Ling Publishing LLC was founded by Emanuel T. Shorten Sr. and Quentin Samuels to assist unknown authors, including incarcerated authors, in reaching the masses with a variety of literary works across all genres. These childhood friends, who grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, faced numerous challenges throughout their lives, particularly due to their dark hue descent. Both proud fathers, they recognize the significance of making reading fundamental for early learning.
Despite choosing different paths, the two were brought back together to create Ling Publishing LLC. The 'ing' suffix signifies a connection to a specific concept, while the 'L' stands for Literature, forming the name Ling.
Quentin is currently free, while Emanuel is serving an 18-year Federal prison sentence for a drug conspiracy involving ghost-dope crack cocaine. During his time in prison, Emanuel deeply missed his children and decided to find a way to make up for lost moments. He now focuses on being productive, staying out of trouble, and dedicating himself to reading, working in Unicor, and consistent programming.
Separated from his children, Emanuel began writing children's books that celebrate his love for them and all kids alike. He involved his youngest children directly by creating storylines featuring them as the main characters in two of his first three published children's books, which include 'Counting Candles' and 'My Dad Loves Me,' set to release in 2023.
Quentin's brother is currently serving a 30-year sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, giving Quentin access to numerous inspiring incarcerated authors. Through conversations with Emanuel, they developed the idea for Ling Publishing LLC, which aims to publish Emanuel's children's books and the literary visions of other incarcerated authors. The goal is to allow published authors to express their creativity under the Ling Publishing LLC umbrella. Future publications will encompass a diverse array of genres, including poetry, self-help, cookbooks, science fiction, picture books, and other literary works to be published globally.