The tea is hot and the takes are hotter. 🔥 Pull up a seat in the Reading Room for reviews, rants, roundups, and real talk about Black books and the industry.
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | Sept 1, 2025
Okay, let’s talk about it — because clearly the publishing industry won’t. Black authors stay giving us everything: messy romances, out-of-this-world fantasy, thrillers that keep you up at night, self-help that speaks straight to your soul. And yet… the recognition? The sales? The push? Not nearly where it should be.
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | July 25, 2025
For 25 years, Sisters Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center has been a sacred space in Harlem where Black literature, community, and culture intersect. It’s more than a bookstore — it’s a home for Black voices and a haven for generations of readers and creators.
But today, this beloved cultural institution is in urgent need of support to avoid permanent closure.
📸 Credit: @essenceofblackculture via Threads
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | July 13, 2025
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | June 27, 2025
Let’s go ahead and admit it: we love us a messy book man. The kind of man who’s either emotionally unavailable, fresh out of jail, or pulling up in a Charger with a Glock and a good excuse. Black BookTok has been deep in its “tatted and toxic” era, and honestly? We’re not mad at it.
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | June 7, 2025
Let’s talk about it...
You ever peep a book hittin' the New York Times Best Sellers List and think, “Now how did THAT get up there?” đź‘€ Or maybe your fave Black indie author is selling out left and right but can’t even get a mention?
Yeah. Same.
So here’s the tea: The NYT Best Sellers List ain’t just a numbers game. It’s more like a private party—and only certain bookstores get the invite. 📦📚
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | May 28, 2025
Let’s talk about it: we're done being strong all the time. We are not your mules, your martyrs, or your constant comeback stories. We’re in our soft era, and guess what? It looks good on us. It smells like shea butter, sounds like Ari Lennox, and reads like slow-burn romances and cozy affirmations.
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | May 23, 2025
Want to get your book into libraries? Public, school, academic—you name it. This guide’s got you covered, whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, or a Black author looking to connect with underserved communities.
🖊️ By Black Author Hub | May 12, 2025
Let me be real with you: the publishing world hasn’t always made space for us. For generations, Black authors have had to fight to get a foot in the door, and even then, we were often told our stories were too “urban,” too “unrelatable,” or just plain not what readers wanted. But here’s the truth they weren’t ready for—we are the culture. We’ve always been the culture. And now, we’re finally claiming our place at the table—by building our own.
This is why I believe with my whole chest that Black indie authors are the future of publishing.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mz. Leebra Clark is a true Southern belle with stories as bold as her roots. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University, she turned her lifelong passion for storytelling into a full-time career. Her journey from Electrical Engineering to creative writing was sparked by a single class that forever changed her path.
Step into the poetic world of Q.M. Gatlin, a rising voice in contemporary poetry who pours her heart, resilience, and truth into every line she writes. Her debut collection, Beautiful Chaos: A Free Verse Reflection, is a raw and emotional deep dive into what it means to be human — beautifully flawed, endlessly growing, and learning to find peace amid the storm.
Book besties, let’s talk about an author who’s giving spiritual awakening meets Black girl magic energy!
When you talk about authors who bring heat, grit, and unforgettable drama to the page, Mesha Mesh Clark is that name. Straight out of Dallas, Texas, Mesha has been penning stories since she was a teen, and what started as a passion quickly grew into a movement. She’s now a bestselling indie powerhouse and CEO of her own publishing brand, Mesha Mesh Presents, giving a platform to rising voices in the literary world.
Y’all NEED to know Author Robin Chartay. If you’re all about Urban Fiction, steamy romance, suspense, and psychological thrillers that hit DIFFERENT, she’s your girl. Since 2012, Robin has been giving readers stories that pull you in and don’t let go.
When you think of stories that mix fire, heart, and raw emotion, Mary C. KIM is a name that deserves the spotlight. Hailing from Canada, she’s an author who refuses to be boxed in. Mary has carved out her lane by writing romance, suspense, and comedy that feels fresh, modern, and addictive — all while staying true to her mission of creating love stories that reflect both fantasy and real-life challenges.
Since 2014, Jahquel J. has been captivating readers with stories full of heart, drama, and unforgettable characters. Best known for her hit series The Delgato Family, Homies, Lovers, and Friends, Staten Island Love Letter, and Confessions of a Hustla’s Housekeeper, Jahquel has carved out her own lane in contemporary urban fiction.
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Photo Credit: Wei Leng Tay
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