Afronauts Podcast

Hey Afronauts! Today we're chatting with award-winning author Alechia Dow, about writing across age categories and genres. What makes each age category unique? How does she channel each age's voice? Has she ever considered a pen name?We also celebrate the release of Jill's middle grade debut, Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement.Alechia is awesome! To buy her books (including her adorable new middle grade Their Just Desserts) visit her website: https://www.alechiadow.com/booksAnd check out this link to buy Jill's middle grade debut, Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/764010/kaya-morgans-crowning-achievement-by-jill-tew/You can find Alechia online at:www.alechiadow.com@alechiadow on Instagram and Threads@alechiadow.bluesky.social on Bluesky

Pre-order AN OCEAN APART by Jill TewPre-order I'LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOU by Beatrice Winifred IkerIn this Messy Middles episode, we discuss the covers for AN OCEAN APART and I'LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOU, different types of messy middles, and balancing the 'promise of the premise' with...everything else.I'LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOUCover design: Lisa Marie PompilioArt by: Mike HeathAN OCEAN APARTDesign: Liz DresnerArt by: Jorge Luis Miraldo

If this world were mine...We're some REAL romantics over here at the Afronauts Podcast (what y'all know 'bout that Luther?). On this episode we discuss the differences between a Romance novel and a novel that contains "romantic elements". Plus why they're both so good and worth reading and writing.Thank you Zakiya N Jamal and H. D. Hunter for joining our conversation! You can find them online and support their books here:H D Hunter website: https://hughhdhunter.com/Patreon/IG: @hdhunterbooksZakiya N Jamal website: https://zakiyanjamal.com/IG/TikTok/Twitter: ZakiyaNJamal

From acquisitions all the way to publication and beyond, Ashley Imanë Fields walks us through the process at Freedom Fire, a new imprint at Disney Hyperion dedicated to stories about Black Joy, Black Resilience, and Black Storytelling. Topics discussed include: The acquisitions process (editorial, sales, and more) How editors advocate for books within their imprints What it's like to establish a new imprint within a company as expansive as Disney Thanks Ash for joining us!

This episode is all about intellectual property (IP) companies and our experiences working with them. We're joined by Nia "N.E." Davenport and Bethany Baptiste. Nia "N.E." Davenport is an award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy author who writes stories that blend magic, mayhem, and deadly heroines. She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre Arts. She also has an M.A. in Secondary Education.  She teaches English and Biology to amazing students. When she isn't writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She's an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. Nia's latest book is OUT OF BODY, a propulsive young adult thriller set in Atlanta with a body-swap twist. Bethany Baptiste is an Indie bestselling author and a slightly responsible grown-up living Jacksonville, Florida in a little brick house with two chaotic evil dogs and too many books. She holds two degrees in Early Childhood Education and taught for seven years as a public school educator. Now as an inclusion specialist, she advocates for preschoolers with special needs. When not prying a shoe from a Schnauzer's jaws, she writes about Black kids with big hearts and little morals. Bethany's latest book is THE POISONS WE DRINK, a young adult fantasy set in D.C. Nia Website: nedavenport.com Bethany Website: bethanybaptiste.com Nia Instagram: nia.davenport Bethany Instagram: bethany_baptiste Nia Twitter: nia_davenport Bethany Twitter: StorySorcery Nia TikTok: nia.davenport Bethany TikTok: bethany.baptiste

Today, we're discussing the Southern Gothic genre through some of Beatrice's favorite TV shows. This was adapted from a Voodoonauts class Beatrice taught. The TV shows discussed are The Vampire Diaries (Bonnie Bennett), True Blood (Tara Thornton), and Interview with the Vampire (Louis de Pointe du Lac). Here is the link to the aforementioned chart: https://tinyurl.com/yh37vd6s

Beatrice has a new book deal! Join us as we discuss their debut adult horror novel, I'LL MAKE A SPECTACLE OUT OF YOU, coming fall 2025. Full of Black Appalachian history, Southern Gothic horror, religious horror, and much much more. To keep up with their latest updates, check out their website at www.beatriceiker.com. And follow them @beatricewinifrediker on Instagram/Threads and TikTok, and @beatriceiker on Twitter.

