In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with my literary agent, Francesca Riccardi of Kate Nash Literary Agency, to unpack how publishing really works. Drawing on her 15 years at publishers like Harper Collins, Atlantic Books, and Canelo, Francesca explains the differences between traditional, indie, and self-publishing; what agents actually do; and how deals, rights, and marketing come together. We also talk frankly about author income, why building community matters, and how AI is reshaping the industry and what protections authors need. If you’re a writer, or curious about the business of books—this conversation will help you navigate the landscape with clarity.

In this powerful episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I’m joined by Dr. Carlton Brown, founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), business strategist, and author of the Black Entrepreneurs Report.

Dr. Brown shares his personal journey from watching his Jamaican mother run blues parties and the community padner financial schemes to becoming a leading voice for change in UK entrepreneurship. We discuss what’s really holding Black business owners back—and what must change, from biased lending to lack of market access.

We explore: • The “race paradox” and what the data reveals • His vision behind BBEC and its real impact (like a founder getting into 450 Tesco stores) • Why the US and UK differ in Black entrepreneurial culture • How tech and AI are being used to level the playing field • What the future of inclusive business could look like

If you care about innovation, inclusion, and building an equitable business landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Previous guests include:

• Ajay Chowdhury – Tech entrepreneur and author of the Kamil Rahman crime series • Nanna S. Soenya – Founder of Fundhership • Obi Asika – Creative industries leader and co-founder of Storm360 • Corina Goetz – Middle East business strategist and founder of Star-CaT • Jendella Benson – Author and Head of Editorial at Black Ballad

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Host: Stella Oni | Instagram : @stellaonithewriter, @talkingtechwithcreatives

Watch on YouTube: @TalkingTechWithCreatives

#TalkingTechWithCreatives #BBEC #DrCarltonBrown #BlackEntrepreneursUK #BusinessEquity #RaceParadox #TechAndInclusion #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with prize winning crime fiction author and tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury. His career journey spans co-founding Shazam, leading innovative tech ventures, and writing the Kamal Rahman series.

Ajay shares how his early years in India shaped his creative and business mindset, why food, culture, and immigrant experiences run through his fiction, and his frank views on diversity in publishing and the future of AI in writing. We dive into:

• Building Shazam and seeing it become a global tech phenomenon

• Winning a major crime writing prize with The Waiter — and how it changed his life

• Writing authentic immigrant narratives with humour, heart, and high stakes

• Food as a storytelling device and the joy of making readers hungry

• Using AI to enhance creativity without replacing the writer’s voice

• The shifting landscape of tech innovation in publishing and beyond

• Navigating identity, risk-taking, and success across cultures

Whether you’re a writer, tech enthusiast, or just love a gripping story, this conversation blends creativity, innovation, and real-world insights in a way that only Ajay can deliver.

Listen now to discover:

How to balance creativity and technology in your career, why failure is part of the journey, and what the future holds for both crime fiction and AI.

Talking Tech with Creatives podcast

Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives

Instagram: @talkingtechwithcreatives

Host: @stellaonithewriter

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Ajay’s Website: https://www.ajaychowdhury.com

Ajay on Instagram: @ajaychowdhurywriter

Get Ajay’s free interactive thriller here: https://theinvitation.ajaychowdhury.com