Black & Published
Black & Published brings you the journeys of writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds to discuss what it means to be a writer, dissect the writing process, and demystify the steps between concept and publication.
S5 E16 · Tue, April 29, 2025
The Conspiracy is Not Always Theory with Esme Addison
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Esme Addison , author of the novel An Intrigue of Witches . The historical mystery novel takes the reader on a treasure hunt with the main character to discover the hidden history of unruly women. In our conversation, Esme discusses who prophesied her writing and publishing career over her life. Plus, the difficulty she faced in securing an agent and publisher willing to take a chance on her books that don’t fit snugly into one genre. And as a self-proclaimed conspiracy theorist, why she says everybody, but especially Black people should be a little more skeptical when it comes to technology and our favorite apps. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E15 · Tue, April 22, 2025
Into the Underground with Jacqueline Crooks
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Jacqueline Crooks, author of the novel, Fire Rush . It's a book that took her 16 years to bring into the world after getting a late start in writing even though it was something she knew she always wanted to do. In our conversation, Jacqueline explains why she considers her upbringing as an outsider because of her identity as a Caribbean immigrant in the UK a privilege on the page. Plus, how she brought to life the two battles women are always fighting against-- racial oppression and for gender equality--in her story about an underground subculture. And in taking control of a male dominated world, why Jacqueline says women, just like her character, need to beware of the charismatic man. Jacqueline's Dub Reggae Spotify playlist Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E14 · Tue, April 15, 2025
There's More to the Truth with Jill Tew
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Jill Tew , author of the YA dystopian romance novel, The Dividing Sky . It's a book Jill says she hopes disrupts old norms for her young audience In our conversation, Jill explains how she fell into the productivity trap in corporate America and the two major life changes that brought her back to the page. Plus, how rejection of her first novel prepared her to write her second and how the YA sci-fi space helped her redefine what’s most valuable in life. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E13 · Tue, April 08, 2025
Knowing When You're Ready with Olufunke Grace Bankole
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Olufunke Grace Bankole , author of The Edge of Water. The book began as a short story and Olufunke has been working to bring it to fruition as a novel for the last twenty years. In our conversation she discusses, how she received the gift of patience from an industry insider that relieved the pressure of publishing. Plus, how her love of social justice and her career as a lawyer put her on the path to becoming a writer. And, how her story of a first generation, African woman, with dreams bigger than herself is really a manifestation of her own name and path through life as a writer. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E12 · Tue, April 01, 2025
What the Daughter Knows with Jodi M. Savage
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Jodi M. Savage , author of the essay collection, Death of a Jaybird: Essays on Mothers and Daughters and the Things They Leave Behind . It’s a collection that reckons with Jodi’s grief before and after the deaths of her mother and grandmother and how she found comfort in the space a blank page provided. In our conversation, she discusses how she processed her life in real time and turned it into a book. Why she believes forgiveness and grief go hand in hand and how she let go of the concern about not having enough social media followers… and why those numbers really don’t matter. Mahogany Books
Bonus · Thu, March 27, 2025
The National Black Writers Conference with Donna Hill
This week, Nikesha speaks with Donna Hill, the newly named executive director of The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, right in the heart of Brooklyn. Today, as in Thursday March 27, 2025, kicks off the center’s signature event, the National Black Writer’s Conference. This year is their two-day biennial symposium highlighting middle grade and young adult fiction. Tickets are free for seniors and for anyone else the cost is $30 or less. Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E11 · Tue, March 25, 2025
The Sanctity of Solitude with Aaliyah Bilal
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Aaliyah Bilal, author of the short-story collection Temple Folk . The collection is made up of ten short stories about Black Americans who identify as Muslim and who were at one time members of the Nation of Islam. In our conversation, Aaliyah explains why "normalcy" is the main message she wants readers to take away from her collection. Plus, the reason she believes borrowing details from her personal life is beneath the craft of fiction. And how she taught herself to write in an ultimate period of autodidactic self-study that lasted 15 years. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E10 · Tue, March 18, 2025
The Thread of Connection with Jamila Minnicks
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Jamila Minnicks, author of the novel, Moonrise Over New Jessup . It's a book written about a small, Black, Alabama enclave in the 1950s facing pressure to integrate despite resistance from the town’s male leaders and the women who make their work possible. A native of Alabama, Jamila says she sees her writing as an extension of her work as an advocate. The reason she believes her novel is a way to jumpstart the conversation on what community and fellowship really mean. Plus, the pushback she gets from some readers who bought into the belief of white supremacy or the failed sales pitch of integration. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E9 · Tue, March 11, 2025
Leading with Meaning with Laysha Ward
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Laysha Ward author of the leadership book, Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite. Laysha spent more than 30 years in corporate America, most of that time at Target. Our conversation took place before Target announced their roll back of DEI initiatives but we still discuss how her background as a Black girl from rural Indiana helped her find gold in her roots to unlock her superpowers. Why she believes it’s important to have a holistic approach to leadership and well-being. And the lessons she learned from Mrs. Coretta Scott King that helped her successfully navigate her professional and personal life. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E8 · Tue, March 04, 2025
Family Business with Bernice L. McFadden
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Bernice L. McFadden, the author of several award winning historical fiction novels. She’s out today with her memoir, First Born Girls, a book that weaves the story of her road to publication with her debut novel Sugar, with the story of the women in her family and what they endured. In honoring her family through the pages of First Born Girls, Bernice coined a new word. In our conversation, she explains how she came to call her departed loved ones “angelcestors” and what it means to be loved, guided, and protected by them. Plus, the reason she says she learned the most about the publishing industry in the time she was dropped from a major publisher and went indie. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E7 · Tue, February 25, 2025
Love Notes to Children with Amber McBride
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with National Book Award Finalist and Corretta Scott King Award Winner, Amber McBride , about her latest novel, Onyx and Beyond . The novel tells the story of 12-year-old Onyx who’s growing up in the DMV area in the tulmutuous times of the late 60s and early 70s. There’s assassinations and moon landings happening in the world, while at home Onyx’s mother is slowly succumbing to early onset dementia. And Onyx, a dreamer and lover of magic believes he must be the one to save her. In our conversation, Amber explains how this novel has finally given her both personal and professional freedom after overcoming significant challenges in the early days of her writing and publishing career. She explains, how she keeps stretching herself as a writer to level up and never fit in a box. And, the spiritual practices she believes helps her characters arrive fully formed in her mind. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E6 · Tue, February 18, 2025
The Little Spoon with Jason Reynolds
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with author and MacArthur genius Jason Reynolds about his YA romance novel, Twenty-four Seconds from Now: A Love Story . The novel explores the budding relationship between Neon and Aria. High school seniors who’ve been together for two years and are both ready to take their relationship to the next level of love and intimacy. In our conversation, Jason explains how writing this novel is part of his constant quest to challenge his craft and dedicate his life to art. Plus, why he pays so much attention to life’s small moments, and what he finds worthy in 18 month increments. And, why he believes the love of a friend is the closest we can get to the love of God. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E5 · Tue, February 11, 2025
The Proof is in the Writing with Victoria Christopher Murray
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with return guest, Victoria Christopher Murray about her latest novel, Harlem Rhapsody . The novel tells the story of Jesse Redmon Faucet. A complex and ambitious woman who moved to New York to be nearer to her lover W.E.B. DuBois, and also to run his magazine, The Crisis . Between the scandal she had to keep quiet and an opportunity she didn’t want to squander, Victoria details how Jesse Redmon Faucet birthed what we now know as the Harlem Renaissance. In our conversation, Victoria explains why there would have been no boon in Black literature—then or now—without the visionary work of Ms. Faucet. Plus, the countless writers Faucet discovered and mentored whose works we still return to today. And the echoes of the past in the present Victoria is seeing in her own career where she’s been mandated to prove herself and to readers that Black stories sell. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E4 · Tue, February 04, 2025
Pursuing Passion with Shanora Williams
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Shanora Williams , about her new romance novel, Beautiful Broken Love. The novel is the second chance love story of Davina Klein-Roberts and Deke Bishop. Reeling from tragedy and trying to rebuild her life, Davina is not prepared for Deke, the NBA star, with his own dark secrets, who takes a sudden interest in her, and won’t take “no” for an answer. Shanora is an author who cut her career in self-publishing in 2013 but didn’t get her big break from a traditional publisher until 2020. In our conversation she discusses how her “big break” actually put her in debt. Plus, how she bends the rules of genre fiction to keep her work honest instead of on trend, and how she made room on the page for grief to breathe in all its different forms. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E3 · Tue, January 28, 2025
Anchored in History with Tara Roberts
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Tara Roberts , author of the memoir, Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging . It’s an epic story of Tara fulfilling her childhood desire of becoming a writer commingled with her active decision to embrace a past she’d always run from. A storyteller, adventurer, and traveler, Tara is now an explorer in residence at National Geographic where she continues the work she’s done since 2016 as a scuba diver working with groups like Diving With a Purpose to map and document slave shipwrecks. I first was introduced to Tara’s work through her award winning podcast with Nat Geo Into the Depths and then had the pleasure of coaching Tara for her TEDTalk . In this conversation, Tara goes deep about the trauma she experienced that made her fear becoming a writer. Plus, how she confronted and healed her own feelings of shame around Blackness and identity. And, the grace she had to find for herself and others when she was not embraced on the continent of Africa. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E2 · Mon, January 20, 2025
The Power of Belief with Iris Mwanza
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Iris Mwanza , author of the novel The Lion’s Den . It’s a thriller featuring a young lawyer fighting for justice in the case of a queer teen, that has her going up against every oppressive system in Zambia from the President and police to her priest and the doctrine of the Catholic Church. Iris is Zambian-American. She started her career as an attorney, but currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Women in Leadership team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In our conversation, she explains why she’s more intrigued about exploring what the law could and should be, versus what it actually is. Plus, the newspaper story that’s stayed with her for 30 years that inspired her novel. And why she believes authors must write something that matters. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
S5 E1 · Mon, January 20, 2025
Witnessing From the Empire with Fady Joudah & Lena Khalaf Tuffaha
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Palestinian-American poets, Fady Joudah and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha. Fady is a physician, in addition to being a poet. His latest collection [ . . . ] chronicles the beginning of the genocide in Palestine in late 2023 and was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award in poetry. Lena is a poet, essayist and translator. She's also the co-founder of the Institute for Middle East understanding. Her latest poetry collection, Something About Living won the 2024 National Book Award for poetry. In our conversation, we discuss what the protest slogan "From the river, to the sea," truly means. What they would write if they weren't living through and didn't feel compelled to be a witness to constant war and genocide. And how they're helping their children survive and thrive as full Palestinian people who happen to be living in the empire. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
Trailer · Tue, January 14, 2025
What Writing Can Do - Season 5 Trailer
This season on Black & Published . . . It’s time to get real about what writing can do. Whether we write about love or compassion, broken systems or the parallels between the past and the present; writing is active! It is both a portal and an archive. And while publishing is a business, the work on the page is still pure. This season the journeys continue with: Jodi M. Savage, Amber McBride, Jason Reynolds, Iris Mwanza, Tara Roberts, Aaliyah Bilal, Jamila Minnicks, Shanora Williams and many, many more. Mahogany Books Mentioned in this episode: Rate & Review Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
Bonus · Wed, October 23, 2024
Bonus: Writing Past Rejection with Nikesha Elise Williams
In this bonus episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is sharing her story about becoming a writer and finding her way in the publishing industry. From exploring and utilizing both traditional and independent avenues, Nikesha discusses when she knew she was a writer, the 7-year-long journey of publishing her debut novel, Four Women, founding her company, NEW Reads Publications, and how she has kept going despite lots of rejection to publish four more novels, a poetry collection, and four other authors in addition to doing all the things in life, love, career, and the pursuit of dreams.
Bonus · Wed, October 16, 2024
Bonus: Enjoying the Life You've Built with Minda Honey
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Minda Honey , author of the memoir, The Heartbreak Years . A retrospective for the twenty-somethings who are ready to stop leaping into the lives of the men they like and instead choose themselves and a life they love. The book is born out of Minda's series of essays for Longreads on dating politics. Her writing has also been featured in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Oxford American and Teen Vogue. In our conversation, Minda discusses, her life and loves including her high school sweetheart to maintaining a platonic relationship with a magnetic man. How she gained the confidence and arrogance to bet on herself and what some called her “raunchy” work. And the reason she says she hasn’t given up on love despite the inherent risk and sometimes violence against women.
Bonus · Wed, October 09, 2024
BONUS: A Living Language with jarrett hill & Tre'vell Anderson
This week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with jarrett hill and Tre'vell Anderson , the authors of, Historically Black Phrases: From "I Ain't One of Your Little Friends" to "Who All Gon Be There? " Tre'vell and jarrett both have backgrounds in journalism and they are the hosts of the award-winning podcast FANTI . Their book chronicles the living language of Black people and how we bend a phrase to entertain, uplift, or sometimes to hurt and harm. In our conversation, they discuss how they've found validation in their careers even when being written off as diversity hires. Plus, what they say job security looks like as a Black creative. And giving credit where credit is due to the marginalized community they say is often exploited and stolen from that they worked to honor through the pages of their book.
Bonus · Wed, October 02, 2024
BONUS: Deeply Profound with Honorée Fanning Jeffers
On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Honorée Fannone Jeffers , author of the epic novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois . Honorée is also the author of five critically acclaimed books of poetry, including the award-winning collection, The Age of Phillis , based on the life and times of Phillis Wheatley Peters.
Bonus · Wed, September 25, 2024
BONUS: The Doors of the Church are Open with Deesha Philyaw
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with author, Deesha Philyaw , her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies , which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award.
