Books 'n' Shit

What an amazing real and honest episode! Charli sits down with Marvellous Michael Anson, author of FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN, the epic Fantasy debut deep in West African lore and culture that will have you on the edge of your seat. Marve explains about some of the pressures of book deals but also the input she has had for her book and how she has maintained autonomy for herself throughout the process....

And we're back with another episode featuring an incredible author: SAVANNAH STEPHENS! Savannah's debut novel WITCH QUEEN RISING is due for release April 21st in the US and April 23rd in the UK! We catch up about her incredrible book, her journey to publication and the current state of publishing for marginalised authors. Make sure to follow Savannah on her socials @booksbysavannah and pre...

In this wonderful episode, I am joined by debut author of The Reaper, Jackson P. Brown. Hailing from South London like myself, I was delighted to speak with Jackson P. Brown about her experiences in the publishing industry and her journey to publication. We touch on the bias that she has faced even after securing an agent as well as her great work with Black Girl Writers , that provides mentorship...

The concluding part to season 3 of Bridgerton was beautiful and I had so much fun! Check out my thoughts on Penelope and Colin's happily ever after and the future of the series. Let me know what you thought of the season conclusion!

The first half of Season 3 of the hit show Bridgerton was released on Netflix! Check out my thoughts on the first four episodes Make sure to stay up to date at www.charliauthor.com

After an intense discussion about which book we thought was better, three friends and I decided to figure out which was better through data: ACOTAR or Fourth Wing? Both books have amazing things going for them but also a few flaws so we decided to go through them and see who came out on top! Grab a glass of something and check out our discussion featuring: @kearbetweenchapters @rebeccalovesbooksan...

A group Black Female authors get together to host an epic International Giveaway on Instagram. Catch up with the ladies about themselves and their books and then reveal the winner of the giveaway! Books and their Authors up for grabs: Heavy is the Head by @authorknl Marcario's Scepter by @mjmcgriff Kore by @authorambrosiaharris Lured by the Dusk by @angelajfordbooks Fit for the Throne by @smcp...

After a little hiatus to catch up on life admin, Books n Shit is back with an explosive episode featuring Deborah Falaye, author of BLOOD SCION. Deborah and I discuss her journey towards getting Blood Scion written and published, the incredible quotes that can be found within the book and the cultural and political influences throughout. We discuss book marketing and loving romance within novels w...

Today we talk - very briefly - about genre misconceptions! When talking about writing there are so many things that people think they know or understand about the process when really, they couldnt be further from the truth. There are those who dont watch or read Game of Thrones, because they 'don't do that dragon stuff'. Or those who wont read Harry Potter because its secular etc. there are a ton...

It can be difficult to remain positive in the writing space. Whether its the constant appearance of positive querying stories when you just cant quite get there, or people struggling with their own creativity and mental health. Writing and creating takes a lot of of us and this episode touches on some of the musings ive had about support. Supporting others is a big part of the the writing communit...

This episode focuses on the minefield that is marketing! I have enlisted the expertise of Megan Beth Davies, a Marketing Manager by day and social media, writer and blogger extraordinaire by night...and also day lol We talk ads, websites and newsletters, marketing across social platforms and the importance of community and marketing yourself as well as your work. Megan lets us know the things she'...

Another author interview and this time featuring the amazing M. J. McGriff, author of Macario's Scepter, the first in a 7 book pirate adventure series! Get to know Margaret and her amazing new world of treasure hunting pirates, snarky chosen ones and academic rebellious nuns! We talk diverse casts, hot pirates and being a working writer mum!  Follow @mj_mcgriff on Instagram to stay in ouch wi...

Ever read a book that made you so mad when they did something so heinous, you couldnt forgive them? Today we talk Book Crimes that had you raging at the book and the author! Be careful in this episode as there are endless spoilers from Harry Potter, Shadow and Bone, Crescent City, Fire and Blood and Thrones of Glass! Let me know some other Book Crimes you couldnt forgive in the comments!

