Messy Middles

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 [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] for a link.