April Featured Business Woman of the Month- Daniella Blechner: Rewriting the Narrative of Black Authorship
- Kami Redd
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 19
The Early Roadblocks
For Black women, publishing a book often means confronting an industry that wasn’t built for them. For Daniella Blechner, those very roadblocks became the foundation for a movement—one that not only empowers underrepresented authors but redefines the publishing industry itself. As the founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing, Daniella has transformed what began as a personal mission into a global platform for marginalized voices, particularly Black women and young aspiring authors.
From Author to Publisher
Daniella’s story begins not with a publishing house, but with a dream to be a writer. From as early as age four, she knew she wanted to be an author. That childhood dream eventually produced her first book, Mr. Wrong, a blend of personal narrative, fiction, and reflective storytelling. Yet the road to publication was anything but smooth. Like many authors of color, Daniella encountered systemic barriers in traditional publishing. Query letters to agents were met with feedback praising her wit but dismissing her work for lacking commercial appeal or a social media following. These rejections weren’t just administrative—they were personal. They suggested her story, and by extension, stories like hers, didn’t belong.
Creating Her Own Path
What followed was a pivotal moment of realization: she wasn’t waiting on approval. She was waiting for someone to affirm that her voice mattered. When that validation didn’t come, she chose to create it herself. Daniella studied the publishing process, learned how to build a professional team of editors, designers, and typesetters, and self-published her book. Soon after, other writers—primarily Black women—began approaching her for help. Their stories, often deeply personal and powerful, had been dismissed by traditional gatekeepers for not being “universal” enough. Conscious Dreams Publishing was born from the need to honor these voices.
A Community, Not Just a Company
Since its founding, Daniella’s company has published over 350 books and mentored more than 1,000 writers. Yet her impact goes beyond numbers. The ethos of Conscious Dreams Publishing centers on authenticity, mentorship, and legacy. Authors aren’t just clients—they’re part of a community. Events like "Black Authors on the Rise" bring together first-time authors and seasoned writers to support and uplift one another. The company’s youngest author was just seven years old. For Daniella, it’s about reshaping the norm so that the next generation of young Black authors grows up seeing themselves in literature—both on the covers and behind them.
Learning to Lead and Let Go
Navigating this path as a Black woman entrepreneur hasn’t been easy. Daniella initially undervalued her work, charging minimal rates while juggling all aspects of the business herself. As her client base grew, she recognized the importance of boundaries and building a team. Today, her staff includes over 20 professionals worldwide. Her leadership style reflects her values—respect, empathy, and equity. She ensures fair compensation, values each contributor, and fosters an environment where every voice is heard.
Funding a Dream
Daniella also acknowledges the financial barriers many Black women face when starting businesses. Early funding came from her personal savings and a startup loan from Virgin in the UK. Creating sustainable growth meant learning how to value her services and structure her business to reflect that worth. Her advice for other women? Know your value and don’t be afraid to say no. It’s a message rooted in experience and resilience.
Innovating the Publishing Model
Her journey has also inspired innovations in the business itself. Conscious Dreams Publishing goes beyond books—it nurtures authors. The process includes one-on-one coaching, community events, and soon, group coaching and retreats. Daniella understands that not every aspiring author will work directly with her team, but through webinars and educational resources, she’s equipping more writers to take control of their stories.
Changing the Industry from Within
Representation remains a key motivation. Reports like the UK's "Reflecting Realities" have shown that authors and characters from marginalized communities are still underrepresented in children’s literature and mainstream publishing. Daniella wants to change that. Her authors don’t have to change culturally significant names to appeal to a broader audience. They don’t have to dilute their stories to fit a mold. In her words, “we need to have a platform where our authenticity is preserved.”
Planning for the Future
As she prepares to take time off to focus on her upcoming wedding, Daniella is also planning the future of Conscious Dreams Publishing. Scaling down the number of books published will allow more focus on teaching and events. Her goal is to create more spaces where authors feel seen and supported—and where new ideas can flourish.
A Final Word to Aspiring Voices
For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially Black women navigating industries that lack diversity, Daniella Blechner’s advice is simple but powerful: Take the step. The world needs your story, and it’s waiting for your voice. Conscious Dreams Publishing exists because one woman refused to be silenced. Through her courage and commitment, hundreds of others now speak.
For media inquiries or to learn more about Conscious Dreams Publishing, visit consciousdreamspublishing.com or follow @consciousdreamspublishing on Instagram.
Contact Information
Facebook: facebook.com/consciousdreamspublishing
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