In this festival flashback episode of Authors in Espresso, host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 interview with Dr. Gerry Hagen about his novel Mia Thaw: The Future Whispers. Dr. Hagen, a retired physician turned author, explains his vision of a future where minds can be "deep downloaded" into the cloud and explores how that technology might reshape society.

The conversation covers the book's characters and plot threads, the philosophical and religious questions raised by digital immortality, Dr. Hagen's publishing journey and reader reactions, and the possibilities for sequels and broader impact.

Host Nadia interviews Sheila Kennedy, founder of The Zebra Inc., about her journey from coaching to starting a small-label self-publishing company. They discuss do's and don'ts when hiring publishers, the layers of editing, ghostwriting realities, and how traditional vs. indie publishing compare.

The episode offers practical tips for authors: vet publishers and contracts, invest in editing, consider ghostwriting carefully, and use simple techniques to overcome imposter syndrome and finish your manuscript. Sheila also shares resources for indie authors through The Zebra Inc. and Stripes of Power.

Host Nadia Gilkes presents a festival flashback featuring Verde Arzu, author of Rainbow, exploring themes of Black queer love, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in literature.

Verde discusses her independent publishing journey, discusses the importance of acceptance and owning your work, and offers encouragement for aspiring writers.

Host Nadia Gilkes shares practical, encouraging tips to help aspiring authors find topics and start writing. She recommends beginning with what you know, listening to recurring feedback from others, using emotions or headlines as prompts, and keeping a journal or voice memos to capture story ideas. Small daily writing habits can turn collected moments into a book over time.

Stay tuned for next week's interview with self-publishing expert Sheila Kennedy.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Brandon Ward, Sr. about his memoir The Pain of a Man, his daughter’s life-changing accident, and the healing tools he used—books, meditation, and community—to rebuild his life. Brandon also discusses his nonprofits promoting child safety and CPR training, his work mentoring young men, and his second book, The Manifesting Playbook.

This episode highlights the power of vulnerability, the importance of seeking help, and practical steps listeners can take to protect and empower their families and communities.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Angela Findley about her debut novel On This Rock, a church-set family drama set in Las Vegas that explores hidden conflicts, a spoiled teen, and community fallout.

They discuss Angela’s writing process, self-publishing experience, lessons about editing and marketing, plans for the sequel, and practical advice for aspiring authors.

In this Festival Flashback Friday episode, author Chanda Austin discusses her children’s book Qiana’s Braids, a celebration of natural Black hair and the beauty-salon culture that builds pride and community. She shares the inspiration behind the book, the importance of authentic representation, and the history and meaning of braids.

Released in June 2020, the book sold over 700 copies in two months and led to new opportunities for Austin, including board invitations and upcoming projects like an HBCU coloring book. The episode highlights how children’s stories can spark important conversations about identity, culture, and inclusion.

In this episode Nadia launches Authors & Espresso and explains what self-publishing means, walks through popular platforms (Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark), and shares pros and cons of indie vs. traditional publishing from her own experience.

She offers practical tips on editing, cover design, distribution, and marketing, encourages writers to choose the path that fits them, and teases the first author spotlight dropping September 9th.