writtennmelanin

25/06/2021

I could not have asked for a better magic summer camp book than this one 😎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There's a full review on the Melanin Library (link in my bio), but the short version of the review is this: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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TJ Young and the Orishas: The Gatekeeper's Staff was a fun ride of a book. TJ Young is a relatable kid and Manny is the girl that we all either crushed on or wanted to be best friends with — or both! Antoine Bandele did a fantastic job of creating a summer camp that we all wish we'd gotten an invite to (for remedial classes or not!) and giving all the unexpected casual magic you'd expect in a world as rich as this one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book legitimately made me laugh out loud and I'm invested in this series now. If you're into YA Fantasy at all, I think you should read it. It released on Juneteenth of 2021 so you can grab a copy from wherever you want — but whatever you do, support a Black author! Check it and my full review out on the Melanin Library (link in bio).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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09/02/2021

The Melanin Chat is today if you want to join us 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Being creative in any capacity can lead us to become isolated people, especially with the pandemic happening outside. So, don't forget to find your folks -- your peeps -- your tribe, squad, homies, or whoever you need. Just don't forget that people are important, even for creative introverts (like myself).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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04/02/2021

You should definitely be picking up this new release 😌⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne released on Jan 12 and tells the story of a young woman coming of age and learning to never play small for anyone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I loved reading this book. Like, really and truly. I couldn't put it down. There were two things in this book that resonated deeply with me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1. Growing up a tall girl with brown skin around "pretty girls" with lighter skin and "good hair" isn't always easy and I completely understood the MCs need to shrink into the places allotted for her, feeling like she couldn't take up her own space. So I loved seeing her come into herself.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2. Growing out of your best friend is hard -- at any age -- but even more so when the empty space next to you gives you the distance and clarity you need to see the whole picture -- that you were a better friend to them than they were to you. That still resonates with me as an adult because you never stop growing and people never stop being who they are.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I borrowed this book from the library but will probably buy a physical copy when I can. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pick this on up y'all. If you hate, you can blame me later because I know you won't 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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02/02/2021

Have y'all read this book? Cause it's dope 👀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Come for the Black witches, stay for the road trip 😎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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29/01/2021

The Melanin Library launched today! 😆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's a website of books full of nothing but BLACK AUTHORS!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Every genre. Every age range. Everything you could possibly want 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There's a link in our bio to check it out! If you're a Black Author, there's a link to add your books too!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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26/01/2021

Support Black Authors. Link in bio 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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21/01/2021

Love should have been enough. Link in bio 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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20/01/2021

And the moral of the story is, exposure matters 🧐⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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13/01/2021

Did y'all see the cover for Across the Broken Tide by LaKase Cousino? 👀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's coming June 1, 2021 and is presented by none other than Written in Melanin Publishing. Preorder your copy from wherever you get your books from. Check our bio for links.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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11/01/2021

Book #2 in 2021 📖⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I've always been a fan of Dread Nation and the Deathless Divide (even got my mom into it), so it should come as no surprise that I enjoyed these stories from the world.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A set of 3 stories from the world following Juliet, Katherine, and Sue -- these stories are enjoyable on their own, but also serve to give a bit of context to the other two books. My favorite had to be the last story which gave a bit of context of what happened with Sue and the girls at Ms. Preston's between Book 1 and Book 2. Then again, Sue is one of my favorite characters aside from the main ones.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I would definitely recommend that anyone who enjoys Dread Nation and Deathless Divide pick it up -- or anyone who's curious about the two books but isn't ready to commit to the books. At the time of posting this, it's free through Kindle Unlimited.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Have y'all read it? Any thoughts on it?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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11/01/2021

The Melanin Chat Returns 😆 - https://mailchi.mp/87210a1a3cd9/the-melanin-chat-returns

The Melanin Chat, the weekly YouTube show hosted by me (C. M. Lockhart) and LaKase Cousino on the Written in Melanin YouTube channel, returns from our holiday break this week.