Join us as we talk with experienced agents Jen Azantian (Azantian Literary Agency) and Chelsea Hensley (kt literary) about current market dynamics, their agenting highs and lows, and more! 
 Learn more about Azantian Literary agency at www.azantianlitagency.com 
 Learn more about kt literary at www.ktliterary.com

Hey Afronauts! Our guest today is Indie-bestselling author Kamilah Cole. We had such a fun conversation, discussing everything from an alarmingly strict writing routine as a child, to the metadata she researches for her day job and writing, to plantains. Thee Afronauts Black Writers Social is January 31, 2024. Kamilah Cole is the inaugral guest of honor, and will be do a reading of SO LET THEM BURN. Also, we'll be giving away a signed copy! If you're a Black writer, DM us (@theeafronauts) on social for an invite link. Our discord community is up and running! DM us for that link as well. Kamilah Cole is an Indie-bestselling, Jamaican-born, American-raised author. By day she works in publishing and by night she frantically types words she hopes people want to read. In the past, she's also worked as a journalist and at a hotel, two jobs that give you amazing stories to tell at parties. You know, if she went to parties. A graduate of New York University, Kamilah is currently based in the Tri-State Area, where she's usually playing Kingdom Hearts for the hundredth time, quoting early Spongebob Squarepants episodes, or crying her way through Zuko's redemption arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

In today's pre-chat, Thee Afronauts have some big announcements! We're opening a discord community for Black writers, starting a newsletter, and having our first-ever social! More info below if you're interested. The meat of today's episode is about self-advocacy. We gave some examples of when we had to advocate for ourselves, discussed turning down opportunities (not easy!), and discussed the importance of community support. This is the last Afronauts Podcast episode til this fall, but we're focusing on other exciting projects: Thee Afronauts Black Writers Social is an 18+ virtual event for Black writers. Attendees must email us at theeafronauts@gmail.com for an invite link. Follow Thee Afronauts on substack! Our first newsletter will be published later this month. Join our Discord community! This is a space for and by Black writers, period. Email us at theeafronauts@gmail.com for a link. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

This is a fun one! Join us for a round table conversation with four 2024 debut authors: Sami Ellis, Ashton Lattimore, Avione Lee, and Rae Giana Rashad. We get into some honest discussion of the highs and lows of debut year, marketing plans, and protecting the integrity of your story through edits. Support their books here: DEAD GIRLS WALKING by Sami Ellis: https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/dead-girls-walking ALL WE WERE PROMISED by Ashton Lattimore: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722988/all-we-were-promised-by-ashton-lattimore/ MIN AND THE PERILOUS PIPE by Avione Lee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76536323-min-and-the-perilous-pipe THE BLUEPRINT by Rae Giana Rashad: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-blueprint-rae-giana-rashad?variant=41059561472034 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Catch up with us in our pre chat, then listen as we talk to Kwame Mbalia about writing, publishing, and Freedom Fire Books, an imprint of Disney-Hyperion that will feature stories of black joy and resilience written by black creators. Kwame is a husband, father, writer, a New York Times bestselling author, a former pharmaceutical metrologist, and a publisher with Freedom Fire Books, an imprint of Disney-Hyperion. His debut middle-grade novel, TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it—along with the sequels TRISTAN STRONG DESTROYS THE WORLD and TRISTAN STRONG KEEPS PUNCHING—is published by Rick Riordan Presents/Disney-Hyperion. He is the co-author of LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR with Prince Joel Makonnen, from Scholastic Books, and the editor of the #1 New York Times bestselling anthology BLACK BOY JOY, published by Delacorte Press. A Howard University graduate and a Midwesterner now in North Carolina, he survives on Dad jokes and Cheez-Its.  Learn more about Kwame at https://www.kwamembalia.com/. Follow him on social media @KSekouM on X (formally Twitter) and @mbalia1 on Instagram. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

