About Avril (aka SomerEmpress)
Avril is a writer who writes candidly from her varied experiences as a Black woman immigrant wife momma daughter lifelong learner and spirit servant. (She occasionally breaks from convention as she sees fit, hence the lack of commas in the previous sentence.)
Avril is the author of A Journey Of Life On PURPOSE, which tackles, through poetry and prose, the intersectionality of creativity, womanhood, sisterhood, race, motherhood, activism, and identity politics. A Journey Of Life On PURPOSE is available on Amazon.
Born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Avril is a first-generation college graduate of Swarthmore College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and of Pennsylvania State University where she received her Masters of Business Administration. She has also lived in New York City, New Jersey, Virginia, and Chicago. She now lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
In Her Own Words:
I find joy when using my gifts to affirm, encourage, and inspire others. Rendered in love, these gifts have the ability to facilitate personal transformation along our Life journey.
I believe that in order to thrive as a writer, I must engage authentically with others. This requires the ongoing and deep-soul work of confronting my whole entire self—my uncomfortable truths and wiring, my imperfections, and my limitations). This is the business of living intentionally and artfully; this is the underpinning of living Life As An Art Form.
My writing celebrates community and love. I know that my words will outlast me, therefore, I take great pride in my work. Good writing is resonant, timeless, and always relevant. Good writing leaves an indelible imprint. Regardless of genre or style, good writing is remarkably powerful and ridiculously transformative. Good writing makes intimate the universal and makes understood the seemingly inaccessible. My responsibility as a writer then is to harness this power in order to touch readers at a deep soul level. My prayer is that this space, Life As An Art Form, serves as both testament and legacy of my responsibility as a writer.
What fuels me, you ask? Having a wonderful family is a blessing, but I am nothing without “My Tapestry of Women,” my sisterhood circle of kindred spirits with mutual love, tenderness, and adoration for one another. We know that we are better when we acknowledge our need for one another and corral our collective energy and beauty.
Life As An Art Form is my corner of the virtual Universe. It is just one of the references for my Life’s work and calling as a writer. I invite you to chime in when something resonates with you or even if you just have a clarifying question. As you navigate the rest of this blog, I ask that you remain civil and truthful. I welcome your comments, even when we disagree.
Welcome to my virtual table where we can share our truths, lives, love notes, breakdowns, and breakthroughs. Perhaps we can even occasionally laugh as we row our virtual lifeboats; perhaps together we can create some more Life As An Art.
To book Avril Somerville aka SomerEmpress for Transformative Talks, author readings, or guest blogging opportunities, click here.
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Life As An Art Form 
What an inspirational About. I resonate with every line. When you started with “Joy” in the first line, my interest peeked immediately. I keep a necklace with the word Joy on it hanging from my bedpost. That way Joy is at the fore of my day.
I love life, and feel gratitude with life’s tricks AND treats big and small. How else can we be all we are meant to be with purpose?!
My journey is even sweeter with people like your inspiring self in it. Super fantastic. Thanks for making my acquaintance…and my day even brighter!
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Likewise, kindred spirit! You made my day. I just might resume blogging again. I really do miss making these connections. Continue. You inspire. Be well. Be.
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I have nominated your blog for the Blogger Recognition Award. Click here for more information:https://rebirthoflisa.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/blogger-recognition-award-2/
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Thank you woman! I’ve got sooo much to catch up with (bad language with that preposition at the end, but you understand!)
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Of course I understand. There’s no pressure just appreciation. 🙂
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I feel the love!
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Great blog! You are a very accomplished woman and a inspiration to me. We have many things in common and I am currently working on following in your footsteps as an author, writer, and educator (I not a great speaker, lol). Keep doin whacha do and I will be stopping by more often.
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Well, blessings to you, Lady! Ase. (Not ‘great’ speaker … yet!) when delivering your gifts, the only people that matter are those for which you bring them. ‘Great’ is relative; I am by no means there yet. I appreciate your visit and thoughtful comments. I’m going to stay tuned to your blog as well; you are also an inspiration to others as well, so please DO continue…
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Wow! That’s a very impressive bio you got there.lol Author,speaker,writer and educator. Is there anything you don’t do?lol You have the beauty to go along with a beautiful mind. That’s always a winning combination. Your husband is a very luck man. And your kids are very blessed to have you as their mother. Well Ms Somerville you seem like a very busy woman. I’m glad I found your wonderful blog. I’ll be dropping by more often. 🙂
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Avril, I apologize for being a day late, but I wanted to stop by and wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope your day was full of Love, Happiness and Wonder. Take Care!
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Aww Lisa, you are so sweet! Thank you, love. Yesterday was beautiful! Wait…yours is in July also, right?
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You’re welcome and I am happy you had a good time. Yeah, mine is on Sunday so I am going to see what my hubby has planned.
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