Black History Month - Let’s Celebrate Black Bookish Creators!
Happy Black History Month, y’all!
Listen, instead of putting out a list of five or six books by Black authors that you may or may not even read, I thought I would share some of the amazing Black bookish creators I’ve been following for a while now. I mean, this month is a time to celebrate and uplift Black voices and what better time than now to follow and support these creators! They are out here recommending books everyday on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, you name it, and have brought the bookish community, Romancelandia specifically, so much knowledge and joy. So if you are looking for your next read they have you covered!
This is obviously not a full list, just people and accounts that I’ve been following over the years. There are tons more - Google is your friend! Also, it shouldn’t have to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway, you can read, support, link, and shout-out Black creators and books from Black authors all year round. You don’t have to keep it to February (in the US) and October (in the UK). Don’t be like Hallmark Channel, who only has diverse casts come holiday time, but the rest of the year it’s crickets. (Except this coming February 24th, when they will premiere an almost all-Black cast for a Sense & Sensibility adaptation - EEP!!)
But I digress. On with the recs!
Girl, Have You Read: A website and Twitter feed that centers Black on Black love. I first found GHYR via Twitter. They had just posted one of their weekly round-ups and I was like, HELLO, a full thread of new releases from Black authors! Every week! Immediate follow!
I love this twitter feed because it’s full of news and new releases from Black authors, with links to each and every title. And if you don’t want to use Twitter (I get it, lol) or you want an easier search method, they have everything you need on their website, including an author directory.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GirlHaveYouRead
Website: https://girlhaveyouread.com/
Allie K. Parker, aka AllieIsWriting: Allie is another creator that I found via Romancelandia Twitter. She not only has a fantastic twitter feed, but she’s also a podcaster who hosts the Romance Ever After podcast where she and a guest discuss Romantic Comedies. Oh and I’m not done, cause on top of all of that, she also hosts an annual RomComBracket, aka a tournament style contest to see which romantic comedy will be crowned the Best of that Year. AND, lol, she’s also a writer! She has an amazing essay in the 2022 essay collection, Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happy Ever Afters. A must follow, honestly.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allieiswriting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allieiswriting
Romance Ever After Podcast: https://alliekparker.com/romeverafterpod/
Romance Ever After Twitter: https://twitter.com/RomEverAfter
Romance Ever After Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RomEverAfter
Funmi B., aka FumLovesHEAS: Listen, if you need a book rec or need to know a title, or the full back catalog of an author, nine times out of ten, Funmi will be in the comments/thread with the answer. She KNOWS romance, y’all. Especially HistRoms, so if historical romances, and/or Beverly Jenkins are your reading choice, then she’s a MUST follow.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FumlovesHEAS
Veena, aka MsWOCReader: Veena not only provides tons of book recs on her Twitter feed, but she also has an amazing YT channel with videos featuring TBRs, wrap-ups, reviews, bookish chats, themed collections. Her channel is a wealth of information for any reader!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsWOCReader
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MsWOCReader
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mswocreader
Spencer, aka IntentionallyBookish: I found Spencer’s YT channel a few years ago when I was first getting into cozy mysteries. She had a video about coffee and tea based cozies and I was like, oh, YES, this is what I’ve been looking for! I’ve been a follower of hers ever since. She also has an active Instagram AND a brand new cozy mystery podcast, Curl Up & Clue In where she’s a co-host. Like, if you are even remotely into Cozies, then Spencer is your gal.
Bree, aka Bree.Unabashedly: Listen, I’ve been OBSESSED with Bree’s instagram for years. Her coffee shop/book/purse flatlays are always so dreamy. But she’s not just a Bookstagrammer, y’all. Bree is also the host of a podcast called, The Categorically Romance Podcast, that features all things category romance. A must follow for anyone into category romances. Plus, she lives in my hometown. SA, pride, baby!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bree.unabashedly/
The Categorically Romance Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-categorically-romance-podcast/id1558382869
The Categorically Romance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecategoricallyromancepod/