Writing Black Joy

This week I am joined by Thea Charles, a fellow storylistener and the host of the Push or Pivot Podcast.

Thea graduated from Providence College, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She did as expected and took a career path in the medical field, working as a Histocompatibility Specialist and Compliance Officer.

For Thea, following a path that was created for her didn’t keep the internal fires burning. Being stuck at a crossroads in her career ultimately helped Thea realize coaching was the path for her.

Thea is a life coach that believes when you know your purpose you can build the confidence to show who you are to the world. Thea has a knack for helping clients see the big picture, zero in on what they desire, and create manageable steps to get there.

She helps women manage their transitions in life as she can relate having gone through many changes herself.

She is a mom of two boys, wife, travel enthusiast, flutist, lover of tea and a good mural, and the host of the Push Or Pivot Podcast.

You can check out season 1 and other season 2 guests of Writing Black Joy over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/

Thea's first episode with us is https://www.writingblackjoy.com/writers-gallery/safiya-robinson

You can find Thea's podcast - Push or Pivot at https://www.pushorpivot.com/

To listen to Thea's special series for Black History month, click below:

Shirley Chisolm - https://www.pushorpivot.com/episodes/68

William Grant Still - https://www.pushorpivot.com/episodes/69

Jean - Michel Basquiat - https://www.pushorpivot.com/episodes/70

Marsha P Johnson - https://www.pushorpivot.com/episodes/71

And you can learn more about coaching with Thea on https://thearenel.com/

And if you want to know about working with me, go over to https://www.safiyarobinson.com/

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Today’s guest Kathleen Naytia is an editor, podcaster and writer of speculative fiction, and she has joined me to talk all about editing. So if you have any plans of getting your work out there as a writer, then this conversation is a must listen.

As my guest last week - Dawn Michelle Hardy said - editing is a non-negotiable (and by the way - if you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, then go take a listen - it is gold if you are writing or planning to write a book).

Kathleen and I go deep into talking about editing - what the editing process is (and what it isn’t) and how having the right editor can make your work better and improve your writing.

We talk about how to choose an editor, the questions to ask, and how to advocate for yourself during the editing process. We got a bit nerdy talking about how language has evolved over time and also ableist language, and how an editor can help to ensure that your use of language keeps you true to your intentions for your story, as well as the nuance involved particularly in fiction and memoir. And we talk about different types of editing and when you can bring in that type of support.

Kathleen is also a writer of speculative fiction, so we talk about her own writing practice, how a book by Octavia Butler changed her life, and her podcast Loud in theatre. This conversation is full of wisdom about the importance of editing to writing and publishing your work and I think it is a must listen for anyone who wants to write and bring that story into the world.

If you want to support us you can join our Patreon community over at https://www.patreon.com/safiyarobinson

You can check out season 1 guests and other season 2 guests of Writing Black Joy over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/

Check out Kathleen's podcast Loud in the Theater over on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/loud-in-the-theater/id1561710813

Kathleen and I talk about the book "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" and you can find it at https://www.amazon.com/Particular-Sadness-Lemon-Cake/dp/0385720963/ref=sr_1_1

Follow Kathleen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kathleen_naytia/

And remember - if you want to write a book, and want to work with me as a writing coach or editor, then head on over to my website https://www.safiyarobinson.com/

or follow me over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/safiyarobinson77/

and follow https://www.instagram.com/writingblackjoy/

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This week I am joined by Dawn Michelle Hardy, “The Literary Lobbyist,” a creative publicity strategist and staunch advocate for self-published and traditionally published authors.

Dawn and I talked about: the importance of audience building and several ways you can do that - whether you write fiction or non-fiction, even memoirs.

We also talk about self publishing vs traditional and how to make that decision, the importance of editing - no matter how you are publishing - how to find an agent, and how to increase your chances of finding an agent, the landscape of the publishing industry for Black writers and creatives and so much more.

Dawn also talked about a new initiative from the literary lobbyist - a speakers bureau that brings Black writers and writers of color to speak at Historically Black colleges and universities - so that creatives can learn more about the publishing industry and the opportunities within.

This conversation is chock full of strategies and advice for writers who want to put their books out into the world - whether you want a traditional publishing contract, or you want to self-publish.

If you want to support us you can join our Patreon community over at https://www.patreon.com/safiyarobinson

You can check out season 1 guests (including Javacia and Jacqueline) and other season 2 guests of Writing Black Joy over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/

Check out Love in a carry on bag by Sadeqa Johnson on https://www.amazon.com/Love-Carry-Bag-Sadeqa-Johnson-ebook/dp/B007HBKQK4/ref=sr_1_1

Check out "From the block to the boardroom" by Tracey Syphax on https://www.amazon.com/Block-Boardroom-Tracey-D-Syphax/dp/0985029501/ref=sr_1_3

If you want to know more about Dawn's program Publishing in your pajamas then head over to www.PublishingInYourPajamas.com

Follow Dawn on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/Theliterarylobbyist/

And remember - if you want to write a book, and want to work with me as a writing coach or editor, then head on over to my website https://www.safiyarobinson.com/

or follow me over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/safiyarobinson77/

and follow https://www.instagram.com/writingblackjoy/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Writing Black Joy is here - a podcast for creatives, where we celebrate and feature all types of Black writers and storytellers with joyful tales to tell. We talk about their creative process, as well as their projects, and have lots of laughs along the way.

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