Black Romance Podcast

Join Black Romance authors Katrina Jackson and Elysabeth Grace as they discuss writing Black historical romance. The authors engage the question of readerly and publishing perceptions about the place of African/African diaspora love in historical spaces. For Black romance authors, what does it entail to represent Black love within historical romance? Questions of colorism, sexuality, class, and gender affect perceptions of historical romance fiction. Is historical fiction or women's fiction the only way to write Black love? Can a genealogy and reading practice for Black historical romance emerge? A genealogy that encourages writers and readers (including agents, publishers, reviewers) to consider different frames of reading the idea of authenticity? The conversation attempts to move beyond the Eurocentric/American focus to look at the role of Black subjectivity (not individualism) as integral to Black historical romance. Finally, the authors seek to encourage Black romance authors and readers, and the wider romance community to re-imagine their relationship to historical romance in general, and Black historical romance in particular. Thanks to @cbddepaul for sponsoring this podcast and to Jennifer Gardner for media promotion. Creator, producer, and host of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with @rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Black Romance Artwork: Kyle Gabb @Marciano_arts  

This week historical novelist Patricia Vaughn talks about her experiences writing and publishing her first two historical novels in the 1990's. She discusses how her agent Vivian Stephens helped her to publish her first historical novel Murmur of Rain with Pocket Books in 1996 and talk about her second Shadows on the Bayou. Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator, producer, and host of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with @rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Artwork: Kyle Gabb @Marciano_arts Murmur of Rain: https://www.amazon.com/Murmur-Rain-Patricia-Vaughn/dp/0671520040 Shadows on the Bayou: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671520059/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

In today's episode I talk with Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar Cruz, co-authors of In Case You Forgot and their recent release Busy Ain't The Half Of It. We discuss their co-authored books as well as many other topics, including: the importance of publishing love stories between Black queer characters; how Frederick Smith's romance novels Right Side of the Wrong Bed and Down For Whatever, published by Kensington, were inspirational to Chaz; their path to becoming co-authors; and how Chaz's career as a poet shapes both language and style in their novels. Besides being co-authors of two novels, Frederick Smith has published three additional novels centering the romantic lives of Black and Latinx queer characters. Chaz L. Cruz is a writer/poet/creative and a lead writer of Handsome the series. Busy Ain't The Half Of It: https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/busy-aint-the-half-of-it-by-frederick-smith-and-chaz-lamar-cruz-3621-b In Case You Forgot: https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/in-case-you-forgot-by-chaz-lamar-cruz-and-frederick-smith-2991-b Play It Forward: https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/play-it-forward-by-frederick-smith-948-b Right Side of the Wrong Bed: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0758219261/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3 Down For Whatever: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0758209797/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4 Frederick Smith's website: http://fredericklsmith.com/about-the-author/ Chaz L Cruz's website: https://chazlcruz.com/about Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator, producer, and host of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with @rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Artwork: Kyle Gabb @Marciano_arts

Best-selling writer Farrah Rochon and I talk about her new release The Dating Playbook and also deep dive into several topics: how she wrote and published her 2007 debut novel, Deliver Me, the first in her Holmes Brothers Series; we talk about her New York Sabers Football Series; Bayou Dream Series; Moments in Maplesville Series; and The Boyfriend Project. Rochon was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. She has been a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award nominee. In 2015, Farrah won the Emma Award for Author of the Year.  Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator, producer, and host of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with @rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Artwork: Kyle Gabb @Marciano_arts Farrah Rochon's website: https://www.farrahrochon.com/ The Dating Playbook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PV5JRHM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 The Boyfriend Project: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PV5JRHM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 The Holmes Brothers Series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074BZMHBB?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks  

