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About
Dr. Winmilawe is a bestselling author and advisor. For over 25 years she has specialized in: Africa, Yoruba-Orisa, and natural healing. This African History PhD scholar, is also a Yoruba-Orisa Priestess (of Oshun/Ọ̀ṣun), and a trained teacher of multiple healing traditions. Broad support for her first book, Shango's Son blazed the trail for her second and third books: Obatala's Daughter and Oshun's Flow, to be '#1 New Releases' on Amazon.com ('Children's African History Fiction' category). Dr. Winmilawe (pronounced: "We-n-me-la-way") spends her days as mom, writing, and providing personal, in-depth guidance to her clients. For more about Dr. Winmilawe see the FAQ below, and News! |
About Winmilawe FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions...Click for answers.)
(Frequently Asked Questions...Click for answers.)
1. Will you do more children’s books? (Or what’s next?)
Yes! I'm excited to tell you that I am working on new books. Topics and tentative titles are TBA. Please see News for announcements.
2. What are your event and media requirements?
For events (individual or group) I require: clarity, information, and compensation. Let me know your interests, intended plans and honorarium (including travel costs), up front. I no longer do “book sales” as compensation. However, we’d love for you to sell our books for any occasion!
I’m excited to be an advisor/consultant, teacher/lecturer, coach or commentator for secular topics on Africa, Yoruba-Orisa, or natural health. For spiritual inquiries see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
For media interviews, my team will consider requests in which the audience is over 10K people.
For upcoming and past events I’ve done see: News.
*SCHOOL AUTHOR VISITS—slots are full for this year. That is live and virtual. I DO encourage anyone—including parents, teachers, and librarians to do live (non-recorded) readings of our books:) Anyone can sell our books anywhere too. Also—see the teachers page for exciting book activities and our video trailers via the book pages. We intend to have audio books in the future.
I’m excited to be an advisor/consultant, teacher/lecturer, coach or commentator for secular topics on Africa, Yoruba-Orisa, or natural health. For spiritual inquiries see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
For media interviews, my team will consider requests in which the audience is over 10K people.
For upcoming and past events I’ve done see: News.
*SCHOOL AUTHOR VISITS—slots are full for this year. That is live and virtual. I DO encourage anyone—including parents, teachers, and librarians to do live (non-recorded) readings of our books:) Anyone can sell our books anywhere too. Also—see the teachers page for exciting book activities and our video trailers via the book pages. We intend to have audio books in the future.
3. Can you tell me about your services?
For secular topics on Africa, Yoruba-Orisa, or natural health I can advise/consult/teach/lecture/coach or comment. See Q2 above (event requirements).
For information about my spiritual services see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
For information about my spiritual services see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
4. How did YOU become a Yoruba-Orisa expert?
Over 25 years of full-time study, practice, dedication, and teaching have allowed me to be considered a Yoruba-Orisa expert. I became an aborisa (Yoruba-Orisa devotee) in 1998. I began my profession as a Yoruba academic scholar in 1999. I was installed as a chief (Oloye) in Obatala’s kingdom of Ifon-Orolu in 2001. I was initiated to Oshun/Ọ̀ṣun (Iyalorisa) in 2005.
My Orisa godparents include: Dr. Baba Ade Ofunniyin (Iba se), Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Chief Aje, Iya Aina Olomo (Iba se), and Araba Awodiran Agboola. I’ve had numerous academic Yoruba professors. My husband is an Ifa priest (Babalawo) and my collaborator, our ile/home temple is active. I have invaluable experiences with VERY good friends who are also priests.
I lived in Ile-Ife Nigeria, and studied the Yoruba language. I have read hundreds of Yoruba books. Above all, the actual Orisa are my best teachers! For more on me and Orisa see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
My Orisa godparents include: Dr. Baba Ade Ofunniyin (Iba se), Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Chief Aje, Iya Aina Olomo (Iba se), and Araba Awodiran Agboola. I’ve had numerous academic Yoruba professors. My husband is an Ifa priest (Babalawo) and my collaborator, our ile/home temple is active. I have invaluable experiences with VERY good friends who are also priests.
I lived in Ile-Ife Nigeria, and studied the Yoruba language. I have read hundreds of Yoruba books. Above all, the actual Orisa are my best teachers! For more on me and Orisa see Yoruba Orisa Practice.
5. WHAT IS YOUR NATURAL HEALTH AND HEALING BACKGROUND?
I have lived, studied, and taught healing ways for almost 30 years. I’m a trained herb and vitamin consultant; a Reiki Master; an academic scholar of natural health (expertise Yoruba Traditional Medicine), and a mostly vegan food consumer.
My natural health teachers include: my parents, Bill Smith, Queen Afua, Dr. Afrika, Cheryl Lowry, various Yoruba healers, among others. Studying hundreds of natural health books (i.e. Pitchford and Balch) has also provided longterm wisdom. I’ve taught classes about health and healing in various professional settings since 2005.
My natural health teachers include: my parents, Bill Smith, Queen Afua, Dr. Afrika, Cheryl Lowry, various Yoruba healers, among others. Studying hundreds of natural health books (i.e. Pitchford and Balch) has also provided longterm wisdom. I’ve taught classes about health and healing in various professional settings since 2005.
6. Can you tell me more about your personal life?
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. I’ve lived in Columbia, SC since 2002. I’ve lived in six or so cities in between. I’ve travelled to ten (10) different countries (so far), and a few of those countries I’ve been to 2-3 times.
My husband and I have two radiant children. They are in grade school. I like to: hang with my family, friends, and with spirit; spend time in nature; exercise; research, journal, read, garden, and even watch TV (i.e. comedy)! I am an activist and donor for many causes.
My husband and I have two radiant children. They are in grade school. I like to: hang with my family, friends, and with spirit; spend time in nature; exercise; research, journal, read, garden, and even watch TV (i.e. comedy)! I am an activist and donor for many causes.
7. What inspired you to write the children’s series?
In studying Yoruba history, the Orisa folktales have captivated me since the late 1990s. I always thought: ‘somebody needs to write AND illustrate these fabulous stories.’ A decade+ later the Orisa surprisingly said: ‘that “somebody” includes YOU!’
I began writing the Yoruba Orisa Children’s Series books in 2010 when, as a mom, I discovered that there were too few books about African people for young children.
I began writing the Yoruba Orisa Children’s Series books in 2010 when, as a mom, I discovered that there were too few books about African people for young children.
8. Who helped with your books?
I’m so grateful for the teams of people who’ve helped me. Our children were my original: inspirations, listeners, responders, and editorial commentators. The publisher, editors, artists, and designers, helped create the actual books. Other people whose feedback helped the stories be fantastic included: Orisa expert/initiates, professors, teachers, students, family, friends, librarians, et al.
9. How can I get my children’s book published?
Read this SCBWI article for guidance.