How Author Tanisha Mackin Turned Her Tragedy into Purpose
Award Winning and 5x Best Selling Author, Tanisha D. Mackin was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Tanisha is an Author, Philanthropist and Publisher. Tanisha used her tragedies to help and motivate others through their pain. Tanisha knows all too well about violence and how it can affect the lives of family members. Tanisha was inspired to not focus on the negative and focus on the positive of her heartaches. She started the Mackin Miracles, formally known as the Mackin Project to assist widows and children who’ve recently lost a spouse or parent to violence.
When asked what inspired this colon cancer survivor to work hard, Tanisha has to look no further than her two beautiful children. A recipient of the 2013 Utopian Euphoria Making A Difference, 2016 Metro Phenomenal Women, 2016 Black Women Are Award for survivorship, the 2016 IALA award for Memoir of the year for her book, My Testimony, I Don’t Look Like What I’ve Been Through, the 2016 Rising Star Award, the 2018 Best of McDonough, 2019 Business Hall of Fame (Best of McDonough) and the ACHI Magazine Award for 2019 Author of the Year. As well as gracing the cover of several magazines (Writer’s Life, Glambitious & BlaQVersity). Her experiences led Tanisha to write several books, write for several magazines, appear on radio and television shows. It also led Tanisha to help others share their stories through writing by becoming a writing coach and publisher. She has worked on several books and book tours including a book tour for Pastor Rhonda Henderson and 4x grammy award winning and reality star Stevie J. Tanisha became a #1 Best Selling Author with her eBook, What’s Next, Sis? that she released unexpectedly in September 2019 and she became #1 Best Selling Author with her book collaboration with Kim Cole (Open Your G.I.F.T.S). Tanisha became a Brand Ambassador for SwagHer Magazine in 2018. July 2018, Tanisha had the opportunity to share her testimony at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. In 2019, Tanisha founded Rebuilding After Bullsh*t, an outlet where women can get together during brunch or dinner and talk about how they are rebuilding their lives after going through bull.
Tanisha is here to be an encouragement to others who may be going through the hardships of life. Like a butterfly, Tanisha represents the never ending cycle of life.
Interview by Abner Jackson
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A: On Average it takes me a week to write a book.
Give us an interesting fun fact about one of your books?
A: The photoshoot for my 2nd book (Still Standing – A Widow’s Journey) was funny because my youngest was small at the time and we were in high grass, so besides me being scared of snakes, we had to hold her because we didn’t want to lose her in the grass. It was a mess…LOL
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
A: Write and do not worry about judgement. Most aspiring authors are afraid to share their stories because of judgement. But I’m here to encourage all my aspiring authors to share their stories because you never know who you are helping with your testimony.
What’s one of your proudest moments in your career?
A: One of the proudest moments of my career is when I won 2019 Author of the Year and 2016 Memoir of the Year.
What’s a random hobby you’ve always wanted to try but never have?
A: Art (painting). I have tried it but I’m nervous to showcase my work.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
A: Maya Angelou because of her passion for writing. I would have loved to sit with her and learn.
What’s your best childhood memory?
A: So many, but the best times is when all my cousins and I would stay at my grandmother’s house. We miss those times.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: That I am a big baby….lol
Please let everyone know how you can be reached (twitter, IG, FB, websites, etc)?
Website: www.tanishamackin.com
IG: @TanishaMackin & @TanishaMackinPublishing
Twitter: @TanishaMackin
Facebook: Tanisha D. Mackin