Black & Published brings you the journeys of writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds to discuss what it means to be a writer, dissect the writing process, and demystify the steps between concept and publication.
Buy The Seven Daughters of Dupree (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Seven-Daughters-of-Dupree/Nikesha-Elise-Williams/9781668051948)Today!
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Rhonda McKnight (https://rhondamcknight.com/about-2/), author of the novel Writer in Residence. The novel is set in the bookish world as her main character Alex, is a writer.
In our conversation, Rhonda explains how writing this novel allowed her the freedom to express her real thoughts about her profession and the publishing industry. Plus, how she’s learned to be okay with keeping her romances closed door. And in setting the novel on the Gullah island of Edisto, in the South Carolina low country, how she was able to thread the needle between telling the truth and not dishonoring a people she greatly respects.
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
Mentioned in this episode:
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
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20 Oct 2026
Is Grieving a Privilege? with Shanda McManus
Buy The Seven Daughters of Dupree (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Seven-Daughters-of-Dupree/Nikesha-Elise-Williams/9781668051948)Today!
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks wit Shanda McManus (https://www.shandamcmanus.com), author of Brother Epistles: A Sister's Memoir (https://www.splitlippress.com/catalog/p/brother-epistles).
In the book Shanda writes letters to her brother Monir, who was murdered in 1992, finally reckoning with her grief more than 30 years later.
In our conversation, Shanda discusses why she believes, death doesn’t sever relationships or connections. And why she says her brother’s death is a result of the in-between economy and the systemic structures that funnel young Black men toward homicide.
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
Mentioned in this episode:
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Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
13 Oct 2026
What We Inherit with Shannon Sanders
Buy The Seven Daughters of Dupree (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Seven-Daughters-of-Dupree/Nikesha-Elise-Williams/9781668051948)Today!
This week on Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Shannon Sanders (https://www.shannonsanderswrites.com/about), author of the novel, The Great Wherever (https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9781250421678).
It’s a generational family saga about a thirty-something woman living in D.C. who suddenly learns she has a stake in a century-old family farm.
In this story of inheritance Shannon leaves no topic untouched from reproductive rights, and the ubiquity of the queer community throughout the annals of time, to the precarious cruelty that happens when Black people are in white spaces.
In our conversation, Shannon discusses the dangers of leaving behind both your place and your people. Plus, why she doesn’t believe fiction can truly correct the historical record.
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
Mentioned in this episode:
Mahogany Books (https://black-published.captivate.fm/get-the-book)
Rate & Review
Thanks for listening, family! Please do us a solid and take a quick moment to rate and/or leave a review for this podcast. It will go a long way to making sure content featuring our stories and perspectives are seen on this platform
Who has been a guest on Black & Published
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mahogany L Browne
Kiese Laymon
Alexis Franklin
Dwight Thompson
Denne Michele Norris
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
56
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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