Join us for an in-depth conversation with Khaya Fraites the voice behind Violet Sorrengail in the beloved Fourth Wing Dramatized Audiobook series. As a writer, director, and voice actor, Khaya shares her unique perspective on bringing characters to life across multiple creative mediums.

In this episode, we dive deep into her journey from theater to voice acting, the preparation that goes into voicing iconic characters like Violet, and how she navigates the business side of the industry. We also explore her work as a filmmaker, her writing process, and how AI is impacting voice actors today.

Whether you're a Fourth Wing fan curious about the voice behind Violet or an aspiring creator looking to learn from a multi-talented artist, this conversation offers valuable insights into the creative process.

TIMESTAMPS:
1:02 Sundance and Films
2:14 Theatre Acting v. Voice
3:22 Favorite books growing up
4:33 Popcorn Reading
5:32 Becoming a Voice Actor
7:12 Preparation for Voice Acting
8:18 Bring Characters to Life
9:43 Preparing your Voice
11:30 How to Direct Voice Actors
12:42 Playing Violet Sorrengail in Empyrean Series
14:24 The Pressure of Playing Violet Sorrengail
16:02 Recording Iron Flame and Onyx Storm
16:43 Zodiac Academy
17:24 Recording Time
17:39 Business Side of Voice Acting
18:14 Marketing Yourself as an Actor
20:15 On Community
21:23 Being Underestimated as an Actor
23:10 People Using AI on Her Voice
24:36 Navigating the AI world as a Voice Actor
28:03 Acting Advice
29:42 Making Short Films
33:12 Self-Financing Films
34:34 Writing, Acting & Directing
37:02 Writing Process
39:02 On Potentially Writing A Book
40:12 Last, Now, Next Books
41:45 Rapid Fire Questions
43:38 Favorite Line by Violet Sorrengail
45:36 What would you like to see more of in the book world?
45:49 What would you like to see less of in the book world?

CONNECT WITH KHAYA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khayafraites/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@khayafraites
Website: https://www.khayafraites.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/khayafraites

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
Download Bookum to start your own book club: www.bookumapp.com

📚 ABOUT BOOKUM CREATORS TALK:
A podcast exploring the creative minds behind your favorite books, content, and stories.

#fourthwing #voiceacting #bookpodcast #creativeprocess #audiobook #booktok

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this powerful episode of the Bookum Author Talk Podcast, we sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Dr. Marcia Chatelain to explore her groundbreaking book, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America. We trace the hidden history of McDonald’s in Black neighborhoods—from post-civil rights era franchising to protests, advertising, health, and economic empowerment.

This is not just a story about fast food, it’s about how Black America was both empowered and exploited by one of the most iconic brands in the world.

Timestamps
1:15 – Sinners & The Great Migration
2:55 – Growing up with McDonald's
4:13 – Fast Food Habits as Kids
5:53 – Black Neighborhoods Before McDonald's
7:51 – Sit-ins at McDonald's
9:42 – Pine Bluff Protest
11:55 – Black Ownership in McDonald's
14:10 – Black Restaurateurs
16:30 – Franchising vs. Sole Ownership
18:02 – Black Capitalism Movement
20:00 – Generational Wealth
21:30 – McDonald's in Black Communities
23:20 – Programs McDonald's Provided
24:40 – Relationship with McDonald's
26:32 – Byron Allen and McDonald's
27:42 – McDonald's and Black Ad Agencies
29:07 – Challenges for Black Franchisees
30:33 – Decline in Black-Owned McDonald's
33:35 – Ray Kroc’s Legacy
35:34 – McDonald’s Hidden History
36:48 – The Power of the Black Dollar
38:20 – Target Boycott
40:20 – Black Economics and Target
42:02 – Black Celebrity Restaurants
45:33 – Historical Clarity for Black Entrepreneurship
47:33 – MLK Assassination vs. George Floyd DEI Moments
49:44 – Fast Food & Health Issues
52:12 – Food Deserts and Grocery Access
54:45 – Where Do We Go from Here?
56:30 – Writing Process
57:23 – Perfect Writing Day
59:31 – Book, Podcast, & Doc Recs
1:00:56 – Writer’s Toolkit

📚 About the Book:
Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America reveals the complex history of McDonald’s and how fast food became a site of both opportunity and inequality in Black communities. It won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for History and the James Beard Award for Writing.