Barbara Keaton's first romance novel, All I Ask, was published in 2000. Since then she has gone on to write thirteen romance novels, which celebrate black love. In this episode, we discuss: her experiences publishing with Genesis Press, working with Romance Slam Jam, the mentorship a community of Black writers have provided her, and we deep dive into her novels Nights Over Egypt, Heat at First Sight, and Show Me!. In addition to her books, Keaton has also written several articles and editorials that have appeared in various publications: Today's Black Woman Magazine; The Chicago Crusader; The Chicago Defender; The Chicago Reader; Bronze Thrills; True Confessions; and, Affaire de Coeur. Barbara Keaton's website: https://www.barbarakeaton.net/ Nights Over Egypt: https://www.amazon.com/Nights-Over-Egypt-Barbara-Keaton-ebook/dp/B08DZJJDGJ Show Me!.: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Show+Me+Barbara+Keaton&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss Heat at First Sight: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Heat+at+first+sight+Barbara+Keaton&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss

Chilufiya Safaa is a romance novelist whose books put a fresh twist on African and African American love themes and allow readers to examine what they thought they knew about African and African American people. In this episode, we talk about Safaa's first four novels, A Foreign Affair, Passionate Encounters, The Art of Love, and Stay the Night, which were all published by New York publisher Kensington Publishing, her fifth and sixth books, Stolen Dreams and Bittersweet, that were independently published. Safaa also talks about her relationship with Vivian Stephens, the writing coach for her first three books and about her career publishing traditionally and self-publishing.

Veronica Mixon, my guest today, was an editor at Doubleday for fourteen years from 1974 to 1988. She was hired as assistant to an editor of Romance and Science fiction novels and then promoted to editor when her boss left the press. She recounts her experiences during these years: creating Doubleday's Starlight Romances, working with many writers, including Barbara Stephens, Millie Ragosta, and Rochelle Alers, building relationships with other Black editors at the time like Marie Brown at Anchor and Vivian Stephens at Dell. And in an unexpected turn of conversation, she talks about working with Octavia Butler on an article for Essence magazine and advocating with the editor for higher pay for Butler's books.  

Eboni Snoe is the best-selling author of seventeen books. In this episode, we discuss her experiences publishing her first romance novel A Shiek's Spell with Odyssey Books in 1992 as well as her experiences publishing with Arabesque and Avon Book. We deep dive into her novels Beguiled, Tell Me I'm Dreamin', her forthcoming autobiography The Altar, and her publishing company Beyond Maya Press. Eboni Snoe's Facebook: Eboni Snoe: The Life, Books, and Times https://www.facebook.com/ebonisnoe/?ref=page_internal Beyond Maya Press: https://beyondmayapress.com/about.html A Shiek's Spell: https://www.amazon.com/Sheiks-Spell-Eboni-Snoe-ebook/dp/B00G1Y8H9A/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Beguiled: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFW6Z9M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6 Tell Me I'm Dreamin': https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXY3GNG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0    

Celeste Norfleet, a best-selling writer of over twenty-five novels, joins me this week. We talk about her 2002 debut novel Priceless Gift and its curious ending, which became the inspiration for the novels in her well-loved Mama Lou Matchmaker Series. She recounts her experiences at the beginning of her career and the supportive environment of Romance Slam Jam among her well-known sister writers and readers. We also discuss her current release One Night in Georgia, which tells the story of three friends on a road trip in 1968 from New York to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.     Celeste Norfleet's books have gained critical acclaim and stellar reviews, including nominations for The Rose Award, the Romantic Times Book Review's Reviewers Choice Award, the RT Book Review's Lifetime Achievement Award, and numerous Romance Slam Jam Emma Award nominations. Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Artwork: Kyle Gabb Marciano_arts Celeste Norfleet's website: https://celesteonorfleet.com/e-books/ Priceless Gift: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Y57900/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3 Mama Lou Matchmaker Series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XXBX6LJ?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks One Night in Georgia: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G14MH1D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0  