Bonus · Tue, September 10, 2024
BONUS: Reed, Write, and Create Podcast with Lori L. Tharps
This bonus episode of Black & Published features an episode of the Reed, Write and Create podcast hosted by award-winning author and creative writing coach, Lori L. Tharps. On the podcast, Lori offers bite-sized sessions of creative writing coaching based on the lives and times of our BIPOC literary ancestors, and she interviews successful BIPOC authors who share their stories and strategies for a productive and prolific literary life. This episode features her conversation with author Ibi Zoboi about what it takes to make it in the YA world . Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E34 · Tue, September 03, 2024
Chicago vs. Everybody with Arionne Nettles
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Arionne Nettles , author of the book, We Are The Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything . A university lecturer at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism as well as a culture reporter, Arionne's book is as much a love letter to her city as it is putting the world on notice… that Chicago is the epicenter for all things culture and cool… with receipts. In our conversation, Arionne explains why writing this book was really about asking questions people had been waiting all their lives to answer. Plus… how she balanced Chicago’s media reputation with the reality of the home she knows and loves. And… the stories she had to leave on the cutting room floor. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E33 · Tue, August 27, 2024
Training Up Champions with Julian Randall
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Julian Randall author of the essay collection The Dead Don't Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi and Black TV Nerd Shit . Julian, who is also the author of the Cave Canem poetry prize winning collection, Refuse , got their start as a slam poet. In making the transition from the stage to the page they say talking to themselves instead of an audience was difficult. In our conversation, Julian discusses how they use pop culture as a tool to evoke collective memory while also mining their own remembrances and ancestry that led them to actively chose to live.. when at times… all they wanted to do was die. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E32 · Tue, August 20, 2024
The Future is Now with Maura Cheeks
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Maura Cheecks , author of Acts of Forgiveness . The book is an outgrowth of her 2019 article, for the Atlantic, “American Wealth is Broken” which explores the necessity of reparations for Black families. Maura was awarded the 2019 Masthead Reporting Residency for The Atlantic ’s first residency program where she worked on that article. In our conversation Maura explains why she turned to fiction to address the very real critics of the long-stalled federal reparations program. Plus, why she’s not ready to take the journey of her character and dig into her own family history. And, why she believes when it comes to writing and publishing a book… authors are both the client and the customer. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E31 · Tue, August 13, 2024
For the Love of Grandmothers with Melissa Mogollon
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Melissa Mogollon, author of the novel, OYE . A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Melissa is originally from Colombia and was raised in Florida. She now teaches at a boarding school in Rhode Island, where she lives with her partner and dog. In our conversation, Melissa explains the feedback she received for her experimental form and why she refused to change it. Plus, how an obsession with beauty is really a fight for autonomy and power. And, how writing the novel gave Melissa a way to hang out with her grandmother for years after she passed. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E30 · Tue, August 06, 2024
It's All Connected with Tomi Adeyemi
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with New York Times Bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi , author of The Children of Anguish and Anarchy , the final installment in the Legacy of Orisha series. As a Nigerian American who came of age in a mostly white community, Tomi says her writing grew out of reckoning with her own internalized self-hatred. In our conversation, she explains how writing herself seen is an act of rebellion and revenge to Hunger Games haters. Plus, how she’s helped shift the publishing landscape around Science Fiction and Fantasy in the six years since her debut. And, how the overwhelming sense of her own mortality has fueled her creativity. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E29 · Tue, July 30, 2024
Note to Self with Riss M. Neilson
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Riss M. Neilson , author of the romance novel, A Love Like The Sun . A graduate of the Rhode Island College, Riss won the English department’s Jean Garrigue Award, which was judged by novelist, Nick White. Her debut young adult novel, Deep in Providence , was a 2022 finalist for the New England Book Awards. In our conversation, Riss explains how she healed herself by writing her own characters. The reason she refuses to stick to one genre in her novels. And, how she persevered in her writing career despite divorce, being a single mom, and being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E28 · Tue, July 23, 2024
Rising to the Occasion with Shenequa Golding
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Shenequa Golding , author of the essay collection A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring it All Out . Shenequa’s collection is the culmination of what happened after her essay about being Black in the workplace after George Floyd’s murder went viral. So viral, Amazon founder and billionaire, Jeff Bezos, reposted it. In our conversation, Shenequa explains why she never thought a book deal was within her reach even though she'd been writing for years. Plus, how she’s overcoming her own insecurities. And, why she wants the twenty-somethings coming behind her to remember that grace and anger are not mutually exclusive. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Bonus · Thu, July 18, 2024
Introducing Reckon True Stories with Deesha Philyaw & Kiese Laymon
This week on Black & Published we're introducing you to a new show that we love, Reckon True Stories hosted by acclaimed authors Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon. Guests for Season One include writers Roxane Gay , Imani Perry , Alexander Chee , Minda Honey , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Samantha Irby . Reckon True Stories is a celebration of new and classic nonfiction – the essays, journalism, and memoirs that inspire us, that change the world, and help us connect with each other. Show credits: Hosted by Deesha Philyaw & Kiese Laymon Show producers: Dawnie Walton & Mark Armstrong Associate producer: Marina Leigh Episode editor: Kelly Araja Produced by Ursa Story Company in partnership with Reckon News . Reckon Editor In Chief: R.L. Nave Ursa Executive Producers: Dawnie Walton, Deesha Philyaw, and Mark Armstrong Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E27 · Tue, July 16, 2024
Giving Too Much with Walela Nehanda
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Walela Nehanda , author of, Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir . As a Black, non-binary, disability justice advocate and stem-cell transplant survivor, Walela's book is an outgrowth of their time and work as a slam poet. In our conversation, Walela, explains why even though their publishing journey may seem like a Cinderella story, they definitely put in their 10,000 hours. The moment they fell in love with poetry. And why their therapist said their life was a documentary on “physical torture.” Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E26 · Tue, July 09, 2024
Joy Before the Message with Antwan Eady & Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with the authors and illustrators of the children's picture book, The Last Stand . Written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by the brothers Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey , The Last Stand is a book that honors the legacy and sacrifices of Black farmers by focusing on the joy found in community. In our conversation, Antwan, Jarrett, and Jerome discuss how they got out of their own way and made sure to write books they enjoy. Plus, why there was a 20 year gap between the Pumphrey brothers’ first and second picture book and how the publishing industry has changed in those two decades. And, the three layers Antwan, Jarrett, and Jerome make sure are present in their stories so that everyone can get something out of them no matter where or what age they are in life. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E25 · Tue, July 02, 2024
Don't Doubt Yourself with Avery Cunningham
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Avery Cunningham , author of the novel, The Mayor of Maxwell Street . Avery is a resident of Memphis, TN, and a 2016 graduate of DePaul University’s Master of Arts Writing & Publishing program. She has over a decade of editorial experience with various literary magazines, small presses, and best-selling authors. In our conversation, Avery discusses how writing about Chicago at the turn of the 20th century was really an opportunity to write about America. Why she says both the Windy City and the U.S.A, are more bento box than melting pot. And, the ultimatum Avery gave herself about writing that was steeped in her own fears and doubts. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E24 · Tue, June 25, 2024
What is Home with Donna Hemans
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Donna Hemans , author of the novel, The House of Plain Truth . Born in Jamaica and currently residing in the DMV area, Donna is the author of the novels River Woman and Tea by the Sea . Works that all center the Caribbean experience. In our conversation, Donna discusses the book that made her want to be a writer. Plus, the lesson she learned about writing the story you want to tell no matter the pressures of the publishing industry. And why she’s still wrestling with how to define and hold on to home. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E23 · Tue, June 18, 2024
The Artist's Impulse with Crystal Wilkinson
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Crystal Wilkinson , author of the cookbook memoir, Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts . A poet, a novelist, and an essayist, Wilkinson is a recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Poetry and was recently named a 2024 Writing Freedom Fellow. In our conversation, we discuss why she says she’s never writing solely for publication. How she’s haunted by her own artistic impulses and how she squares being a radical feminist with her deep knowledge of the kitchen, foodways and the power that comes from feeding her family. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E22 · Tue, June 11, 2024
Transformation Isn't Easy with Maya Golden
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Maya Golden , author of the memoir, The Return Trip . Maya is the founder of the 1 in 3 foundation which provides recovery tools and support for survivors of sexual abuse. An organization she started after she went on her own road to healing through body based therapy that helped her overcome her trauma and sex addiction. In our conversation, we discuss how Maya initially planned to pen her memoir as a fictional story. How she’s learning to belong to herself. And, how she hid behind perfectionism as a wife, mother, and in her work and what she’s doing now to give her self grace and live free of shame. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E21 · Tue, June 04, 2024
Black Women Teach Us with Dr. Jenn M. Jackson
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Dr. Jenn M. Jackson , author of the book, Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism . Dr. Jackson (they/them) is a genderflux androgynous Black woman, a lesbian, an abolitionist, and a lover of all Black people, They are an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University in the Department of Political Science where their primary research is in Black Politics with a focus on racial threat and trauma, gender and sexuality, political behavior, and social movements. In our conversation, Dr. Jackson explains why she wove her own personal story with critical analysis to examine the lives of Black feminists through the ages from Harriet Jacobs and Ida B. Wells to Angela Davis and bell hooks . Jenn says this book allowed them to pay homage and give tribute to foremothers and ancestors who often go unacknowledged and unseen. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E20 · Tue, May 28, 2024
The Spine of America with Ashton Lattimore
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speak with Ashton Lattimore , author of the historical novel, All We Were Promised . The novel that follows three young Black women in 19th century Philadelphia. One is born free. One is enslaved. And the third is free-ish: she self-emancipated with her father who’s maintaining their liberation by passing for white. Ashton is the Editor-in-Chief of the non-profit news outlet, Prism . A position she came to after realizing she did not enjoy her career in law. In our conversation, Ashton discusses why she never doubted her ambitions to become a published author. Plus, how Les Miserable inspired the plot of the novel. And, the hidden pieces of history she hopes to uncover to help America rediscover its true self. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E19 · Tue, May 21, 2024
Engineering the Story with Vanessa Riley
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Vanessa Riley , author of the historical fiction romance novel, Queen of Exiles . An engineer and self-proclaimed math nerd, Vanessa applies her inventive and analytical mindset to her creative writing. Her historical novels showcase the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and dazzling multicultural communities. In our conversation, Vanessa outlines the two engineering questions she always asks herself to guide her storytelling. Plus, why she believes money trumps race. And, why she refuses to run from or be ashamed of history in telling a story about the good, bad, and ugly of Haiti and how the first Black nation was robbed, pillaged, and plundered. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E18 · Tue, May 14, 2024
The Misunderstanding of Haitians with Juliana Lamy
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Juliana Lamy , author of the short story collection, You Were Watching From the Sand . A Haitian writer, Juliana says her collection is preoccupied with what it means to be Haitian and the honesty of that lived experience. In our conversation, Juliana, who is a graduate of Harvard and the Iowa Writers Workshop, explains how she creates rhythm and lyricism that translates into English as well as Haitian Kreyol. Plus, the reason she says she isn't ready to commit to a literary agent despite having published a book. And, how she's correcting the record about the cultural and spiritual importance of Vodun. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E17 · Tue, May 07, 2024
Free Rein to Write with Shannon Sanders
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Shannon Sanders , author of the short story collection, Company . A lawyer by trade, Shannon came to crafting her award-winning collection after attending several writing workshops and having to produce on a deadline. In our conversation, Shannon explains why she thinks about what's enjoyable for her reader as she's creating new work. Plus, what she believes it means to leave an inheritance and legacy in the Black community. And, how eavesdropping helps her accurately excavate the interior lives of bougie Black folk. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E16 · Tue, April 30, 2024
From the Stage to the Page with Rudy Francisco
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Rudy Francisco , author of the poetry collection, Excuse Me As I Kiss the Sky . Rudy is a renowned spoken word artist who has published two previous collections: Helium (2017) and I'll Fly Away (2020). As a spoken word artist, Rudy said taking his work from the stage to the page allowed him to grow and write about more than one topic. In our conversation, Rudy explains how he tries to show the accuracy of his humanity instead of a balance between joy and pain, happiness or sadness. Plus, the reason he believes the rift between poets who focus on writing and spoken word artists is closing. And, how his jump to the page was thanks to a few friends who turned their YouTube channel into a publishing house. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E15 · Tue, April 23, 2024
Deconstructing Color, Race & Caste with Roberto Carlos Garcia
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Roberto Carlos Garcia , author of the poetry anthology, What Can I Tell You . Roberto is the author of three previous poetry collections Elegies , black / Maybe: An Afro Lyric , and Melancolía . In our conversation, Roberto discusses unlearning the ways in which colonialism have infected the mind. How anti-Blackness begins at home in some Afro-Latin communities, and the reason he believes spoken word is poetry in its purest form. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E14 · Tue, April 16, 2024
Women Will Resist with Tracey Rose Peyton
This week on Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Tracey Rose Peyton , author of the novel, Night Wherever We Go . The novel follows the lives of six enslaved women on a struggling plantation in Texas. When their owners The Lucy's, nicknamed after Lucifer himself, come up with a plan to increase their prosperity through reproduction, the women refuse despite the consequences of such open rebellion. In our conversation, Tracey discusses the years she spent researching the novel as well as developing her skill as a storyteller. The personal fears she had to face to break the book open and write honestly about the experiences of her characters. And the reason Tracey felt she had to hide her identity as a writer so much that work colleagues thought she was in rehab. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E13 · Tue, April 09, 2024
Answering the Call with Kim Johnson
