BPL 2021 Local Authors Expo Spotlight: Carla Youngblood

Meet Carla Youngblood, holding her two books, at this Saturday's 2021 Local Authors Expo

Author: Carla Youngblood

Title of books: Bama Tales with a Twist & Cancer Ain't Funny! Laugh Anyway... 

Favorite quote that I live by: "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." --Toni Morrison 

About the author: Carla Youngblood is a Certified Public Accountant, comedienne, motivational speaker, podcaster and author. She is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in Accounting and the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Communications.

Author website or links to buy the book: www.keepypulaughing.com and on Amazon.com by searching Bama Tales with a Twist and Cancer Ain't Funny, Laugh Anyway... 

Meet Carla Youngblood, one of nearly 20 poets participating in the Birmingham Public Library’s 2021 Local Authors Expo this Saturday, November 20, 2021. The expo will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place, in downtown Birmingham.

In October 2015, Youngblood was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surviving chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and radiation, inspiring others became her new mission. She shares her journey with cancer and everyday life situations through energetic stories with honesty and quick wit on stage.

This led to writing of her first book, Cancer Ain’t Funny! Laugh Anyway, a memoir in which Youngblood took her dark health moment and used her comedic background to tackle a difficult topic. Youngblood's personal story on overcoming breast cancer resonated with readers, gaining her positive exposure such as this article on YellowHammer News  and on  Alabama NewsCenter, Alabama Power's online news site.  

 When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Youngblood took this time to write her second book, Bama Tales with a Twist, a collection of 10 short stories based in cities and counties throughout the state.

Writing is Youngblood's way of maintaining her sanity and keeping her creative juices flowing. When she is not onstage performing or putting pen to pad, she enjoys playing cards and spending time with her grandson, Eli. 

In a Q&A with BPL PR Director Roy L. Williams, Youngblood talked about her books and why she is excited to be a part of this Saturday's BPL 2021 Local Authors Expo.

BPL: Tell us about your newest book.

Youngblood: Bama Tales with a Twist is a collection of 10 short stories takes place in various cities and counties in the state of Alabama. Each story includes lies, deceit, and/or loss in search of truth and love. 

BPL: What inspired you to write your books, Cancer Ain’t Funny! Laugh Anyway… and "Bama Tales with a Twist?"

Youngblood: Cancer Ain’t Funny! Laugh Anyway was inspired by my diagnosis with cancer. It is one woman’s journey through breast cancer, laughing all the way … almost. The second book was inspired because I wanted to continue to work on my creativity during the pandemic. 

BPL: Who is your favorite author and why?

 Youngblood: Terry McMillan. Her books present everyday situations, and I can always identify with the characters. Note: You can find a link to several Terry McMillan books at BPL and Jefferson County Library Cooperative by clicking here.  

BPL: What do you hope readers get out of your books? 

Youngblood:  In reading Cancer Isn't Funny, Laugh Anyway..., I hope they realize that cancer does not define you and that there is life after cancer. In reading Bama Tales with a Twist, I hope they can identify themselves or someone they know when reading my stories and enjoy the journey each story takes them on. 

BPL: What advice can you offer new authors or those desiring to write a book? 

Youngblood: Write without judging your work. Be free… This is what I did two years ago when I released my first book.