Written In Melanin

Written In Melanin

The Written in Melanin Podcast is the space where you come for your weekly dose of melanated creativity. Hosted by C. M. Lockhart, an author of fantasy books featuring Black girls who aren't all that nice, and the owner of the Melanin Library, this podcast is a glimpse into the journey of Black authors. New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Purchase her latest book from her website https://CMLockhart.com 🤎

Episodes

May 23, 2025 47 mins

Laura Pegram joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written Melanin Podcast to discuss her multifaceted artistic career, the founding of Kweli Journal, and the importance of community and mentorship in the world of black literature.


00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Meet Laura Pegram: Multihyphenate Artist

04:19 The Birth of Kweli Journal

08:48 Mentorship and Community

27:44 Editing and Crafting Stories

41:54 Final Thoughts and Advice for Wr...

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Antoine Bandele joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss his journey as an independent author, the importance of in person events, and the upcoming installments in his TJ Young & the Orishas series.


00:00 Welcome to the Written Melanin Podcast

00:22 Introducing Special Guest: Antoine Bandele

01:27 Antoine's Journey as an Independent Author

04:04 The Importance of Quality in Indie Publishing

10:00 Balancing P...

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Krystal Marquis joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey in writing historical fiction, the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with creative liberty, and the exciting adaptation of her book 'The Davenports' on Prime Video.00:00 Intro00:23 Meet Krystal Marquis01:19 Krystal's Writing Journey01:47 The NaNoWriMo Challenge05:06 The Importance of Writing Community11:07 Krystal's Writing Proce...

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Tati Richardson joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey in writing romance, the challenges of marketing books with older protagonists, and the significance of building a community for indie authors.

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Tati Richardson

💥 www.tatiannarichardson.comLosing Sight | https://melaninlibrary.com/book/8395-BOOKS

💥All of them: https://CMLockhart.com

We Are the Origin: https://melaninlibrary.com/books/6730

We A...

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Rachel Howzell Hall joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey into romantasy, the dynamics of rapid publishing, and the importance of experience in storytelling.


00:00 Welcome to the Written in Melanin Podcast

00:22 Introducing Rachel Howzell Hall

03:35 The Fast-Paced World of Publishing

08:53 The Rise of New Adult Fantasy Romance

14:22 The Importance of Parental Figures in Literature

22:03 The ...

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Clare Brown joins C.M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey in satirical storytelling, the creation of her audio-book 'New Nigeria County,' and her experiences navigating online spaces as a black female content creator.


00:00 Welcome to the Written in Melanin Podcast

00:23 Introducing Clare Brown

03:15 New Nigeria County: A Unique Audiobook

06:06 The Concept Behind New Nigeria County

09:56 From Fashion...

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Queer and diverse fantasy author EA Noble joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss representation, her journey as an author, and the importance of authentic inclusion in literature.


00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:23 Meet EA Noble: Champion of Queer and Diverse Fantasy

01:55 The Importance of Representation in Literature

04:28 Discovering When Blood Meets Earth

06:48 EA Noble's Writing Journey

10:36 N...

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Author Sarah Everett joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey transitioning between young adult and middle grade books, the impact of the market on Black authors, and the importance of maintaining a love for writing.


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:24 Introducing Sarah Everett

02:48 Sarah's Author Journey

04:34 Writing for Middle Grade vs. Young Adult

08:11 Sarah's Writing Pr...

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Dr. Sabin Prentis Duncan, a multifaceted educator and author, joins C. M. Lockhart on this episode of the Written in Melanin Podcast to discuss his journey as author of both fiction and non-fiction works. He shares insights into writing his trilogy, reflects on his growth as an author, and speaks on the importance of authentic representation in literature.


00:00 Intro

00:23 Meet Dr. Sabin Prentis Duncan

03:11 The Impact of Teachin...

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Chelsea talks with Rachel Howzell Hall as they discuss her journey as an author, balancing a full-time job, transitioning from writing thrillers to romanticy, and the impact of life experiences on her writing.