This week on Black & Published Nikesha speaks with Kim Johnson , author of the YA novel, Invisible Son . The book is set in Oregon during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020. A setting Kim chose to bear witness to all that was happening while also balancing the trauma of that year with its triumphs as well. In our conversation, Kim readily admits that she came to writing late in life. She explains the feeling of being woken up out of her sleep to pursue a dream she never knew she had. Plus, how she used the specificity of niceness in the Pacific Northwest to infuse a more sinister plot into her novel. And how she really feels about being an author whose book is banned. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E12 · Tue, April 02, 2024
A Measure of Forgiveness with Jennifer Baker
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Jennifer Baker , author of the YA novel, Forgive Me Not . The story centers the life, loves and struggles of a teenaged Black girl to explore the pitfalls and failures of mass incarceration and carceral systems. In our conversation, Jennifer opens up about how she stayed motivated to continue writing while working for some twenty years in the publishing industry. Plus, the reality show that sparked the idea for her novel, and the reason she believes individual power is the first step toward dismantling the penal system as we know it. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E11 · Tue, March 26, 2024
Anger is a Muse with Lamya H
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Lamya H , author of the memoir, Hijab Butch Blues . The book is an in depth extension of the personal essays Lamya has penned for years. Their writing has appeared in Vice, Salon, Vox, Black Girl Dangerous, Autostraddle, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. They are a former Lambda Literary Fellow and currently live in New York with their partner. In our conversation, Lamya explains how they've carved out a life that works for them despite the rigidity of systems of faith and gender expression. The reason they said forgetting was necessary for them to live and the two beliefs they hold about God that helps them get out of bed in the morning. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E10 · Tue, March 19, 2024
The Peace of Truth with K E Garland
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with K E Garland , author of the memoir, In Search of a Salve: Memoir of a Sex Addict . K E Garland is an award-winning creative nonfiction writer and blogger who uses personal essays and memoir to de-marginalize women's experiences with an intent to highlight and humanize contemporary issues including adoption and addiction. In our conversation, K E discusses how she confronted the truth with her loved ones especially her husband, as well as how she learned to have compassion for herself and her family despite the many traumas she experienced. And the reason she says the rest of her life will be dedicated to writing instead of working hard. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E9 · Tue, March 12, 2024
Empathy & Understanding to Heal with Kim Coleman Foote
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Kim Coleman Foote , author of the biomthyography novel, Coleman Hill . The novel draws from Kim's own family legend, historical record, and fervent imagination to create an unforgettable new history. In our conversation, Kim discusses how she came to tell the story of her family while she was working on another novel. Plus, how she got over her own jealousy of other writers whose books were published before her. And, what it feels like to live her dreams after querying agents and trying to get published since she was 12 years old. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E8 · Tue, March 05, 2024
A Love Letter for the Girlies with Liv Little
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Liv Little , author of the novel, Rosewater . A writer of Jamaican and Guyanese descent living in South London, Liv tells stories about the people and places that matter to her; specifically the Black, queer, femme community. In our conversation, Liv discusses why she was dedicated to illustrating the ways Black, queer and femme communities show up and support one another. She also explains why it was important to explore the roots of homophobia and heteronormativity and how it's weaponized against queer communities. And how she made sure her heroine's journey of self discovery was filled with friendship, love, and sex. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E7 · Tue, February 27, 2024
A Living Language with jarrett hill & Tre'vell Anderson
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with jarrett hill and Tre'vell Anderson , the authors of, Historically Black Phrases: From "I Ain't One of Your Little Friends" to "Who All Gon Be There? " Tre'vell and jarrett both have backgrounds in journalism and they are the hosts of the award-winning podcast FANTI . Their book chronicles the living language of Black people and how we bend a phrase to entertain, uplift, or sometimes to hurt and harm. In our conversation, they discuss how they've found validation in their careers even when being written off as diversity hires. Plus, what they say job security looks like as a Black creative. And giving credit where credit is due to the marginalized community they say is often exploited and stolen from that they worked to honor through the pages of their book. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E6 · Tue, February 20, 2024
Enjoying the Life You've Built with Minda Honey
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Minda Honey , author of the memoir, The Heartbreak Years . A retrospective for the twenty-somethings who are ready to stop leaping into the lives of the men they like and instead choose themselves and a life they love. The book is born out of Minda's series of essays for Longreads on dating politics. Her writing has also been featured in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Oxford American and Teen Vogue. In our conversation, Minda discusses, her life and loves including her high school sweetheart to maintaining a platonic relationship with a magnetic man. How she gained the confidence and arrogance to bet on herself and what some called her “raunchy” work. And the reason she says she hasn’t given up on love despite the inherent risk and sometimes violence against women. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E5 · Tue, February 13, 2024
Surviving the Worst with Anissa Gray
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Anissa Gray , author of the novel, Life and Other Love Songs . The novel uses music as a metaphor to examine the aftermath of one man's decision on his entire family after they lose the loves of their lives. In our conversation, Anissa discusses how she processed her own personal tragedies on the page. Plus, the reason she says writing Life and Other Love Songs was harder than writing her debut, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls . And as a journalist by trade with work featured in The Washington Post , CNN , The Cut and Shondaland , Anissa explains the turning point in her life that brought her back to her passion. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E4 · Tue, February 06, 2024
Setting People Free with Donovan X. Ramsey
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Donovan X. Ramsey , author of the book, When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era . The book, which was long listed for a National Book Award, is a work of narrative nonfiction exploring how Black America survived the crack epidemic. The book is born out of Donovan's work as a journalist and a Demos Emerging Voices Fellow. In our conversation, Donovan explains why giving context to what happened to Black people and the Black community during the crack epidemic is part of his God given purpose. Plus, the spiritual message he received about his writing that guides his career And, why he say the right substance at the wrong time can make us repeat the drug history we've already lived. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E3 · Tue, January 30, 2024
What Does it Mean to Forgive with Terah Shelton Harris
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Terah Shelton Harris , author of the novel, One Summer in Savannah . Published by Sourcebooks in 2023, the novel was a Target Book Club Pick. Terah, who also works as a librarian and freelance writer, is now focused on writing more upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. In our conversation, Terah discusses the real life tragedy that inspired her to explore the theme of forgiveness in her novel. The reason she quit writing for six years and how she ended up getting a two book deal before she ever got an agent. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E2 · Tue, January 23, 2024
The Doors of History are Open with Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Dolen Perkins-Valdez , the New York Times bestselling author of Take My Hand . The novel was awarded a 2023 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, and Fiction Award from Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Dolen, who is an Associate Professor in the MFA Program at American University in Washington, D.C., is widely considered a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life. In our conversation, Dolen discusses why telling the hard truths of history in a way that is easy for readers to stomach is her gift. How her love of archival research lays the foundation for her work as a historical fiction novelist. And the reason she believes she doesn't get enough credit for the doors she opened in historical Black writing. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S4 E1 · Tue, January 16, 2024
Knowing Our Mothers for Ourselves with Denene Millner
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Denene Millner the New York Times Bestselling author of the novel, One Blood . In addition to her long literary career including stints as a celebrity ghostwriter for titles including Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man from Steve Harve and Around the Way Girl from Taraji P. Henson just to name a few. Denene got her start as a beat reporter for the Associated Press and the New York Daily News. She now runs her own imprint in partnership with Simon & Schuster. In our conversation, Denene discusses why she never felt stifled in her journalism career choosing to primarily cover Black people. The reason she says it took writing 11 books before she felt confident in her voice as an author. Plus how the novel, One Blood, is a way for her to rewrite her own rules for love, for life and getting free, with wisdom, experience and grace. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Tue, January 09, 2024
Meeting the Moment in History
This season on Black & Published we're meeting the moment. According to Pen America’s 2023 report, Banned in the USA , 138 school districts in 32 states banned books. The majority of those books featured queer themes and characters, protagonists of color, or addressed racism and activism. So this season we're talking about it all: book bans, mass incarceration, reproductive freedom, homophobia and transphobia, rape culture, racism and white supremacy and so much more. Look for new episodes starting next week featuring authors: Terah Shelton Harris, Jennifer Baker, Dolen Perkins Valdez, jarrett hill, Tre’Vell Anderson, Minda Honey, Lamya H and many many more. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Bonus · Tue, November 07, 2023
Bigger Than Me with Erica Simone Turnipseed
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Erica Simone Turnipseed author of the new children's picture book, Bigger Than Me. In the book, children discover the impact they can have when they band together and how solidarity lifts everyone up during the 2020 COVID pandemic and racial reckoning. In our conversation, Erica discusses why she decided to have her young characters use actual building blocks to make meaning of their lives, why she's eternally hopeful despite the current sociopolitical landscape, and how she's reaching parents, teachers, and librarians to get her book to a young audience. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Tue, June 20, 2023
Book Giveaway - Neruda on the Park
What’s Good Black & Published Family… Yes, I’m still but I wanted to pop into your ears to tell you how you can win a copy of Cleyvis Natera’s Neruda on the Park which was recently released in paperback. All you have to do is follow Black & Published (@BLKandPublished) and Cleyvis Natera (@CleyvisNatera) on both Twitter and Instagram. And then of course like this post. The drawing will close one week from today on June 26, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. at which point two winners will be randomly selected. We’ll notify you by DM and request your address for shipment. Oh… and if you want a taste of what the book is about check out the replay of my conversation with Cleyvis. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Bonus · Tue, May 30, 2023
Como Se Dice, Ghost? with Lori L. Tharps
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Lori L. Tharps , an author and ghostwriter living abroad in Spain. Her work sits at the intersection of race and real life. She is the author of three critically-acclaimed nonfiction books including, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America (St. Martin's) Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain (Atria), and Same Family, Different Colors: Confronting Colorism in America's Diverse Families (Beacon) She also penned the novel, Substitute Me (Atria). In our conversation, Lori discusses how she's working to expand the definition of the Black experience in life and literature, her personal rift with the ghostwriting industry, and the platforms she's creating for BIPOC literary artists for community and travel. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E35 · Tue, May 23, 2023
The Business of Writing with Victoria Christopher Murray
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Victoria Christopher Murray , author of Pride, A Seven Deadly Sins Novel . A native of Queens, New York, Victoria spent years in Corporate America and as an entrepreneur before embarking on her literary career in the late 90s. Dubbed a Christian Fiction writer because no one else was writing about religious topics, Victoria blazed the literary scene penning more than 30 novels, co-writing with other authors, and ghostwriting for top talent across the country. In our conversation, Victoria discusses her guerrilla marketing plan for her debut, self-published novel that led her to sell 9,000 copies in just a few months. How she managed a two year period of rejection by major publishers and being intimidated by her own work after winning an NAACP Image Award. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E34 · Tue, May 16, 2023
The Dancer is a Writer with Nicole Cuffy
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Nicole Cuffy , author of Dances . Nicole is a D.C.-based writer with a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from The New School. She is a lecturer at the University of Maryland and American University. Her work can be found in Mason’s Road , The Master’s Review Volume VI (curated by Roxane Gay), Chautauqua , and Blue Mesa Review , and her chapbook, Atlas of the Bod y, won the Chautauqua Janus Prize and was a finalist for the Black River Chapbook Competition. When she is not writing, she is reading, and when she is not reading, she is probably dancing. In our conversation, we discuss how she plans and researches her stories whether she's talking about classical ballet or anatomy. Plus, how history usurped her original premise for the setting of her novel, and why she's resistant to the label of African-American literature and only thinks of herself as a writer and not a "Black writer." Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E33 · Tue, May 09, 2023
Respecting the Ancestors with Rhonda McKnight
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Rhonda McKnight , author of The Thing About Home . Rhonda is also the author of twenty-five traditional and indie-published award-winning bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend, What Kind of Fool, and Unbreak My Heart. She is a two-time winner of the Emma award in the categories of Inspirational Romance of the Year (2015) and Debut Author (2010). She writes inspirational book club fiction and Christian romance about complex characters in crisis. In our conversation, we discuss the kind of internal commitment it takes to truly become a writer, how breaking her own rules helped renew and revive her literary career, and the pivot points that sent her from traditional publishing, to indie publishing, and back again. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E32 · Tue, May 02, 2023
An Urban Author Myth with Nikki May
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Nikki May , author of Wahala . Born in Bristol and raised in Lagos, Nikki May is Anglo-Nigerian. At twenty, she dropped out of medical school, moved to London, and began a career in advertising, going on to run a successful agency. Her debut novel Wahala was inspired by a long boozy lunch with friends. In our conversation, we discuss how her overnight success in the literary world is really due to her 57 years of life on Earth. Plus why she revels in "frivolous" stories and how despite trying to write a fun entertaining story, serious issues seemed to creep in any way. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E31 · Tue, April 25, 2023
Everything Can Be Forgotten with Caseen Gaines
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Caseen Gaines , author of When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World. Caseen Gaines is an author, director, educator, and pop culture historian. He is the author of We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy , A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic and Inside Pee-wee's Playhouse , which earned Caseen a 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award. In our conversation we discuss how Caseen landed his first book deal by cold pitching presses, the value of collective memory and how it increases the incentive to erase Black history, and why no matter how many books you publish, you're never just "good" as a working writer. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E30 · Tue, April 18, 2023
Learning the Continent with Yessoh G.D.