Adriana Herrera, a USA Today bestselling author, joins me this episode to talk about a converging series of experiences and events that led her to write and publish romance: her experiences as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic; the dissonance she felt between her studies on Black Feminist Thought and the colonial images she read in romance; the demoralizing rhetoric about immigrants in the 2016 elections and her need to affirm the existence of immigrants; and her need to create romance novels that center diverse characters who are Black and LGBTQ. In this conversation, she and I also talk about her Dreamer series as well as her additional publications: Finding Joy, Mangoes and Mistletoe, Here to Stay, “The Duke Makes Me Feel,” and her newest release One Week to Claim it All. Her Dreamers series has received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Booklist and has been featured on The TODAY Show on NBC, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Library Journal and The Washington Post. Her debut, American Dreamer, was selected as one of Booklist's Best Romance Debuts of 2019, and one of the Top 10 Romances of 2019 by Entertainment Weekly. Adriana is an outspoken advocate for diversity in romance and has written for Remezcla and Bustle. She is one of the co-creators of the Queer Romance PoC Collective: https://sites.google.com/view/pocqueerromanceauthorscommunit/home?authuser=0 Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Adriana Herrera's website: https://adrianaherreraromance.com/ One Week to Claim it All: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P3M3S7L?tag=ahromance-20 American Dreamer: An LGBTQ Romance: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SVY14Z1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1 Finding Joy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085TRV833/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i5 Mangoes and Mistletoe: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081135L42/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4 Here to Stay: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086R2QY77/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1  

Today's guest is Katrina Jackson, best-selling writer of over twenty novels. She joins me to discuss her prolific career. Katrina discusses some of her early reading practices, writing her first romance, a self-published book titled Encore, and why she publishes affirming images of Black women. She also recounts how her life as a pre and post tenured historian in the Academy informs some of her novels' themes. She and I also discuss several of her books: From Scratch, Office Hours, The Hitman, Encore, Grand Theft New Year's Eve, and her current release Back in the Day. An Associate Professor of history, Katrina is a college professor by day who writes romances by weekend when her cats allow. She writes high heat, diverse and mostly queer erotic romances and erotica. She can be reached at @katrinajax. Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Katrina Jackson's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Katrina-Jackson/e/B01GAF7X2Q%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Office Hours: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086HXGL86/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 Back in the Day: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091G63SW9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6 From Scratch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077RCHLQJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6 The Hitman: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CGS9YJ8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i8 Grand Theft New Year's Eve: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z268N51/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p2_i0      

Best-selling writer Piper Huguley joins Julie to talks about her experiences writing, publishing, and marketing historical novels with African American Christian characters. She talks about developing her online platform to self-publish her novels, including her first The Lawyer's Luck and the books in her “Home to Millford College Series.” In addition, she talks about A Virtuous Ruby from her “Migrations of the Heart Series” as well as her forthcoming books: her Hallmark novel Sweet Tea, and By design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best Kept Secret, a historical fiction which will be published by William Morrow. Piper Huguley is an Amazon Bestselling writer for her books The Lawyer's Luck and The Preacher's Promise. The Preacher's Promise was also named a top ten Historical Romance in Publisher's Weekly by Beverly Jenkins. She is a 2013 Golden Heart finalist for A Champion's Heart, a first place winner for the 2013 Golden Rose Contest for her novel A Virtuous Ruby, and a 2014 Golden Rose Contest finalist. Huguley was named 2015 Debut Author of the year by Romance Slam Jam and Breakout Author of the Year by AAMBC, the African Americans on the Move Book Club, Inc. Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Website: https://piperhuguley.com/about/ The Preacher's Promise: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77K09U/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3 The Lawyer's Luck: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBIKE38/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6 A Virtuous Ruby: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087XX47Z3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i7 Sweet Tea: A perfect heartwarming romance from Hallmark Publishing:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LDYJKT1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1 By design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best Kept Secret: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Story-Lowe-Societys-Secret-ebook/dp/B093ZXPRXH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=By+design%3A+The+Story+of+Ann+Lowe%2C+Society%E2%80%99s+Best+Kept+Secret&qid=1623716471&s=digital-text&sr=1-1      