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:22 Introducing Rachel Howzell Hall

01:33 Balancing Writing with a Full-Time Job

03:48 The Creative Process and Finding Time

12:04 Navigating the Publishing Industry

18:5...

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Chelsea interviews author Kelis Rowe about her debut novel 'Finding Jupiter,' her journey in traditional publishing, and the balancing act of crafting authentic YA romance amidst life's many challenges.


00:00 Welcome to the Written in Melanin Podcast

00:22 Introducing Kelis Rowe and Her Debut Novel

01:50 Kelis Rowe's Journey to Becoming an Author

02:21 The Reality of Publishing and Writing

04:34 Navigating the ...

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In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with author Julian Winters about his journey as a Black and queer writer, the importance of authentic storytelling, transitioning from young adult to adult fiction, and the impact of representation in literature.


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:23 Introducing Julian Winters

03:44 Navigating the Publishing Industry

20:38 Accolades a...

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In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with guest Robbie J. Atkinson, renowned for her avant garde storytelling, about her unique approach to crafting complex characters and plots in Manga and film, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating diverse and thought-provoking narratives.


00:00 Introduction to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:24 Meet Robbie J. Atkinson: Av...

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In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C. M. Lockhart speaks with guest Brianna Peppins, author of young Adult Contemporary books, about her journey as a Black and Indie author, the influence of HBCUs on her writing, challenges in book marketing for Black authors, and advice for aspiring writers.


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:23 Meet Brianna Peppins: Author Spotlight

02:00 Choosing Spelman...

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This is part 2 of the interview with Demetrius Frazier the owner of Resist Booksellers.


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:20 Navigating the World of Indie Publishing

01:36 The Amazon Debate: Convenience vs. Supporting Indie Bookstores

04:15 How to Market Your Book to Bookstores and Readers

16:21 Final Thoughts and How to Support the Podcast


Resist Booksellers

233 N Sycamore Street,

Petersburg, VA 23803, U...

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This a part 1 of the interview with Demetrius Frazier the owner of Resist Booksellers


00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast

00:22 Spotlight on Demetrius Frazier: Literacy Advocate and Entrepreneur

03:05 The Mission and Impact of Resist Booksellers

11:24 Navigating the Book Industry as an Indie Author

31:30 The Power of Support: Valuing Indie Authors

33:08 Innovative Solutions for Indie Authors: Author Fairs

45:49 The...

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This is part 2 of the interview with Bethany Baptiste the author of "The Poisons We Drink" 00:00 Welcome to the Written In Melanin Podcast 00:22 The Journey of 'The Poisons We Drink' with Bethany Baptiste 00:33 Navigating the Challenges of Traditional Publishing 02:16 Bethany's Publication Rollercoaster: Delays, Misprints, and Tours 12:17 The Emotional Toll of Publishing Setbacks 23:07 The Culture of Silence ...

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This episode of the Written In Melanin podcast features host C. M. Lockhart in conversation with Bethany Baptiste, discussing her journey as a young adult sci-fi fantasy novelist. They dive into Baptiste's book 'The Poisons We Drink', exploring its unique blend of fantasy, politics, and the power of love potions. They discuss the inspiration behind the novel, the importance of representing morally grey Black characters,...

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This episode features a discussion with author Tatiana Obey, known for her action-packed, character-driven stories featuring diverse characters. In it, C. M. Lockhart and Tatiana discuss various themes relevant to Black and indie authors, such as the importance of visibility, the challenge of receiving and giving honest reviews, and the significance of community in the indie author space.

00:00 Welcome to the Written In Me...

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In this episode of the Written In Melanin podcast, host C.M. Lockhart chats with Brittney Morris, author of 'SLAY' and video game writer. Morris shares her journey from being inspired by the Black Panther movie to becoming a bestselling author and transitioning into video game writing, with projects like Marvel's Spider-Man. She discusses the challenges of writing, the importance of diversity and social justice in he...

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