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Yessoh G.D. author of the African fantastical suspense thriller, Ta Lé Book One: Knowledge . Yessoh grew up in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, a country on the southern coast of West Africa. He believes that books have the power to change people for the betterment of the whole. When he is not day-dreaming about stories and the world, he is a visual effects artist and a gamer. He specializes in 3-D animation and visual effects and has worked on many films, television shows, and commercials, including for Disney, Netflix, and Apple TV. In our conversation, Yessoh discusses why he had to see the story clearly in his mind before he could begin writing, the challenges he faced getting his book to readers as an African author, and why it was important to him to incorporate African spiritual traditions and practices in the narrative of his novel. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E29 · Tue, April 11, 2023
The Cat Daddy Lounge with Derrick Harriell
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Derrick Harriell author of the poetry collection, Come Kingdom . Derrick Harriell is the Ottilie Schillig Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi. His previous collections of poems include Stripper in Wonderland, Cotton, and Ropes, winner of the 2014 Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Poetry Book Award During our conversation, Derrick opens up about being bitten by the poetry bug at an open mic night when he was just 19 years old, the vulnerability he experienced between his friends and family members during the pandemic, and writing a book that could stand the test of time as his Magnum Opus. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E28 · Tue, April 04, 2023
A Good Push with Dior J. Stephens
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Dior J. Stephens author of the poetry collection, CRUEL/CRUEL . Dior J is the author of the chapbooks SCREAMS & lavender, 001, and CANNON!. They proudly serve as the Managing Poetry Editor of Foglifter Journal and Press and are a fellow of Cave Canem and Lambda Literary's Emerging LGBTQ Voices Fellowship. In our conversation, Dior discusses writing poems to popular music as a child, how confronting his rage and anger helped him publish his debut collection, and encouraging his students to fail as much as he encourages them to be great. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E27 · Tue, March 28, 2023
The Horror of History is Complex with Victor LaValle
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Victor LaValle author of the novel Lone Women . As the writer behind six other works of fiction, Victor's novels have been included in best-of-the-year lists by The New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Nation, and Publishers Weekly, among others. He has been the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, an American Book Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Key to Southeast Queens. He lives in the Bronx with his wife and kids and teaches at Columbia University. In our conversation, Victor discusses being depressed after not being able to initially sell his first short story collection, the truth horror tells that other books don't, and writing horrific historical fiction where everything is true. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E26 · Tue, March 21, 2023
Writing is Like Breathing with Laura Warrell
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Laura Warrell , author of the novel, Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm , which was named a ‘best’ or ‘must-read’ book by Vanity Fair, People, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and more. The novel was chosen as a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and Laura was named a “Writer to Watch” by Publishers Weekly. She grew up in Kent and Columbus, Ohio. In our conversation, Laura discusses her 25 year journey to publishing her debut novel. What it means now that her big dream has come true. And why she's not committed to giving her characters happy endings. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E25 · Tue, March 14, 2023
Africa Did it First with Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Yvette Lisa Ndlovu , author of the short story collection, Drinking from Graveyard Wells (University Press of Kentucky, Spring 2023) which was selected for the 2021 UPK New Poetry & Prose Series. Yvette is a Zimbabwean sarungano (storyteller). Her novel manuscript in progress was selected by George RR Martin for the Worldbuilder Scholarship. She is pursuing her MFA at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where she teaches in the Writing Program. In our conversation, Yvette discusses why she's forcing readers to come to her, the collaborative model she believes all editors should work under, and why she supports Black mediocrity in addition to Black excellence. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E24 · Tue, March 07, 2023
Wielding Magic with Sophfronia Scott
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Sophronia Scott , author of the novel, Wild, Beautiful and Free . Sophfronia holds a BA in English from Harvard and an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She began her career as an award-winning magazine journalist for Time, and People. When her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2004 Sophfronia was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards. Sophfronia’s other books include The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, Unforgivable Love, Love’s Long Line, Doing Business By the Book, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, co-written with her son Tain. Currently, Sophfronia is the founding director of Alma College’s MFA in Creative Writing, a low-residency graduate program based in Alma, Michigan. In our conversation, we discuss how she grew up in Lorain, Ohio--hometown of Toni Morrison--with a father who couldn't read. The one class in college that led her to writing when she was supposed to become a doctor, and the lengths she went to do her work as a writer, including driving a school bus, part-time, while she earned her MFA. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E23 · Tue, February 28, 2023
9 Years in a Drawer with Diane Marie Brown
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Diane Marie Brown , author of the novel, Black Candle Women . A professor at Orange Coast College and a public health professional for the Long Beach Health Department, Diane has a BA and MPH from UCLA and a degree in fiction from USC’s Master of Professional Writing Program. She grew up in Stockton and now lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, their four daughters, and their dog, Brownie. Black Candle Women is her debut novel. In our conversation, Diane discusses the incidents in her childhood that made her afraid to take risks in her writing, the experience of winning a publishing contest with a manuscript that had been sitting in a drawer for a decade, and the connection she found between Voodoo and Catholicism that helped her bring to life her novel about the rituals of hoodoo magic. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E22 · Tue, February 21, 2023
Effortless is Not Easy with Destiny O. Birdsong
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Destiny O. Birdsong , author of the triptych novel Nobody's Magic . She's also a poet and essayist, and her workhas either appeared or is forthcoming in the Paris Review Daily, Poets & Writers, African American Review, The Best American Poetry 2021, and elsewhere. Nobody’s Magic , was published by Grand Central in February 2022 and was longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. In our conversation, Destiny discusses the deal she made with herself to write whatever came to her mind, shopping a manuscript before it was ready and the power of affirmation that boosted her confidence for writing a story entirely in AAVE. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E21 · Tue, February 14, 2023
Look for the Glow with Danyel Smith
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Danyel Smith , author of the Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop . Danyel is anaward-winning journalist, and producer. She’s the creator and host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast, a music and talk show that centers black women in music. Danyel has served as editor of Billboard, editor at large at Time Inc., and editor in chief of Vibe. She's also the author of two novels—More Like Wrestling (2003), and Bliss (2005). In our conversation, Danyel discusses growing up reading about rock stars in Rolling Stones and wishing there was coverage of the Black artists she loved. How in writing the history of Black women in pop she gained the confidence to put herself in the story, and the most surprising thing she learned in researching her book that covers everyone from Phillis Wheatley to Rihanna. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E20 · Tue, February 07, 2023
Ordained for Success with Tia Williams
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Tia Williams , author of the New York Times bestselling novel Seven Days in June . Tia had a fifteen-year career as a beauty editor for magazines including Elle, Glamour, and Essence. She also wrote the bestselling novel, The Accidental Diva, and penned two YA novels: It Chicks, and Sixteen Candles. Her award-winning novel, The Perfect Find, will be adapted into a Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union this year. In our conversation, Tia discusses how living with chronic pain pushes her to accomplish everything she sets her mind to, the reason Black authors should walk through every open door publishing offers (even if it's a trend), and the best way to fight for your own happy ending. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E19 · Tue, January 31, 2023
Morally Gray Characters with Janay Harden
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Janay Harden , author of the novel Forty-Two Minutes . As a licensed clinical social worker, Janay works as a mental health therapist. She is the CEO of Restoring Your Destiny Counseling and Consulting and has over ten years of experience working in the mental health field with children, families, and schools. She's translated her background in mental health into accessible stories for children and teens. In our conversation, Janay discusses why she wants to be known as the storytelling therapist, the generational inheritances she believes keeps people in a chokehold, and how she finally got the guts to ignite her writing career in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E18 · Tue, January 24, 2023
The Shape of a Story with Ladee Hubbard
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Ladee Hubbard , author of the short story collection, The Last Suspicious Holdout . Ladee is also the author of the novels The Talented Ribkins which received the 2018 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction and The Rib King . Her writing has appeared in Oxford American, Guernica , Virginia Quarterly and Callaloo among other venues. Born in Massachusetts and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, She currently lives in New Orleans. In our conversation, Ladee discusses why she felt the need to pursue an MFA after already earning a Ph.D. and having children. Plus, how Hurricane Katrina inspired her need to share her writing and be in community with other storytellers. She also details how the cynicism and suspicion after President Obama's historic election in 2008 was the fuel for the fire needed to produce this short story collection. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E17 · Tue, January 17, 2023
The Holistic Power of Poetry with Mant¿s
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Mant¿s , author of the poetry collection, The Rootwork Stretched . Mant¿s writes from the intersections of Black, femme, queer, and artist. They are Pittsburgh born, and Hill District raised. They have performed their poetry at universities, open mics, launch parties, book tours, and featured showcases throughout Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York City. Mant¿s creates work that reflects their healing. In our conversation Mant¿s discusses how poetry is a form of holistic health care she gives to herself, the importance of voicing things out loud, and how poetry allows her to speak across time and give birth to new versions of herself. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E16 · Tue, January 10, 2023
No More Nice Girls with C.M. Lockhart
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with C.M. Lockhart , author of the novel, We Are the Origin . C.M. (also known as Chelsea) is a Black writer of fantasy. She loves creating worlds, exploring relationships, and writing stories about Black girls who aren't all that nice. She is the founder of Written in Melanin LLC — which encompasses a weekly podcast and YouTube channel as well as an online database of books written by Black authors. In our conversation C.M. discusses the reprieve she finds in writing high fantasy. How creating a world run by a goddess and four god lovers helped her work out her own questions of faith, spirituality, and religion. And how she returned to writing at the lowest point in her life. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Tue, January 03, 2023
REWIND: The 14-Year Journey with Mbinguni
In this debut episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni, about her debut novel, Looking for Hope . Mbinguni is a natural storyteller with roots in West Africa and the Gullah-Geechee region of Georgia's barrier islands. Her novel, Looking for Hope , follows the life of young Hannah "Mouse" Maynard in this coming of age tale where Mouse transforms from a shy, quiet, girl into a strong assertive woman. Through the course of the conversation, Mbinguni reveals why it took her 14 years to tell the story of Mouse, how she overcame her own insecurities to finally take the leap of her dreams, what made her to decide with an independent publishing company or "vanity press," and why in everything she does she wants to make sure it is done in a spirit of excellence, as she leads with love. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Tue, December 27, 2022
REWIND: Holding on to Joy with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts , author of the essay collection, Black Joy . Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA. She's come up through the indie author ranks, has served as a celebrity ghostwriter, and is the author of 15 other titles. During the Conversation, Tracey opens up about the happenstance opportunity that propelled her from relative anonymity to major book deal visibility, how joy feels in her body, and the ways she's creating legacy for her daughter. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E15 · Tue, December 20, 2022
Controlling the Wild with Cleyvis Natera
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Cleyvis Natera , author of the novel, Neruda on the Park . Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Cleyvis has received honors from PEN America, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Hermitage Artist Retreat, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA). Her fiction, essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, URSA Fiction, The Rumpus, and more. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University. Cleyvis worked a corporate job in insurance for two decades ascending to the executive level before pivoting her career to become a full-time writer. In our conversation Cleyvis explains how attending elite programs did not prepare her for the rejection and failure she experienced within the publishing industry. Plus, why it was important for her to address toxic masculinity, the climate crisis, and capitalism in her story about a family in crisis. And the sacrifices made for her and that she's made herself that have helped to shape who she is as well as her career. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E14 · Tue, December 13, 2022
Leaning Into Self with Remica Bingham-Risher
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Remica Bingham-Risher , author of the memoir, Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books and Questions that Grew Me Up . A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Remica is a Cave Canem fellow and Affrilachian Poet. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Writer’s Chronicle, Callaloo and Essence. She has written three poetry collections and is the Director of Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she resides with her husband and children. In our conversation we discuss, how she came to conduct interviews with poetic giants that eventually developed into her memoir, why writing love poems in times of crisis is a revolutionary act, and the directive she's giving to the next generation of poets coming behind her. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E13 · Tue, December 06, 2022
The Truth is in the Jokes with Shola Gbemi
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Shola Gbemi , author of the novel, They Were Chosen . A New York native of Nigerian descent, his novel focuses on the twin movements of social justice and sexual assault while following fictional characters on an HBCU campus. During our conversation, Shola explains why writing his novel was a seven year process. What he learned from the council of women who checked him over the course of the writing to create female characters with nuance and depth, plus the research he did that helped his characters feel true to life. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E12 · Tue, November 29, 2022
The Next Act with Toni Ann Johnson
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Toni Ann Johnson , author of the short story collection, Light Skinned Gone to Waste . The collection won the 2021 Flannery O'Connor Award for short fiction. Toni Ann's novella, Homegoing , won Accents Publishing's inaugural novella contest and was published in 2021. Toni Ann was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her novel, Remedy for a Broken Angel . During our conversation, Toni Ann opens up about how she was able to overcome her insecurity as a writer, how her collection contributes to the ever evolving conversation about Blackness in America, and how she developed her style and voice after her first career as a screenwriter. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E11 · Tue, November 22, 2022
Overqualified & Under-Resourced with George McCalman
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with George McCalman , author of the book, Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen . The work collects 145 of George's original portraits of Black pioneers alongside stirring profiles of why these individuals matter. A classically trained artist, his studio, McCalman.co creates long-lasting brands for clients across arts, lifestyle, food, and mobile media. He is a senior lecturer in graphic design at California College of Art and is the author and illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle’s monthly “Observed” column. During our conversation, George discusses how rage fueled his publishing process, why he says book publishing is harmful for writers and artists, and how his mother's death clarified his vision for the book. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E10 · Tue, November 15, 2022
Conjurin' the Sauce with Tracy Cross
This week on Black and Published , Nikesha speaks with Tracy Cross , author of the horror novella Rootwork . Tracy has had several stories published in mass market anthologies and contributed to many horror podcasts. Her debut novella, Rootwork, is a folk horror homage to her late grandmother. She lives in Washington, DC and is a huge Prince fan. During our conversation, Tracy opens up about growing up practicing hoodoo rituals she calls earth magic, why it was important for her characters to get the revenge her grandmother couldn't, and why you will never catch her reading or writing romance. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E9 · Tue, November 08, 2022
Giving Black Women a Voice with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of the novel, Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? Lizzie is a British-Nigerian writer who has been at the receiving end of the question in the title of her novel many times. Born and raised in London, she now lives with her husband in Milton Keynes, England. In our conversation, Lizzie explains why her novel is an unconventional love story. The three traits she believes every writer needs to have. And she explains why she chose to tackle colorism, the importance of mental health, and prioritizing religion and Christianity when dating. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E8 · Tue, November 01, 2022
The Male Perspective with Chinedu Achebe
