Kuils River resident, Devonetia Michels, 19, says her first bilingual collection of poems, Finding Me, will have readers “lost in their emotions” as she talks about, abuse, violence, romance, mistreatment and “happy endings”.
The launch of her collection of poems will take place in the form of a jazz evening in the backyard of the Oasis Family Church in Blue Downs on Friday November 1, at 6.30pm.
Entry to the launch is free and people are encouraged to take a camping chair or blanket for seating as Devonetia will read a few of her 20 poems to the audience.
She said the 46-page collection had taken her nearly two years to “finally” get published and includes personal experiences, memories and poems to her parents who are her role models.
“I always had a passion for writing, even when I was in a bad space in my life, writing would be my way of healing,” she said.
However, she said that although she had mastered writing over the years, the hardest part of having her work published was gathering information about her younger days to make sure of her facts.
She said the title Finding Me only came together after all of her 20 poems were written and edited.
“I believe that writing is a God-given talent, so through writing poems I have found myself and keep track of the woman I am becoming.”
She said she started writing poems that were “dark and emotional” but when working with her publisher, Haroldene Tshienda, she focused on happier events too which will “make readers want to read the book.”
“Having my first book published is like wow because now I know I am closer to my dreams of becoming an author of many books,” she said.
Devonetia has plans to work on a second offering, which will include short stories and encourage youth.
To buy a copy of Finding Me, or to join her at the book launch, call her at 067 979 9040 or email michelsdevonetia1@gmail.com