Written In Melanin

Welcome to episode #23.

So, if you follow me on TikTok, then you'll know that, like the podcast, I try to be very transparent about what I'm doing. I was asked the question about my writing process, so, since I'm about to start on the second book of the Wrath of the Gods duology, I figured I'd share it now. Both to answer the question and put in words for myself!
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Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Purchase We Are the Origin:  https://payhip.com/b/osSWm
Support Chelsea and the podcast: https://Patreon.com/CMLockhart
Check out the Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com
Music by Akia DaGreat

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Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
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The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

Welcome to episode #22

This episode, I want to talk about book distribution. While I never present myself as an expert on things, I do like to point out to anyone new to self or indie publishing that there are many more ways to go about releasing your book than just going with Amazon. I know it seems to be the default for a lot of authors, but if you want full control of your book and options, then you should definitely consider all your options before committing to one.
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Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Purchase We Are the Origin:  https://payhip.com/b/osSWm
Support Chelsea and the podcast: https://Patreon.com/CMLockhart
Check out the Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com
Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
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The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

In today's episode, I want to share some things I've learned about what to expect when you're expecting to publish your first book. Deciding to publish your book yourself is a major decision and there's a lot that goes into it. That being said, there's still a lot of mystery surrounding publishing and I'm hoping to clear that up a little.
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Website: https://CMLockhart.com

Purchase We Are the Origin: https://payhip.com/b/eJSQP

Support Chelsea: https://Patreon.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

Today, I want to talk to you guys about graveyards. Specifically, the kind where you house all of the cut and discarded lines from your works in progress. Because, I learned early on that keeping one is an invaluable resource, I wanted to share what I have learned with you guys today.
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Website: https://CMLockhart.com

Purchase We Are the Origin: https://payhip.com/b/KihME OR https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

This episode is dedicated to feedback and criticism. It's been on my mind lately, probably because I'm in the process of receiving feedback on my book We Are the Origin, but I feel like it's something that's not discussed enough. The common advice is to get feedback and take it like a champ, but I want to actually discuss what that really means. Because, regardless of what anyone says, feelings will always be involved when you offer up your creative work for critique.
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Website: https://CMLockhart.com

Purchase We Are the Origin: https://payhip.com/b/KihME OR https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

As indie authors, we wear many hats: author, social media manager, pr team, financial advisor, etc. And in the scheme of keeping our head above water, we sometimes forget to do the most crucial aspect of all of this -- to write. So, this episode is your reminder to actually get the words out and I'll share a few ideas for making time to write that have worked for me.

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Website: https://CMLockhart.com

Purchase We Are the Origin: https://payhip.com/b/KihME OR https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

As I've been sharing with you guys I very much feel like I'm in a new season of growth, both as an author and as a person. And one of the things I've been sitting with this past week is releasing myself of the expectations I put on myself as an author. And doing that has been giving me so much more peace of mind and made me more productive.

Chelsea's Corner starts at 19:42

**So, I lied about the Discord server 😅 I did make one, but I decided it would be best not to give myself another task to manage. So, please find my podcast on GoodPods. It's an app similar to Goodreads for books, but SO much better and actually user-friendly. I'll chat there or in the comments on YouTube. Sorry about that!**

**Also, there is no video podcast for this episode on Ko-fi. I spent legit 4 hours trying to get it right, but I still have a lot to learn before I can manage it. Please bear with me as I try to figure this out! My goal is to upload the recordings there in the future though.**

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Website: https://CMLockhart.com

Purchase We Are the Origin: https://payhip.com/b/KihME OR https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

Hello and welcome to everyone listening to the Written in Melanin Podcast, the place where you come to get your weekly dose of melanated creativity. I am your host C. M. Lockhart, an author of fantasy books featuring Black girls who aren't all that nice and the owner of the Melanin Library, an online database of books written by Black authors. And in this space, I offer you full transparency on my journey as a Black and indie author. I'm glad you're here.

Now, let's answer the big question right now: why should you listen to this podcast?

The only reason I can give for that is because it's real. Everything I share on this podcast is a genuine part of my journey as an author and as a human being. From my anxieties and apprehensions about promoting my book and creative content to my excitement about finishing my latest drafts and getting feedback from my beta readers to my hurt and disappointment at losing people who I thought were my genuine friends. It's all real.

And you should listen because, if you clicked on this podcast to begin with, you're probably an author too. Or a creative. Or just someone who can relate to the struggle of being your authentic self on the internet when only showing your best angles is the status quo. And, sometimes, its important to know that you're not alone. That your journey is valid. That there are other people facing the same obstacles as you. And maybe, just maybe, my journey can help you along on yours.

I am a Black indie author. I write fantasy books about Black girls who aren't all that nice. I am a YouTuber and small business owner who is building everything I have from scratch. I have been told the odds are not in my favor, but they never have been so that's not going to stop me. I'm going to conquer every goal I set for myself and I hope you choose to come on this journey with me.

But that's all I can really tell you about why you should listen to this podcast. So, thank you for listening. And, until next time, may all your books be full of melanin.

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Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

Welcome to Episode #16 of the Written in Melanin Podcast.

I don't know who needs to hear this today, but I'm definitely going to say this for myself -- believe in yourself. This creative journey is not an easy one, but it's one worth being on, so keep going.

Say something positive: http://www.writteninmelanin.com/episode-16

Purchase We Are the Origin:  https://payhip.com/b/KihME OR  https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!

Last week was a really rough one for me. If you listened to episode 14 of the podcast, then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. But as the saying goes, "weeping only endures for a night." And I'm feeling much more refreshed than I had before. So, with new decisions on the horizon and previous disappointments behind me, I'm feeling hopeful for what's to come. And in this episode I want to talk about that -- all of it: how I'm healing, giving myself space and time to process, projects I'm letting rest for a while, and projects I'm excited for coming up!

Say something positive: http://www.writteninmelanin.com/episode-15

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Purchase We Are the Origin: https://amzn.to/35hVsAm

Support Chelsea on Ko-fi: https://Ko-fi.com/CMLockhart

Check out the Melanin Library for books by Black authors at https://MelaninLibrary.com and support it at https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin 

Join her for the Melanin Chat on Tuesdays at 4p EST on YouTube at YouTube.com/c/WrittenInMelanin

Sign up for Dabble Writer (her preferred writing software) using her affiliate link: https://www.dabblewriter.com/?via=cmlockhart

Follow her on Twitter and TikTok @CLockhartWrite, @WrittenNMelanin, and @Melanin_Library

Music by Akia DaGreat

-
Purchase We Are the Origin: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wato-hardback
Purchase We Are the Origin LIMITED EDITION: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/watole
Purchase WE ARE DYING GODS: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/product/wadg-hardback
-
The Links: https://WrittenInMelanin.com/links
Melanin Library: https://MelaninLibrary.com/
Patreon: https://Patreon.com/WrittenInMelanin
Services: https://www.writteninmelanin.com/services

Music by Akia DaGreat

Request We Are the Origin and We Are Dying Gods at your local bookstore or library!