Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Allistar Banks is a prolific author, having published five books in the last two years. She was born and raised in McCormick, South Carolina. Ms. Banks is a graduate of Lander University in Greenwood, SC, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications in 2013. She has been featured in the Index-Journal, The Press and Banner, McCormick Messenger, Lander University’s magazine, and interviewed on WZLA 92.9FM. She is best known for children’s books that teach new concepts and emotional development. She is now honored to be on a future broadcast with the CBS Sunday Morning Show for her children’s book called A Colorful Balloon Ride, which teaches one to five-year-old’s their colors by using objects of carnival food and nature on Mary and Emily’s hot air balloon ride around the County Fair with Mr. John. Besides spending time writing, she has a terrier mix named Sylvia, and before that, she owned a golden retriever and two Shih Tzu’s. Besides spending time writing, she loves to go hiking, hear local bands play, watch re-runs of Friends, go to museums, see plays, read, bowling, and catch a good comedy at the movie theater.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Cracking the Happy Weight Code. My book is inspired from the fact that I made the decision to lose fifty plus pounds fourteen years ago and I never looked back. My book is used to inspire young adult women to have a positive body image and to make a commitment to have a healthy lifestyle.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ll stop working on one chapter and go to the next one and come back and finish up the previous chapter.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rachel Hollis, Candace Cameron Bure, and Sarah Jakes Roberts influenced me to write my latest two novels called Girl, Rise and Cracking the Happy Weight Code.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my third novel which is about Alli’s friend named Sarah from Cracking the Happy Weight Code and it tells of Sarah’s story about how she struggled with body image, weight, and trying to be the best athlete she could be in girls basketball. Sarah Crossroads develops a binge eating disorder after her sister dies in a car accident with her and their friends at prom. After high school, Sarah goes off to college and plays girl’s basketball after her father doubts her ability to do so and proves to him through hard work and dedication that she can play basketball. Her binge eating disorder takes over her first year of college and quits the basketball team and now is left to pick up the pieces of letting her father down, her hard work and dedication of pushing herself her junior and senior year of high school to play girl’s basketball, and her failed relationship with Joshua.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My church small group, blogging, and Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would join a small group on Facebook with the type of writing that you do, Grammarly for editing, send out a press release to your local newspaper(s), and find niche groups that can relate to your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”-Eleanor Roosevelt.
What are you reading now?
I am reading a poetry book called Milk and Honey.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to be a Presenter at the South Carolina International Reading Association in February. I am going to present all of my books at the Local Author’s Night in Aiken, SC on April 27, 2020 from 5-6:30 p.m. location TBA.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Help, Girl, Stop Apologizing, and James Patterson.
Author Websites and Profiles
Allistar Banks Website
Allistar Banks Amazon Profile
Allistar Banks’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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