We had a wonderful chat with Root Literary's Samantha Fabien about her personal agent taste, how she sets her client's submissions up for success, and her personal agent career goals. Learn more about Samantha at https://www.rootliterary.com/agents --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Our esteemed guest, Sheree Renée Thomas, was kind enough to visit us and drop some knowledge. More info on her below! Sheree is a New York Times bestselling, two-time World Fantasy Award-winning author and editor. A 2023 Octavia E. Butler Award honoree and a 2022 Hugo Award Finalist, she is the author of Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future, a Locus, Ignyte, and World Fantasy Finalist, Marvel's Black Panther: Panther's Rage novel, and she collaborated with Janelle Monáe on “Timebox Altar(ed)” in The Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer. Sheree co-edited Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction and is an NAACP Image Award Nominee and Editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Sheree lives in her hometown, Memphis, Tennessee, near a mighty river and a pyramid. Support F&SF: https://fandsf.com/ Find Sheree ONLINE: https://www.instagram.com/shereereneethomas/ https://www.shereereneethomas.com/ https://twitter.com/blackpotmojo  Leslye Penelope's podcast 'My Imaginary Friends': https://lpenelope.com/podcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Join us as we chat with our guests, Jamaican-American fiction author Shari Pennant and queer horror writer Sami Ellis, all about Anthologies! Shari's work can be found in the multi-genre YA anthology COOL. AWKWARD. BLACK. You can find Shari on her website at https://www.sharipennant.com/, on Instagram @sharibpennant, or Twitter @ShariWrites. Sami will be included in the upcoming Black horror anthology ALL THESE SUNKEN SOULS, out this fall. Find Sami at https://www.authorsamiellis.com/, on Instagram @authorsamiellis, or on Twitter @themoosef. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Join us for a real talk chat with two of next year's debut authors! Avery Cunningham is the author of THE MAYOR OF MAXWELL STREET, a riveting historical drama in which a rich Black debutante enlists the help of a low-level speakeasy manager to identify the head of an underground crime syndicate. Preorder here: https://books.disney.com/book/the-mayor-of-maxwell-street/ Etta Easton is the author of THE KISS COUNTDOWN, a fake dating rom-com featuring a down-on-her-luck event planner and a charming astronaut. Preorder here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735486/the-kiss-countdown-by-etta-easton/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Is it spooky season yet? Because the Afronauts been ready! In our pre-chat, we let you know which books we're reading (bring on the scary vibes!), and catch you up on what else we've been up to. After that, we chat with our guest: debut horror author, Jamison Shea. Jamison was once a flautist, violist, anthropologist, linguist, choreographer, dancer, professional fire alarm puller, digital producer, and account executive–but they've always been a writer. When Jamison isn't writing horror, they're drinking milk tea and searching for long-forgotten gods in eerie places. Their YA debut, I FEED HER TO THE BEAST AND THE BEAST IS ME, is out now! Join us as we discuss Jamison's journey to publication, what it's been like promoting their debut, and how real life horrors inspired some elements of I FEED HER TO THE BEAST AND THE BEAST IS ME. Jamison can be found on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Tumblr @wickedjamison or on their website at https://jamisonshea.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

In our pre-chat (we're still getting the hang of this), we discuss what we've been up to this summer and what we're excited about for the upcoming week. Spoiler: BEYONCÉ. Our guest was NYT bestselling author J. Elle, a longtime friend of the pod. We discussed her upcoming dark academia romantasy HOUSE OF MARIONNE, along with many other bookery things. More info on J. Elle: J. Elle is the New York Times, Indie bestselling and award-winning author of multiple books, including Against The Tide, an original prequel novel tie-in to The Little Mermaid. Her debut, Wings of Ebony, dubbed “an incredible debut” by NPR and best fantasy book by POPSUGAR, was a 2022 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth and Teens, an Amazon Editor's pick for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy, a Barnes and Noble YA Book Club Pick, a First Novelist American Library Association Honor Book and the recipient of a Kirkus starred review. Her forthcoming blockbuster fantasy romance trilogy, House of Marionne is being translated into ten languages across 5 continents. The former educator credits her nomadic lifestyle and humble inner-city beginnings as inspiration for her novels. When she's not writing, Elle can be found on the hunt for desserts without chocolate, looking for any excuse to get dressed up, and road-tripping her way across the country with her two dogs in tow. J. Elle is @authorjelle on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

In our first-ever seasonal pick: BLOOD DEBTS by Terry J. Benton-Walker is our spring pick! In this episode, we have a deep-dive conversation about this magical book with the author, with both non-spoiler and spoiler sections (there is a spoiler warning!). We talked about: BLOOD DEBTS, a magical YA contemporary fantasy is out now! Terry's next book, an apocalyptic middle-grade contemporary fantasy, Alex Wise vs the End of the World, comes out in Fall 2023. Want more Terry? Here's how to find him: Website: www.tjbentonwalker.com Instagram: @icecreamvicelord Twitter: @tjbentonwalker TikTok: @tjbentonwalker --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/afronauts-podcast/message

