Permission to Write Podcast
Permission to Write Podcast
Permission to Write
Permission to Write is a community for Black writers. We share monthly book recommendations, writing opportunities, and prompts, plus a weekly paid newsletter diving deep into the craft of writing. permissiontowrite.substack.com
Ep. 42 | Writing Expansive Romance Stories with Myah Ariel
Listen to a live recording of our Craft Talk & Co-Work series in residence at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood. We caught up with author of No Ordinary Love, Myah Ariel to discuss her writing journey, perseverance in creative industries and the editing process and much more.Grab a copy of her book --> https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9780593640616  Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 13, 2025
27 min
Ep. 41 | Writing Voice with Angela Shante
Listen to a live recording of our Craft Talk & Co-Work series in residence at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood. We caught up with author of The Unboxing of a Black Girl, Angela Shante to discuss writing voice before diving into a co-working session. Grab a copy of her book --> https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9798890039538  Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 23, 2025
24 min
Ep. 40 | Working With an Editor for Your Debut Novel
In this week's episode, Ashley is walking through the process of receiving her first edit letter, how she developed her own revision process, and the collaborative work of creating a book. This week in Publishing: Publisher’s Weekly says book sales were up in May! Which is always positive news.  https://t.co/GxRrB0iGIw NY Writers Coalition is closing its doors after 22 years of providing free workshops citing years of struggling to pay bills. https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-writers-coalition-decades-old-creative-writing-hub-to-close-its-doors Author of the Bridgerton Series discusses the change in story for Franchesa Bridgerton. Brings up an interesting thought about adaptations and how closely they should or shouldn’t follow the book. https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/bridgerton-julia-quinn-michael-michaela-backlashGiven the Option: You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty Shop the title: http://ptwbooks.com Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 23, 2024
22 min
Ep. 39 | Writing Sex with Laura Warrell and Rasheed Newson
In this week's episode, we're joined by authors Laura Warrell (Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm) and Rasheed Newson (My Government Means to Kill Me) to talk about writing sex, whether there is a right or wrong way, their approaches to writing intimate scenes, and more. A great discussion for Adults Only! Be sure to support their work: Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm: https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9780593466537 My Government Means to Kill Me: https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9781250833549  Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 2, 2024
1 hr 18 min
Ep. 38 | The Stigma of Romance with Bella Jay and Shameka Erby
In Episode 38, Ashley is joined by authors Bella Jay and Shameka S. Erby to discuss the “stigma” around romance books, the indie romance writing community, representation within the genre and much more. It was a ki-ki you'll be sure to enjoy!Be sure to check out and support their work! https://shamekathewriter.com/ https://shop.authorbellajay.com/ Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 20, 2024
1 hr 13 min
Writing Through a Cultural Lens with Jade Olivia
In this week’s episode, Ashley is joined by special guest Jade Olivia discussing writing through a cultural lens unapologetically, and her new novel, A MONTH OF SUNDAYS. Grab your copy of A MONTH OF SUNDAYS HERE. This Week in Publishing: Lisa Lucas is out at Pantheon. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/books/booksupdate/knopf-doubleday-lisa-lucas-reagan-arthur.html  Bertelsmann has partnered with Enders Analysis and Arthur D. Little to publish a new report, "State of Play: Exploring Generative AI’s Transformative Effects on the Media & Entertainment." https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4701 Rebecca Schinsky shared on her Today In Books Substack, the state of the publishing from the inside. https://todayinbooks.substack.com/p/the-state-of-publishing-as-seen-from?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1753633&post_id=144708803&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1gzvy&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 4, 2024
1 hr 8 min
What Happens When the Agent Says Yes?
