Season 3 is officially HERE, and we are opening the doors with the collab you didn't know you needed. Join Niccara as she welcomes the dynamic duo behind Refined & Ratchet — Charlee and Nisha — to the pod for a conversation that's equal parts unfiltered and essential. We get into what it really means to be a reader in the age of the algorithm, the real difference between community building and networking (because they are NOT the same thing), and why the book community is sometimes harder on itself than it is on anyone else. Plus, hot takes, book recs, and a rapid-fire round that reveals who's a dog-earer and who absolutely is not.

Perfect for readers who are deeply invested in Black book culture, content creation, authentic community, and the love of the game — especially when the algorithm isn't on your side. If you've ever asked yourself why you're in this space, this episode is your mirror.

Follow & Find Refined & Ratchet: @refinedandratchet | YouTube: Refined & Ratchet

Follow Charlee: @ohcharleeplease Follow Nisha: @nextchapternish

Follow Us: @butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.com

Shop With Us: Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIB

Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

Keeping healing...but make it books. Peace y'all

Mentioned in this episode:

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry

The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

 Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry

She's back. We're back. And this season? We are not playing around.

Welcome to Season 3 of ...But Make It Books — the podcast that makes reading cool, celebrates diverse voices, and brings the culture to the literary world. This trailer gives you a taste of everything we've been cooking up, and bestie, the lineup is stacked.

This season we're sitting down with authors, podcasters, and creatives including She Well Read, TL Martin, BNB Book Designer, Sedona Rose, Leslie Street, Kehinde Winful, [Nikesha Elise Williams, Dr.Jenn Jackson, Refined & Ratchet, and more — and every single conversation is one you are going to want to share.

New episodes drop biweekly on Thursdays starting April 16th.

Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and tag us when you're listening — we love to see it.

📖 Follow us:

Instagram: @butmakeitbookspod

Website: bookishlyhealing.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

 Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry

Join Niccara as she welcomes Paula Chase, co-founder of The Brown Bookshelf and author of the Heights series, to the pod! We talk about her novel The Balancing Act, the power of reclaiming language around grief, and how young people navigate invisibility within communities fighting over scarce resources in their own neighborhoods.

Perfect for readers who appreciate stories centered on Black youth, community resilience, grief and healing, institutional critique, and the courage it takes to be truly seen. Make sure you pick up The Balancing Act from where you get your books!

Follow Us:

@butmakeitbookspod | @thebookishhottie | bookishlyhealing.com

Follow & Find Paula Chase:

paulachasewrites.com | @paulachaseauthor

Shop With Us:

Use our Mahogany Books link with code BMIB

Don't forget to rate, subscribe and review!

Keeping it real...but make it books. Peace y'all

Mentioned in this episode:

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry

The Seven Daughters of Dupree Pre-Order Offer

 Nikisha Elise Williams, the host of the Black and Published podcast, is celebrating the release of her forthcoming novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree. This historical fiction novel is about the secrets kept between mothers and daughters over the course of seven generations and is told backwards in time from 1995 to 1860. The Seven Daughters of Dupree will be released on January 27th, 2026, but is available for pre-order now at MahoganyBooks.com. Please consider pre-ordering The Seven Daughters of Dupree today.

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry