.

Seventeen-year-old Dessa Winters earned her place at Celestine Academy through raw magical talent, not family connections. But when an ancient treaty forces her into marriage with Lysander Vael-the beautiful, arrogant heir to an ice-wielding dynasty-her future shatters. He loves someone else. She never wanted this. And their legendary rivalry is about to become something far more devastating when politics demands they marry. Mature slow-burn fantasy romance. Arranged marriage. Fire vs Ice. Trauma and transformation.

Tori Anderson's life shattered the night she found her fiancé in bed with her best friend. Broken and betrayed, the 26-year-old interior designer makes a radical choice: accept a full scholarship to a prestigious design program in Kyoto, Japan-and leave everything behind. But healing isn't as simple as running away. As the only Black woman in her cohort, Tori navigates hypervisibility, culture shock, and the weight of past trauma while learning the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi-finding beauty in imperfection. With the help of unexpected friends and the ancient art of kintsugi (golden repair), she begins to rebuild herself piece by fragile piece. Then she meets Ren-brilliant, beautiful, and utterly unavailable. A commitment-phobic architectural designer with his own hidden wounds, Ren has perfected the art of intimacy without connection. But when their late-night workshops and vulnerable conversations crack both their carefully constructed walls, neither can ignore what's growing between them. Can two broken people learn to trust again? Can gold fill the cracks between them? A story about survival, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to love after loss-Kintsugi is an achingly beautiful journey of a woman learning that healing isn't about becoming unbroken. It's about honoring the scars that made you whole. ©️ Relle H

It's no longer acceptable to merely throw some queer characters into a story, especially when that storyline is perpetuating and supporting harmful narratives. The LGBTQ(IA+) community deserves to see representation that celebrates queer relationships and normalizes them. We want to see hand holding, the slow burn build up, the first kiss, the first date....we want everything that heteronormative society has been given from the creation of entertainment until now. We are tired of painful, traumatizing portrayals of our lives - we want our happily ever afters.

📚 Book 1 of Melody's Magical African Adventure is just the beginning! From the pyramids of Egypt to the streets of Nairobi, Melody explores 10 African countries in each book - and there are 5 parts in the full series, celebrating ALL 54 African countries in a fun, magical, and relatable way for kids everywhere. 🧒🏾✨ Packed with culture, history, food, music, and joy - this is the African storybook we've been waiting for. 🎒 Tag a parent, teacher, or book lover who should meet Melody!

🌍✨ In the Land of Obas: Melody's Royal Adventure ✨👑 Written by Jillian Stella Five-year-old Melody was born in a quiet world-locked down and longing. Her Nigerian grandparents were just smiling faces through screens... until the day her magical passport sparkled to life. Now, she's off to Edo State, Nigeria-the ancient Kingdom of the Obas. From red earth paths and coral beads to legendary moats and bronze leopards, Melody steps into a world where history breathes and royalty walks among everyday people. She tastes fire in stew, stumbles under yam baskets, and discovers the greatness of a land once hailed by ancient explorers as the most organized and powerful city they'd ever seen. This heartwarming tale celebrates legacy, identity, and the spirit of Africa's royal past-all seen through the wide eyes of a curious little girl. 📚 A magical, cultural journey for children and families. 🌟 Perfect for readers who love African stories, heritage adventures, and joyful representation. 🧳 Includes themes of family, travel, tradition, and pride.

Bitter-Sweet like a Strawberry picked a little to early. That's how I felt about my father's death. I won't miss him. I don't Love, not now. Not anymore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With both of her parents dead Aaliyah has almost no one but her gramma, But just when it seems nothing can get any harder her life takes a turn to hidden world unknown to the rest of Humanity. The question is, is it for the better or worse?

Normally in books they only have one picture to represent the characters so I thought I would create a "book" with the same person at least 20 times in different scenes so authors would have lots to work with if that makes sense. I'm so tired of the same celebrities representing black girls....... So your welcome 🤗

Melody is back - and her magical passport is glowing again! With 20 countries explored, this bold little traveler sets off on her third journey across Africa, uncovering new stories, flavors, dances, and dreams in ten more amazing countries. From the starry waters of Lake Malawi to snowy mountain trails in Lesotho, royal dances in Eswatini, island spices in Comoros...

BASED OFF 'Merchant Ships' SONG OF THE SAME NAME Seventeen-year-old Michael Horowitz is the rock of his dysfunctional family, shouldering the burden of his mother's hospitalization, his father's addiction and arrest, and the protection of his younger brother, Gary. But when the 9/11 tragedy shatters their world, Michael must navigate grief, anger, and despair to lead his family out of darkness. Haunted by prophetic dreams and an uncertain future, Michael's unwavering love for Gary and his faith are put to the ultimate test as he strives to keep the last flickers of hope alive in their hearts.

**Phoenix Frost** was a gymnast long before she ever fell in love with professional wrestling, and her years of rigorous training left her with unmatched flexibility and agility. Her body moved with grace and precision, making her a standout in the sport. Gymnastics was her first love, her passion, and it gave her a sense of control and power that she cherished. However, a devastating accident during a competition shattered that dream, leaving her unable to continue in gymnastics. The injury was more than physical-it fractured her spirit, forcing her to reimagine her future. But Phoenix is nothing if not resilient. Though the accident ended her gymnastics career, it also led her to discover pro wrestling, where she found a new way to channel her strength, agility, and drive. Wrestling gave her purpose again, though the transition was far from easy. The same agility that once earned her praise in gymnastics now helped her in the ring, making her moves sharp and unpredictable, but the emotional scars from her accident left her fighting with an intensity fueled by both ambition and lingering pain. Phoenix pushes herself harder than anyone, determined to prove that her injury didn't define her, and that she would still become a trailblazer in WWE, representing not just Black women, but every woman who's had to rebuild herself after being broken.

