Divine Purpose: How Dr. Lena Payton Webb Turned Publishing Into a Movement

Some stories don’t start with a pen — they begin in the silence of struggle. For Dr. Lena Payton Webb, founder of Blu Impressions Publishing, her journey into the world of books wasn’t born out of ambition, but divine instruction. After serving over 20 years in the U.S. Army and facing a life-altering leukemia diagnosis that left her legally blind, Lena discovered a deeper calling: to create the stories she longed to see. Blu Impressions isn’t just a publishing house — it’s a sacred space where creativity meets healing, and where purpose is printed page by page. Lena’s testimony is not only a reflection of resilience, but a revelation that our most powerful platforms are often birthed in our darkest moments.

You’ve dedicated your career to helping others amplify their creative voices — when was the first moment you realized the publishing world could be a powerful tool for personal and collective empowerment?

Lena: The first moment I realized that publishing could be a powerful tool for personal and collective empowerment wasn’t loud — it was still, sacred, and deeply personal.

It happened in the quiet space between what I could no longer see… and what I was finally starting to feel.

You see, I had spent over two decades serving in the U.S. Army. I had structure. I had honor. I had purpose. But life has a way of pulling you into new assignments, even when you’re not ready. I was diagnosed with AML leukemia. And during that fight for my life, the chemotherapy took something else — it took my vision. I was declared legally blind for four years.

Let me tell you, when you can’t see the outside world, you start taking a long, hard look at your inner one.

In that darkness, God reminded me of my light. He whispered to me: “You were born to create what doesn’t yet exist.” I realized that I’d been waiting to see something in the world — books that looked like me, that spoke my language, that carried my culture, my fire, my flavor. And I couldn’t find them. But then the revelation came — maybe I couldn’t find them because I was meant to create them.

It was humbling. Here I was, coloring Big Bird and Barney from children’s coloring books to retrain my vision. And at the same time, I was being given a new vision — a higher calling. One that said, “Lena, you’re not here to search for representation. You’re here to be the representation.”

And then I remembered something sacred… the first author I ever knew was my father. He carried his book into churches and workplaces, using his words to lift people higher, even when the world didn’t applaud. Even when no publisher was backing him. He didn’t need a platform — his book was the platform.

That memory changed everything.

I knew in that moment that publishing wasn’t just a tool — it was a vehicle for healing, transformation, and legacy. It was how we reclaim our power. How we shift the narrative. How we pass down truth, courage, and wisdom to the next generation.

So I made a vow: I would build a publishing house that wasn’t just about putting books on shelves. It would be about putting purpose on pages.

I would help people who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, and unheard to own their voice, share their story, and turn their experience into elevation — for themselves and for others.

That’s the moment I knew publishing was my divine assignment.

And now? I get to wake up every day and help authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs write books that don’t just inspire — they build income, impact, and influence. Books that make readers say, “I see myself in these pages.”

Because publishing is personal. It’s powerful. And when done with intention, it doesn’t just change one life — it changes communities, industries, and generations.

What inspired you to expand Blu Impressions Publishing beyond traditional books into custom coloring books, journals, and artistic works — and what unique stories have emerged from those projects?

Lena: What inspired me to expand Blu Impressions Publishing beyond traditional books into journals, coloring books, and custom artistic works was the moment I realized: not everyone heals, learns, or expresses in chapters and paragraphs. Some of us heal in color. Some of us need space to write in the margins of our lives. Some of us process our pain — and our brilliance — through guided prompts, reflection pages, and intentional creativity.

I began to see that books are powerful — but transformation doesn’t only come through a table of contents.

And let me be real — our community, our people, our stories? We’ve been boxed in for far too long. I didn’t want to just publish stories — I wanted to create experiences. I wanted to build tools that helped people do the inner work, spark creativity, and move from knowledge to action.

I’ve watched a financial coach use a workbook to help single moms rebuild their money mindset.

I’ve seen a grief counselor hand her clients journals that became lifelines after loss.

I’ve helped business owners develop workbooks that not only supported their programs but brought in five figures in new revenue.

This expansion didn’t come from wanting more — it came from wanting to serve deeper.

To meet people where they are. To offer publishing that’s not just about the finished product — but about the process that transforms lives.

