Dominique J. Smiley is an American author and entrepreneur. The Maryland native received her bachelor of arts in journalism and public relations from Howard University and her master of arts in English and professional writing from University of New Orleans, where she served as a co-editor of the second edition of the university’s peer-reviewed journal, Beyond the Margins: A Journal of Graduate Literary Scholarship. Now with over seven years of experience in the indie publishing industry and two self-published books, When It Rains (2017) and We Are the Gems (2020), Dominique has emerged as a passionate advocate for education and diversity in literature. As the founder of Happie Literacy Works, where the mission is “to close the barrier of entry for aspiring writers through an optimized pipeline that promotes education, application, and philanthropy,” she is dedicated to elevating underrepresented voices, while advancing literacy programming that inspires a lifelong love of reading and writing. Dominique currently resides in Philadelphia, PA, where her love for travel, art, and environmental sustainability continues to shape her worldview and creative pursuits.