Minerva Manchester, an 11-12 year old girl living in Berlin NH falls for an 11 year old boy named Evan Butterfield at her school, but the only catch is that her feelings towards him aren't in the traditional sense that everyone else feels.

The 2023 Speech and Debate State Tournament. Anthony and Adrian have finally found each other. But what happens after Shadowmore Academy for Gays and Slays?... Adrian, an Asian boy from a caring household, and his friends encounter a new adventure at Quirky Queer College. He's hopeful for his future, after all, he has his special someone by his side.... Anthony, handsome and smart, prepares to take on his next challenge at Rainbow Resonance University. Nothing can go wrong... Find out what happens next in Solvency: You're Mine! Solvency: You're Mine A Sequel to the #1 New York Times Best Seller Novel Plan Text: I Fell For You A Speech and Debate Fanfiction

After a long and tiring day at karate class, Melody-our spirited little adventurer-comes home feeling frustrated and ready to quit. "Maybe I'm not strong enough," she whispers, slumping at the dinner table. Her mother smiles gently, prepares her a warm meal, and says, "Let me tell you about some women who never gave up." What follows is a magical, cozy, and inspiring bedtime journey where Melody listens to true stories of powerful warrior queens, fierce revolutionaries, fearless leaders, and brave defenders of their people. Each night, a new story is told-one chapter per historical woman-showcasing how real-life "sheroes" faced battles, protected their people, and changed history forever. The book combines vivid storytelling, history, and magic through Melody's imagination. As she dreams, she often sees herself standing alongside these women-learning, fighting, and growing stronger.

When the sun shines brightest and the drums begin to beat, Melody and her magical cat, Kitty Paws, are swept into a dazzling celebration unlike any other - The Great Melanin Parade! From cocoa to caramel, bronze to ebony, children from all over the world gather to celebrate the beautiful shades of their skin. Dressed in vibrant prints, shimmering beads, and big bold smiles, Melody joins the joyful march through a magical land where every hue is honored and every child shines. With music, laughter, and magical moments at every turn, Melody learns that melanin is more than just skin - it's heritage, power, and pride. And when it's her turn to shine on the float of courage, she discovers that her voice, her hair, her dreams - all are perfect, just as they are. A radiant tale of self-love, cultural pride, and unity, Melody and the Great Melanin Parade is a joyful tribute to every child who deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and magical in their own skin.

📖 Melody's Malindi Christmas Adventure - Part One: Seven Days of Magic Written by Jillian Stellar Genre: African Children's Adventure | Ages 4-10 This Christmas, five-year-old Melody leaves behind cartoons and city streets for a magical seaside holiday with her Kenyan grandparents in the coastal town of Malindi. What begins as a simple visit becomes a week full of "firsts"-from her first glimpse of the sparkling Indian Ocean to snorkeling with rainbow fish, exploring ancient ruins, and chasing butterflies under the sun. Each day brings new wonder: 🌊 Day 1: Melody sees the ocean for the very first time-endless, blue, and more magical than in any cartoon. 🦅 Day 2: Birds, butterflies, and proud Swahili history greet her at local museums and landmarks. 🏜️ Day 3: Sand dunes, river songs, and wild laughter fill the golden afternoon. 🎨 Day 4: Earth's canyon colors and a floating boardwalk through magical mangroves. 🐠 Day 5: Melody braves her first boat ride and dives into an underwater world of coral and sea creatures. 👣 Day 6: A peaceful beach day with family, seashells, and soft ocean waves. 🛍️ Day 7: The final day is for shopping in vibrant markets, getting her own handmade dera, and relaxing by the pool with fresh fruit and stories from Grandma and Grandpa. Surrounded by love, laughter, and the rich culture of the Kenyan coast, Melody discovers more than beauty-she finds courage, connection, and the joy of being truly present. A proudly African children's story celebrating family, culture, and the magic of first adventures.

Aija managed to get the Àvo. Zuri is with Nala. Ze is ready to take on new responsibilities. And Thieron, Luka, and Nala are on their side. They have saved the human race - for now. But they are caught in a new War - the Leadership's altercation with the Gale. The six of them have been through their own intense journeys, bringing them face to face with their newfound feelings, taking some relationships to the next level and some...not. Their stories continue in the third part of The Earthen Series, as Aija, Zuri, Ze, Thieron, Luka, Nala, Xan, Goldstar, Aa'di Irih'va and Ja'wri Ruyanir grapple with their feelings, new realities, new challenges, and new threats. Just as they consider the peril to the human race done, new ones crop up - from the most unexpected of people, changing all of their lives. Forever.

🌍 Sixteen countries. Sixteen voices. One mission. In the heart of Seoul, a radical new reality show is born - not to find the most famous teen, but the most authentic one. No auditions. No filters. Just truth. The first stop? Kurdistan. In a mall outside Duhok, surrounded by face masks and K-pop posters, the crew finds her - Mira. Sixteen. Fierce. Invisible to the world, but impossible to ignore. With just one look into the camera, Mira turns the whole project upside down. 🎬 "Because I come from a place people forget exists. I know what it feels like to be invisible." By the end of the day, she's not just a contestant. She's a statement. A spark. A risk. And she's only just begun.

A possible prologue to a 100% owned-by-me rewrite of my fan fiction as a novel.