08/01/2021

Don't forget to destress and take care of yourself 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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05/01/2021

Book Review of LIFE OF A FIREFLY : 🤎🤎🤎🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book was unexpected for me in a lot of ways. If you know me, you know that I tend to pick up books in the YA fantasy and romance genres -- when I pick up a book outside of that, I'm pushing my boundaries. But, one of the things I've been working on is expanding my bookshelf -- so, here we are.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Life of a Firefly is a MG (children's) book that follows that life of Sandy from the time she's dropped off with her grandma in Hooks, Texas to the time she's thirteen and has been back and forth to Chicago a few times to live with her mom. Her life is full of ups and downs -- both from her own choices and things that she couldn't control -- but she prevails through it all, relying on the "firefly" inside of her to light her way.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book felt like a really warm story to me. There were moments that I felt for Sandy, where I wanted her to do better, where I wanted people to do better for *her*. This book was about growth, about faith, and about family. Every character in this book felt real -- their experiences shaped them and changed them. Sandy understood some of it, but other things didn't even cross her mind and it felt so honest to how you don't realize things you noticed as a child until you're an adult.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I personally enjoyed this story. Even though Sandy had a completely different experience growing up than I did, her story connected with me -- wanting to make friends in a new school, treasuring her possessions, wanting to go home. Two of my favorite moments are when young Sandy describes her aunt who is home for college in the beginning, and the moment with her teacher and the closet (you'll understand what I mean if you read the book).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's an MG book, but I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age story.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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31/12/2020

What are your goals for 2021? 👀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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28/12/2020

Black authors are always the recommendation 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm reading a few things currently. What about y'all?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🎧 Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adyemi ()⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📖 A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy ()⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💻 Conquest by Celeste Harte ()⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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23/12/2020

Ready or not, here it comes 🙈⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We've already talked about how much we love HIDE AND SEEKER on both here and on our YouTube channel, but we haven't shared with you the exclusive interview we had with Daka Hermon. She's amazing and if you need a last minute Christmas gift for someone you love, we recommend getting her book.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For the full interview, click "Website" in our bio and head over to Melanin Ink.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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21/12/2020

Your latest author feature from Melanin Ink | The Bookish Magazine 😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There are few books where I'm hit with the feeling of, "Oh! This is truly an original idea!", but this is one of those books. A well-written fantasy with Black characters and Camelot vibes, signs off on this one and trust me when I say I trust her 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Read the full interview on our website. Link in bio!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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18/12/2020

Support Black authors y'all -- D. L. White specifically 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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has almost a dozen books under her belt and they are ALL AMAZING. Trust me and do yourself a favor and pick up a few of them. If you don't trust me, then check out her interview with Melanin Ink | The Bookish Magazine. There's a link in our bio ✌🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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16/12/2020

Writing is great, but don't forget to read sometimes too ✌🏾⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm starting A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy this week. What about y'all?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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15/12/2020

Lamar Giles -- the author of one of my top 3 books of 2020 😁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Representation matters and when you find an author who writes it well, you celebrate them. The for today is Lamar Giles for his book Not So Pure and Simple -- and literally everything else he's written. Del's book finesses tough topics like sexuality and toxic masculinity while still being full of laughs and an enjoyable read. Check out the interview with Lamar Giles in Melanin Ink -- link in bio (12.15.20).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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15/12/2020

There's nothing like finding your tribe 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Or squad.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Or bookish gang.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The Melanin Network keeps me motivated to write and we're doing writing sprints tomorrow at 10 CST if you want to be productive with us. It'll be on the little bird app 🐦⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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11/12/2020

Arias Williams -- A children's book author you should know 📚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's not an easy thing finding Black authors that write authentic Black characters and that struggle doubles when you're looking for children's books -- and then doubles again when you're looking for a children's book for Black boys. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Arias Williams' Knucklehead Fred series helps to alleviate that struggle. His series is perfect for any kid you love this holiday season. The stories are fun, honest, and beautifully illustrated. We had the privilege of interviewing Arias for Melanin Ink | The Bookish Magazine and if you want to know more about him, Knucklehead Fred, and what's coming up next for him then check it out. Link in bio (12.11.20).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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08/12/2020

Just bloom, love 🌺⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Other authors are not your competition 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Photo by Calvin Lupiya on Unsplash

05/12/2020

Pre-orders count as gifts too 🎅🏾

Share the books you want under your tree 🎄
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Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

01/12/2020

Don't forget to *actually* write something 😌⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's easy to get caught up in planning, researching, brainstorming, creating playlists and mood boards, but at the end of all that, don't forget to create the story.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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25/11/2020

I'm just being honest 🤷🏾‍♀️
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20/11/2020

Y'all didn't forget we actually publish books right? 👀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We promote Black authors because we ARE Black authors. Sign up for our newsletter if you're curious about these two beautiful covers behind the blur 😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Just click the link in our bio and look for "Newsletter".

