An Industry Education For many aspiring authors, the goal is to get a book out as quickly as possible. For Edwina Perkins, the journey followed a more divinely guided, albeit slower, path. When she first began writing, she faced repeated rejection from agents and editors who claimed they didn’t know how to market stories featuring ethnic characters. Rather than giving up, Edwina decided to step back and ask God to teach her the industry. This pivot led to a decade of service behind the scenes, where she learned the roles of editors and agents while championing other writers.

During this time, Edwina became an acquisition editor and eventually the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference—the largest of its kind in the nation. She spent years helping other women of color launch their stories, often asking, “God, when is it my turn?”. Her experience as an industry insider gave her a unique perspective on the hurdles faced by marginalized voices, particularly when critics or editors tried to “change” a writer’s authentic voice.

The Birth of The Colors of Home The catalyst for her own novel, The Colors of Home, was born from the “hurt” of being told her stories didn’t fit the industry mold. Drawing from her own life in small-town North Carolina, Edwina crafted a story that explores the complexities of racial identity and prejudice. The book features Ebony, a character struggling with internal battles and a need for community, whose children represent what Edwina calls “rainbow shades of brown”.

The novel also tackles sensitive topics with grace, including the inclusion of a character with Down syndrome, Destiny. Drawing on her degree in special education, Edwina aimed to portray the “gentle, loving” nature of individuals with special needs, using Destiny’s innocence as a way to provide emotional release within the story’s heavy themes.

A Serendipitous Full Circle Edwina’s publishing story is one of profound serendipity. Years ago, she helped an author named Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes launch her own book after multiple houses had said no. Edwina even offered to become an agent just to help Katherine’s “incredible story” find a home. Years later, when Edwina finally felt the “whisper” that it was time to publish her own work, it was Katherine—now running her own publishing house—who offered her a contract within 48 hours. This “full circle” moment serves as a testament to the power of community and supporting others on the way up.

Supporting the Next Generation Beyond her own writing, Edwina remains dedicated to helping new writers develop their “rhino skin”. She offers a wide range of professional services, including developmental and content editing, ghostwriting, and coaching.

One of her most specialized services is “sensitivity reading”. She encourages authors writing outside their own culture or about disabilities to reach out for a collaborative approach to authenticity. “You’re not gonna offend me with what you’re saying,” she explains, emphasizing that in a world where minorities are becoming the majority, authors must learn to include diverse characters authentically rather than forcing them in.

The Cost of the Calling Edwina’s final word to authors “on the fence” is one of both challenge and encouragement. She warns that the industry is not easy and that writers must develop “rhino skin” because they will still “bleed” from the critiques and challenges they face. However, she maintains that if a story is in you, it must come out. Her journey proves that while the wait may be long, the impact of a story that finally finds its “time” is worth every year spent in the wings.