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Chinedu Achebe , author of the novel, The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi . Chinedu is Nigerian-American. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors degree in Economics. He published his first book, Blunted on Reality in 2012. Chinedu has also written articles in the Huffington Post, Medium, and Bella Naija. He currently lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and son. In our conversation, he discusses the historical event that inspired his writing, why he doesn't mind if readers have problems with some elements of his fiction, and why he thinks most books marketed toward Black people are overrated. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E7 · Tue, October 25, 2022
Making the Words Dance with Lisa Williamson Rosenberg
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lisa Williamson Rosenberg , author of the novel, Embers on the Wind . Becoming a novelist is Lisa's third career. Before writing, she was a professional ballet dancer with the Pennsylvania and Pacific Northwest Ballet Companies. She also has a Masters in Social Work and works as a psychotherapist. Lisa is biracial and Jewish and her writing on identity has been published in Longreads, Narrative.ly, Literary Mama and The Piltdown Review, where she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. In our conversation, Lisa discusses how her career in ballet prepared her for publishing, the seven full novels she wrote before Embers on the Wind , and what she felt she owed to the spirit of an ancestor who inspired her main character. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E6 · Tue, October 18, 2022
Going In & Going Hard with Mateo Askaripour
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Mateo Askaripour , author of the novel, Black Buck . The New York Times bestseller takes on racism in corporate America with humor and wit. Askaripour was chosen as one of Entertainment Weekly’s “10 rising stars to make waves,” and Black Buck was a Read With Jenna Today Show book club pick. He lives in Brooklyn. In our conversation, Mateo discusses the fine line between cult and culture in corporate America, the key dates he will always remember along his writing journey, and how he finds the balance between his head and his heart. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E5 · Tue, October 11, 2022
Consumed by Characters with Maisy Card
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Maisy Card , author of the novel, These Ghosts Are Family which won an American Book Award, the 2021 OCM Bocas Prize in fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, among others. Maisy's writing has appeared in The Paris Review Daily, The New York Times, and other publications. She was born in Portmore, Jamaica but was raised in Queens, NY. In our conversation, Maisy discusses the difference between the fun and work of writing, telling a family story to say all the things she couldn't say to her own family, and the spooky parallels she noticed between the ghost story she created and her own real life. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Bonus · Tue, October 04, 2022
Writing Past Imposter Syndrome
On this BONUS episode of Black & Published , Nikesha talks about the release of her new book, Mardi Gras Indians , coming out from LSU Press on October 5, 2022. She details the journey since her last bonus episode detailing her own Black & Published story about how the book started with an essay about food, evolved through a global pandemic and pregnancy, and left her with doubts and fears about whether she'd really be able to tell a story older than America. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E4 · Tue, September 27, 2022
A Matter of Survival with Katerina Canyon
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Katerina Canyon , author of the poetry collection, Surviving Home . Katerina is a 2020 and 2019 Pushcart Prize Nominee. Her stories have been published in New York Times and Huffington Post. She also served as the Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga from 2000 - 2003. She has published multiple chapbooks and an album. In our conversation, Katerina explains why she doesn't believe she has to be happy, how she was tricked into being committed to a psychiatric ward by her own therapist, and how she's learning to take pride in sharing the truth of her trauma. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicidal ideations, domestic and sexual abuse, extreme poverty and homelessness. Please be gentle with yourself when listening. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E3 · Tue, September 20, 2022
Of People & Place with Dawn Turner
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Dawn Turner , author of the memoir, Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood . An award-winning author and journalist who's reported all over the world, Dawn is a former columnist for the Chicago Tribune where she spent 15 years writing about race, politics and people whose stories are often dismissed and ignored. In 2018, she established the Dawn M. Turner and Kim D. Turner Endowed Scholarship in Media at her alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In our conversation, Dawn explains how her global dreams started with her parents "pointing her towards the sun." She also divulges the secret she kept in shame until writing her memoir made her relive her vulnerable moments. And she explains why even though her memoir chronicles abortion, addiction, murder, and incarceration she believes this is still a story of redemption. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E2 · Tue, September 13, 2022
Black Culture is on a Continuum with Marita Golden
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks Marita Golden , author of the novel, A Woman's Place , which was first published in 1986 and is now being re-released by McSweeney's. Marita is the author of six novels as wells as memoirs and other non-fiction works. She's also the co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and works with writers all over the world facilitating workshops to help them get their stories out. During our conversation, Marita discusses the ruthlessness she had in writing her memoir based on what she was living through, why we shouldn't look to mainstream (white) publishing as the place where the best of Black thought has been produced, and the charge she has for the next generation of your writers to carry on. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S3 E1 · Tue, September 06, 2022
But Are You Black Everyday? with Natasha Marin
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Natasha Marin , curator of the Black Powerful anthology; the latest installment in her Black Imagination artist series. A conceptual artist whose people-centered projects have circled the globe, Natasha's focus is on amplifying, centering, and holding sacred space for a diverse sample of voices including LGBTQIA+ Black youth, incarcerated Black women, Black folks with disabilities, unsheltered Black folks, and Black children. She pays the bills by helping individuals and institutions achieve their antiracism goals through creative consulting (NONWHITEWORKS). During our conversation, Natasha explains why even though she got an MFA, she didn’t think she had gone through enough trauma to call herself a writer. Plus the one subject she tackled with her writing that led to doxing and death threats, and what it means to believe in Black supremacy. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Tue, August 30, 2022
This Season on Black & Published
Black & Published podcast is coming back with fresh episodes for all of your literary needs. We're of course talking writing and publishing, but it's all dipped in the Black experience. Our stories and the lessons we learned from our families, even the crazy ones, and what it means to live a life where your legacy is words. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting September 6. Subscribe to Black & Published in your podcast platform of choice and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BLKandPublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E32 · Tue, August 23, 2022
REWIND: Burning Bridges with Georgia Dawkins
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Georgia Dawkins , about her memoir, Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position . Georgia is The Purpose Producer. From ABC’s Good Morning America to Will Packer’s Central Ave, Georgia has worked within a multitude of television genres including local news, network news, talk shows, reality television, and entertainment news. In 2018 she published Everybody Knows while at the same time launching Georgia Dawkins Media to cement herself as a young media tycoon in the making. During the conversation, Georgia and Nikesha discuss how they came to their respective media careers--which is where their paths first crossed some 10 years ago--and why they left. Georgia also shares why she can't help but tell the truth, how she can't help but to seek bigger for herself after years of playing small, and why it's sometimes necessary to burn bridges in your life in the name of self-preservation. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E31 · Tue, August 16, 2022
REWIND: Own Your Power with Jenee Darden
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with poet, essayist, and journalist Jeneé Darden about her book, When a Purple Rose Blooms . An Oakland native, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a masters's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has reported for NPR , Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times , Ebony and more. The National Book Foundation awarded Jeneé a summer writing fellowship in 2003 and her award-winning short documentary, Where is East Oakland? was screened at the Oakland International Film Festival. Jeneé is passionate about African-American erotic art and mental health awareness. In this conversation she discusses growing up with insecurities, her struggle to love herself, honoring the power in the feminine, and the trauma she endured during and after the O.J. Simpson trial and how it all fuels her work today. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E30 · Tue, August 09, 2022
REWIND: Finding Soft Places to Land with Jessica Lynn
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author and poet Jessica Lynn about her novel, Kissing Frogs: The Thirteenth . A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and an educator for over 10 years, Jessica Lynn used her experiences, the experiences of friends, and others to craft a literary drama that takes readers to the ancestral realm, on thrilling adventures, and sexy exploits to interrogate what it means to love, lose, and love all over again. During the conversation, Jessica discusses how she wrote a happy ending for her characters even though she was experiencing devastating lows in life. She also explains why she grounds the good and bad decisions of her characters in the reality that as people we may know better, but we don't always do better when it comes to matters of the heart, forging friendships, and fixing familial bonds. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E29 · Tue, August 02, 2022
REWIND: Never Sitting Down with Tamika Newhouse
In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Tamika Newhouse , about how she went from teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty. The author of 17 novels, including her latest romance collection, Suga Hill , Tamika Newhouse opens up about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, her battle with mental illness and depression while fulfilling her dreams, and making sure Black women take agency over their own sexuality by creating characters who aren't afraid to ask, get, or even take exactly what they want. Tamika explains why she believes consistency is the key to making it in publishing after self-publishing her first book in 2009 only to land a major deal through her hard work and tenacity. She also drops gems throughout the episode such as, "Your publisher is not your friend," when talking about the industry and, "I don't believe in monogamy, I believe in loyalty . . . or discipline," when waxing on dating and relationships. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E28 · Tue, July 26, 2022
REWIND: Honest AF with Ebony Payne-English
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, performer, playwright, and educator Ebony Payne-English , about her journey as a literary artist that has led her to publish a poetry collection ( Secrets of Ma'at ), a graphic novel ( The Random Happenings ), and release six studio albums. Her latest offering, Kuongoza , dropped March 28, 2021 and is available on all streaming platforms. With 17 years of professional experience from Black on Black Rhyme to HBO's Brave New Voices, Ebony, is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist whose performance credits include the renowned Nuyorican Café in New York and ESSENCE Fest. During the conversation, Ebony courageously discusses her devastating diagnosis with an illness that stifled her creativity for three years, how writing helped save her own life, and how Superman Returns inspired her forthcoming play The Goddess Experience. She also dishes on finding God in art and how she stands whole, complete & empowered in her gift as a spoken word artist and emcee. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E27 · Tue, July 19, 2022
REWIND: The Power of Voice & Validation with Khalisa Rae
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae . An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems . Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Ink and the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae . An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems . Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Ink and the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Khalisa, who speaks with fierce rebellion, says being a writer in the South and the only Black woman in many spaces has taught her many lessons along her publishing journey that she learned through trial and error. In this conversation, she opens up about childhood sexual trauma, the intense racism and oppression she experienced upon migrating from the Midwest to the South and how acknowledging her trauma informs her work and helps heal her pen to page. Khalisa also offers this pro-tip for other creatives, "Do 5 creative things that have nothing to do with making a coin," to keep your creative cup full. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as
S2 E26 · Thu, July 14, 2022
REWIND: Exploring the Layers with Morgan Jerkins
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with writer, editor, and New York Times Bestselling author Morgan Jerkins . Jerkins, who previously wrote the essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing and the memoir Wandering in Strange Lands , marks her fiction debut with Caul Baby . The Senior Culture Editor for ESPN's The Undefeated and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Jerkins' work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, ELLE, Esquire and more. She is currently based in Harlem. During the interview Jerkins' opens up about how her memoir helped inspire parts of her novel and why she chose to examine Black motherhood with such intensity. She also discusses the undercurrent of displacement that drives the motivations of her characters, how women make an enterprise out of their bodies, and why when she's all written out, first and foremost, she wants to be remembered. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E25 · Wed, July 06, 2022
REWIND: Have a Plan with Angela Jackson Brown
On this throwback episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Angela Jackson-Brown . She is the author of the novel, Drinking From a Bitter Cup , and the award-winning poetry collection, House Repairs . Her novel, When Stars Rain Down , was published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of Harper Collins, on April 13, 2021. Angela teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and has an MFA from the Spalding low-residency program in Creative Writing. Over the course of the conversation, Angela discusses first getting a degree in business and marketing before going for her MFA in her 40s. She also gets candid about her publishing process including not wanting an agent right away, the years long process of revision, and why she was more interested in having a rapport with her publisher than a big advance. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E24 · Tue, June 28, 2022
You Should be Horrified with Zakiya Dalila Harris
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Zakiya Dalila Harris , author of the novel, The Other Black Girl . Zakiya spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday before leaving to write her debut novel. Prior to working in publishing, Zakiya received her MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Guernica, and The Rumpus. During the conversation, Zakiya discusses how the main setting of her novel is really a placeholder for any white/male dominated industry. The liberation she found in her big chop and how those feelings of hair tangled themselves in her fiction, and why she believes some of the circumstances of Black life in America are still absolutely horrifying. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Thu, June 23, 2022
Introducing URSA Short Fiction Podcast with Deesha Philyaw & Dawnie Walton
Hey Black and Published family. I’m Checking in with you today to introduce you to a new podcast. The Ursa short fiction podcast hosted by Black & Published season 1 alums Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton. They’re also from Jacksonville, which is where I live so, you know, they get the extra hometown Duval love. Join Deesha (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Dawnie (The Final Revival of Opal & Nev) for author interviews, book club discussions, and immersive short stories — all celebrating fiction from some of today's most thrilling writers, with an emphasis on spotlighting underrepresented voices. Support their show by becoming a premium member! https://link.chtbl.com/kX4SGHQi Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E23 · Tue, June 21, 2022
Rooting for Horrible People with Carlos Allende
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Carlos Allende , author of the novel, Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love . Carlos is is a media psychology scholar and a writer of fiction. He has written two previous novels: Cuadrillas y Contradanzas, a historical melodrama set during the War of Reform, in Mexico, and Love, or the Witches of Windward Circle, a horror farce set in Venice, California. He teaches in the Writers’ Program at UCLA Extension and lives in Santa Monica with his husband. During the conversation, Carlos opens up about the childhood nightmare that inspired Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love . Plus he discusses how he overcame more than 100 rejections to finally get this book in the world, his two biggest regrets in his writing career, and how he uses empathy to get people to reflect on the bad behavior of his characters and themselves. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E22 · Tue, June 14, 2022
Learning to Trust with Asantewaa Boykin
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Asantewaa Boykin , author of the poetry collection, Love, Lyric & Liberation . Asantewaa Boykin is a proud San Diego native who found her voice in Oakland, CA. Her poetry and art combines her love of words, storytelling, and resistance. Exploring topics like; space-travel, black-femme militancy, & motherhood. During the conversation, Asantewaa discusses how she discovered her passion for writing in the pages of her nursing notebook, her tenuous relationship with organized religion, and why her poems are the one thing in the world she can absolutely trust. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E21 · Tue, June 07, 2022
A Better Black Man with Brian Broome
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Brian Broome , author of the award winning memoir, Punch Me Up to the Gods . Brian is a poet and screenwriter. He has been a finalist in The Moth storytelling competition and won the grand prize in Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King Writing Awards. He also won a VANN Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation for journalism in 2019. He is currently a columnist for The Washington Post. Over the course of the conversation, Brian opens up about growing up a young Black gay boy in Ohio, being addicted to drugs and alcohol, and how saying yes to getting clean led him to saying yes to writing. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E20 · Tue, May 31, 2022
Good Writing Isn't Dated with Chyrel Jackson & Lyris Wallace
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Chicago area sisters Chyrel Jackson and Lyris Wallace , who wrote the poetry collections Different Sides of the Same Coin and Mirrored Images . The sisters said they came to their love of writing from their love of reading authors and poets like Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Terri McMillan and more. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Chicago area sisters Chyrel Jackson and Lyris Wallace , who wrote the poetry collections Different Sides of the Same Coin and Mirrored Images . The sisters said they came to their love of writing from their love of reading authors and poets like Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Terri McMillan and more. During the discussion, the sisters open up about the pushback they received from publishers that forced them to go indie, the importance of not being white-washed and owning their own narrative, and the healing in hearing Black language whether it's spoken or sung. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E19 · Tue, May 24, 2022
