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Sophfronia Scott grew up in Lorain, Ohio, a hometown she shares with author Toni Morrison. Her father was a Mississippi-born steelworker who never learned how to read and her mother was a stay-at-home mom who always made sure there were books in the house. As a result of her mother’s attentions, Sophfronia was able to read long before she started school . That early push set her on an academic path that led her straight to Harvard. Initially she dreamed of becoming a doctor until one of her writing teachers informed her, “You know, you’re good enough to get paid for this.” This revelation motivated her to change majors, from Biology to English, in her junior year.
Just one month after graduating in 1988 Sophfronia went to work for Time Magazine. She started off as a researcher but, in early 1990, she and colleague David Gross conceived a cover story that came to be known as “Twentysomething”. They became the magazine’s youngest cover story writers and in the process sparked a worldwide social examination of the phenomenon then known as Generation X.
Steady on her course, Sophfronia moved to People Magazine in 1995 where she immediately began organizing the constellation of celebrities. She wrote about the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, George Clooney and John F. Kennedy Jr. for the ever-popular special issues: The 50 Most Beautiful People, Sexiest Man Alive and The 25 Most Intriguing People. By 2000 she started separating the fashion icons from the fashion victims as People’s Style Watch editor. She also represented the magazine in numerous television appearances on CNN, “Entertainment Tonight” and E! The Entertainment Network.
Most recently Sophfronia served as senior entertainment editor for Teen People, but she left that post in January 2003 to focus on achieving “true success by her own standards.” She has started her own company, Creative Coaching Plans, and worked with scores of individuals using the same proven model that she has used to help them work towards achieving true success by their own standards. Sophfronia is also a well-received speaker, presenting speeches such as Using Your Natural Talents and Values to Achieve True Success to professional associations nationwide.
Sophfronia’s first novel,“All I Need to Get By,” was published by St. Martin’s Press in March 2004 and has been on bestseller lists and the topic of much discussion at book clubs across the country. The novel continues to receive accolades and Sophfronia herself was nominated for the African American Literary Awards as best new author.
Desiring to combine her coaching skills with her knowledge of the publishing industry, Sophfronia in 2005 launched The Book Sistah, a brand under which she creates programs and provides coaching for aspiring authors. Her e-newsletter, Ask The Book Sistah! reaches thousands of writers weekly via email.
Sophfronia resides in Newtown, Connecticut with her husband, Darryl, and their son Tain. She practices yoga and loves gardening. These days she’s happily at work on her next novel, tentatively titled “A Family of Widows”.
Awards
2004, African American Literary Awards Show (AALAS) Open Book Awards, Nomination for Best New Author, Female.
2002, Black Achievers in Industry Award given by the Harlem YMCA.
1993, National Association of Black Journalists Award for Excellence in Journalism for the Time Magazine article “The Hidden Hurdle”.
Professional Memberships
The Authors Guild
The Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Women’s National Book Association
New York Women in Communications
International Coach Federation
Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut
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“Sophfronia helped me overcome writer’s block by asking me great questions and helping me determine my goals and my audience for each piece I write. My first book on hand analysis will be self-published in the next three months. Sophfronia’s example has inspired me to move forward with enthusiasm.”
- Beth Davis
Tucson, Ariz.
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"The Book Sistah made me realize how important it is to allow my mind the freedom to be creative. The keys she provides to unlocking writer’s block are powerfull!"
- Linda J. Hutchinson
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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