Publicist Susan Smith is hoping that her first book, Little Black Girl, will boost the self-esteem of readers, especially people of colour.

“I decided to do a book like this because of my experience with colourism. I want to teach young girls from very early on to love and appreciate themselves just the way they are; I want them to know that they are phenomenal. My aim is to instil confidence so that they can go on to be confident women,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The project was made available on Amazon on April 9.

Smith, who is principal of Powerhouse Global Media, said she finished penning the book in no time.

“I wrote this book in less than an hour but the process to completion took over three years largely because I couldn’t find a good illustrator to work with. I eventually met Micah Goldsmith and he was able to bring everything to life,” she explained.

So far, she has been receiving favourable feedback.

“The feedback has been amazing. I really had hoped that it would have been well received but it has exceeded my imagination,” said Smith, who is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The University of West Indies, Mona.

The author, who is inspired by Edith Blyton, Toni Morrison, Kamau Brathwaite and Derek Walcott, has already begun work on her second book.

“I have another book that will be released later on this year which is a compilation of poems for children. I also have a series of short stories that I am working on that will include many of Jamaica’s folklore,” Smith said.

She looks forward to a fruitful future.

“I see myself becoming a well known children’s author. By then, I will have quite a few books out and maybe even win a Pulitzer. As a publicist, in five years, I see my business expanding to higher heights,” she said.