For 28-year-old Talya Henry, publishing her first literary body of work, In The 3AM, is a defining moment in her lifelong dream of being an author.

It is for this reason that Henry acknowledged that as a writer it is important for her to represent women by amplifying their stories and experiences – “however I can, using whatever platform I have,” she said.

On International Women’s Day, a week before the launch of her debut book next Friday, Henry encourages women to be bold and express themselves.

“This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the power of every woman’s narrative,” Henry urged, adding “Your story deserves to be told, for whether you share it or not, it is constantly being written. May you find the courage to redefine your narrative because in every decision, you also hold the pen.”

In The 3AM, according to Henry, is aptly titled as a poetic ode to her social media page of the same name. She explained that the title not only reflects the essence of the collection but also symbolizes her most creative hour – three o’ clock in the morning.

“The collection delves into the complexities of the human experience, including grief, pain, hope and resolve and invites readers to confront their own emotions and contemplate the power of self-reflection… My childhood was filled with joyous and fun moments, marked by wonderful memories of a simpler time that still serve as a wellspring of inspiration for my current work. This book, in a way, has managed to resonate with my inner child,” Henry disclosed.

Scheduled to be launched on March 15, the book will be accessible in both paperback format on Amazon and as an ebook through Kindle.

“I’m currently toying with the idea of an audio book, but we’ll see!” an enthusiastic Henry said.

The young author said, “As someone who doesn’t celebrate herself enough, I owe this book to myself as a reward for my integrity, obedience and sticktoitiveness to my craft and lifelong dreams of being an author. It was also important for me to lead by example on the notion that we get the difficult and scary things done, however long it takes.”

Henry says she has been intentionally collecting and recording her poetic pieces for about four years. She said she knew she needed an official way to copyright her work and to also share her heart with literary lovers.

“Additionally, at a time when our mental states are constantly at stake, I wanted to find a creative way to turn my ‘gift’ into mental and emotional grit. This book is a simple attempt to share the genuine and introspective side of being human, hoping readers can relate and find a bit of themselves in these verses,” Henry told Observer Online.

Recalling the many hours she spent on honing her craft, Henry said her “close-knit family and wholesome friends” kept her accountable throughout this entire process.

“They are the catalyst behind this book, really. They kept me accountable throughout this entire process. Without them, this book would still be an idea tucked away in the most intimate crevices of my mind. I’m also immensely grateful to my extended ‘In the 3AM’ supporters on social media whose unimaginable grace and kindness have in some way or another expedited my writing process,” she said, thanking them for believing in her.

For poetry lovers from cover to cover, In the 3AM holds compelling pieces, with poems such as For You, that speaks to the incomparable feeling of grief that comes with losing a child, and The In-Between that highlights the uncertainties of feeling stuck emotionally and financially.

Even so, Henry promises a body of work that is relatable to everyone.