In this week’s episode we’re chatting about what happens after an agent is interested in your manuscript. The questions you should ask, the protocol for communication with other agents and more. We’re also casting Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle and sharing relevant publishing news. Make sure you like, rate and subscribe to this podcast. This Week in Publishing HarperCollins Children’s Books has partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA for an eight-book publishing program, with the first title to launch this fall.  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/95058-harpercollins-and-girl-scouts-launch-publishing-program.html  Support small presses that were affected by the March closure of Small Press Distribution. https://electricliterature.com/23-small-presses-to-support-after-the-close-of-small-press-distribution/ Author and Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro has passed away.  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/Obituary/article/95046-alice-munro-short-story-master-and-nobel-laureate-dies-at-92.html  Powered by Permission to Write Editing by OfficialDilemma Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
May 21, 2024
26 min
You're In Charge!
In this week’s episode Ashley discusses suits against Amazon to include indie booksellers, whether lists still matter, cast ideas for GOOD MORNING, LOVE, and being in charge of your own writing career. This week in Publishing:In a recent poll by the Author’s Guild, 13% of writers admitted that they use AI for things like brainstorming, character development, and outlines. https://www.npr.org/2024/04/30/1246686825/authors-using-ai-artificial-intelligence-to-write Joe Biden signed a bill on April 24th that could result in a nationwide ban of TikTok as early as 2025. https://www.themarysue.com/tiktok-ban-would-be-devastating-for-authors-booktok/ The American Booksellers Association has filed a motion with the Federal Trade Commission. https://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/94929-aba-seeks-to-add-bookstores-to-ftc-lawsuit-against-amazon.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0h4pVDTCZ9-FC4zkgUKQjJCVGuSw8nRI5JspzMzw9YriJpVVGaf3BJPyQ_aem_AZxTmki_7CpJnaDrrBVTL2YcePDcXKu5Bp3WD3X-eVNmQ-Ob-bh_DfrE7zupVUEX3rXyTCLCmHl5kMMuFuDqoM6K The New York Times listed their best books since 2000, and more importantly than discussing their list, I just want to know, do we care about lists in general?https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/top-books-list.html Powered by: @permissiontowriteEdited by: @officialdilemma Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
May 7, 2024
23 min
Close Third Person Narrative
In this week's Read Like a Writer episode, we're chatting about POVs in fiction, particularly close third person with alternating perspectives with Black Candle Women as a reference text. This week in publishing: The Pen World Voices Festival has been canceled. https://lithub.com/the-pen-world-voices-festival-has-been-canceled/ PEN America has canceled its 2024 Literary Awards ceremony, which was previously scheduled to be held at the Town Hall in New York City on April 29th. .https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94876-pen-america-cancels-2024-literary-awards-ceremony.html Bookwire, the Frankfurt-based digital book distribution and production platform, has partnered with U.S.-based Aptara, a provider of publishing solutions and digital data analysis, to share expertise. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4650 Viola Davis and husband Julian Tennon launch their own publishing company. https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/viola-davis-julius-tennon-publishing/ Powered by: @permissiontowrite Edited by: @officialdilemma Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 30, 2024
22 min
The African American Literature Section
In this episode, we're chatting about the small section of the bookstore that used to have the African American Literature, the importance of these books in the canon, and some of the authors that paved the way. When you say you support Black writing, is it Oochie Wally or One Mic? Listen and make sure you like, rate and subscribe if you support our podcast. This week in publishing: The LA Times Festival of Books - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-21/photos-los-angeles-times-festival-of-books An interesting collaboration between Airwave Podcast and Ben Bella Books. Airwave podcast is getting their own imprint for their hosts and personalities in Airwave Books. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4641 More publishers sign on to the suit to stop Iowa from their Book Banning Law which affects LGBTQIA+ books. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/94824-five-publishers-join-lawsuit-to-stop-iowa-book-banning-bill.html “We as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa," the publishers said in a joint statement. "Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly with our authors and readers to defend the fundamental right to read and the freedom of expression.” Powered by: Permission to Write Edited by: @officialdilemma Get full access to Permission to Write at permissiontowrite.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 23, 2024
16 min
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