It's Mother's Day here in the UK and so I decided to talk about balancing writing life and parenting as I've recently become a mother. After checking with some of the writer parents on Instagram, people shared with me their advice for balancing this new part of my life and what works for them. Whether managing time or expectations, make sure to set realistic goals for yourself. There are so many m...

Today I talk about Imposter Syndrome and how it appears in writers and our quest for literary domination. After a brief introduction on the meaning of what Imposter Syndrome is from two different sources, I talk about my relationship with it stems from, the different types of Imposters we can be/relate to and of course, the best ways to cope with it. Do let me know what you thought of the episode...

I am joined on the first Live Stream of Books 'n' Shit by four unapologetically black female friends, to discuss the positive and negatives of Black Fiction and the state of the industry today. We talk black love, good and bad representation by Black authors and what we can do as readers and writers, to dispel these stereotypes and create images of black excellence. Follow all the lovely l...

In the spirit of Valentine's day/week, I decided to take a quick look at the couples that have graced our pages and our screens over the last few years.  Why do we resonate with Romeo and Juliet or sympathise with Antony and Cleopatra. What is it about couples through the ages that continue to stand the test of time! Let me know who you think are some great couples in literature, history or f...

Join me for another special episode featuring best selling author of The Wolf Den, Elodie Harper!   Elodie and I discuss the phenomenal history behind The Wolf Den and how she wanted to pay homage to the lives, loves and losses of these incredible women.  We touch on the publishing industry, the things indies should look out for as well what we consider to be some toxic relationship type...

Forget the heroes of the story, the Chosen Ones and lost princesses; what about the baddies! Villains are such a large part of what makes up a good story/film and I thought it time to give them some spotlight! A hero is nothing without a good adversary and in this episode, we discuss what makes a good or bad villain (04:40) and how villains like Thanos and the He Who Will Not Be Named Online, lead...

Happy New Year, One and All and welcome to first Books 'n' Shit episode of 2022! There is a lot going on for me this year including having a baby, publishing my fifth novel, keeping up with this podcast and starting some new projects! Have a quick chat with me about how i plan to tackle my 2022 TBR, how you can do the same and all the other fun things that are in store for the bookish world as wel...

And just like that...a year of Books 'n' Shit has come to an end. In the final episode of the season, I talk about all the wonderful things that have happened to me this year during my writer journey as well as what is coming up for me in the New Year. Whether it's my reading goals, writing intent, meeting up with friends or oh yeah, having a new human to look after; 2022 is going to be an interes...

You asked and I listened! Here we have what my mother thought of one of the most popular series' on bookstagram: A Court of Thorns and Roses aka ACOTAR! Most of you wanted to know what she felt about Tamlin but she also talks about the infamous Bat Boys, Lucien and how much she doesn't like Feyre lol. She isn't particularly fond of Sarah's descriptive style throughout and thinks that a lot more of...

This week's episode is probably one of the most enjoyable to date, as it features my amazing boyfriend, Zeus aka @mrstarzup Zeus and I discuss what its like for him living with and loving a reader when he has absolutely no interest in reading himself 😅 He gives some much needed advice to others living with a chronic reader and how they can live in such a challenging world 🤣 He lets me know his f...

What is Beta Reading? For some writers, it's a truly terrifying time when asking unassuming friends and sometimes strangers to read your work and give you feedback on all your hard work. While Beta Reading is an amazing tool for writers to get real feedback on their work, it can be plagued with criticisms that if handled incorrectly, can make someone feel terrible about their work. So, how do we h...

In today's episode, I let my mum know how much I appreciate her and the support she has shown me over the years both in my personal life and my professional/creative one. Being a writer or trying to become published, is often a secluded road if you're not around likeminded people who you are comfortable, sharing your work with. Having a stable support system whether its family, friends, online for...