Liberation is Lit Podcast

In this episode, we welcome author and publicist Traci Saulsberry to discuss her upcoming book, This Is How You Love Her . Saulsberry shares her long-held desire to write, her career in publicity including working at NBC, and how leaving corporate prompted questions of identity that led her back to writing. She describes a non-traditional publishing journey that began with a LinkedIn message to a...

In this episode, we welcome debut novelist Charity Collier to discuss her journey to becoming an author, from journaling and overcoming dyslexia-related discouragement to gaining confidence with her writing. Charity shares the inspiration and symbolism behind her romance novel, Making It Over the Tobin Bridge, rooted in Boston’s North Shore/South Shore culture and the bridge’s meaning as a persona...

On the Liberation is Lit podcast, host Tayler Simon talks with New Jersey author Kim Coleman Foote about her lifelong journey as a writer, the family storytelling that inspired her historical fiction, and how her novel Coleman Hill uses both tragedy and humor to humanize relatives and explore intergenerational trauma rooted in slavery. Foote discusses researching family history, using imagination...

In this episode, we welcome author and high school science teacher Channelle Desamours to discuss her new YA supernatural thriller mystery, They Call Her Regret. Channelle shares why she writes for teens, how the dystopian boom reignited her reading, and how science and problem-solving inform her approach to mysteries.  Channelle’s Books They Call Her Regret Needy Little Things Other Books Mention...

In this episode, we welcome writer Dhayana Alejandrina to discuss storytelling, social change, and Dhayana’s concept “Creative Stillness,” a reframe of writer’s block as a needed pause to live life and spark creativity. Dhayana shares her origins as a writer, her focus on capturing humanness, and how social media pressures and hyper-capitalism can distort creative worth, emphasizing trusting your...

In this episode, we welcome author D.A. Murray to discuss her dystopian novel Dominion: Ascension and how storytelling can explore social change. Murray shares her background as a longtime writer and a Black woman in corporate America and tech, explaining that the book was shaped by observations of social, political, and economic power dynamics, shifting gender roles, coercion, and technology’s in...

In this episode, we interview author and retired university criminologist James B. Wells about his investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. James recounts learning that his father supposedly died as the only passenger on a civilian plane shot down in Vietnam, then discovering more than 400 letters in 1991 that revealed his father as a truth...

In this episode, we interview author Bsrat Mezghebe about her debut novel, I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For. Bsrat describes her approach to connecting the 10,000-foot view of society with everyday human life and explains the novel as a story about Eritrean women seeking freedom in the DC suburbs on the eve of Eritrean independence in 1991. We discuss the Eritrean War for Independence, dias...

In this episode, we interview author Jill Tew about how she got into writing dystopian romance and middle-grade stories. Jill shares how her love of sci-fi and nerdy Black kids and discusses her new climate-justice dystopian romance, An Ocean Apart , centered on wealthy elites escaping environmental collapse on luxurious sea ships while land communities suffer.  00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:36...

In this episode, we welcome poet, performer, and writer Zulynette to discuss her journey writing and performing poetry and how rage, love, and resistance shape her work. She talks about writing and performance as community practice through workshops, curated prompts, and her storytelling space focused on grief, transformation, and healing for people of the global majority and queer people. We disc...

In this episode, we talk with sociologist Gretchen Sisson about her book Relinquished and how adoption decisions are shaped by poverty, policy, and cultural ideas about who is “worthy” to parent. We discuss pushback that adoption is inherently altruistic, noting high demand for babies and predatory market incentives. The conversation also connects adoption to foster care, racialized histories, and...

In this episode, we sit with writer Kevin Doyle to discuss his children’s book The Worms That Saved the World. Joining from Cork, Ireland, Kevin shares his background and explains that he wanted children’s books with a political angle influenced by his left-wing interests. The book imagines a hopeful alternate ending to a real-life campaign in which earthworms organize, set ground rules, and win b...

