Angelina Young is a writer, designer, and podcast host whose work is rooted in intuition, authenticity, and the power of dreams. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Angelina opens up about following her inner voice during a chaotic season and learning to create from a place of truth. Drawing from her mixed cultural background and connection to the subconscious, she reminds us that creativity is both a tool for healing and a bridge to self-discovery.

Explore the different ways authors can bring their books into the world—traditional publishing, self-publishing, and the increasingly popular hybrid model. We break down what each path involves, how the process works, and what authors should consider when choosing the best route for their goals. You’ll also learn how to avoid common pitfalls like vanity presses and why having the right support can make all the difference.

Through her poetry collections, Manipulated and Temporary Lovers, poet Jessica Payes addresses mental health, heartbreak, and emotional growth with unfiltered honesty. Her work challenges societal taboos, offering healing and connection to readers navigating similar paths. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Jessica opens up about grief, resilience, and her journey of using poetry as both self-expression and survival.

Looking to buy books online without supporting Amazon? Explore these five alternatives that champion local bookstores, support authors, and promote ethical book buying.

Dominican American poet and community organizer Aurelia Luciano turns poetry into a mirror, a bridge, and a movement. Writing from her Afro-Latinx identity, she transforms personal history into collective power. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Aurelia opens up about healing through writing, building safe creative spaces, and redefining storytelling as a tool for growth, identity, and liberation. Her voice is both an offering and an invitation.

In this Beyond the Narrative feature, author Patty Ihm reflects on how writing has shaped her life as a mother, foster parent, and creative. Through vulnerability and emotional honesty, she turns personal experiences into powerful stories—like her coming-of-age novel Goldie Bird and her memoir Isn’t That Enough?. Patty shares how writing became both refuge and release, showing that storytelling is about presence, purpose, and truth. Her journey reminds us that in the chaos of everyday life, there is beauty, healing, and a story worth telling.

Filipina-American poet Cecilia shares her powerful story of embracing cultural identity, self-discovery, and creative expression in this Beyond the Narrative interview. Through her poetry and prose, Cecilia reflects on leaving behind comfort to find her voice, honoring her ancestry, and reclaiming space for multifaceted identity. Her chapbook Shades of Suede is a tribute to healing, movement, and the strength found in vulnerability.

Goldie Bird by Patty Ihm is a moving middle-grade novel that follows eleven-year-old Goldie as she navigates family changes, grief, and the bittersweet journey of growing up. When her sister leaves for college and her mother becomes consumed by loss, Goldie forms new friendships that help her rediscover joy and a sense of belonging. Rich with emotional depth and honesty, Goldie Bird explores the universal need to feel seen, loved, and understood.

This blog honors the life and influence of Nikki Giovanni, one of the most impactful poets of our time. It reflects on her role in shaping civil rights discourse through poetry, explores the genre’s historical marginalization, and highlights why publishing poetry remains a vital act of resistance. Drawing from Giovanni’s legacy, it also points readers toward resources for navigating poetry publishing in today’s literary landscape.

Beyond the Narrative celebrates women writers who are breaking barriers and rewriting the rules of publishing. It explores how identity, lived experience, and cultural perspective shape powerful stories, and why inclusive representation in literature matters. This blog calls attention to the gaps in the industry—and honors the women filling them with truth, resilience, and creativity.

This reflective blog shares the personal journey of editing and publishing Goldie Bird, a middle-grade novel written by Patty Ihm. The story’s protagonist deeply resonated with the editor, Christine Weimer, sparking a four-year process rooted in emotional connection, protection, and purpose. More than just a publishing story, it’s a love letter to the impact books have on our lives—and how some books find us when we need them most.

Author marketing and book marketing serve different purposes in a writer’s journey. One is about cultivating your identity and long-term presence in the literary world; the other focuses on selling a specific book. Understanding the difference allows writers to build lasting reader relationships while promoting their work more effectively. Both are necessary, but they require distinct strategies to support a successful and sustainable writing career.

The publishing industry has historically exhibited discriminatory and systemic biases that have impacted marginalized individuals for decades, specifically BIPOC writers. Racial and cultural partiality heavily influences acquisitions in the literary world, and mainstream book writing and publishing practices have perpetuated stigmas and stereotypes against BIPOC.

Vision boards are powerful tools for authors to clarify their stories, stay inspired, and bring book ideas to life. Explore seven creative approaches—like character boards, setting mood boards, and manifestation maps—that support both storytelling and structure. Use them to stay grounded in your creative vision, organize your thoughts, and energize your writing process.

Canva is a versatile platform to create various types of vision boards. It’s user-friendly with extensive design resources, making it easy for you to bring your vision to life and stay inspired throughout your writing journey. Learn how to create an author vision board using Canva along with tips for what you can include.

Spoiler alert: You don’t own our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. Meta does. If they decide to pull your access to their platforms, they have every right to do so—and bye-bye goes your content (and followership). With one wave of their magic wand, all the work you’ve put into cultivating community and producing quality content could be ripped from under you. Here’s what to do instead.

Enheduanna, a Sumerian priestess from ancient Mesopotamia, is the first known author in recorded history. As a poet, political figure, and high priestess, she used her writing to unify empires, praise powerful female deities, and speak truth to power. This blog explores her legacy, her influence on literature, and the historical debate around her authorship, while reflecting on how her work continues to inspire women writers today.

Starting a book can feel overwhelming, especially when all you have is an idea. This blog offers guidance on what to do next—from clarifying your concept and understanding your audience to exploring genre and market fit. Whether you're outlining or just exploring, this is a helpful starting point for bringing your book to life with purpose and clarity.

Crafting an effective query letter is to capture the attention of potential literary agents who might be interested in representing your book in the literary market. A well-written query increases the likelihood of securing representation and navigating the publishing industry successfully. We’re answering the top 10 questions we get asked about writing and sending query letters.

We’re diving into the most fiercely written books in a variety of genres by contemporary Black women authors that we’ve read over the past year. This book list is important to us because it features a diverse range of voices and narratives that explore various aspects of the Black experience, both within the United States and beyond.