It’s been quite a while since we last talked, but so much has happened since then.

If you’re not a Patron, you probably aren’t aware of the number of short stories I’ve published on my website and on Patreon, all of which can be purchased or viewed on my website.

That said, I’m looking forward to finishing up THE DARK WORLD series at last and finally moving forward with new stories!

The email was all about her latest blog post where she showcased 15 books by black authors readers should read for Halloween.

I scrolled through it, admittedly hoping my name would be on there — and it was!

#9!

I want to create, I want to write, I want to see the difference my words are making either on the page or on the screen. Social media algorithms are all well and good but there is nothing for me like knowing my words have impacted someone, either through my creative works or through the company I’m writing for.

But upon coming back to it the other day I did, I remember reading over my work and thinking, “Why isn’t she [the MC with all the knowledge and power], black?” There was no reason she couldn’t be after all, and I’d been inspired by all of the covers with black protagonists I’d seen in the fantasy section of Barnes and Noble, understanding an apt confusion for readers when they would see my DARK WORLD series and not see any black characters on the covers, though there are black characters in the world.

Besides all of this writing, I’ve been asked to speak on a panel at my local Barnes and Noble for B-Fest, the YA-oriented festival where YA authors speak at bookstores and hold events for readers. While I don’t write YA, I couldn’t pass up the chance when asked to talk about the creative process, that is, my characters, plot, and connecting plots in a series.