Best-selling writer Kennedy Ryan joins Julie to talks about how she developed her writing craft, which led to the 2014 publication of her first book, When You Are Mine. She talks about her experiences self-publishing, starting a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, and she recounts her experiences at the 2019 RWA award ceremony when she won the Rita award for her self-published novel Long Shot in the Contemporary Romance Long area. They deep dive into her books series All the King's Men, Queen Move, and her latest release Reel. Kennedy Ryan is a RITA Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller. She has also published her writings in Modern Mom Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today, and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.  Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Website: https://kennedyryanwrites.com Reel: https://www.amazon.com/Reel-Standalone-Hollywood-Renaissance-Novel-ebook/dp/B091G3LF8S Queen Move: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086R7S4GX/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 All the King's Men Series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081NBYRCZ?ref_=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tkin&binding=kindle_edition Long Shot: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLZ7S7T/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i6    

Best-selling writer LaQuette joins Julie to discuss her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, My Beginning. They discuss how she came to write and publish romance, her role as the current President of the Romance Writers of America, her publishing company Brooklyn Girl Ink, and her books Jackson and Bedding the Enemy. LaQuette is a 2021 Vivian award finalist for her book titled Under His Protection. This award-winning writer has received the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award and the 2016 Write Touch Readers Award Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Website: https://www.laquette.com/ Jackson: https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Restoration-Ranch-Book-1-ebook/dp/B08DHD3V9L/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=LaQuette&qid=1622242588&s=digital-text&sr=1-3 Bedding the Enemy: https://www.amazon.com/Bedding-Enemy-LaQuette-ebook/dp/B0788W5HP6/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=LaQuette&qid=1622242474&s=digital-text&sr=1-7 My Beginning: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0991320301/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i15  

Best-selling writer Reese Ryan joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, Making the First Move. They discuss Ryan’s recent nomination for the Vivian Award in the Contemporary Romance Short area as well as her experiences writing and publishing romance. They also deep dive into three of her novels: Making the First Move, Second Chance on Cypress Lane, and Waking up Married. Reese Ryan is the author of over twenty novels. She is the past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and the 2018 Donna Hill Breakout Author. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Website: https://www.reeseryan.com/ Making the First Move: https://www.amazon.com/Making-First-Move-Boys-Gone-ebook/dp/B00CC68FMU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Making+the+first+move&qid=1621271266&s=digital-text&sr=1-2 Engaging the Enemy: https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Enemy-Bourbon-Brothers-Book-ebook/dp/B07JKYX4L7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BJEEUKKS3SMW&dchild=1&keywords=engaging+the+enemy+by+reese+ryan&qid=1621271705&s=digital-text&sprefix=engaging+the+enemy+%2Cdigital-text%2C192&sr=1-1 Second Chance on Cypress Lane: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085C72M17/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reeseryanwrites-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B085C72M17&linkId=c5dc71d0d1d148c83a9b52b8afbcceed Waking up Married: https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Married-friends-Brothers-ebook/dp/B08GM6X989/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Waking+up+married&qid=1621271216&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Shirley Hailstock joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, and they deep dive into her novels Whispers of Love (Under the Sheets) and Love in Logan Beach. Shirley Hailstock is the author of over 40 novels and novellas. She writes contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal, historical romance, and mainstream women's fiction. She holds a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York City Chapter of RWA, and an Emma Merritt Service Award from RWA. Her novel, Legacy is listed as one of the 100 Greatest Romance Novels of the 20th Century. Hailstock is a past president of the Romance Writers of America, and she is active locally and nationally, having served on the National Board of Directors for seven years. She is also a past president of the New Jersey Romance Writers and a past officer of Women Writers of Color. Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts Website: http://www.shirleyhailstock.net/ Whispers of Love (Under the Sheets): https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Love-Arabesque-Shirley-Hailstock/dp/0786000554 Love in Logan Beach: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Logan-Beach-House-Thorn-ebook/dp/B01M6B7V7K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Love+in+Logan+Beach&qid=1621171793&s=books&sr=1-1

Best-selling writer Donna Hill joins Julie for the first episode of Season two of the Black Romance Podcast. They discuss Hill’s experiences writing and publishing romance, and they deep dive into three of her novels: Rooms of the Heart, Chances Are, and Confessions in B Flat. Donna Hill is a prolific writer who has published romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, erotica, and mysteries. She has even had her books adapted for TV. Her career started in 1990 when she published Rooms of the Heart. Since then she has gone on to publish more than 80 novels and novellas, including her most recent book Confessions in B Flat.  Website: https://donnaohill.com Rooms of the Heart: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Rooms+of+the+Heart+donna+hill&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss Chances Are: https://www.amazon.com/Chances-Are-Essence-Bestselling-Author-ebook/dp/B001D3CR2W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Chances+are+donna+hill&qid=1620155441&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 Confessions in B Flat: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-B-Flat-Donna-Hill-ebook/dp/B0879HJ7S6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman Sound Design: Juelle Daley