Because when you give someone a space to color through their emotions, journal through their confusion, or write their own breakthrough — you’re not just delivering pages. You’re delivering possibility.

So I leaned in.

I decided Blu Impressions would stand for publishing with purpose. That we would help coaches, consultants, and creatives not only write their story — but build their brand, grow their business, and change the world.

Not every story needs a cover and spine.

Some stories need lines to write on.

Some need affirmations to speak aloud.

Some need a blank page and a box of crayons.

And we help bring them all to life.

Because when creativity meets strategy, and purpose meets publishing — that’s where legacy is born.

What else is vital for our readers to know about Blu Impressions Publishing?

Lena: Oh, family — everything. Because Blu Impressions is more than a publishing company — it’s a movement. A calling. A creative sanctuary where your voice becomes your vehicle.

Here’s what you need to know: we don’t just help people publish books — we help them unlock their next level.

We’re not here for surface-level storytelling. We’re here for purpose-driven publishing.

We believe that your expertise deserves to live outside of your head, off your hard drive, and into the hands of the people who need it most.

That’s why we created the Pages to Profits 3-Day Book Camp — a transformational, results-driven experience where you don’t just “talk” about writing a book… you do it.

In just 3 powerful days, we help coaches, speakers, and entrepreneurs go from concept to nearly-complete manuscript — with 80% of your book done by the time you leave the room. You bring the commitment, and we bring the blueprint.

After that, we handle the rest — editing, formatting, publishing, and positioning your book to create real results. Because we don’t believe in publishing for vanity — we publish for visibility, voice, and victory.

And why 3 days?

Because someone is already scrolling online looking for your message.

Someone is crying in their car, praying for the breakthrough that lives in your story.

Someone is waiting on your words — but they can’t read what’s still in your heart.

We don’t have time to wait for perfection. We move with purpose.

That’s why we created our exclusive IMPACT Framework, designed to help you craft a book that is:

• Intentional in purpose

• Mission-driven in message

• Positioned to lead

• Actionable for the reader

• Credible in content

• Transformational in its result

At Blu Impressions, we create books that deliver results. Books that position you as the expert you already are. Books that attract your ideal clients, open doors to stages, grow your brand, and leave a legacy your children’s children will talk about.

We specialize in custom self-help books, journals, workbooks, and coloring books — because we know that your message deserves to be shared in the format that best reflects your voice, your mission, and your market.

Whether you’re writing to heal, to teach, or to build a new stream of income — you’re not alone anymore. You’ve got a team behind you that believes your story is more than words — it’s a tool to transform lives.

Blu Impressions Publishing is where purpose meets profit. Where legacy meets leverage. Where experts become authors — and books become movements.

If you’re ready, we’re ready.

Let’s take your message from the page… to profits.

bookcamp.pagestoprofits.com

Your work bridges creativity and commerce — what have been some of the most surprising ways you’ve seen authors or entrepreneurs turn their books into unexpected streams of income?

Lena: One of the most surprising and beautiful things I’ve witnessed is how authors can take one idea — just one book — and turn it into an ecosystem of income. I’ve seen clients transform chapters into coaching programs, prompts into paid challenges, and even affirmations into merchandise lines.

One client created a workbook for her niche audience and ended up licensing it to school districts. Another turned her self-help journal into a subscription-based membership where her readers get exclusive content, monthly reflections, and access to live virtual sessions.

One of my favorites? An entrepreneur who took her book and built an entire retreat experience around it — using each chapter as a themed session.

It’s shown me that books are more than products. They’re portals. And when authors are willing to think beyond the page, that’s where the magic — and the money — starts flowing.

In your view, what makes a book, journal, or artistic work timeless — one that continues to resonate long after its release?

Lena: What makes a book, journal, or artistic work timeless isn’t how many pages it has, how pretty the cover is, or even how many copies it sells at launch. It’s about how deeply it resonates — how long it stays with you after you close the page.

A timeless work speaks to something eternal in the reader. It reaches into the heart and whispers, “You’re not alone. You’re not invisible. You’re not too late.” It holds space for truth, transformation, and connection in a way that transcends trends or marketing cycles.

I’ve found that the pieces that last — the ones people return to over and over again — are the ones that are rooted in authenticity and service. They don’t chase what’s popular. They chase what’s purposeful. They don’t just make people think — they make people feel, move, act, heal.

