I AM QUEEN Magazine had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Vernessa Blackwell, an exceptional leader who has created a healing space for individuals to reclaim their joy after experiencing loss. Affectionately known as Dr. Vee, she is the CEO of the Grief Helpline and BSB Publishing LLC. As a retired Noncommissioned Officer of the United States Army, Dr. Vee has trained thousands of soldiers during her distinguished 24-year military career. Alongside her accomplishments, she is also an International Best Selling Author, Publishing Coach, and the Best-Selling Book Strategist.Dr. Vee has developed the Grief Recovery System, a three-month coaching program that provides invaluable resources and strategies to guide individuals through their healing journey from grief and loss. Recognizing that joy plays a crucial role in soul healing, Dr. Vee firmly believes that everyone has a story to share, regardless of their pain.
I AM QUEEN Magazine: Welcome, Dr. Vee! We are thrilled to have you here, and we would love for our readers to get to know you better. Could you share a bit about yourself and your remarkable journey?
Dr. Vernessa Blackwell: Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to be featured in I AM QUEEN Magazine. My journey has been shaped by overcoming numerous personal losses within my family. Having lost three sisters and a brother, along with the passing of both my parents, I turned to writing as a means to express and share my struggles with the profound pain of these losses. In 2012, I made the decision to invest in myself and became certified as a Grief and Loss and Joy Restoration Coach. This allowed me to not only heal from my own grief but also mentor my children, nieces, and nephews as they navigated their own pain.
IAQ: Your story is truly inspiring, Dr. Vee. Can you shed some light on how these experiences transformed your life and why you chose anthologies as a platform to spread your message of hope?
Dr. Vee: Through my healing journey and the process of dealing with my own grief, I discovered that many others faced similar challenges. Anthologies serve as a wonderful avenue to provide readers with easy access to a diverse range of literary works on a specific subject. Most of my projects have been centered around supporting the grief and loss community. What started as a personal endeavor soon blossomed into a thriving business, resulting in the creation of twenty books, with many more in progress. Today, I am committed to guiding and mentoring others to share their stories and become best-selling authors themselves.
IAQ: That’s truly remarkable, Dr. Vee. Could you share some of the titles of your books or projects?
Dr. Vee: Certainly! Some of my recent works include the anthology devotional, “Joy Comes in the Morning,” published in June 2022. Prior to that, I released “Finding Joy in the Journey Vol 2: HEALTHY WAYS TO FIND JOY DURING DIFFICULT TIMES 90 DAY DEVOTIONAL” in 2021. In 2020, I published “Finding Joy in the Journey Vol 1: Healthy Ways to Navigate Grief,” a 90-Day Devotional featuring 89 amazing authors. In 2019, I wrote “Your Wings Were Ready, But My Heart Was Not.” Additionally, I developed a series featuring “The Grief Helpline Companion Workbook” and “The Other Side of Grief Devotional, Coloring Book, and Journal.” Alongside these endeavors, I am the proud founder of the Grief Helpline, where I spend a significant amount of time mentoring grievers who often go on to become best-selling authors through our collaborations.
IAQ: That’s an incredible body of work, Dr. Vee. Do you have any upcoming events or speaking engagements you would like to share with us?
Dr. Vee: Absolutely! I am excited to be speaking in Madrid, Spain, in April of this year, followed by a speaking engagement in Dubai in June. Additionally, I am looking forward to many more speaking opportunities once the “Joy 365 Devotional” is launched in the summer of 2023!
IAQ: You are truly an exceptional woman, Dr. Vee, and you have transformed your pain into a purpose that brings joy to those who may have thought it was lost forever. Your work has undoubtedly blessed many, and we believe there are many more blessings yet to come. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Vee: Certainly! We are currently seeking co-authors for our latest devotional, “Joy 365.” If you want to join this project, become a part of an extraordinary group of authors, and realize your dream of becoming a best-selling author in 2023, this is your chance! Click here to get started.
IAQ: Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring journey with us, Dr. Vee! Where can our readers find more about you and your work?
Dr. Vee: You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Instagram, and YouTube as the Best Selling Book Strategist. Additionally, you can visit us on the web at www.bsbpublishing.net.