Get your copy of the book - https://www.marciachatelain.com/

For more book conversation and to start your own book club, download our new app - www.bookumapp.com

Other Resources mentioned in this episode:
Supersizing Urban America: How Inner Cities Got Fast Food with Government Help by Chin Jou
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo14193313.html

Documentary: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Louis Nelson Jr., 2015)
https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution

Rip Curtain – Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/rip-curtain

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

We talk about everything from Hogan’s record-breaking WCW deal to the NWO’s cultural crossover with hip-hop, Monday Night Wars, and Dennis Rodman. If you're a wrestling fan, this is a must-watch.

Timestamps:
1:15 - Current WWE
2:21 - John Cena turning Heel
3:35 - Watching Wrestle as a kid
5:23 - Hulk Hogan Signing to WCW
10:52 - Hulk Hogan & Pop Culture
12:02 - Hulk Hogan v. Andre The Giant
13:21 - Record Deal for Hulk Hogan
17:24 - The Formation of NWO
18:02 - Hulk Hogan joins NWO
24:22 - Trash throwing Trash in WCW
29:10 - Hip-hop's Influence on NWO
35:01 - Dennis Rodman Joining the NWO
37:34 - NWO growing too large
40:14 - Monday Football v. Monday Night Wars
42:44 - NWO International Impact on Culture
48:12 - Sting (Anti-Hero) v. NWO (Cool)
51:17 - DX's Impact on Culture
52:44 - How the book came together
55:32 - Writing Process for the book
57:23 - Getting the interviews for the book
57:44 - Meeting Eric Bischoff
1:01:03 - Writing the Book as a journalist
1:03:50 - Rapid-Fire Wrestling Fan

📘 Buy Marc Raimondi’s Book – Say Hello to the Bad Guys
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734430/say-hello-to-the-bad-guys-by-marc-raimondi

Places to find more from Marc Raimondi:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/marcraimondi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcraimondisports/?hl=en

👇 Download our new social book club + book networking app
www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Welcome to another episode of the Creators Talk Podcast!

In this conversation, we dive deep with Sam Fox, Senior Director of Content Creation & Strategy at HarperCollins. With a background at Teen Vogue and Condé Nast, Sam brings a unique perspective on storytelling, marketing, and building inclusive book communities. From her journey as a dancer to shaping innovative book marketing campaigns, she shares priceless insights for authors and content creators alike.

Timestamps:
1:02 - Growing Up a Dancer
2:46 - Combining Dance and Storytelling
4:30 - Marketing Books
5:37 - Getting into Reading
8:44 - Working at Teen Vogue
11:45 - Books are Political
13:22 - Children's & YA Book Campaigns
14:34 - Shelves and the City
18:45 - Diversity at Creators Brand Trips
21:03 - Working with creators with small and larger following counts
22:23 - ROI on Creator Events
26:44 - On Community
29:12 - How Should Authors Market Online
32:11 - Introverted Authors Tips for Marketing
34:45 - Summer in the City Campaign
37:12 - Book Content Trends
39:44 - Signing with a Literary Agent
43:42 - Separating Publishing Brain vs. Creative Brain
47:05 - Writing Process & Perfect Day of Writing
48:33 - Last, Now, Next Books
49:54 - Rapid Fire Book Questions
51:04 - What Would You Like to See More of in the Book World?
51:26 - What Would You Like to See Less of in the Book World?

Places to find more from Sam Fox and other links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sambamfox/?hl=en
Epic Reads: https://www.instagram.com/epicreads/?hl=en
William Morrow: https://www.instagram.com/williammorrowbooks/?hl=en
Avon: https://www.instagram.com/avonbooks/?hl=en
The Book Was Hotter Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBookWasHotter/videos
@TheBookWasHotter


