Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Snorton.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After my experience in the classroom (teaching language arts, social studies, and journalism in middle school), my travels led me to nonprofits. However, I wanted to maintain my ties to education, so I started tutoring middle and high school students. Likewise, in keeping my writing skills as sound as possible, I was a contributor to Examiner.com (from March 2010 until July 2016 when the magazine shut down).
All of this allowed me to evolve to where I’m able to provide education-based services, press/media services, as well as being a published author. Under education, traditional and virtual tutoring and student coaching, test prep (ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and the SSAT among others), and related workshops are the services provided. Press/media services range from press releases, press/media kits, interviews and articles, and even a television show (The Conversation Corner with Author Andrew Snorton which airs on the Status Network/LyveTV channel on statusnetwork.net, the network’s free app, multiple social media platforms for the network and channel [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Periscope, and others], ROKU, Amazon Firestick, and the Facebook Live for Author Andrew Snorton and @authorasnorton on Instagram).
As an author, both books I’ve written are up for awards via the Author Academy Awards (authoracademyawards.com). “Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton” is for the poetry lover in you (and those you know) as it’s a take on the action of love through multiple lenses (i.e., family, friends, community, people past and present, and self-reflection) based on conversation with an extended family member. “9 stories of faith: volume 1” is for readers who can identify living with life’s biggest daily challenges, yet through their faith, application of best practices in health and wellness, the use of their support network (family and friends), as well as their inner drive, live lives of impact and influence. When you consider what people are living with (in this edition, challenges of physical health, mental health, life after a family member transitions, and other challenges) and different perspectives (multiple aspects of the faith community, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam), it really hits home.
Again, this is part of the current journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Any road traveled includes its own set of challenges.
As others can likely attest, when you embark on a path that’s a little different, it’s not always easy. There are things you know and things you have to learn along the way, and one of the key ones is the proverbial “reaching people who don’t know what you do who NEED to know what you do”. That statement is pretty powerful as there are people looking for you for the services you provide and what have you; it takes consistency and making adjustments to do so.
There are times people are going to look at you differently as you pursue your business and community passions and purposes. It’s not easy as there are going to be people who simply will either be on the field with you, be in the stands watching, and those in the parking lot not paying attention. Even when you have some mishaps, headaches, and mistakes, you stay the course as best as possible and show your dedication to your craft as consistently as possible. There will be those who see it and it can lead to some wonderful growth opportunities, but you do have to stay the course and make adjustments as it can be easy to get frustrated and have you wonder what exactly are you doing. I’ve my share of failure along the way from planning and planning again, having a few things I have not accounted for rearing its not so pleasant looking head, and others (LOL). However, when you understand it’s part of the process and realize things like that help you get better and make improved adjustments, and you see the results, you definitely are encouraged; for example, you may not be the best singer, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be the songwriter, producer, musician, or agent as you have the experience of actually doing what many may not ever do out of fear or the lack of encouragement others give them.
On the author end, that is clearly evident. More people have the ability to write, but it’s more than just having your information online; you have to be out among people, and that sometimes (budget-wise) can be challenging when you are independent, but it’s rewarding. When you know what you have worked through to get to where you are, it’s a launching pad for the next set of opportunities, so when I consider the places I’ve done different signings and festivals (including, but not limited to places like Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlanta, and festivals including the Mississippi Book Festival, Atlanta African-American Book Festival, East of the River Book Festival (Washington DC), Bluffton Book Festival (SC), and others, it’s a reminder of where I’ve come from yet the growing I can continue to make as an author and speaker.
Again, everything has not been easy, but what would be more difficult is never starting in the first place.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I have the education services, press/media services, and a published author/speaker.
I’m proudest of actually doing things I set out to do, and others that truly evolved. On the education end, it’s a blessing to work with different groups including nonprofits, student-athletes, and even working with some schools and entities like Upward Bound (Chattanooga, TN). I may not be the biggest, but leaning on my classroom experience and entities such as (but not limited to) Alumni-in-Admissions and multiple boards (via my alma mater, Wake Forest University), it allows me to be an accessible professional and civic resource, and as long as I remain dedicated to my craft and consistent, there are some great things on the horizon.
The same in working press/media, as it includes handling the media for Maduro’s Cigar Bar ATL (as I was able to land an interview for them with Cigar and Spirits Magazine for the September-October 2018 issue), work with the Alphas of Atlanta (as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.) and their #AlphaDerbyWeekend, and doing some advisement for the inaugural #SouthTexasAlphaDerby among others. Being able to secure interviews with local to national outlets is something I take pride in, and knowing that I am expanding my reach makes me very excited for the work I’ve yet to do.
Ultimately, it comes back to being confident in your work product and showing the results that can happen when given a reasonable opportunity. When others see what you have done, they are just as excited as to what you can and will do. Having the balance of confidence and humility to where you can celebrate your success but not get blinded by it is central to how I work. When others see it, they’re more willing to have the conversation that can lead to something truly wonderful.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I’d say I was similar to a number of young people.
I played sports growing up (baseball, basketball, and soccer), and in high school, I lettered in soccer and track. Being involved in the community is a must in our home, so through church, school clubs, and others, volunteering is big.
Personality-wise, I’d say it’s an interesting mix. Being the youngest in the family, I had a few head-scratching moments, including eating cereal (in elementary school) just before I’d go to sleep at night (and this is after dinner), to surprise scaring my older sister to where she scared me back (she yelled SO loudly that I yelled back, and of course, my Dad got on us). I was definitely dedicated to my classes (K-12), played an instrument, even sang in the school and church choirs, so I’d have to say my parents made sure we were exposed as best as possible to different things and people.
Now, I don’t eat as much cereal as I used to, but I’m still that blend of the conventional, a little unexpected, different, but it’s me.
Pricing:
- Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton ($12 per copy – available at Pan African Connection and online [Amazon])
- 9 stories of faith: volume 1 ($11 per copy – available at Pan African Connection and online [Amazon])
Contact Info:
- Website: asnortonccs.com
- Email: asnortonccs@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asnortonccs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asnortonccsllc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/asnortonccs
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/authorasnorton/
Image Credit:
EmoryRose Photography and Phrozen Memories Photography.
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