A timeless journal isn’t just a place to write — it becomes a mirror.

A timeless book doesn’t just inform — it awakens.

A timeless coloring book isn’t just cute — it’s cathartic — a safe space to be creative, reflective, and whole.

The works that live beyond their release date are the ones built on a foundation of real stories, lived experience, and intentional transformation. They are created with the reader in mind — but also with the legacy in heart. They offer something that still makes sense five years from now, still matters to someone new, still brings comfort, clarity, or courage long after the trend has passed.

That’s what we aim to create at Blu Impressions Publishing. We don’t just help you create a book. We help you create a movement in print. Something that can stand the test of time, because it’s built to serve, built to shift something in the reader, and built to echo even after the author has moved on to their next assignment.

Timeless work doesn’t expire — it evolves. It grows legs. It walks into rooms you haven’t even entered yet. And that’s the kind of work we believe in. That’s the kind of legacy we help you build.

What’s a behind-the-scenes aspect of running Blu Impressions that readers and aspiring authors might be surprised to learn about?

Lena: Oh, I love this question — because behind the polished books, the media features, and the powerful success stories at Blu Impressions Publishing, there’s a heartbeat that most people never see.

What might surprise readers and aspiring authors is that we don’t just publish books — we pastor them. Every manuscript, every journal, every coloring page is treated like a ministry. We don’t just ask, “What are you writing?” We ask, “Who is this for? What do they need? What breakthrough are you guiding them to?”

Behind the scenes, there’s intimacy. Strategy. Soul. Sweat. We’re having deep conversations with our clients about their fears, their message, and sometimes even their trauma — because what you write will confront you before it frees someone else.

Most people think publishing is just printing. But at Blu Impressions, it’s alignment. It’s creative coaching, mindset shifting, brand building, and legacy crafting. We’re checking on book structure, yes — but we’re also checking on the heart behind the words. Because when your energy is out of alignment, the reader can feel it. So we slow the process down just enough to make sure it’s not only right — but real.

We also guide our clients through something we call our “Impact Audit” — where we reverse engineer their book to match the transformation they want their reader to experience and the result they want to drive in their business. Every font, every section header, every prompt has purpose.

Another surprise? We don’t believe in rushing to publish just to say you did. We believe in publishing to position. So behind the scenes, we’re asking big questions like:

• Will this book open doors?

• Can it be turned into a program? A workshop? A licensing opportunity?

• Is this book structured to create multiple streams of income, or is it just a beautiful business card?

Because we’re not in the business of just helping people say “I wrote a book.” We’re in the business of helping them say, “I changed lives, built wealth, and left a legacy — because I dared to publish with purpose.”

So if you peek behind the curtain at Blu Impressions, what you’ll find is not just a publishing team. You’ll find a partner in your purpose. A crew of creatives, strategists, and vision-builders who believe that your book is not the end goal — it’s the beginning of your next level.

And we’re right there with you, holding space, guiding the vision, and turning your expertise into elevation. Page by powerful page.

Thank you for your service! As a retired Army veteran and creative entrepreneur, how has military discipline shaped your approach to artistry and publishing?

Lena: Thank you for seeing me — and honoring that part of my journey, because it shaped everything.

As a retired Army veteran, I spent over 21 years, 11 months, and 7 days in service. And while most people think military life is all structure and salutes, what it really taught me was how to move with precision, purpose, and perseverance — even when the mission gets tough, unclear, or uncomfortable.

Now, as a creative entrepreneur and CEO of Blu Impressions Publishing, that discipline? It’s not something I left in uniform. I bring it into every strategy call, every manuscript review, every launch plan. Because creativity without discipline? That’s just chaos with glitter. But when creativity is matched with structure — that’s when impact happens. That’s when legacies are built.

In the military, I learned that clarity saves lives. And in publishing, I’ve learned that clarity saves messages. It ensures your book speaks to the right person, at the right time, with the right result. I apply that same mindset with every author we support — Who is this for? What do they need to hear? What change should happen because they read this?

One of the most important lessons I took from my service is that you finish what you start. You don’t abandon the mission because it’s hard. You adjust. You reassess. You rally. And that’s how we treat the publishing process at Blu Impressions. If an author gets stuck, overwhelmed, or starts questioning their worthiness (and they will, because publishing is deeply personal), we don’t just say, “Push through.” We say, “Let’s re-center. Let’s remember why you started.”

