About Korika

I am a native Washingtonian, and the youngest of five children. My love of reading and writing began at a very early age, and I have bugs to thank. Yes, bugs! As a young child, I traveled each summer to visit my grandparents in Virginia. I discovered one summer that my grandmother wouldn’t force me outside as long as I was busy reading. To avoid the creepy crawlies and feisty flies, I brought along an entire suitcase full of paperbacks from that summer on. While my siblings and cousins spent endless hours outdoors hiding and seeking, I remained indoors and read book after book after book.

My early literary influences included reading everything Judy Blume ever wrote. I developed a passion for writing and began creating compelling stories of my very own. I even made homemade birthday cards for my friends and family members that contained my original poetry.

While being educated in the District of Columbia Public School System, I pursued creative writing and journalism. My first published article appeared in The Washington Post District Weekly when I was a student at H.D. Woodson High School, where I was editor of the school newspaper and Power Forward of Woodson’s Lady Warriors basketball team. On an athletic scholarship, I majored in Journalism at Allen County College in Iola, Kansas. 

I have more than twelve years of professional experience in administration, and serve as President of Toward the Mark Press, LLC, and advertising design firm I founded in 2003, which has since evolved into a publishing house that distributes and produces wholesome, quality fiction and inspirational works - books and plays - that promote the Word of God.  

I am currently a member of the Lupus in Color Network, SISTERGIRLS, Inc., and the American Christian Fiction Writers organization (ACFW).  

It is my desire, through my writing, to encourage readers that God has purpose behind, presence during, and preservation after every storm that comes their way. It is my belief that the true test of faith is not just that you believe, but that you have the willingness and ability to trust God EVEN WHEN darkness threatens to overtake you. EVEN WHEN the winds are blowing so hard that you can't catch your breath! EVEN WHEN it gets so dark that you can't see your way. EVEN WHEN the downpur comes and there seems to be no shelter from the rain. EVEN THEN...TRUST and BELIEVE because God, who promises never to leave you nor forsake you, is right there in the midst of your storm. Right there!

I reside in Maryland with my husband and two daughters. Joy Comes in the Mourning is my debut novel. I am currently working on my second novel.