17/11/2020

There's a new review up on the channel 👀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The Melanin Chat is on break until Jan 12, 2021, but there's still new content on the channel. LaKase and I read HIDE AND SEEKER by Daka Hermon in October and finally get to share our thoughts with you guys.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book is a middle grade horror that gave us all the creepy feels and chills. It follows the story of Justin and friends as they cope with the sudden reappearance of their friend Zee after he's been gone a year. He's not even close to the same person he was when he left, and when an innocent game of Hide and Seek at his welcome home party goes wrong, one by one, the friends are forced into the Nowhere where they have to face their worst nightmares -- and the Seeker.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This book gets a strong 8/10 from us. It was creepy, haunting, and a chilling adventure with great characters that I'd recommend to anyone new to the horror genre -- kid or adult. 2 points off for a few of the fears and the resolution of the game -- I wanted more from the friends, not just Justin.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Check out our full review on YouTube. It goes live at 3 PM CST (11.17.20).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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10/11/2020

Y'all know we're talking to Alexis Henderson () today right? Link in bio.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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07/11/2020

We finally did it 🥳

05/11/2020

All the time, all year round, every genre 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here's some dope authors to check out:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Audra Russell: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Amanda Ross: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Alexis Henderson: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Chase Bolling: .Bolling.Author⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
D. L. White: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Arias Williams: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Aminah Iman: .Iman⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Briana Cole: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nana Malone: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dru Caroll: _DruCaroll⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Charmaine Slade: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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No excuses. Follow them. Read their books.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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03/11/2020

After you vote ✅, tune in to the Melanin Chat 🤎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We're talking about the election, NaNoWriMo, and giving away a book (maybe two?) all while having a good time. Hang out with us on YouTube at 3 PM CST / 4 PM EST. There's a link in our bio or just search Written In Melanin on YouTube.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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30/10/2020

Time is not infinite, make sure you do something with yours 🤎
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28/10/2020

Y'all already know what this about 😎⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Supporting Black authors doesn't *always* mean departing with your coins. There is more than one day to do it -- just remember to ACTUALLY do it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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27/10/2020

The Melanin Chat is back this week 😆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's the end of the Spooky Spooky season, so we're talking about Black representation in horror with our resident expert, Audra Russell (). Her podcast, Between the Reads () has been featuring books in the horror genre by Black authors all month, so there's a backlog for y'all to catch up on 😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At 3 PM CST (4 PM EST) we'll be live on YouTube talking about it today, so join us! There's a link in our bio, or just search for Written in Melanin on YouTube. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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13/10/2020

There's a new Melanin Awareness video hitting the channel today 😎

Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it 🤎
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08/10/2020

"Do you know that of the 50 people who President Trump appointed to the Court of Appeals, for lifetime appointments, not one is Black?"⠀
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I watched the debates last night and Kamala Harris is now an icon in my eyes. We voting for Biden-Harris in these parts — I hope you're on the right side of history and do the same 🤎⠀
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07/10/2020

Don't forget that this is what we're here to be loud about 😏⠀
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📢 SUPPORT BLACK AUTHORS 👏🏾⠀
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Buy their books.⠀
Read their books.⠀
Request them at your library.⠀
Share their books.⠀
Review their books.⠀
Follow them on Social Media.⠀
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Blood Land:
Not So Pure and Simple: ⠀
Voting Booth: ⠀
Cry of Metal & Bone: ⠀
Hide and Seeker: Daka Hermon⠀
The Year of the Witching: ⠀
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I can personally say I own 5 of these 6 and borrowed the other from my library. You can expect reviews for 4 of them in the near future, so make sure you're subscribed to the Written in Melanin YouTube channel so you don't miss it. Check out Melanin Ink | The Bookish Magazine for quick reviews!⠀
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Tag a Black author below to show them some love and support 🤎⠀
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