Writing Tea
Happy New Year Tea Sippers!
2025 is already off to an amazing start. I have so much on the calendar for the next two months.
Losing Sight is about to be released in ONE month!! The nerves pre-release are so real. I am excited to see it on shelves and in physical form all over social media. More on that later…
Over the holidays, I received the finished copies, and they are gorgeous. Holding Gideon and Tanika in my hands is so surreal. I am so grateful to Generous Press for their support of me.
The book launch is set. It’ll be 7 PM, Feb 11 at Eagle Eye Books, hosted by Jaleesa Reads of Book Me There. So if you are in ATL, please come out. I am welcoming all the bookish girlies and clubs to have a good time with me celebrating Losing Sight.
The rest of the book tour for it is pretty set. Here are some places where you can find me:
For most of the virtual events, they will be on IG or TikTok.
NOTE: At the time of this newsletter, we may or may not know the fate of TikTok because of the potential ban and SCOTUS ruling. But, we shall see. Follow me on all social media at @ RichardWritesOn for any updates to schedules.
The first in-person book event will be Love Ya’ll Fest in Decatur. I’ll be on three panels- One on Bisexual rep, another one the publishing journey, and finally, a panel on writing spicy scenes. It’s going to be fun. For more info, go to: www.LoveYallFest.com
Speaking of TikTok, I am excited to be with Talia Cadet on Talia’s Book Nook on Jan 15.
She is such a wonderful addition to the bookish space. I'm so glad to be in community with someone who is passionate about romance, particularly black Romance by the way Talia is also one of the plaintiffs in The TikTok versus the United States Supreme Court case. So not only is she an influencer, she's also influential. Join us for a good time.
Again, let me stress that pre-orders are crucial to the success of a book. If you want to see it on the shelves of major retailers (i.e. B&N) then you have to pre-order! You still have time! Pre-Order the book here.
For the exclusive Eagle Eye with the NSFW print, pre-order here
In other writing news…
The Opportunity, the last book (for now) in the Secrets Series, still has the expected release date of April 15. Audio, E-book, Paperback… all of it will be available on the 15th. I gave you all a trope graphic last month, but I got something else for you later in the newsletter. I just sent off the final, edited manuscript of The Opportunity to Dreamscape so that it can be recorded. I cannot wait to hear it.
Book 2 in the “Boss Chick Village” is still a WIP. I am still aiming for March 1 to be done with the final draft. My real life is getting in the way but trust me, I am going to get to it. I owe it to Jackie, Ant and all the drama they are getting into.
Other than that, we are going to take it one project at a time (well, a quarter because that is all I have the capacity for). Pray for good writing vibes along the way.
Podcast/Social Media Tea
We are going into the second half of the podcast. So excited to wrap up the season with a lot of planned guests. We are having more male romance authors on the podcast to talk about their work. Yes, there are men who write romance in the tradition of Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey and E. Lynn Harris. We are kicking things off on Jan 17 with Jsin Graham. Ya’ll check it out.
In the meantime, stay tuned for the rest of the season’s podcast. We will go until June 2025. Every other Friday!
Random Thoughts
I am entirely grateful for social media and the audience that it has given me to grow my readership. So, the idea of not having every avenue to reach folks is devastating. But, we adjust. We make it. We don't speak of negativity. And we will be alright, as Kendrick said.
Part of being alright is also self care. For me, that is taking care of mind, body, and soul for 2025. This includes:
Skincare regimen. I've fallen off.
Working out and eating right (which I have been doing… the holidays did get me. But I dropped the 5 lbs. I put on already.)
Meditating at least 10 minutes before I get out the bed
I've toned down the makeup a lot because I just don't go anywhere. So, nail care and lashes are the least I can do to pep up my looks.
I am going into my 46th year of life, inching closer to 50. I would like to go into my best years as my best self. That is the least I can do. While black may not crack, it can certainly be damaged. I can't keep pouring into others and not pour into myself.
** NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVE**
So folks have been eager to know what The Opportunity is all about. Of course, those subscribed to this newsletter will get the blurb first.
People have speculated about what and who this book is about. Well…..
One Kiss Can Change Everything
For Nadine, a stranger’s kiss reignites a dormant flame.
From the outside looking in, Nadine Davis-Moody has the perfect life. Gorgeous husband. Beautiful children. An amazing job as CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Beneath the façade of a perfect life, Nadine harbors a secret desire she's kept hidden for years. A chance encounter at the one club she never thought she’d go to reignites a forbidden passion she’s tried her best to forget. A single stolen kiss with a mysterious dancer sets her world ablaze.
The unexpected appearance of that same dancer as her son's new nanny throws Nadine's carefully constructed reality into a tailspin. As their connection deepens, Nadine must confront her hidden desires and question what it means to live authentically.
Can she reconcile her past with her present desires, or will the flames of passion that she's suppressed for so long consume her?
****
Trust me, even the most complicated people have a story to tell and maybe Nadine’s story will resonate with you. Before you ask, this is more than likely the last full-length book in the series.
I know you want to see the cover. Not yet! The cover reveal will drop in the March newsletter. But it is spicy. I may do arcs. We shall see. I may just surprise you. :)
Until next time,