In this episode, we talk with author Eddie Dee Williams about his journey into storytelling, focusing on his superhero book series, the Affinity Saga. Eddie shares his inspirations from childhood heroes, the importance of representation in superhero narratives, and the profound impact of telling stories that resonate with and reflect the Black community. We discuss the intricacies of Eddie's...

In this episode, we converse with Renee Bracey Sherman, co-author of the book 'Liberating Abortion.' We dive deep into how Renee and her co-author, Regina, wrote their impactful book, and explore the complexities and joys of their partnership. We talk about the importance of abortion rights, comprehensive activism, and the broader implications for social justice. Don't miss this com...

In this episode, we interview Johnisha Matthews Levi about her powerful memoir 'Number's Up' and her journey as an author. Johnisha shares her personal story, discussing her parents' diverse backgrounds, her shy nature, and her path from law to environmental justice work. They delve into the importance of storytelling for social impact, how narratives can shape culture, and the...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Linda Holloway, a children's book author. Dr. Linda shares her journey into writing children’s books, inspired by her own childhood and academic research on Black women in wellness. The discussion covers significant themes in her books, including mental health, anti-bullying, sickle cell disease, sexual assault, diversity, divorce, and death. Dr. Linda emphas...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Liberation is Lit Podcast! In this episode, we interview author Toni Ann Johnson about her latest book, 'But Where's Home?' Toni Ann shares her journey from actress to writer, discussing her transition from screenwriting to creating impactful prose and short stories. The conversation delves into the complexities of race, family dynamics, and personal traum...

In this episode, we are joined by acclaimed author Jandy Nelson. Jandy shares her unique journey from poet to fiction writer and the profound impact of storytelling. They discuss her latest book, 'When the World Tips Over,' inspirations, and the role of books in social change. The conversation delves into the challenges of book bans, how to support authors, and the importance of communit...

In this episode, we interview author Rachel Runya Katz about her new book. Rachel discusses her unique writing style of contemporary romance that she humorously calls 'rom traum coms,' exploring real-world issues within the romantic escapism genre. We delve into the themes of her latest hidden identity, epistolary romance book, and the importance of diverse representation in romance lite...

In this episode, we interview Shobha Rao, author of 'Girls Burn Brighter' and 'Indian Country.' Rao shares her journey to becoming a writer, beginning with her migration from India to the U.S. as a child. We cover the themes in her books, particularly focusing on disenfranchised populations and the impact of colonialism. Rao also discusses the importance of cultivating kindness...

We have a powerful discussion with Dr. Charlene Sims about financial freedom and literacy within the Black community. Dr. Charlene shares insights from her book “The New Black Wall Street,” which focuses on sustainability, collaboration, and the essential knowledge needed for successful entrepreneurship. Discover the importance of discussing financial literacy with children and the need for commun...

In this episode, we dive into the world of indie publishing with special guests Naomi, Michael, and Marines. The discussion covers the motivation behind starting imprints with Bindery (a startup publisher that partners with large-scale social media tastemakers to lead their own publishing imprints), the importance of promoting underrepresented voices, and the challenges of traditional publishing....

In this episode, we are joined by poet extraordinaire, Chrisso. We dive into Chrisso's journey from growing up in Lancaster, South Carolina, to becoming a prominent figure in the slam poetry scene. Chrisso shares his background, the inspiration behind his positive poems, and his experiences in various poetry competitions like Slam Madness and Southern Fried. The conversation also touches on C...

In this episode, we sit down with Bibliotherapist and author Emely Rumble. We discuss what bibliotherapy is and how it is used to help clients process emotions and discover new perspectives. Emely shares her journey into bibliotherapy, the cultural differences in its practice, and how it connects to Black librarianship. We also dive into the practice of bibliomancy, advocating for libraries, and h...

In this episode, we are joined by Tamela Gordon, an author, editor, and advocate for hood wellness. We discuss the interplay between writing and editing, Tamela's journey as a writer, and the impact of mutual aid in publishing. Tamela also shares insights into her upcoming book, 'She Writes to Live,' and her first book, 'Hood Wellness.' The conversation touches on the powe...