The College Come Up with Kristen R. Lee
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Kristen R. Lee author of the YA novel, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman . A novel she began as a way to process her undergraduate experience at MTSU. The novel focuses on systemic racism and Black culture. As a Memphis native, Kristen writes stories that reflect her upbringing. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Kristen R. Lee author of the YA novel, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman . A novel she began as a way to process her undergraduate experience at MTSU. The novel focuses on systemic racism and Black culture. As a Memphis native, Kristen writes stories that reflect her upbringing. During the conversation, Kristen discusses coming from South Memphis and why she and her family felt college was her only chance. How she stumbled into a life of her dreams that allowed her to put her pursuit of her Masters in Social Work on hold. Kristen also discusses the impact of student debt, race, and class and how that's influencing her fiction. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E18 · Tue, May 17, 2022
Who's in the History Books with Marc Curtis Little
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Marc Curtis Little , author of the award-winning novel, The Bootlegger's Mistress . Among being a popular independent writer, Marc Curtis Little also worked as a radio broadcaster for fifteen years in a career that was highlighted with seven Billboard Magazine awards for on-air performance and programming. Little also owned and managed a public relations and advertising agency for twenty years. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Marc Curtis Little , author of the award-winning novel, The Bootlegger's Mistress . Among being a popular independent writer, Marc Curtis Little also worked as a radio broadcaster for fifteen years in a career that was highlighted with seven Billboard Magazine awards for on-air performance and programming. Little also owned and managed a public relations and advertising agency for twenty years. During the conversation, Marc discusses how his entrepreneurship helped him as an independent author, the encounter with God that initiated his literary career, and why he wants to always spin stories out of the Great Migration. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E17 · Tue, May 10, 2022
I Don't Care What Men Think with Preston Clark
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Preston Clark , author of the novel Vinnie: A Love Letter . Preston is a screenwriter and poet who also works full time as a high school Humanities teacher at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago. He was a 2021 Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Voices of Color Fellow and his first novel, Vinnie: a love letter , placed in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in 2020. Born and raised in San Diego and a graduate of Hampton University, Clark fights for safe spaces for Black men - young and old - to improve their emotional and mental health. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Preston Clark , author of the novel Vinnie: A Love Letter . Preston is a screenwriter and poet who also works full time as a high school Humanities teacher at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago. He was a 2021 Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Voices of Color Fellow and his first novel, Vinnie: a love letter , placed in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in 2020. Born and raised in San Diego and a graduate of Hampton University, Clark fights for safe spaces for Black men - young and old - to improve their emotional and mental health. During the conversation, Preston explains why he says the man he is now is a miracle, the two personal tragedies that led him to finish his book, and why he describes his debut novel as an emotional free write. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E16 · Tue, May 03, 2022
The Book is a Breakdown with Adiba Nelson
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Adiba Nelson , author of the motherhood memoir, Ain't That a Mother: Postpartum, palsy, and Everything in Between . Adiba Nelson is an author, screenwriter, retired burlesque performer, disability rights advocate, and most recently, the subject of the Emmy winning documentary, The Full Nelson . She wrote and self-published her first children’s book, Meet ClaraBelle in 2013 and has penned several articles for Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Lily, Parents magazine and others. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Adiba Nelson , author of the motherhood memoir, Ain't That a Mother: Postpartum, palsy, and Everything in Between . Adiba Nelson is an author, screenwriter, retired burlesque performer, disability rights advocate, and most recently, the subject of the Emmy winning documentary, The Full Nelson . She wrote and self-published her first children’s book, Meet ClaraBelle in 2013 and has penned several articles for Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Lily, Parents magazine and others. During the conversation, Adiba opens up about how she uses humor as her coping mechanism, how she manifested her book deal, and how running from emotional pain caught up with her in the writing of her memoir. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E15 · Tue, April 26, 2022
Stick to Your Own Voice with Lola Akinmade Åkerström
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lola Akinmade Åkerström , author of the novel, In Every Mirror She's Black . Lola has lived on three different continents — Africa, North America, and now Europe — for extended periods of time. As a Nigerian-American author who is now based in Sweden Lọlá is the author of the 2018 Lowell Thomas Award winner for best travel book, Due North and the bestselling, LAGOM: Swedish Secret of Living Well. She is drawn to the complexities and nuances of culture and how they manifest themselves within relationships. She has written two prior books and contributed to several others. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lola Akinmade Åkerström , author of the novel, In Every Mirror She's Black . Lola has lived on three different continents — Africa, North America, and now Europe — for extended periods of time. As a Nigerian-American author who is now based in Sweden Lọlá is the author of the 2018 Lowell Thomas Award winner for best travel book, Due North and the bestselling, LAGOM: Swedish Secret of Living Well. She is drawn to the complexities and nuances of culture and how they manifest themselves within relationships. She has written two prior books and contributed to several others. During the conversation, Lọlá discusses how she kept going even though her manuscript was rejected 70 times. She also explains why she wanted to explore the many facets of Black womanhood to illustrate that Black women are not a monolith. Plus, in tackling class, career, and culture Lọlá shares why the main takeaway she wants her readers to get from her work is to hold empathy for other people and their differences and experiences. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E14 · Tue, April 19, 2022
Across the Tracks with Lawrence Jackson
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lawrence Jackson, author of the memoir, Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland, Baltimore . Jackson is a biographer and critic whose work has appeared in Harper’s Magazine , n+1 , and Best American Essays . He teaches English and history at Johns Hopkins and founded the Billie Holiday Project for Liberation Arts. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Lawrence Jackson, author of the memoir, Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland, Baltimore . Jackson is a biographer and critic whose work has appeared in Harper’s Magazine , n+1 , and Best American Essays . He teaches English and history at Johns Hopkins and founded the Billie Holiday Project for Liberation Arts. During the conversation, Lawrence discusses how he turned to writing as a way to work out his feelings on race and rage, and the importance of acknowledging where you came from when you move up in the world. Finally, in the speed round breaks down why James Baldwin's classic book, The Fire Next Time , is overrated. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E13 · Tue, April 12, 2022
An Ode to Black Skin with Ashanti Anderson
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha continues National Poetry Month highlighting Ashanti Anderson , whose debut chapbook Black Under was the winner of the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition hosted by Black Lawrence Press. Ashanti is a Black Queer Disabled poet. Her poems have appeared in World Literature Today, POETRY magazine, and elsewhere in print and on the web. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha continues National Poetry Month highlighting Ashanti Anderson , whose debut chapbook Black Under was the winner of the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition hosted by Black Lawrence Press. Ashanti is a Black Queer Disabled poet. Her poems have appeared in World Literature Today, POETRY magazine, and elsewhere in print and on the web. During the conversation, Ashanti discusses why she spent two years feeling sorry for herself after receiving her MFA before moving forward with trying to put her poems in print. She also explains why she was looking for a press that centered artistic integrity and autonomy and why she centers the fullness of the Black experience in her work without the white gaze. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E12 · Tue, April 05, 2022
The Othered Point of View with Andy Rojas
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha kicks off National Poetry month with Andres "Andy" Rojas , author of the poetry collection, Third Winter in our Second Country . Andy was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. at age 13. He holds an MFA from the University of Florida and currently edits for Poetry Is Currency. By day he's a lawyer who works for the IRS. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha kicks off National Poetry month with Andres "Andy" Rojas , author of the poetry collection, Third Winter in our Second Country . Andy was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. at age 13. He holds an MFA from the University of Florida and currently edits for Poetry Is Currency. By day he's a lawyer who works for the IRS. During the conversation, Andy explains why he took a 10 year break from writing poetry. What brought him back to his first love and how writing is a way to give himself a sense of safety and home. He also discusses how he experiences otherness as white-presenting Cuban immigrant. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E11 · Tue, March 29, 2022
I Don't Write Bad Sentences with Nana Nkweti
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Nana Nkweti , author of the short story collection, Walking on Cowrie Shells . Nana is a Caine Prize finalist and alumna of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her work has garnered fellowships from MacDowell, Kimbilio, Ucross, and the Wurlitzer Foundation, among others. She is a professor of English at the University of Alabama. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Nana Nkweti , author of the short story collection, Walking on Cowrie Shells . Nana is a Caine Prize finalist and alumna of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her work has garnered fellowships from MacDowell, Kimbilio, Ucross, and the Wurlitzer Foundation, among others. She is a professor of English at the University of Alabama. During the conversation, Nana breaks down the financial difference when it comes to selling a short story collection versus selling a novel and why she wants to be remembered for writing the stories of the weird and quirky, complicating the narrative, and telling the stories of the domestic interior. She also explains her writing process and balancing those instinctual thunderclap moments with the craft of discipline that comes in revision. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E10 · Tue, March 22, 2022
Finding Freedom with Rahman Johnson
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Rahman Johnson , author of the poetry collection, Living, Loving, Letting Go . Rahman is a Jacksonville native. A trained journalist and news anchor, Rahman is also an actor. Currently, he's a professor at Edward Waters University. His poetry collection earned the 2021 Poetry eBook Literary Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Rahman Johnson , author of the poetry collection, Living, Loving, Letting Go . Rahman is a Jacksonville native. A trained journalist and news anchor, Rahman is also an actor. Currently, he's a professor at Edward Waters University. His poetry collection earned the 2021 Poetry eBook Literary Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. During the conversation, Rahman discusses how losing his mother gave him the freedom to release his poems to the world. He also reminisces on the advice he received from his A.P. English teacher that's carried him throughout his career. Rahman also wants you to know that he's not just a Black man or a Black writer but so much more. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E9 · Tue, March 15, 2022
An Offering of Love with Farah Jasmine Griffin
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin , author of the book, Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature . Dr. Griffin is the William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. She is also the author of five books, the most recent being one that intermixes critical literary analysis with personal narrative. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin , author of the book, Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature . Dr. Griffin is the William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. She is also the author of five books, the most recent being one that intermixes critical literary analysis with personal narrative. During the conversation, Dr. Griffin opens up about how she's been writing versions of Read Until You Understand since she was a child. She also discusses how she's worked to distinguish her literary voice outside of the academy, centering Black literature in the quest for Black liberation, and her chance encounters in Philadelphia with Patti LaBelle and Toni Cade Bambara. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E8 · Tue, March 08, 2022
A Higher Calling with Vanessa Miller
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Vanessa Miller , author of the Christian fiction novel, Something Good . Vanessa is a best-selling author of 51 books, an entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has centered themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Vanessa Miller , author of the Christian fiction novel, Something Good . Vanessa is a best-selling author of 51 books, an entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has centered themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles. During the conversation, Vanessa explains how a casual comment from her daughter convicted her to get back to writing after she nearly gave up,. She also discuss the message of hope she wants to spread to the world, and what she has to say when it comes to choosing God and going to therapy. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E7 · Tue, March 01, 2022
You Don't Know New Orleans with Maurice Carlos Ruffin
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Maurice Carlos Ruffin , author of the short story collection, The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You . Maurice, is a New Orleans Native, an attorney by trade turned writer who holds an MFA and is a professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University. His 2019 debut novel, We Cast a Shadow was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Maurice Carlos Ruffin , author of the short story collection, The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You . Maurice, is a New Orleans Native, an attorney by trade turned writer who holds an MFA and is a professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University. His 2019 debut novel, We Cast a Shadow was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. During the conversation, Maurice discusses his love for his city despite the gentrification that's been happening for the last 15 - 20 years. He also explains how he applied his technical nature to his writing, training himself on flash fiction, and being energized to follow his dreams after working a full time day job as a lawyer. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E6 · Tue, February 22, 2022
I Felt Like Quitting with Jayne Allen
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Jayne Allen , author of the Tabitha Walker novel series, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted and Black Girls Must be Magic . Originally from Detroit, Jayne writes fiction from her life experiences. Her desire is to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to contemporary women’s fiction with dynamic female protagonists who also happen to be black. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Jayne Allen , author of the Tabitha Walker novel series, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted and Black Girls Must be Magic . Originally from Detroit, Jayne writes fiction from her life experiences. Her desire is to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to contemporary women’s fiction with dynamic female protagonists who also happen to be black. During the conversation, Jayne details the advice she wished she would've gotten in her late 20s and early 30s about motherhood and fertility. The "problems" gatekeepers initially had with her novel when she first tried to publish traditionally and the answers she received about worth and validation as a writer she received in community with her readers. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E5 · Tue, February 15, 2022
Black, Christian, Loving & Free with Danté Stewart
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Danté Stewart , author of the memoir, Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle . Danté is a speaker and writer whose work in the areas of race, religion, and politics has been featured on CNN and in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, Comment, and elsewhere. He received his BA in sociology from Clemson University and is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Danté Stewart , author of the memoir, Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle . Danté is a speaker and writer whose work in the areas of race, religion, and politics has been featured on CNN and in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, Comment, and elsewhere. He received his BA in sociology from Clemson University and is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. During the conversation, Danté explores what it means to grow up Black & Christian in the rural South, how he became deluded by white supremacy, and the four words that led to his reckoning and reawakening. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E4 · Tue, February 08, 2022
Deeply Profound with Honorée Fannone Jeffers
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Honorée Fannone Jeffers , author of the epic novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois . Honorée is also the author of five critically acclaimed books of poetry, including the award-winning collection, The Age of Phillis , based on the life and times of Phillis Wheatley Peters. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Honorée Fannone Jeffers , author of the epic novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois . Honorée is also the author of five critically acclaimed books of poetry, including the award-winning collection, The Age of Phillis , based on the life and times of Phillis Wheatley Peters. During the conversation, Honorée discusses why she never wanted to world to see her fiction, building her confidence in the craft, and recognizing the profound brilliance she carries as a Black woman no matter how she shows up in the world. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Wed, February 02, 2022
Introducing Well-Read Black Girl with Glory Edim
We're sharing a special preview of the new podcast, Well-Read Black Girl from Pushkin Industries. Well-Read Black Girl is the literary kickback you never knew you needed. Glory Edim, author and founder of the Well-Read Black Girl community, sits in deep, honest and close conversation with authors like Tarana Burke, Min Jin Lee, Anita Hill, Gabrielle Union, Elizabeth Acevedo and more. You’ll also meet book club members, literacy advocates, and Black booksellers to hear what they’re reading and what it means to be well-read. Join Glory through this current cultural moment – where art, justice and literature collide – and pay homage to the literary legacies of the women who paved the way. You’ll laugh, cry, connect and build space for kinship in a shared love of literature. Tune in, turn the page, and join the celebration. You can listen to Well-Read Black Girl at https://link.chtbl.com/blackandpublishedwrbg . Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E3 · Tue, February 01, 2022