Join us as we celebrate Jill's book deal for her YA Dystopian Romance, THE DIVIDING SKY, out with Joy Revolution next Summer! Add THE DIVIDING SKY on Goodreads! Stay tuned for more info on the Afronauts Podcast's first hosted panel with WriteHive this summer! Find The Afronauts Podcast online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfronautsPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afronautspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@afronautspod?lang=en Website: https://www.afronautspod.com Afronauts Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Come chill with the Afronauts as we discuss our favorite approaches to pre-writing. How do we create immaculate vibes while ensuring the worldbuilding feels fleshed out? What do star signs have to do with character arcs? And why is Beatrice listening to something called "sad bathroom music"? RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Beatrice Iker's horror template Invisible Ink by Brian McDonald Final Girls by Riley Sagar The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Find The Afronauts on the internet Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfronautsPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afronautspod/ Website: https://www.afronautspod.com Afronauts Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

In this episode, we discuss short fiction, publishing, defining success, FIYAH Literary Magazine, and more with award-winning SF/F writer and editor L.D. Lewis. Find her online! Twitter: @ellethevillain Website: https://ldlewiswrites.com/2021/11/27/ls-discon-iii-schedule/ Support her on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=16703627 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Terry J. Benton-Walker Terry is the author of Blood Debts, a magical YA contemporary fantasy which will be available in April 2023. His apocalyptic middle-grade contemporary fantasy, Alex Wise vs the End of the World, comes out in Fall 2023. Join us as we discuss Terry's upcoming novels, outlining series, social media, perseverance, and building community as a black author. Want more Terry? Here's how to find him: Website: www.tjbentonwalker.com Instagram: @icecreamvicelord Twitter: @tjbentonwalker --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

In this episode, we discuss the history of audio fiction, creating images through sound, and representation in the audio industry. Find our guest on the internet Twitter: https://twitter.com/writersyndrome Website: https://dianampho.com/ Find The Afronauts on the internet Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfronautsPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afronautspod/ Afronauts Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/afronautspod Sources Mentioned Free Webinar with Fred Greenhalgh: https://finalrune.com/learn-audio-fiction-with-fred/ Nightlight Podcast: https://nightlightpod.com/ Podcastle: https://podcastle.org/ Realm: https://www.realm.fm/ The Parsnip Ship Podcast: https://www.theparsnipship.com/#welcome QCODE Media: https://qcodemedia.com/ Air New Voice Fellowship: https://airmedia.org/programs/new-voices Caroline Mincks: https://carolinemincks.carrd.co/ Seen and Not Heard: https://www.realm.fm/shows/seen-and-not-heard Faith McQuinn/Observer Pictures: https://www.observerpictures.com/About.html Radio Drama Revival Podcast: https://radiodramarevival.com/ Bombs Always Beep: https://www.bombsalwaysbeep.com/ Podcast Pontifications: https://podcastpontifications.com/episodes Transom Podcast resources: https://transom.org/2015/podcasting-basics-part-1-voice-recording-gear/ Podnews: https://podnews.net/ The Squeeze: https://thisisthesqueeze.substack.com/about Sounds Profitable: https://soundsprofitable.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Voodoonauts is a grassroots Afrofuturist collective for Black SFF writers. Founded by two MFA students, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu and Shingai Njeri Kagunda, and the cocoa-founders, Hugh “H.D.” Hunter and LP Kindred, in response to the under-representation and isolation of Black speculative fiction writers in the SFF landscape. Follow them on social media: @voodoonauts on Twitter and Instagram // voodoonauts.com Yvette: @Lisa_teabag on Twitter and Instagram Shingai: Twitter - @Shingaibelike // Instagram - @shingai_be_like Hugh: @hd_tsd on Twitter and Instagram LP: @LPKindred on Twitter and Instagram Pre-Order Drinking from Graveyard Wells: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813196978/drinking-from-graveyard-wells/ And This is How to Stay Alive: https://www.fantasy-magazine.com/fm/fiction/and-this-is-how-to-stay-alive/ Futureland: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691135/futureland-battle-for-the-park-by-hd-hunter-illustrated-by-khadijah-khatib/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet today's Hero: Britt Threatt Britt Threatt is a fantasy and speculative fiction writer committed to penning stories that explore the capacity and aliveness of Black youth. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Africana Studies, which informs much of her creative writing around themes of social life and death, intimacy, belonging, and trauma. Britt has a YouTube channel called Britt Writerly, which curates conversations about the relationship between books and culture, and showcases original content. As a Black writer, she is dedicated both to the craft of storytelling and the necessary conversations strong narratives incite. Want more Britt? Find her here: Instagram: @BrittWriterly Twitter: @True_Michelle_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrittWriterly/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Daniel Renjenko Daniel is a previously agented writer focused on crafting Black main-characters only, and Black-trauma-conscious stories of Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy with some steamy romance weaved in. His main goal is always to empower Black readers, while his personal mission is to change the normalized use of negative black connotations into positivity. Join us as we discuss Daniel's writing and inspiration, his take on Afrofuturism, parting from his agent, and finding support moving forward. You can find Daniel Renjenko on @drenjenko. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