Books Mentioned by Sam:
Holes by Louis Sachar (A Childhood Favorite)
The Giver by Lois Lowry (A Childhood Favorite)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (A Childhood Favorite)
The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin (A Childhood Favorite)
The Clique (Series) by Lisi Harrison (A Childhood Favorite)
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar (A Childhood Favorite)
John Green Books (A High School Favorite Author)
Animal Farm by George Orwell (High School Literary Canon)
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (High School Literary Canon)
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (High School Literary Canon)
Marilyn Robinson (College Favorite Author)
Joan Didion (College Favorite Author)
Virginia Woolf (College Favorite Author)
Bright Young Woman by Jessica Knoll (Last Read)
Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (Currently Reading)
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (Next Read - Pride Month)
Winging It With You by Chip Pons (Next Read - Pride Month)
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (A Book Not Enough People Are Talking About)
Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk (A Book Sam Gifts Often)
Carly Fortune (Author Sam Always Buys)
Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy (A book We Should Get From the Book Store This Weekend)

Sam’s Summer Dance Playlist:
So Excited by Janet Jackson
Independent Women Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child
Stronger by Britney Spears

Current Favorite TV Shows:
Forever
Overcompensating
Adults

Download our social book club and book networking app Bookum at www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode of the Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with legendary sports biographer Roland Lazenby, the bestselling author behind definitive basketball books on Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry West.

Roland shares behind-the-scenes stories, family histories, and pivotal basketball moments that shaped the modern NBA, from the Showtime Lakers to Jordan’s shoe deal to the rise of LeBron James. If you’re a fan of NBA history, storytelling, or great biographies, this is one you don’t want to miss.

⏱️ Timestamps
1:20 - NBA Finals
1:37 - Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Kobe and Magic Comparisons
5:35 - Family Histories of Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan
12:27 - Telling Magic’s Whole Story
18:28 - Magic Johnson’s Positionless Basketball Style
20:12 - The Showboat Era of Basketball
21:33 - Harlem Globetrotter Influence
24:20 - High School Magic Johnson
27:30 - What Made Magic, MJ, West and Kobe Great
28:45 - Weight Training Back in the Day
31:55 - Magic Johnson’s Injury History
34:55 - Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird National Championship
37:35 - The NBA Before Magic & Bird
42:27 - Magic Johnson & Michael Jordan Rivalry
50:08 - Michael Jordan Freeze Out & Charles Tucker
52:28 - Michael Jordan Shoe Deal & Sonny Vaccaro
57:02 - Magic Johnson HIV Announcement
58:20 - LeBron James’ Place in History
59:33 - MJ vs. Magic: 1991 NBA Finals
1:02:10 - Jerry Krause and the Bulls
1:06:20 - Larry Bird & Celtics vs. Magic & Lakers
1:12:00 - Jerry Buss & Magic Johnson
1:14:23 - Showtime Lakers Legacy
1:20:25 - Roland Lazenby’s Writer’s Toolkit

📘 Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson
https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Life-Earvin-Johnson/dp/1250248035

📘 Michael Jordan: The Life
https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jordan-Life-Roland-Lazenby/dp/031619476X

📘 Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant
https://www.amazon.com/Showboat-Life-Bryant-Roland-Lazenby/dp/1478940417

📘 Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon
https://www.amazon.com/Jerry-West-Life-Legend-Basketball/dp/0345510836

Follow Roland Lazenby:
Twitter (X): https://x.com/lazenby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rllazenby
Author Page: https://celadonbooks.com/authors/roland-lazenby/

Discover more author interviews and book clubs at: https://www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

2x Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins joins Bookum Author Talks Podcast to discuss life after the NFL, building generational wealth, and why owning your voice matters now more than ever.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jenkins shares stories about his draft day moment, the pressures of leadership, founding businesses while still playing, and his latest writing and art projects. From football to philanthropy, from Substack to real estate, this is a masterclass in reinvention.

This episode is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:02 Identity
3:02 Growing up in New Jersey
4:14 On Becoming a Writer
5:40 New Writing Project
8:02 Owning Your Voice
9:55 Draft Day Moment
11:47 Leadership Skills
17:20 Player Coalition & Protesting
18:55 Jalen Hurts
21:55 Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
23:33 What does Impact look like?
25:58 Athletes in Business (Not going broke)
28:57 Winning Super Bowls
31:04 Tom Brady Foreword
31:24 On the Book
33:13 Making an Impact
36:33 Writing Process
38:32 An Art Piece not Enough People Are Talking About
40:32 Last Play of the Super Bowl
41:56 Founder’s Toolkit
42:25 Writer’s Toolkit

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with creators, changemakers, and visionaries @bookum