Holding on to Joy with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts , author of the essay collection, Black Joy . Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA. She's come up through the indie author ranks, has served as a celebrity ghostwriter, and is the author of 15 other titles. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts , author of the essay collection, Black Joy . Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA. She's come up through the indie author ranks, has served as a celebrity ghostwriter, and is the author of 15 other titles. During the Conversation, Tracey opens up about the happenstance opportunity that propelled her from relative anonymity to major book deal visibility, how joy feels in her body, and the ways she's creating legacy for her daughter. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E2 · Tue, January 25, 2022
Writing Without Goals with Chris Stuck
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with author Chris Stuck , author of the short story collection, Give My Love to the Savages . Chris, holds an MFA from George Mason University and was also a fiction fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center. In his work, Chris was intentional about exploring race, sexuality, masculinity and the intersections therein. Episode Notes _________________________ On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with author Chris Stuck , author of the short story collection, Give My Love to the Savages . Chris, holds an MFA from George Mason University and was also a fiction fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center. In his work, Chris was intentional about exploring race, sexuality, masculinity and the intersections therein. During the Conversation, Chris opens up about the real life events that inspired a few of the stories in his collection as well as the anxiety he's had navigating the publishing industry and its litany of closed doors. Keep Up with Us ___________________________ Follow Nikesha on Twitter and Instagram Follow Black & Published on Twitter and Instagram (Bonus Clip from the episode posted on Instagram NOW!) Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S2 E1 · Tue, January 18, 2022
Doing Language with Kelly Harris-DeBerry
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with poet Kelly Harris-DeBerry , author of the collection, Freedom Knows My Name . Kelly, originally from Cleveland but now living in New Orleans, said she wanted her collection to be one for her folks and her people. The Cave Canem fellow works as the New Orleans Literary Coordinator for Poets & Writers. She also freelances and owns a small communications boutique that serves nonprofits and artists. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha speaks with poet Kelly Harris-DeBerry , author of the collection, Freedom Knows My Name . Kelly, originally from Cleveland but now living in New Orleans, said she wanted her collection to be one for her folks and her people. The Cave Canem fellow works as the New Orleans Literary Coordinator for Poets & Writers. She also freelances and owns a small communications boutique that serves nonprofits and artists. Kelly's collection is described as an electric collection that mixes brilliant poetics with the political. During our chat, Kelly discussed why she prefers to forego the polished for the real and why she says she was pushed into poetry by friends and the ancestors. Keep Up with Us ---------------------- Follow Nikesha on Twitter and Instagram Follow Black & Published on Twitter and Instagram (Bonus Clip from the episode posted on Instagram NOW!) Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Tue, January 11, 2022
Season 2 Is That You :)
Welcome back to Black & Published. The weekly interview format podcast bringing you the journeys of BIPOC writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds. Hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and award-winning author Nikesha Elise Williams. Full Episodes return January 18, 2022. *** Keep Up with Us Follow Nikesha Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Instagram: @nikesha_elise Follow Black & Published Twitter: @BLKandPublished Instagram: @blkandpublished Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Bonus · Tue, August 03, 2021
Writing Past Rejection
In this bonus episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is sharing her story about becoming a writer and finding her way in the publishing industry. From exploring and utilizing both traditional and independent avenues, Nikesha discusses when she knew she was a writer, the 7-year-long journey of publishing her debut novel, Four Women , founding her company, NEW Reads Publications , and how she has kept going despite lots of rejection to publish four more novels, a poetry collection, and four other authors in addition to doing all the things in life, love, career, and the pursuit of dreams. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S1 E27 · Tue, July 27, 2021
Living Creatively with Dawnie Walton
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with journalist and author, Dawnie Walton about her debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev . Dawnie is a Jacksonville native. She worked as an executive-level editor for magazine and multimedia brands including Essence, Entertainment Weekly, Getty Images, and LIFE before she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her passion for fiction. A MacDowell Colony fellow (2015) and Tin House Scholar (2017), Dawnie earned her MFA from the Iowa Writers's Workshop in 2018. She has been hailed as a "bold new voice in contemporary fiction" with her novel's fictional oral history of a Black punk rocker in 1970s New York. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with journalist and author, Dawnie Walton about her debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev . Dawnie is a Jacksonville native. She worked as an executive-level editor for magazine and multimedia brands including Essence, Entertainment Weekly, Getty Images, and LIFE before she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her passion for fiction. A MacDowell Colony fellow (2015) and Tin House Scholar (2017), Dawnie earned her MFA from the Iowa Writers's Workshop in 2018. She has been hailed as a "bold new voice in contemporary fiction" with her novel's fictional oral history of a Black punk rocker in 1970s New York. During the interview, Dawnie discusses the role music has played over the course of her life, not seeing herself reflected in her favorite genre, and making the switch from journalism to fiction writing in her 40s. She also talks about the discipline required as a writer, especially when you don't have a publishing deal and you're making your own deadlines. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follo
S1 E26 · Tue, July 20, 2021
Everyman is a Black Woman with M Shelly Conner
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with M Shelly Conner about her debut novel, everyman . M Shelly is a Chicago native who spent her summers bouncing between her grandmother in Memphis and relatives in Los Angeles, reveling in the sprawl of the Great Migration. That sprawl informs the work in everyman which M Shelly began working on first in 2005 and seriously during her PhD program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. An excerpt of everyman appears in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora . M Shelly is an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas and lives in Arkansas with her wife and their dog Whiskey. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with M Shelly Conner about her debut novel, everyman . M Shelly is a Chicago native who spent her summers bouncing between her grandmother in Memphis and relatives in Los Angeles, reveling in the sprawl of the Great Migration. That sprawl informs the work in everyman which M Shelly began working on first in 2005 and seriously during her PhD program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. An excerpt of everyman appears in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora . M Shelly is an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas and lives in Arkansas with her wife and their dog Whiskey. Over the course of the conversation M Shelly discusses the novel that made her want to get better at writing, crafting an epic generational story, and unpacking the so-called "phases" of life our parents' and grandparents' generation had knowledge of but never talked about. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show:
S1 E25 · Tue, July 13, 2021
Go Find It with Dantiel W. Moniz
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with Dantiel W. Moniz about her debut short story collection, Milk Blood Heat . Dantiel is a Jacksonville native who attended FSU for undergrad and received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work has appeared in the Paris Review , Harper’s Bazaar , Tin House , The Yale Review , McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and elsewhere. Described as wise and subversive, spiritual and seductive Milk Blood Heat has been hailed a "must-read" by TIME , Entertainment Weekly , Buzzfeed , Elle, and O, The Oprah Magazine . Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with Dantiel W. Moniz about her debut short story collection, Milk Blood Heat . Dantiel is a Jacksonville native who attended FSU for undergrad and received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work has appeared in Paris Review , Harper’s Bazaar , Tin House , The Yale Review , McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and elsewhere. Described as wise and subversive, spiritual and seductive Milk Blood Heat has been hailed a "must-read" by TIME , Entertainment Weekly , Buzzfeed , Elle, and O, The Oprah Magazine . Considered a bright new literary star, Dantiel opens up about the psychological separation between loving writing and knowing you want to be a published writer, learning that "our world prepares us to work for other people, but not ourselves" and why writers should go after every opportunity they come across and never count themselves out. She also discusses her intention for Milk Blood Heat to make people feel her stories in their body. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the
S1 E24 · Tue, July 06, 2021
Correcting the Record with Dr. Kim Mack
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with Dr. Kim Mack about her book, Fictional Blues: Narrative Self-Invention from Bessie Smith to Jack White . Dr. Mack is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo where she specializes in African American literature and culture, twentieth- and twenty-first-century ethnic American literature, autobiographical narratives, and American popular music. Her academic career comes after a journey that includes screen- and playwriting and music criticism. A self-professed rock fan, it was her love of what seemed to be a "white" music genre that led to her discovery, research, and now book about the blues. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with Dr. Kim Mack about her book, Fictional Blues: Narrative Self-Invention from Bessie Smith to Jack White . Dr. Mack is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo where she specializes in African American literature and culture, twentieth- and twenty-first-century ethnic American literature, autobiographical narratives, and American popular music. Her academic career comes after a journey that includes screen- and playwriting and music criticism. A self-professed rock fan, it was her love of what seemed to be a "white" music genre that led to her discovery, research, and now book about the blues. During the interview, Kim discusses why she resisted the title of journalist and even becoming one for so long as well as her winding journey that took her from New York to L.A. and from screenwriting to the hallowed halls of academy. She also says that at the end of the day, no matter what she's writing, she's just a storyteller. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: <a h
S1 E23 · Tue, June 29, 2021
Rebelling in Black with Robert Jones, Jr.
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Robert Jones, Jr. His debut novel, The Prophets , was published in January by G.P. Putnam Sons, an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse. The Prophets has been hailed for its spellbinding mix of lyricism, rawness, and authenticity, that is immediately reminiscent of the late, great Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. Robert is from New York City and has a BFA in creative writing and a MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. His work has appeared in The New York Times , Essence , and The Paris Review . He is also the creator of the social-justice, social-media community Son of Baldwin . Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Robert Jones, Jr. His debut novel, The Prophets , was published in January by G.P. Putnam Sons, an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse. The Prophets has been hailed for its spellbinding mix of lyricism, rawness, and authenticity, that is immediately reminiscent of the late, great Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. Robert is from New York City and has a BFA in creative writing and a MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. His work has appeared in The New York Times , Essence , and The Paris Review . He is also the creator of the social-justice, social-media community Son of Baldwin . During the interview, Robert talks about the first time he ever walked into a Black bookstore, bought a book by a Black author, and saw himself on the page. He also gets candid about the consequences of revolution, the so-called dangers of being a Black writer, and a recent health diagnosis that has him writing against a clock. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram u
S1 E22 · Tue, June 22, 2021
Have a Plan with Angela Jackson-Brown
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Angela Jackson-Brown . She is the author of the novel, Drinking From a Bitter Cup , and the award-winning poetry collection, House Repairs . Her latest novel, When Stars Rain Down , was published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of Harper Collins, on April 13, 2021. Angela teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and has an MFA from the Spalding low-residency program in Creative Writing. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Angela Jackson-Brown . She is the author of the novel, Drinking From a Bitter Cup , and the award-winning poetry collection, House Repairs . Her latest novel, When Stars Rain Down , was published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of Harper Collins, on April 13, 2021. Angela teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and has an MFA from the Spalding low-residency program in Creative Writing. Over the course of the conversation, Angela discusses first getting a degree in business and marketing before going for her MFA in her 40s. She also gets candid about her publishing process including not wanting an agent right away, the years long process of revision, and why she was more interested in having a rapport with her publisher than a big advance. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere
S1 E21 · Tue, June 15, 2021
Exploring the Layers with Morgan Jerkins
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with writer, editor, and New York Times Bestselling author Morgan Jerkins . Jerkins, who previously wrote the essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing and the memoir Wandering in Strange Lands , marks her fiction debut with Caul Baby . The Senior Culture Editor for ESPN's The Undefeated and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Jerkins' work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, ELLE, Esquire and more. She is currently based in Harlem. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with writer, editor, and New York Times Bestselling author Morgan Jerkins . Jerkins, who previously wrote the essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing and the memoir Wandering in Strange Lands , marks her fiction debut with Caul Baby . The Senior Culture Editor for ESPN's The Undefeated and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Jerkins' work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, ELLE, Esquire and more. She is currently based in Harlem. During the interview Jerkins' opens up about how her memoir helped inspire parts of her novel and why she chose to examine Black motherhood with such intensity. She also discusses the undercurrent of displacement that drives the motivations of her characters, how women make an enterprise out of their bodies, and why when she's all written out, first and foremost, she wants to be remembered. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and <a
S1 E20 · Tue, June 08, 2021
Black Girl Magic with Tina Wells & Stephanie Smith
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with marketing maven Tina Wells and journalist and author of 300 Sandwiches: A Multi-Layered Love Story , Stephanie Smith . Tina and Stephanie have been friends and collaborators for 15 years. Their current project is the middle-grade fiction series The Zee Files published by West Margin Press and available at Target. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with marketing maven Tina Wells and journalist and author of 300 Sandwiches: A Multi-Layered Love Story , Stephanie Smith . Tina and Stephanie have been friends and collaborators for 15 years. Their current project is the middle-grade fiction series The Zee Files published by West Margin Press and available at Target. The Zee Files is a spin-off of Tina's first middle-grade fiction series Mackenzie Blue which was published by Harper Books, an imprint of Harper Collins, starting in 2013. During the interview, Tina and Stephanie explain how Mackenzie Blue has been updated for a new generation in The Zee Files . They also discuss why the series is so important for the representation of young Black girls to see themselves reflected on the page. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished
S1 E19 · Tue, June 01, 2021
The Power of Voice & Validation with Khalisa Rae
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae . An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems . Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Ink and the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae . An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems . Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Ink and the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Khalisa, who speaks with fierce rebellion, says being a writer in the South and the only Black woman in many spaces has taught her many lessons along her publishing journey that she learned through trial and error. In this conversation, she opens up about childhood sexual trauma, the intense racism and oppression she experienced upon migrating from the Midwest to the South and how acknowledging her trauma informs her work and helps heal her pen to page. Khalisa also offers this pro-tip for other creatives, "Do 5 creative things that have nothing to do with making a coin," to keep your creative cup full. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as
S1 E18 · Tue, May 25, 2021
Own Your Power with Jeneé Darden
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with poet, essayist, and journalist Jeneé Darden about her book, When a Purple Rose Blooms . An Oakland native and daughter of O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a masters's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has reported for NPR , Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times , Ebony and more. The National Book Foundation awarded Jeneé a summer writing fellowship in 2003 and her award-winning short documentary, Where is East Oakland? was screened at the Oakland International Film Festival. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with poet, essayist, and journalist Jeneé Darden about her book, When a Purple Rose Blooms . An Oakland native, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a masters's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has reported for NPR , Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times , Ebony and more. The National Book Foundation awarded Jeneé a summer writing fellowship in 2003 and her award-winning short documentary, Where is East Oakland? was screened at the Oakland International Film Festival. Jeneé is passionate about African-American erotic art and mental health awareness. In this conversation she discusses growing up with insecurities, her struggle to love herself, honoring the power in the feminine, and the trauma she endured during and after the O.J. Simpson trial and how it all fuels her work today. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished.
