Tati Spills the Tea: November 2024

Tidbits from the Desk of Tati Richardson

Writing Tea

dusts this baby off

My goodness! I haven't sent out a newsletter in two months! That is wild. But in my defense, I have been very busy and I really didn’t want to update my Tea Sippers (ha! Do you like that?) until I have some significant updates.  so , I am here with updates.

• Losing Sight is out in the world (sort of). I got the final galley. ARCs were sent out (digital and physical) and a few reviews are coming in. For the most part, it’s been well received. (Again, I only seen/read reviews that I’m tagged in that are positive LOL). I am still very nervous but it is so exciting to be part of something brand new on a new imprint. Elaina and Amber of Generous Press really get who I am as a writer.  BTW, if you didn’t get an arc, it is available to request on Edelweiss if you have access.

• Speaking of exciting, I also got to hear audio samples of the auditions for the audiobook. It was super difficult to pick people. I must admit, the male voice was an absolute no brainer. When I saw the names, I absolutely squealed. But the female voices were all so talented. In the end, I picked the voice that I felt best reflected Tanika as well as the other cast of characters. I cannot wait to announce who they are in the next newsletter

• The official pre-order campaign via Eagle Eye Books has launched. If you order via Eagle Eye, you will also get a very cute envelope that looks like an eye chart that will have NSFW art by Wofa Smallville. He is an artist I worked with on The Oath cover and he’s my go-to guy for a lot of art. I”ll show the art a little later in the newsletter.

• Book 3, The Opportunity is also done and about to be sent to my beta readers. I went on a hectic 30 day writing sprint to finish it. I went maybe a week over the deadline but it got done. I am nervous about its reception but I know my beta readers won’t steer me wrong. Betas are invaluable and I try to keep the same core folks, which also include my author friends. Special shout out to author Karmen Lee, who gave me the idea for the new direction of this book in the first place. I was so lost, starting over so many times until I decided to go another direction. I hope it pays off.

The writing schedule still continues this fall/winter. Here is what’s on deck:

• Finish Book 2 in the currently titled Boss Chick Village series after Losing Sight, featuring Jackie and Antonio.  It doesn’t have a title yet. Here is what it’s about: 

Jacqueline “Jackie” Miles, a no-nonsense sports agent, is shaken when a secret from her past threatens to disrupt her carefully curated existence. Antonio Steele, her rival and former lover, re-enters her life under unexpected circumstances, igniting old passions and new conflicts. When Jackie mysteriously loses her voice, she must learn to communicate in new ways. Can she maintain her professional edge and reconcile her feelings for Antonio, despite being struck speechless? 

• I also said I’d be releasing a very short novelette entitled  Real Girls Get Down in December.  Think Stepford Wives meet P Valley. It is VERY short. (like under 100 pages).  It’ll be my last book under T. M. Richardson this year.

• I also have this  untitled, full length  Lumberjack book that I need to finish that my agent is going to kill me over if I don’t finish it. LOL. I promised her. So I’ll be spending the winter working on these two books. It’s a black gender flip on Taming of the Shrew with a very grumpy Lumberjack and a documentary filmmaker who is nothing but sunshine.

• I have some other things going down in 2025. Book 3 in the Boss Chick Village (Bronwyn’s book). I can’t tell you a thing about it except I got a concept (LOL). I might also work on an erotic Xmas novella and a paranormal joint. We shall see. Those will all be under T. M. Richardson.

Podcast/Social Media Tea

The podcast is about to head into the holiday season. We won't be doing the holiday movie guide anymore because it is too time consuming. But if you join our FB group, you can get the scoop on what’s dropping every week. BET Plus, OWN, and Lifetime have a ton of Black and POC movies dropping this holiday season.

The podcast also has a few slots open for next year. If you’re a BIPOC author and interested in coming on, contact us on our IG page or X (thought we will probably be moving away from X soon)

Random Thoughts

Since the election, there has been very little to be hype about. Kamala’s loss was tough. It was as if the wind was taken out of our sails. But Black women will press on yet we also well take care of ourselves first.

I mentioned RRAW in my last newsletter, and it was  everything. I got to meet my idols, Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson and Beverly Jenkins. I was a crying fool  but I don’t care that I embarrassed myself. That hug that Brend Jackson gave me solidified her as my aunt in my head.  I wore my sweatshirt and I still am in awe I got to meet 3 of the ladies on this shirt.

(Me and the great Shirley Hailstock)

I sat on one panel about influencers and the bookish space.I signed books and met readers. It still blows my mind that I have faithful readers. Crazy! 

 I also got to hang out with friends I’ve only talked to on-line and also met new authors as well. It was so fun! I’d definitely do it again! I had a blast. Words can’t describe how blessed I was to be there as a fan, writer, and student. 

(Siera London, me, and Danielle Allen)

Check out more of my photos on my Instagram

I’m definitely going to more Book events. Tentatively, the schedule should be as follows:

• Losing Sight Book Launch- Feb 11 at Eagle Eye. I hope we can ger someone to be in conversation with

• Love Ya’ll Fest -Decatur, Georgia (Feb 14-16)

•  Black Romance Book Fest (May 30-31)

• Tentative- Steamy Lit- Anaheim, CA  (10/13- 11/1/ 2025)

I am hoping that I also have some other events lined up at bookstores, with podcasts, and with book clubs. If you are interested in having me at your bookish event, feel free to drop me an email 

Tati is Reading

Honestly, I haven’t read much. When I am in my writing bag, I don’t really read a lot, particularly romance. But, when I am working, I listen to audiobooks. I’ve listened to two Beverly Jenkins historials., The Taming of Jessi Rose and Always and Forever.  

I still have a ton of books to go in completing the catalog but I am going to continue it  for 2025.

I did read one novella, Witch-Trapment, by ML Bash. 

A three-some between a witch, vampire and werewolf. What a time! LOL. Check the trigger warnings, though because I mean… It's a vampire, girl! There is gonna be some blood. LMAO!

*** NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVE***

I can’t show the full pic on my IG, so I wanted to post it here.

The NSFW art by Wofa Smallville for Losing Sight is absolutely amazing.  He really captures a certain scene in the book with Tanika and Gideon. Very hot. 

For more of his work, check out his Patreon. Please subscribe and see how he truly captures Black women in all their forms.

In order to get it, you have to pre-order via Eagle Eye. See link. 

In the meantime, have an amazing Thanksgiving. There is still much to be thankful for.

Until next time,