One of the most significant milestones that many writers can achieve is getting published. But the goal is often easier said than done as plenty of obstacles can stand in the way of fulfilling their lifelong dreams. N.M. Sanchez is among the writers whose perseverance allowed her to fulfill her goals not once but twice.
Like many of her creative peers, Sanchez took an early interest in writing, with poetry becoming the best outlet for her creative expression. She started documenting her thoughts, feelings, and experiences on a blog she started in 2009. The feedback and sense of connection she received for her work inspired her to continue sharing her thoughts with the world. As she continued to do so, opportunities started to present themselves.
By then, social media platforms started showing up, and Instagram became one of her favorite outlets. Sanchez immediately settled into the platform, posting more of her works to positive feedback. Even as she pursued her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, N.M. Sanchez realized that poetry was a unique way of impacting people both inside and outside the therapy room.
Sanchez built up a strong following on Instagram through the years, with more than 100,000 followers awaiting her next piece. Although she had many people on her page constantly commenting, Sanchez would do her best to interact with each one. But the endeavor would not be without its share of negative feedback and criticisms.
“Sometimes social media makes it real easy to second-guess yourself and what you have to offer, but here we are,” she shared. “I’m grateful. At any given moment, someone, somewhere in the world, is reading my words and finding comfort, a sense of connection, or even an answer. It’s wholesome and powerful.”
With so many people supporting her craft, N.M. Sanchez was inspired to get her works published. But like many writers, she found that she was competing with not just other aspiring writers but established names too, most of which had the backing of distinguished publishing companies. Sanchez would face multiple rejections, but not one to give up, she decided to try self-publishing.
Although it was a difficult endeavor with limited resources, N.M. Sanchez was able to get herself published. The book Initial Meeting became one of the top best-sellers in Hispanic-American poetry, with an excerpt inspiring the narrative for Yossuna Aguilar’s short film, Have We Met Before?
Later, she would release a second collection of quotes, prose, and poetry titled Lovers in Theory, an extensive anthology of dreams and dialogues. The book is a reflection of love, inevitable loss, and a turn to fantasy that is influenced by the notion of familiarity from past lives and unexplainable connections.
Since then, N.M. Sanchez’s works have garnered over 60 million impressions on Instagram with a broad audience from all over the globe. She attributes her success to the people who inspired her writing, offered their advice, and helped in the reviewing and editing process while providing feedback on her work.
“I enjoy giving back to the creative community by supporting their content and sharing it with the rest of my audience,” she revealed. “I help other poets, artists, musicians, and businesses get the recognition their hard work deserves. There’s room for all of us at the table, you know.”
