With our first-ever guest co-host, Sierra Elmore, we discuss all things self-publishing. We talked about everything from working with book cover designers, to how you can see your book sales, to getting your books into indie stores!

Sierra writes YA contemporary and thriller novels. Her debut novel, DEATH BY SOCIETY, is out now (links below!).

You can find Sierra Elmore on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @SierraWritesYA, and you can visit her website at https://sierraelmore.com/.

Links to DEATH BY SOCIETY:

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/death-by-society/9798218019471

Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9798218019471

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-society-sierra-elmore/1141515077?ean=2940185571903

Sources mentioned:

Meet our next hero: Karen Strong

Karen is the author of middle grade novels JUST SOUTH OF HOME and EDEN’S EVERDARK. She is the editor of the forthcoming young adult anthology COOL. AWKWARD. BLACK. And she has also written short fiction for Star Wars and other award-winning anthologies.

Join us as we discuss Karen's latest novel, Eden's Everdark (out September 6th!), anthologies, and finding balance in your writing life and with social media.

You can find Karen Strong on Twitter and Instagram @KarenMusings, and you can visit her website at https://www.karen-strong.com. 

In this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we introduce The Naut-y Awards! The Naut-ys aren’t really an award show, there’s no single winner, just a chance to gush about our favorites in a handful of categories.

Books/Short Stories/Novellas mentioned in this episode:

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

Blook Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Imago by Octavia E. Butler

My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

The Necromancer by N.K. Jemisin

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Muted by Tami Charles

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

The Mothers by Britt Bennett

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow

Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson

Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark's 

Check out our website at http://afronautspodcast.com/ for episodes, resources, and more!

Show us a little love today by buying the crew some coffee! https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod

In this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss writing fight scenes and other types of movement. 

Resources/books mentioned in this episode:

Check out our website at http://afronautspodcast.com/ for episodes, resources, and more!

Show us a little love today by buying the crew some coffee! https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod

Meet our next hero: Liselle Sambury

Liselle is a Trinidadian-Canadian YA fantasy author. In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through her YouTube channel. She is the author of Blood Like Magic, and its sequel Blood Like Fate, out August 9th. 

Join us as we discuss Liselle's debut, food, family, worldbuilding, and what we can expect in the sequel. 

You can find Liselle Sambury on Twitter @LiselleSambury, on Instagram @lisellesambury. 

Check out her YouTube channel and visit her website at https://lisellesambury.ca/. 

In this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss: how accurate we want our stories to be, researching before drafting, using our own family history, and tips for keeping track of research.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Check out our website at http://afronautspodcast.com/ for episodes, resources, and more!

Show us a little love today by buying the crew some coffee! https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod

Meet our next hero: Nia Davenport

Nia is the author of The Blood Gift duology, which starts with The Blood Trials (out now!). She’s an English and Biology teacher and a strong advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. Recently, along with co-founder Traci-Anne Canada, she launched StorySpinner Entertainment, a book packager dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Black Diaspora.

Join us as we discuss Nia's writing process, her dream projects, her new book packaging company for marginalized authors, and her strong opinions on peach cobbler and gumbo. 

You can find Nia Davenport on Twitter @Nia_Davenport and on Instagram @nia.davenport.

Visit her website at https://www.nedavenport.com/.

On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss:

Our favorite black villains and antagonists, our least favorite, what makes a great villain/antagonist, and more! 

Black Books mentioned in this episode:

Check out our website at http://afronautspodcast.com/ for episodes, resources, and more!

Show us a little love today by buying the crew some coffee! https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod

Meet our next hero: Brittney Morris

Brittney is the author of SLAY, The Cost of Knowing, Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Wings of Fury, and she’s also written for various video games. Most recently, she joined the team at Insomniac Games to write for the upcoming Spider-Man PS5 game.

Join us as we discuss Brittney's experience writing novels AND video games, her advice to younger authors, and a new MG series. 

You can find Brittney Morris on Twitter @BrittneyMMorris and on Instagram @brittneymmorris. 

Visit her website at https://www.authorbrittneymorris.com/. 

On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss:

Picking the best mentorship for you, what to watch out for, our ideal mentorship programs, what to do if you don't get in, and more! 

Some mentorship programs mentioned in this episode:

Check out our website at http://afronautspodcast.com/ for episodes, resources, and more!

Show us a little love today by buying the crew some coffee! https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod