Okay, life starts happening and the first thing to go is often projects we love the most. But we’re back. This podcast has been such a labor of love, and we need more spaces to talk about Black books. But this podcast is much more than books. We talk about publishing news, our read like a writer concept, craft and much more.

If you’re looking for something literary, but where we can laugh, incorporate pop culture, and deep dive business and books, you’re in the right place!

This week in publishing: We discuss Tomi Adeyemi and adaptions and hiring outside editors.

Our Salon Topic: Working towards a sophomore book release.

Edited by: officialdilemma

Listen to a live recording of our Craft Talk & Co-Work series in residence at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood. We caught up with author of No Ordinary Love, Myah Ariel to discuss her writing journey, perseverance in creative industries and the editing process and much more.

Grab a copy of her book --> https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9780593640616 

Listen to a live recording of our Craft Talk & Co-Work series in residence at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood. We caught up with author of The Unboxing of a Black Girl, Angela Shante to discuss writing voice before diving into a co-working session. 

Grab a copy of her book --> https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9798890039538 

In this week's episode, Ashley is walking through the process of receiving her first edit letter, how she developed her own revision process, and the collaborative work of creating a book. 

This week in Publishing: 

1. Publisher’s Weekly says book sales were up in May! Which is always positive news.  https://t.co/GxRrB0iGIw 


2. NY Writers Coalition is closing its doors after 22 years of providing free workshops citing years of struggling to pay bills. https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-writers-coalition-decades-old-creative-writing-hub-to-close-its-doors


3. Author of the Bridgerton Series discusses the change in story for Franchesa Bridgerton. Brings up an interesting thought about adaptations and how closely they should or shouldn’t follow the book. https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/bridgerton-julia-quinn-michael-michaela-backlash

Given the Option: You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty 

Shop the title: http://ptwbooks.com

In this week's episode, we're joined by authors Laura Warrell (Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm) and Rasheed Newson (My Government Means to Kill Me) to talk about writing sex, whether there is a right or wrong way, their approaches to writing intimate scenes, and more. A great discussion for Adults Only! 

Be sure to support their work: 

Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm: https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9780593466537 

My Government Means to Kill Me: https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9781250833549 

In Episode 38, Ashley is joined by authors Bella Jay and Shameka S. Erby to discuss the “stigma” around romance books, the indie romance writing community, representation within the genre and much more. It was a ki-ki you'll be sure to enjoy!

Be sure to check out and support their work! 

https://shamekathewriter.com/ 

https://shop.authorbellajay.com/

In this week’s episode, Ashley is joined by special guest Jade Olivia discussing writing through a cultural lens unapologetically, and her new novel, A MONTH OF SUNDAYS. 

Grab your copy of A MONTH OF SUNDAYS HERE. 

This Week in Publishing: 

Lisa Lucas is out at Pantheon. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/books/booksupdate/knopf-doubleday-lisa-lucas-reagan-arthur.html  

Bertelsmann has partnered with Enders Analysis and Arthur D. Little to publish a new report, "State of Play: Exploring Generative AI’s Transformative Effects on the Media & Entertainment." https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4701 

Rebecca Schinsky shared on her Today In Books Substack, the state of the publishing from the inside. https://todayinbooks.substack.com/p/the-state-of-publishing-as-seen-from?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1753633&post_id=144708803&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1gzvy&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

In this week’s episode we’re chatting about what happens after an agent is interested in your manuscript. The questions you should ask, the protocol for communication with other agents and more. We’re also casting Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle and sharing relevant publishing news. Make sure you like, rate and subscribe to this podcast. 

This Week in Publishing 

HarperCollins Children’s Books has partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA for an eight-book publishing program, with the first title to launch this fall.  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/95058-harpercollins-and-girl-scouts-launch-publishing-program.html 

Support small presses that were affected by the March closure of Small Press Distribution. https://electricliterature.com/23-small-presses-to-support-after-the-close-of-small-press-distribution/ 

Author and Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro has passed away.  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/Obituary/article/95046-alice-munro-short-story-master-and-nobel-laureate-dies-at-92.html

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Editing by OfficialDilemma

In this week’s episode Ashley discusses suits against Amazon to include indie booksellers, whether lists still matter, cast ideas for GOOD MORNING, LOVE, and being in charge of your own writing career.

This week in Publishing:

In a recent poll by the Author’s Guild, 13% of writers admitted that they use AI for things like brainstorming, character development, and outlines. https://www.npr.org/2024/04/30/1246686825/authors-using-ai-artificial-intelligence-to-write 

Joe Biden signed a bill on April 24th that could result in a nationwide ban of TikTok as early as 2025. https://www.themarysue.com/tiktok-ban-would-be-devastating-for-authors-booktok/ 

The American Booksellers Association has filed a motion with the Federal Trade Commission. https://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/94929-aba-seeks-to-add-bookstores-to-ftc-lawsuit-against-amazon.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0h4pVDTCZ9-FC4zkgUKQjJCVGuSw8nRI5JspzMzw9YriJpVVGaf3BJPyQ_aem_AZxTmki_7CpJnaDrrBVTL2YcePDcXKu5Bp3WD3X-eVNmQ-Ob-bh_DfrE7zupVUEX3rXyTCLCmHl5kMMuFuDqoM6K 

The New York Times listed their best books since 2000, and more importantly than discussing their list, I just want to know, do we care about lists in general?https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/top-books-list.html

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Edited by: @officialdilemma

In this week's Read Like a Writer episode, we're chatting about POVs in fiction, particularly close third person with alternating perspectives with Black Candle Women as a reference text. 

This week in publishing: 

The Pen World Voices Festival has been canceled. https://lithub.com/the-pen-world-voices-festival-has-been-canceled/

PEN America has canceled its 2024 Literary Awards ceremony, which was previously scheduled to be held at the Town Hall in New York City on April 29th. .https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94876-pen-america-cancels-2024-literary-awards-ceremony.html

Bookwire, the Frankfurt-based digital book distribution and production platform, has partnered with U.S.-based Aptara, a provider of publishing solutions and digital data analysis, to share expertise. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4650

Viola Davis and husband Julian Tennon launch their own publishing company. https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/viola-davis-julius-tennon-publishing/

Powered by: @permissiontowrite 

Edited by: @officialdilemma