This episode is all about revisions! We discuss how many CPs we like to work with, our favorite revision books and articles, and our process for evaluating/incorporating feedback. You can follow us here: Twitter: @AfronautsPod Instagram: @AfronautsPod Pinterest: @AfronautsPod Sources mentioned: https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-revise-a-novel/ https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/write-character-arcs/ https://thejohnfox.com/2021/04/8-steps-to-revise-your-novel-without-losing-its-essence/ https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ To support the production of this podcast, you can find us at AfronautsPod on Ko-fi. Thanks for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Tracy Deonn Tracy Deonn is the New York Times bestselling, Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award-winning author of Legendborn, and a second-generation fangirl. She grew up in central North Carolina, where she devoured fantasy books and Southern food in equal measure. After earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in communication and performance studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tracy worked in live theater, video game production, and K–12 education. When she's not writing, Tracy speaks on panels at science fiction and fantasy conventions, reads fanfic, arranges puppy playdates, and keeps an eye out for ginger-flavored everything. Join us as we discuss Tracy's novels, the interconnection between grief and trauma, the Vampire Diaries, and Tracy's fanfic tastes! Want more Tracy Deonn? Here's how to find her: Website: TracyDeonn.com Instagram: @TracyDeonn Twitter: @TracyDeonn --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Nick Brooks Nick is an award-winning filmmaker from DC. He is also the author of NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT, the first book of his middle grade novel series (out October 4th) and PROMISE BOYS, his first YA novel (out January 2023). Join us as we discuss Nick's novels, film writing, and music; his writing process; and how he navigates these different industries as a black creator. Want more Nick Brooks? Here's how to find him: Website: https://www.thenickbrooks.com/ Instagram: @officialnickbrooks Twitter: @whoisnickbrooks TikTok: @officialnickbrooks YouTube: Nick Brooks - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM8r_HKBgxXGU4y4qtAzyhw/about Vinemo: https://vimeo.com/thenickbrooks IMDb: Nick Brooks - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7954483/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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: Get Covers - https://getcovers.com/book-cover-design/ 20 books to 50k - https://www.facebook.com/groups/20Booksto50k Authors Unleashed - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1056593901397144 Write 10k in a day - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2088289198134313 Kickstarter for authors plus cross-promotion - https://www.facebook.com/groups/408680631087020 TikTok for authors - https://www.facebook.com/groups/tiktokforauthors Alliance of young adult authors - https://www.facebook.com/groups/925815260805671 Wide for the win - https://www.facebook.com/groups/556186621558858 Crystal Hunt: Creative Academy for Writers - https://creativeacademyforwriters.com/ Strategic author-preneur template - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SCZjKksvewfIYPkuIbnQyPjoUuu_Ubb5Jy9AsDZb2lw/edit#gid=645232691 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

In this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss writing fight scenes and other types of movement. Resources/books mentioned in this episode: Essa Hansen thread: https://twitter.com/essahansen/status/1525525321557999616, Body Beats to Build On by April W Gardner, Nia Davenport's THE BLOOD TRIALS, Namina Forma's THE GILDED ONES and THE MERCILESS ONES, A.M. Ellis's PERFECT SCORE, Pierce Brown's RED RISING, Leigh Bardugo's SIEGE AND STORM 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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: https://www.archives.gov/research/census/online-resources https://www.wordhippo.com/ https://keep.google.com/u/0/ https://www.notion.so/ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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 also 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 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 cobble and gumbo. You can find Nia Davenport on Twitter @Nia_Davenport and on Instagram @nia.davenport. Visit her website at https://www.nedavenport.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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: Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

