In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Emili sits down with Denise Williams, a USA Today bestselling romance author whose books celebrate Black love, laughter, and healing. From writing her first story in second grade to publishing ten novels, Denise shares her journey of storytelling, representation, and resilience.

They dive into what it means to write (and live) as a Black woman in the Midwest — balancing motherhood, teaching, and creativity — while crafting love stories that center real women, real joy, and real life.

Denise opens up about body positivity, trauma, and joy; why “love doesn’t fix everything, but everyone deserves it”; and how she found her own happily ever after through writing.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing your own story, this episode is your reminder: you can’t edit a blank page.

📚 Book Recommendations from Denise Williams

By Other Black Romance Authors:

• The Art of Scandal — Regina Black

• The Oath — T.R. (Tati) Richardson

• Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny — Rebekah Weatherspoon

• Curvy Girl Summer & Plus Size Player — Danielle Allen

• The Princess and the PI — Nikki Payne

• An Island Princess Starts a Scandal — Adriana Herrera

• Any Historical Novels by Beverly Jenkins

📍 Find these authors at local indie bookstores like Dog-Eared Books (Ames), Storyhouse Bookpub (Des Moines), and Reading in Public (Valley Junction).

🌐 Where to Find & Follow Denise Williams

📚 Website: denisewilliamswrites.com📸 Instagram: @nicwillwrites🐦 Twitter/X: @nicwillwrites📘 Facebook: Denise Williams Author💌 Newsletter: Signup available via her website

🖤 Where to Find & Follow Black. Girl. Iowa.

🎧 Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and Pandora🌐 Website: www.blackgirliowa.com📸 Instagram: @blackgirliowa📘 Facebook: Black. Girl. Iowa. Podcast🎥 YouTube: Black. Girl. Iowa.🛍️ Etsy Shop: BlackGirlIowaShop