‘Seraphina the Ballerina’ is now available locally

By Kathryn Wilkowski

Reporter

Published May 3 by local author, Dawn Marie Duncan, “Seraphina the Ballerina” is now available in various local bookstores and at multiple signing events moving towards the winter.

“I’ve always been a writer. This is a lifelong artistic endeavor. I love kids, it just made sense to take my own advice and get my books off the ground finally.”

Dawn Marie Duncan

“Seraphina the Ballerina” is a story about a kind and beautiful young snake named Seraphina, who has big dreams of becoming a dancer. Seraphina and her friends join together to create a show that displays her talents. Between imagination, courage, and believing in herself, Seraphina shows her longing desire to become a ballerina to all the creatures in the jungle. 

“Seraphina the Ballerina” actually came to me in a dream,” said Duncan. “I woke up early in the morning and pretty much sketched the whole story out, as far as the framework goes. And that was about a year ago.”

Duncan grew up in Fertile, Minn., before attending the University of North Dakota and majored in English Literature. Post graduation, she moved to Colorado where she changed courses and pursued a career in the recruiting industry. She then owned a couple boutique firms for over 15 years. 

“Even when working in that industry I had a couple columns in various newspapers and wrote here and there for magazines, it was just more career oriented. My creative things were kind of on the backburner,” she said. 

After working in the recruiting industry for many years, Duncan changed courses yet again and started a publishing company called Yellowbright, Inc. in Colorado. Originally in the music industry, four years later she had changed the company into a writing and editing firm offering services such as coaching authors, teaching classes in journaling and writing, and also art.

“My whole life I wanted to live a different work life than most people. I never wanted a corporate job. I never wanted the 9 to 5. I love being able to work at home with my dog and being able to do what I want, when I want. And I’m highly productive that way,” Duncan explained. 

Launching in 2022 with the publication of “Seraphina the Ballerina”, Yellowbright  Press is a new division of Yellowbright, Inc,. that focuses on publishing multiple genres of literature. 

In the future, Yellowbright Press will be launching a work of fiction by Duncan, as well as a non-fiction memoir. 

“I come from a family of entrepreneurs that always taught me that if I wanted something, I had to do it myself,” she said. “So I decided I wanted to go full-on creative.”

Since the launching of “Seraphina the Ballerina” and Yellowbright Press, Duncan has been busy with book signings and promotions at multiple book stores across Minnesota and North Dakota as well as freelance work. 

“Since my book launched, there’s been a flurry of activity,” she explained. “It has been very well received and promoted by the many book stores that I’ve done signings at.”

The Detroit Lakes library is hosting an event with Duncan in September where people can make their own book, have storytime, and dance around. 

“People like seeing other people succeed in this town. They’re very supportive of entrepreneurship,” Duncan said. “The community appreciates when somebody is willing to work hard and give back to the community. This is a very welcoming area for entrepreneurs like me.”

Duncan said that Seraphina is a 10-story book series with a line of merchandise. Alongside the two adult books, Duncan hopes to get as many of those books published before the end of the year to kickstart Yellowbright Press. 

“I come from a long line of artistic people on my mother’s side,” she said. “So, my whole life I’ve just dreamed of doing creative things. That’s just who I am.”

In the future, Duncan hopes to become a highly recognized and respected author who has a comfortable life. With the hopes of Seraphina being an empire that leads to apps, games, and movies, Duncan has made it her goal to create something that not only she’s proud of, but the entire community as well. 

To buy “Seraphina the Ballerina” in both hard cover and soft cover, visit BlueBird bookstore, Mainstream Boutique, Beautiful Junque, Red Willow in Detroit Lakes and Willow bookstore in Perham. 

To meet Dawn Duncan, the Detroit Lakes Library is hosting a storytime and book signing event on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m. for families.

For more information on Yellowbright Press visit www.yellowbrightinc.com or call at (970) 980-6399.