Margo Hendricks who writes romance novels as Elysabeth Grace joins me to close out Season one of the Black Romance Podcast. We discuss her contemporary and paranormal romance novels as well as our forthcoming editorial collaboration on a special issue of the Journal of Popular Romance Studies, which will focus on Black Romance. This issue will include all of the transcripts from my interviews on Season one of the podcast along with essays from several well-known romance writers and scholars. Margo Hendricks is University of California emerita professor of English literature. As Margo Hendricks, she is the co-editor of Women, 'Race,' and Writing in the Early Modern Period, with Patricia Parker, and the author of many journal articles. Her current works in progress are an academic memoir and Heliodorus’ Daughters: Black Women and the Romance Industry. Writing as Elysabeth Grace she has a contemporary novel titled Your Heart Only and a four-book paranormal series titled Daughters of Saria, which includes the books: Fate’s Match Fate’s Kiss Fate’s Consort And the forthcoming Lilith’s Heart.

Rochelle Alers and I talked about a number of topics: her experiences writing and publishing romance in the 1980’s; and we talked about books and characters from her Hideaway, Cavanaugh Island, and The Innkeepers series. She also discussed her work with Vivian Stephens on the Women Writers of Color group, her experiences with RWA, and with Black women editors and writers who she believes have contributed to her success.

This week Gwendolyn Pough (writing as Gwyneth Bolton) and I discuss her popular romance fiction Make It Last Forever and Sweet Sensation. We also discuss whether her academic publications on Black feminism and Hip-Hop culture influence her romance fiction.

Rebekah Weatherspoon discusses the importance of depicting Black women in her books, writing inclusive novels that feature queer love stories with Black characters, and her experiences self-publishing and publishing with Dafina, a traditional press.

This week Alyssa Cole and I discuss how her precocious childhood reading habits may have influenced her current romance publications. Cole also reveals how her historical and contemporary romance like Let it Shine, An Extraordinary Union, An Unconditional Freedom, A Princess in Theory, and A Duke by Default work through, try to understand, and trouble particular aspects of U.S. culture, history, and politics.

This week’s conversation with Vivian Stephens focuses on several topics: her work at Dell; her transition as editor from Dell to Harlequin; Harlequin’s release of her; her subsequent work with Black romance writers; marketing an all-Black line of Vivian Stephens romance; and her own publication Second Act.

In part one of my interview with Vivian Stephens, she discusses her experiences as an editor at Dell Publishing, and she talks about her role in the founding of The Romance Writers of America.

In this conversation, Beverly Jenkins and I talk about her early experiences as a Black woman writing and trying to publish her historical romance featuring Black characters. We also discuss Night Song, her debut novel, Indigo, Jewel, and Forbidden, her historical novels set in the late 1800’s.

Having published over one hundred and twenty-five novels, Jackson talks about the importance of how Blackness is represented in media and popular culture and about how this led her into filmmaking.

New York Times best-selling writer Brenda Jackson recounts the challenges she faced publishing romance fiction with black characters in the 1980’s and why she negotiated her own contract to publish her first novel in 1995.

Welcome! If you love reading Black popular romance fiction, if you love writing and teaching Black Romance fiction, or if you are a budding romance writer wanting to find out how best selling Black writers got into romance writing and publishing, the Black Romance Podcast is for you.

Best selling writer Sandra Kitt and I talk about publishing romance fiction in the 1980’s and the path she took to becoming one of the first published writer for Harlequin and for Kensington’s Arabesque series in 1994. We also talk about working with renown Black editors Vivian Stephens and Monica Harris, and Kitt provides a sneak peek into her upcoming releases.