Kyra E. Hicks Discovers Her Writing Niche or Brand
This I Accomplish by Kyra E. Hicks
Finding a unique niche and/or developing a brand reflecting this niche enables you to become better known in your field. Kyra E. Hicks, author and quilt researcher, has become an experi in the area of “Black Threads” (the name of her blog) and is a font of information about African American quilters.
Her most recent book, This I Accomplish about Harriet Powers and her quilts, also reflects Kyra’s expertise as a researcher. She sought information about Harriet Powers’ Bible Quilt and other pieces, discovering little known and totally unknown details about this quilter’s life and her work.
Harriet Powers was a former Georgia slave , who lived from 1837 – 1910 and stitched intricate quilts that are museum pieces today. Little was known about about this quiltmaker until Kyra began her journey and discovered many new, exciting facts.
This book also provides many resources, used by Kyra for her Powers’ research, that tell the story of African American quilting. She started out to compile a simple annotated bibliography and found herself on an exciting adventure. Also, you can read the book out of sequence and still gain the essence of Harriet Powers and her work.
Kyra’s blog, Black Threads, keeps one informed about current happenings in the African American quilting world. She has written another quilt book, The Liberian Flag Story & Love of Liberty Quilt, as well as a children’s book, Martha Ann’s Quilt for Queen Victoria.
As a quilter and writer, who enjoys researching and discovering secrets of the past, I found This I Accomplish fascinating. Since I’ve also been learning more about branding one’s area of expertise, I’m fascinated with how Kyra is gaining recognition in her niche.