The military also taught me the power of systems. Now, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all creativity, but I do believe in frameworks that free you. That’s why I built our Pages to Profits system — including our 3-Day Book Camp and IMPACT framework — so authors could move through a proven process that doesn’t just publish a book, but positions their brand and builds their business.

And lastly, the Army taught me that service is sacred. That leadership is about lifting others. And now, every time I help a client turn their pain into purpose, their expertise into elevation — I know I’m still serving. Still on mission. Still walking in purpose.

Military life gave me discipline.

Entrepreneurship gave me freedom.

Publishing? It gave me a platform to bring both together and help others rise.

That’s how I lead. That’s how I create. That’s how I serve.

LitCon™ has connected literary enthusiasts across cities — in what ways do you hope LitCon™ will evolve in the next decade, especially as conversations around literature, representation, and innovation continue to shift?

Lena: Ohhh, this one hits deep. Because LitCon™ isn’t just a conference — it’s a calling. It was born out of a desire to do more than gather authors in a room. I wanted to create a movement — a platform where Black and Brown voices weren’t just heard, but honored. Where literary brilliance wasn’t the exception, but the expectation.

Over the years, LitCon™ has grown from city to city, connecting authors, readers, publishers, speakers, and storytellers in ways that feel like family reunions with a purpose. We’ve created space for healing. For visibility. For next-level collaboration. We’ve made stages for voices that were too often silenced. And we’ve turned hallway conversations into book deals, into movements, into lifelong friendships.

But when I think about the next decade? Oh, I see expansion with intention.

I see LitCon™ becoming the literary Super Bowl for authors of color and culture-centered creators. A multi-city, multi-country movement that doesn’t just elevate books — but elevates voices, equity, and innovation. I see us building residency programs for emerging authors, global publishing intensives, creative grants, and legacy-building awards that recognize not just the book — but the bravery behind the pen.

As conversations around literature, representation, and innovation continue to evolve, I want LitCon™ to be at the forefront of that shift. I want us to lead the conversation on how literature can heal communities, disrupt broken systems, and give birth to new ways of thinking.

We’ll integrate more tech-forward experiences, from AI tools for writers to immersive storytelling exhibits that bring words to life in real time. We’ll partner with schools, prisons, libraries, and grassroots movements to bring the LitCon™ experience to those who need it most.

But most of all, I want LitCon™ to keep being what it’s always been at the core: a safe space for storytellers to rise. A launchpad for the next generation of Black and Brown literary legends. A reminder that our voices aren’t waiting to be validated — we are the validation. Our stories are not a trend — they’re the foundation of culture, creativity, and change.

So if you ask me how I see LitCon™ evolving?

I see it becoming the soul of the literary world.

Global. Groundbreaking. Unapologetically rooted in purpose.

Because when we gather, we do more than share stories — we shift the narrative.

And LitCon™ is just getting started.

What else would you like to share with our readers at this time?

Lena: What I want to share with your readers is this:

Your story matters. Your voice is necessary. And your legacy is not a someday thing — it’s a right now thing.

Whether you’re a coach, a speaker, an entrepreneur, or someone still finding your way, you carry wisdom that someone else is desperately waiting to receive. There’s a woman on the other side of your breakthrough. There’s a child who needs to see their reflection in your words. There’s a generation depending on you to be bold enough to put it on paper.

Don’t wait for perfect timing. It doesn’t exist. Start messy. Start afraid. Just start.

At Blu Impressions Publishing, we believe books aren’t just made to sit on shelves. They’re made to shift hearts, open doors, build brands, and leave legacies. We help you write with intention, publish with excellence, and build with impact.

So if you’ve been sitting on a story, a framework, or an experience, I need you to hear this loud and clear: It’s time.

The world doesn’t just need another book.

It needs your book.

How can we keep up to date on social media?

Lena: To stay connected and keep up with everything we’re doing at Blu Impressions Publishing, head over to www.bluimpressionspublishing.com

That’s your go-to hub where you’ll find all of our social media platforms, upcoming events, publishing programs, and free resources to help you move from idea to income, concept to creation, and expert to author.

Follow us, connect with us, and join the movement — because your next chapter starts with one bold step. We can’t wait to celebrate your journey with you!