Arian Simone recently announced the inspirational book she self-published earlier this year earned a spot on Barnes & Noble bookshelves, producing a book tour and an author event later this year.
The media and marketing entrepreneur is known for her Hollywood public relations game with coordinating events for musicians Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Ne-Yo, but she became an author first in 2015 with the self-published My Fabulous & Fearless Journey: From Homeless to Hollywood. She released another self-help book, Fearless Faith + Hustle: 21 Day Devotional Journey, in January. This book, according to Arian Simone’s Instagram, had Barnes & Noble knocking on her door via an email through her website.
In 2016, Barnes & Noble started a self-service program supporting self-published authors with Nook Press that enables them to create hardcover and paperback books for purchase at stores and online. Some authors even qualify to participate at in-store events like book-signings and discussions based on print and e-book sales.
But Arian Simone didn’t go that route, so it’s rare—in comparison to the number of self-published authors with books on the market—to hear of an author being contacted by a major bookseller. She said Barnes & Noble reached out to her after noticing her book sales.
Arian Simone completed her Barnes & Noble book tour in late June with hitting six cities after headlining a public speaking workshop at the Girlboss Rally in Los Angeles. She’s planning an Oct. 19 event for authors in Atlanta under her Fearless brand to showcase their work, which she said will be free to the public.