Places to find Malcolm Jenkins:
Substack “Love, Art & War”: https://malcolmjenkins27.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcolmjenkins/
X: https://x.com/MalcolmJenkins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malcolmjenkinsnfl
Website: https://malcolmjenkins27.com/

📘 Get Your Copy of What Winners Won't Tell You by Malcolm Jenkins: https://whatwinnerswonttellyou.com/

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this episode of The Bookum Nook Show, Book marketing strategist Stephanie Moon shares what’s working right now to help authors sell more books. Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, this episode covers how to drive real sales, build an online presence, land media, and market your book with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered when to start marketing, how to overcome shyness, or what publishers actually do (and don’t), this conversation will clarify your next steps.

Connect with Stephanie Moon
Website: https://www.stephmoonco.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmoonco/?hl=en

Download Bookum — the new social book club and book networking app
https://www.bookumapp.com

Timestamps
1:03 – Growing up reading
2:04 – Reading to her kid
2:46 – Marketing a cookbook
3:39 – Getting into book marketing
5:45 – Advice on book marketing
8:30 – What the book marketing department actually does
10:00 – What your publisher is responsible for
11:54 – Getting over being shy as an author
14:02 – Stephanie’s process for helping authors
15:32 – When to start marketing your book
16:40 – What success looks like
17:34 – What actually drives sales for authors
21:54 – Book campaigns that worked
24:01 – Guerrilla marketing for books
26:40 – Landing podcasts and media
31:58 – Finding your voice online
34:20 – Building community
37:20 – Market as much as possible
41:00 – Last, now, next books
43:10 – Working with Stephanie
44:16 – What she wants to see more of in the book world
45:33 – What she wants to see less of

New episodes weekly for authors, readers, and book creators make sure to subscribe ⁨@bookum⁩

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this interview, USA Today's Clare Mulroy talks about the world of book news, trends, recommendations, and the changing media landscape. She discusses her path into book reporting and the future of journalism in the book world, along with her passion for literature and media.

Timestamps:

1:04 - Hunger Games
2:02 - Midnight Releases
4:02 - Early Reading
5:35 - Becoming A Book Reporter
7:33 - What is Good Journalism?
9:03 - Getting into Book Blogging
10:33 - Advice on News Reporting
12:33 - Book Trends
14:34 - Genre Blending
16:40 - How Niche is too Niche
18:05 - The Growth of Online Reading
21:02 - How to Decide What to Report?
22:33 - SEO for Journalism
24:34 - Chasing Good Stories as a Journalist
25:33 - Feature Articles
27:12 - Developing Voice as a Writer
28:45 - Perfect Day of Writing and Writing Process
30:05 - Reading to Help Writing
31:03 - Reading Schedule
33:11 - Backlist vs. Frontlist Books
34:00 - Balancing Work Reading vs. Fun Reading
36:06 - Overcoming Writer’s Block
37:54 - Listening to Music While Writing
38:49 - Last, Now, and Next Books
41:09 - Rapid Fire Book Questions
45:50 - What Would You Like to See More of in the Book World?
46:25 - What Would You Like to See Less of in the Book World?

Places to find more from Clare:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claremmulroy/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-mulroy/
USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/staff/7713150001/clare-mulroy/

📚 Books Mentioned:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (Midnight Release)

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Midnight Release)

Intermezzo Sally Rooney (Launch Event)

Magic Tree House (Early Books)

Rainbow Fairy Books (Early Books)

Flotsam by David Wiesner (Early Books)

Series of Unfortunate Events (Early Books)

1984 (Dystopian Book Trends)

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (Dystopian Book Trends)

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (Dystopian Book Trends)

My Documents by Kevin Nguyen (A Current Read)

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Upcoming Read)

Big Little Lies (Cape Cod Style Books)

Wait by Gabriella Burnham (Cape Cod Style Book)

Matyr! by Kevah Akbar (A Book You Wish You Could Read for the First Time Again)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (A Book That Changed Your Worldview)

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (A Book to Get From the Bookstore This Weekend)

This Is a Love Story by Jessica Sulfer (A Book to Get From the Bookstore This Weekend)

Stop Me If You've Heard This One by Kristen Arnett (A Book to Get From the Bookstore This Weekend)

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!