S1 E17 · Tue, May 18, 2021
For the Love of Literature with Carla M. Cherry
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with poet Carla M. Cherry about her latest collection, Stardust & Skin . A Bronx native, an educator and academic, Carla is a graduate of Spelman College, NYU, Lehman College, and is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at the City College of New York. She says her goal is to make poetry accessible and help young girls of color give voice to their insecurities and vulnerabilities. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with poet Carla M. Cherry about her latest collection, Stardust & Skin . A Bronx native, an educator, and academic, Carla is a graduate of Spelman College, NYU, Lehman College, and is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at the City College of New York. She says her goal is to make poetry accessible and help young girls of color give voice to their insecurities and vulnerabilities. During the conversation, Carla opens up about how famed poet Nikki Giovanni inspired her with her classic piece "Ego Trippin'." She also discusses the challenges of self-publishing from formatting to marketing and what she sees for the future of her poetry career after independently releasing four poetry collections starting in 2008. She also waxes on creating safe spaces for her students, writing truthfully but making sure to leave her loved ones unharmed, and why the biggest investment she makes in her work is her own time. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. <a rel="payment" href="https://paypal.me/nikesha
S1 E16 · Tue, May 11, 2021
Finding Soft Places to Land with Jessica Lynn
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author and poet Jessica Lynn about her novel, Kissing Frogs: The Thirteenth . A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and an educator for over 10 years, Jessica Lynn used her experiences, the experiences of friends, and others to craft a literary drama that takes readers to the ancestral realm, on thrilling adventures, and sexy exploits to interrogate what it means to love, lose, and love all over again. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author and poet Jessica Lynn about her novel, Kissing Frogs: The Thirteenth . A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and an educator for over 10 years, Jessica Lynn used her experiences, the experiences of friends, and others to craft a literary drama that takes readers to the ancestral realm, on thrilling adventures, and sexy exploits to interrogate what it means to love, lose, and love all over again. During the conversation, Jessica discusses how she wrote a happy ending for her characters even though she was experiencing devastating lows in life. She also explains why she grounds the good and bad decisions of her characters in the reality that as people we may know better, but we don't always do better when it comes to matters of the heart, forging friendships, and fixing familial bonds. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished <br/
S1 E15 · Tue, May 04, 2021
Nothing is in Vain with Candis McDow
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Candis McDow about her book, Half the Battle: A Memoir . In this deeply personal story, Candis takes the reader through her journey of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a family vacation. A writer from age six, Candis was first published in the anthology series, Chicken Soup for the Soul . She says her goal as a writer is to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to show others that they can live their dreams too. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author Candis McDow about her book, Half the Battle: A Memoir . In this deeply personal story, Candis takes the reader through her journey of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a family vacation. A writer from age six, Candis was first published in the anthology series, Chicken Soup for the Soul . She says her goal as a writer is to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to show others that they can live their dreams too. During the conversation, Candis shares what happened during a family vacation that led to her being pumped with steroids and later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She also details how her faith in God has helped save her and why even though she initially wanted to be traditionally published, she ultimately decided to go the independent route. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: <a href='http://w
S1 E14 · Tue, April 27, 2021
Skinning the Constitution with Teri Ellen Cross Davis
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with award-winning poet Teri Ellen Cross Davis about her new poetry collection, a more perfect Union . The collection explores the experiential intersection of the lives of Black women in the United States. A Cave Canem fellow with work published in dozens of journals and anthologies, Teri is a member of the Black Ladies Brunch Collective and currently serves as the Poetry Coordinator for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with award-winning poet Teri Ellen Cross Davis about her new poetry collection, a more perfect Union . The collection explores the experiential intersection of the lives of Black women in the United States. A Cave Canem fellow with work published in dozens of journals and anthologies, Teri is a member of the Black Ladies Brunch Collective and currently serves as the Poetry Coordinator for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. During the conversation, Teri opens up about how writing poetry helps keep her whole, using her own journey from infertility to motherhood to speak up for others, and why through her work she's here to sing the song for Black women who haven't had a chorus. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S1 E13 · Tue, April 20, 2021
I Don't Look Like Who I've Been Through with Iman Milner
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with actress, writer and poet Iman N. Milner about her new poetry collection, on breaking back together . The collection on faith, love, loss, and self-preservation is soul-shattering and brutally honest. The work helps fulfill Iman's mission to heal herself in her own work as well as inspire others to prioritize their own healing. An actress from the age of 8, she sees her work on stage, TV, film, and in print--be it articles she's written or poetry she's penned--as part of the interconnected stories she wants to tell. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with actress, writer and poet Iman N. Milner about her new poetry collection, on breaking back together . The collection on faith, love, loss, and self-preservation is soul-shattering and brutally honest. The work helps fulfill Iman's mission to heal herself in her own work as well as inspire others to prioritize their own healing. An actress from the age of 8, she sees her work on stage, TV, film, and in print--be it articles she's written or poetry she's penned--as part of the interconnected stories she wants to tell. In this conversation, Iman explains why she approaches celebrity interviews as an actress, the reason she gets choked up reading her own work in front of an audience, and how starving taught her to know her value and know her worth. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: <a href='https://twitter.com/BLKandPub
S1 E12 · Tue, April 13, 2021
Because I Write with Rosamond S. King
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with creative, critical writer, poet, and performer Rosamond S. King about her new poetry collection, All The Rage . The collection was inspired by the lack of indictments handed down in the death of Eric Garner who was killed by police officers in New York in 2014. From that singular incident she crafted a collection set in the fictional world of the abattoir to discuss Black joy and Black pain living in tandem. She sees the collection as an extension of her work as a literary scholar and all around writer be it academic, poetic, or for the love of writing. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with creative, critical writer, poet, and performer Rosamond S. King about her new poetry collection, All The Rage . The collection was inspired by the lack of indictments handed down in the death of Eric Garner who was killed by police officers in New York in 2014. From that singular incident she crafted a collection set in the fictional world of the abattoir to discuss Black joy and Black pain living in tandem. She sees the collection as an extension of her work as a literary scholar and all around writer be it academic, poetic, or for the love of writing. During the discussion, Rosamond revealed how she discovered self-publishing was not for her and the advice she gives all young writers on rejection and making money as a literary artist. She also shares her "A Ha" moment of when she discovered she was a "Writer" and why it is her goal in this life to never repeat herself. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: <a href='https://twitter.com/BLKandPub
S1 E11 · Tue, April 06, 2021
Honest AF with Ebony Payne-English
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, performer, playwright, and educator Ebony Payne-English , about her journey as a literary artist that has led her to publish a poetry collection ( Secrets of Ma'at ), a graphic novel ( The Random Happenings ), and release six studio albums. Her latest offering, Kuongoza , dropped March 28, 2021 and is available on all streaming platforms. With 17 years of professional experience from Black on Black Rhyme to HBO's Brave New Voices, Ebony, is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist whose performance credits include the renowned Nuyorican Café in New York and ESSENCE Fest. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, performer, playwright, and educator Ebony Payne-English , about her journey as a literary artist that has led her to publish a poetry collection ( Secrets of Ma'at ), a graphic novel ( The Random Happenings ), and release six studio albums. Her latest offering, Kuongoza , dropped March 28, 2021 and is available on all streaming platforms. With 17 years of professional experience from Black on Black Rhyme to HBO's Brave New Voices, Ebony, is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist whose performance credits include the renowned Nuyorican Café in New York and ESSENCE Fest. During the conversation, Ebony courageously discusses her devastating diagnosis with an illness that stifled her creativity for three years, how writing helped save her own life, and how Superman Returns inspired her forthcoming play The Goddess Experience. She also dishes on finding God in art and how she stands whole, complete & empowered in her gift as a spoken word artist and emcee. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyo
S1 E10 · Tue, March 30, 2021
Black Power Flower Child with TaRessa Stovall
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, TaRessa Stovall , about her memoir, Swirl Girl: Coming of Race in the USA . TaRessa was born a jazz baby in Seattle, Washington and is a self-proclaimed Black Power Flower Child. (All Power to the People). TaRessa identified herself as an author from the age of seven and got her start in the industry by self-publishing her poetry as a young adult. She has gone on to publish independently and traditionally writing a children's book ( The Buffalo Soldiers ), a novel ( The Hot Spot ), and several anthologies. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, TaRessa Stovall , about her memoir, Swirl Girl: Coming of Race in the USA . TaRessa was born a jazz baby in Seattle, Washington and is a self-proclaimed Black Power Flower Child. (All Power to the People). TaRessa identified herself as an author from the age of seven and got her start in the industry by self-publishing her poetry as a young adult. She has gone on to publish independently and traditionally writing a children's book ( The Buffalo Soldiers ), a novel ( The Hot Spot ), and several anthologies. During the conversation, TaRessa opens up about the legacy of passing in her own family, going from indie to mainstream to indie again, and why she credits a candid comment from President Obama for giving her the inspiration to write her memoir. Oh, she also shares a little story about the one time the LEGENDARY Ruby Dee, called her up on the house phone in the kitchen with an offer that couldn't be refused. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Be
S1 E9 · Tue, March 23, 2021
Burning Bridges with Georgia Dawkins
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Georgia Dawkins , about her memoir, Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position . Georgia is The Purpose Producer. From ABC’s Good Morning America to Will Packer’s Central Ave, Georgia has worked within a multitude of television genres including local news, network news, talk shows, reality television, and entertainment news. In 2018 she published Everybody Knows while at the same time launching Georgia Dawkins Media to cement herself as a young media tycoon in the making. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Georgia Dawkins , about her memoir, Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position . Georgia is The Purpose Producer. From ABC’s Good Morning America to Will Packer’s Central Ave, Georgia has worked within a multitude of television genres including local news, network news, talk shows, reality television, and entertainment news. In 2018 she published Everybody Knows while at the same time launching Georgia Dawkins Media to cement herself as a young media tycoon in the making. During the conversation, Georgia and Nikesha discuss how they came to their respective media careers--which is where their paths first crossed some 10 years ago--and why they left. Georgia also shares why she can't help but tell the truth, how she can't help but to seek bigger for herself after years of playing small, and why it's sometimes necessary to burn bridges in your life in the name of self-preservation. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me:
S1 E8 · Tue, March 16, 2021
Longing for Home with Wandeka Gayle
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Wandeka Gayle , about her short story collection, Motherland and Other Stories . Wandeka is an artist in every since of the word. A Jamaican writer, visual artist, pianist, and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Spelman College, she has received numerous fellowships including from Kimbilio Fiction, Callaloo, and the Hurston/Wright Foundation. She has a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. Her work has appeared in Prairie Schooner and The Rumpus and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Wandeka Gayle , about her short story collection, Motherland and Other Stories . Wandeka is an artist in every since of the word. A Jamaican writer, visual artist, pianist, and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Spelman College, she has received numerous fellowships including from Kimbilio Fiction, Callaloo, and the Hurston/Wright Foundation. She has a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. Her work has appeared in Prairie Schooner and The Rumpus and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. During the conversation, Wandeka shares her experience of what it's like to be triple marginalized as an immigrant, a woman, and a minority, how her procrastination led to her dissertation, and how she crafted an entire story out of watching a woman ride the bus. Wandeka also talks about the time she was falsely arrested, learning to recognize micro aggressions and the invisibility of racism that makes it so insane. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter:
S1 E7 · Tue, March 09, 2021
Making Work an Option with Monica M. Brown
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Monica M. Brown , about her book, Only One: How to Be a Bad Ass Boss in Corporate America . Monica is a deeply-accomplished and results driven senior executive with 20+ years of experience in tech and has worked for several Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Comcast NBCUniversal, and SiriusXM Pandora. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Monica M. Brown , about her book, Only One: How to Be a Bad Ass Boss in Corporate America . Monica is a deeply-accomplished and results driven senior executive with 20+ years of experience in tech and has worked for several Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Comcast NBCUniversal, and SiriusXM Pandora. In this conversation, Monica open's up about how she switched from a career in print journalism to tech, code-switching and absorbing micro-aggressions so often that it bled over into her writing, and how she hopes that no matte, she's always remembered as a motivator to help other people go after their dreams. There's also a good keekee about wine, martini's, and red bottoms which helps Monica maintain the balance between her professional persona and her naturally creative character. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S1 E6 · Tue, March 02, 2021
Breaking the Cycle of Sacrifice with Naima Coster
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Naima Coster , about the release of her second novel, What's Mine and Yours . (SPOILER ALERT) Naima's stories and essays have appeared in the New York Times, The Sunday Times, The Paris Review Daily and more. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree for 2020 and her debut novel, Halsey Street , was a finalist for the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Naima Coster , about the release of her second novel, What's Mine and Yours . (SPOILER ALERT) Naima's stories and essays have appeared in the New York Times, The Sunday Times, The Paris Review Daily and more. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree for 2020 and her debut novel, Halsey Street , was a finalist for the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Nikesha and Naima chat about what it means to be a woman outside of the titles of wife and mother, how parents can uphold oppressive, racist systems, and how living your dream and doing what you love can come as an affront to those who struggled for your success. The nuances and complexities of marriage, motherhood, race, writing and more come alive over the course of the conversation as nothing is left off the table. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: <a href='https://twitter.com/Ni
S1 E5 · Tue, February 23, 2021
A Return to Etiquette with Enitan Bereola, II
On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Enitan Bereola, II , about how he got the words out of his head and onto the page to turn his lifestyle into brand that took him from social media influencer to global storyteller. Enitan is the author of three bestselling books that the Obama's, Oprah, and the Zuckerburgs own including 2009's Bereolaesque: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book for the Urban Sophisticate , 2013's Gentlewoman: Etiquette for a Lady, from a Gentleman , and 2016's The Gray: A Relationship Etiquette Study . Episode Notes On this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Enitan Bereola, II , about how he got the words out of his head and onto the page to turn his lifestyle into brand that took him from social media influencer to global storyteller. Enitan is the author of three bestselling books that the Obama's, Oprah, and the Zuckerburgs own including 2009's Bereolaesque: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book for the Urban Sophisticate , 2013's Gentlewoman: Etiquette for a Lady, from a Gentleman , and 2016's The Gray: A Relationship Etiquette Study . During the interview, Enitan opens up about how he tested one of his books on Twitter and Instagram, his experience with depression at the height of his success, and how his faith is currently anchoring his life. He also spills the beans on the next project he's working on, #BlackDad, and what it means to be a husband and father of two. *** Follow @Nikesha_El
S1 E4 · Tue, February 16, 2021
Never Sitting Down with Tamika Newhouse
In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Tamika Newhouse , about how she went from teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty. The author of 17 novels, including her latest romance collection, Suga Hill , Tamika Newhouse opens up about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, her battle with mental illness and depression while fulfilling her dreams, and making sure Black women take agency over their own sexuality by creating characters who aren't afraid to ask, get, or even take exactly what they want. Episode Notes In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Tamika Newhouse , about how she went from teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty. The author of 17 novels, including her latest romance collection, Suga Hill , Tamika Newhouse opens up about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, her battle with mental illness and depression while fulfilling her dreams, and making sure Black women take agency over their own sexuality by creating characters who aren't afraid to ask, get, or even take exactly what they want. Tamika explains why she believes consistency is the key to making it in publishing after self-publishing her first book in 2009 only to land a major deal through her hard work and tenacity. She also drops gems throughout the episode such as, "Your publisher is not your friend," when talking about the industry and, "I don't believe in monogamy, I believe in loyalty . . . or discipline," when waxing on dating and relationships. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. <a rel="payment" href="https://paypa
S1 E3 · Tue, February 09, 2021
The Doors of the Church are Open with Deesha Philyaw
In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Deesha Philyaw , about her phenomenal journey with her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies , which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award and the 2020/2021 Story Prize. Episode Notes In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Deesha Philyaw , about her phenomenal journey with her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies , which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award and the 2020/2021 Story Prize. Deesha talks to Nikesha about how the revision process made her love writing more and let go of the need to feel validated, why writing is not indulgent, and how getting free of the things that bind us is a universal need. Deesha also reads "Snowfall" from the collection, and offers some advice on what the saved and the sanctified should stop and start doing. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us up at @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
S1 E2 · Tue, February 02, 2021
No One is Looking for Your Book with Roy Glenn
In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Roy Glenn , about his long career that started when he self-published his debut novel, Is it a Crime , in 1994 in part as a response to Waiting to Exhale . Glenn, who is a multi-genre author and is known as the master of suspense, has published more than 70 novels both independently and traditionally. Episode Notes In this episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Roy Glenn , about his long career that started when he self-published his debut novel, Is it a Crime , in 1994 in part as a response to Waiting to Exhale . Glenn, who is a multi-genre author and is known as the master of suspense, has published more than 70 novels both independently and traditionally. Roy talks to Nikesha about how he made the jump into mainstream publishing with Carl Weber in the early 2000s, why distribution is king, how he finessed his books into Barnes & Noble, and why after all these years he prefers the art of independent publishing. Glenn also reads from his novel, Changed Man , which is getting the film treatment thanks to a new deal with Vision Quest Productions. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. Don't forget to subscribe to Black & Published on your podcast platform of choice as well as rate and review. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: <a href='https://www.instagram.com
S1 E1 · Tue, January 26, 2021
The 14-Year Journey with Mbinguni
In this debut episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni , about her debut novel, Looking for Hope . Mbinguni is a natural storyteller with roots in West Africa and the Gullah-Geechee region of Georgia's barrier islands. Her novel, Looking for Hope , follows the life of young Hannah, "Mouse," Maynard in this coming of age tale where Mouse transforms from a shy, quiet, girl into a strong assertive woman. Episode Notes In this debut episode of Black & Published , Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni, about her debut novel, Looking for Hope . Mbinguni is a natural storyteller with roots in West Africa and the Gullah-Geechee region of Georgia's barrier islands. Her novel, Looking for Hope , follows the life of young Hannah "Mouse" Maynard in this coming of age tale where Mouse transforms from a shy, quiet, girl into a strong assertive woman. Through the course of the conversation, Mbinguni reveals why it took her 14 years to tell the story of Mouse, how she overcame her own insecurities to finally take the leap of her dreams, what made her to decide with an independent publishing company or "vanity press," and why in everything she does she wants to make sure it is done in a spirit of excellence, as she leads with love. *** Follow @Nikesha_Elise on Twitter and Instagram and check out her latest novel Beyond Bourbon Street available everywhere books are sold. If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions about the episode, hit us @blkandpublished on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #blackandpublished. Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
Trailer · Mon, January 11, 2021
Introducing Black & Published
Black & Published will bring you the untold stories of BIPOC authors, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds, hosted by two-time Emmy award winning producer and award winning author Nikesha Elise Williams . Conversations will center on what it means to be a writer, the writing process, and how exactly you get published. Black & Published Host: Nikesha Elise Williams ( @Nikesha_Elise ) Logo Design: Gisette Gomez ( @zodiacstudiosco ) Theme Music: DJ EnerJi ( @iamenerji ) Follow Us: Twitter @BLKandpublished IG: @blkandpublished Support the show Follow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me: IG: @nikesha_elise Twitter: @Nikesha_Elise Website: www.newwrites.com
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