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: We Need Diverse Books - Black Creatives Mentorship - https://diversebooks.org/programs/black-creatives-mentorship/ Author Mentor Match - https://authormentormatch.com/ Pitch Wars (Episode recorded prior to the announcement of the program's end. For more info, visit https://pitchwars.org/the-future-of-pitch-wars-and-pitmad/) Ancestral Futures Mentorship for BIPOC storytellers - https://ancestralfuturesorg.wordpress.com/ Write Team Mentorship Program - https://www.writeteammentors.com/ Be Your Own Mentor - https://byomentor.com/ 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Kiah Danielle Norris Kiah is a Young Adult Speculative Fiction writer. She loves drinking bourbon, discussing books, and ruminating about life, imagination, and writing. Kiah earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University of Los Angeles and her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from California State University Bakersfield. Join us as we discuss MFAs, Kiah's writing process, her choice to self-publish, her melanin-based magic system, and more! You can find Kiah Danielle Norris on Instagram @dreadedmuse and Twitter @danielle_kiah Check out her YouTube channel: Bourbon & Book Reviews and visit her website at https://www.kiahdanielle.com/ Edit details --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Happy Valentine's Day! On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss: Black romance, black familial love, and black self love in speculative fiction Black books mentioned in this episode: Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A Brown, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, Wings of Ebony by J. Elle, A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow, Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Sheena Williams Sheena is a YA science fiction writer and artist. She is a winner of the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware award for Commentary and 2020 Honorable Mention for the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. Join us as we discuss Sheena's querying experience as a marginalized writer, how her background in psychology informs her writing, her book, THE OUTLIER, and more! You can find Sheena Williams on Instagram @she.will.thrive and Twitter @she_will_thrive Check out her website at www.shewillart.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Thanks for joining us for Season 2: Dark Matter! On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss: #NaNegroWriMo, Our Winter Writing, Self Care, And our 2022 Writing Goals/Resolutions Be sure to check out our NEW WEBSITE at http://afronautspodcast.com/. For more information on the horror anthology Death in the Mouth, visit https://deathinthemouth.com/. Find out more about Black Ink Book Festival at https://www.blackinkcharleston.org/. Additional Resource Links: https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/imade-borha-how-to-find-black-therapist/ https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com https://www.beam.community https://health.clevelandclinic.org/spoon-theory-chronic-illness/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss: The Call - when an agent calls to offer representation Navigating the Industry Feel free to use our template for questions to ask during "The Call" - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zFO9_pMuQs01j9fNTbNJ8JJRQ0-fp1K1Ri0aEru5Pvw/edit. For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Mike Lee Mike is a sci-fi, cyberpunk and fantasy writer who also does developmental and copy editing. Join us as we discuss: Mike's publishing journey so far, his experience working with critique partners, his favorite thing about editing, and more! You can find Mike on: Twitter - @mikewrites5, Instagram - @mikewrites, or his website at mikeleewrites.com For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll discuss: Twitter Pitch Contests Hard and Soft Sci-Fi & World Building For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Tony Debajo Tony is a civil engineer, digital marketer, and the author of In The Shadow of Ruin which is book one in his The Fractured Kingdom series. Join us as we discuss: Tony's novel, his self-publishing journey, tips for writers interested in self-publishing, and more! You can find Tony Debajo on: Instagram @de_bajo_author, Twitter @tdebajo Check out his website and order your copy of In The Shadow of Ruin at https://de-bajo.com/books/. For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Britney S. Lewis Britney writes YA contemporary and speculative fiction, does competitive West Coast swing dancing, and is documenting her traditional publishing journey on YouTube. Her YA debut, The Undead Truth of Us, will be available Summer 2022. Join us as we discuss: Britney's querying tips, imposture syndrome, her long-term writing goals, the part of the publishing journey that's brought her the most joy so far, and more! You can find Britney S. Lewis on: Instagram @britney.s.lewis, Twitter @britneyslewis, & TikTok @britneyslewis Check out her website at https://www.britneyslewis.com/. Follow her on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/Britney3Kisses. For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

Meet our next hero: Eve Williams Eve has been telling stories since she was 8 years old. She got serious about writing in her late teens and in college studied creative writing and English. She is working on her first fantasy novel and is currently in the beta reader stage. Eve is going to start her querying journey this year with hopes to be published within the next two years. Join us as we discuss: Eve's ideal critique partner, her favorite genre, what made her start writing, and more! You can find Eve Williams on: Instagram @Writer.eve & Twitter @WriterEve For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message

On this episode of the Afronauts Podcast, we'll be talking all about experiencing burnout as writers: when we get it, why we get it, how to spot it, and what we can do about it. View the episode transcript at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvM4gWOiboCoOkchrRMohCLTHK5Dr6P99uE7H2Cq-yo/edit?usp=sharing For a link to our Discord Community, follow us on social media and send us an email at afronautspodcast@gmail.com! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afronauts-podcast/message