Meet Michelle

Michelle Davis-Newell is an accomplished woman with a remarkable and inspiring story. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, she faced relentless bullying as a child, leading to a shy and withdrawn demeanor. This isolation sparked her creative side, and she found solace in reading and writing.

In 1980, at just ten years old, Michelle handwrote a thirty-page novel on notebook paper and sent it to Harlequin Books, accompanied by a heartfelt letter about her dreams of becoming an author to uplift her family from poverty. Although the submission was rejected, the personal response she received fueled her determination to become a writer.

Life, however, presented numerous challenges. Despite excelling academically in grammar and high school, Michelle’s home life was tumultuous. By 21, she was a single mother of three on welfare, having dropped out of school to raise her children. Refusing to succumb to her circumstances, she broke through the walls of depression and despair, working tirelessly to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In 2016, at the age of 46, she fulfilled a promise to her late mother by earning a bachelor’s degree in education, proving it’s never too late to achieve your goals.

Throughout her journey, Michelle’s passion for writing never waned. She self-published her first novel, “Ain’t Understanding Mellow?” in 2006 and contributed to the anthology “The Shattered Glass Effect” in 2007. Her memoir, “Ruby Slippers: Fairy Tales My Mother Told Me, Real Life Truths I Never Told Her,” was released in 2013. After a hiatus following the tragic loss of her younger brother in 2018, Michelle is back with her latest novel, “The Bag Ladies of Ebondale,” set for release in fall 2024.

Together with her husband, Michelle founded ScribeRite Publishing LLC, continuing her commitment to storytelling and inspiring others through her words.

Michelle’s dedication to helping others extends beyond her writing. She worked in the social service field for twenty-four years, assisting low-income residents with essential services and developing programs that nurtured the esteem and creativity of at-risk youth, including mock trials and short film productions. In her spare time, she expanded her creative endeavors by writing and co-producing a short film entitled “Roses Out of Concrete,” which was shot in the Bronzeville community where she grew up.

After receiving her degree, Michelle made a career change and ventured into corporate America, working for one of the largest retailers in the world.

When she’s not working or writing, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She shares a Pomeranian named Bruno Mars with her husband.