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Your BIPOC Writing Coach

Your BIPOC Writing Coach

By: Lori L Tharps
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About this listen

If you are a Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, or any other Writer of Color, and you're looking for your own personal writing coach - to help you stay motivated to write that book, get it published and promoted - then this is the podcast for you.

Award-winning author, educator, and creative writing coach, Lori L. Tharps ( ”Hair Story,” ”Kinky Gazpacho,” and ”Substitute Me”) knows how hard it is to stay committed to your writing projects - whether you’re working on that debut novel, a gut-wrenching memoir, or an essay about your trip around the world. Writing can be your passion, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And let's not forget about the path to getting published and the non-stop journey of promotion. It's a lot! Especially for BIPoC writers in a publishing industry that is still overwhelmingly centered on whiteness.

On the podcast, Lori is here to serve as your creative-writing coach, and her goal is to help you love your literary life by giving you the tools and motivation to write, publish, and promote your work with purpose and joy. You’ll get inspiring pep talks and literary life lessons based on the lives of our BIPoC literary ancestors. Think Toni Morrison, Sor Juana de la Cruz, Phillis Wheatley e.t.c.

AND ...You’ll hear inspiring interviews with best-selling, BIPoC authors and publishing professionals who share actionable writing tips and advice to help improve your craft, and better understand the business of writing and the publishing industry.

New episodes of Your BIPoC Writing Coach are released on Mondays.

Subscribe to the show and find more writing resources for BIPOC writers and the readers who love them at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

Copyright 2018 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • How to Launch a Debut Memoir in Paris and the United States at the Same Time!
    Oct 13 2025

    On episode 62, we’re talking about how to launch a debut memoir in two different countries with journalist and author, Robin Allison Davis. Robin candidly shares everything - from finances to fashion - about how she managed her launch.

    Robin is an Emmy award-winning producer based in Paris, France. Experienced in all forms of media, she has over 15 years of producing and scriptwriting experience, including a News & Documentary Emmy Award. Her book, Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light, was published by HarperCollins/Amistad in September 2025.

    During our conversation, we discuss:

    • The logistics of how Robin planned book events in France and the USA simultaneously.
    • The financial requirements to launch a book in today’s market, including the extra expenses you might not be aware of but really matter.
    • How to stand out as a memoirist when you’re not a celebrity.
    • The joys and challenges of launching a book with a traditional publisher.
    • And more!

    Get ready to take notes because this episode is full of tips and advice that can be used by any author getting ready to launch their first (or second) book!

    LINKS FROM THE SHOW

    Find all of Robin’s information on her website, RobinADavis.com

    Follow Robin on Instagram at Robinista.

    Check out Robin’s Substack and follow all things Surviving Paris: On the Other Side with Robin Allison Davis

    A fellow 2025 memoirist Robin recommends, Rachel Phan. Her promo plan was fire.

    Black Women Writers in Europe

    The Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary for BIPOC Women Writers

    Try Rent the Runway for your Book Tour Wardrobe in the United States.

    For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the monthly Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

    Join the Tell Me More email list to be the first to know when we start taking new applicants to the Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary.

    Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

    Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.

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    52 mins
  • Frederick Douglass was the 19th Century Beyoncé of Bookselling: Steal his Tips
    Oct 6 2025

    On episode 61 of the podcast, it’s time to learn a thing or two about book promotion from the 19th century Beyoncé of bookselling, Frederick Douglass.

    Forget everything you think you know about Frederick Douglass the historical figure, and get ready to learn about Frederick Douglass the bestselling author who sold over 30,000 copies of his debut memoir in less than five years, and made over $150,000 on his first book tour.

    In this eye-opening episode, you’ll learn how Douglass stood out amongst other authors of the time, and his seven top tips to reach literary super-stardom.

    Grab your pencils and get ready to take notes, because these tips still work in today’s literary world.

    If you want to read the best biography of Frederick Douglass, check out David Blight’s Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom.

    If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

    For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

    Join the Tell Me More email list to be the first to know when we start taking new applicants to the Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary, our private membership community for BIPOC women who take their writing seriously.

    Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

    Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • How to Market Your Nonfiction Book with Mr. Ernest Owens
    Sep 29 2025

    When is the right time to start planning your nonfiction book launch? The answer is yesterday, but you can also start today after listening to this masterclass on book promotion with journalist and author, Ernest Owens.

    Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. He is the Editor of Eater Philly, Political Writer at Large for Philadelphia Magazine, President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and Regional Vice President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Mid-Atlantic Chapter). He is also the executive producer and host of the hit podcast Ernestly Speaking!

    Ernest’s book, The Case for Cancel Culture was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2023.

    On the show, Ernest shares his brilliant strategy for marketing and promoting The Case for Cancel Culture including:

    • Critical mindset tips
    • Strategies any author can use to get their book seen by more people,
    • Who to make friends with to sell more books
    • Why your loudest critics can be a boon to book sales
    • Why travel is a necessary part of the promotion process
    • When to cash in your personal IOUs

    (Note: This episode originally aired during Season two of the podcast.)

    If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com.

    For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the monthly Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter

    Join the Tell Me More email list to be the first to know when we start taking new applicants to the Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary.

    Follow Lori on YouTube at LiteraryLori

    Please feel free to show your love and support for this podcast by making a small donation via Buy Me A Coffee.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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