Reed, Write, and Create

About Reed, Write, and Create

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 (https://reedwriteandcreate.com/).

Publisher

Lori L Tharps

Category

arts · education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Nov 2018

Latest episode

8 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

142 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Dec 2025

   Season Finale - Your Famous Author Era

   On episode 70 of the podcast, we’re finishing the Your Famous Author Era season. For the last three months, we’ve  talked about how to promote your work, build an author platform, and find the fans who will buy, read and support your work over time. And now it’s time for me to wrap up and for YOU to make a plan to truly lean into Your Famous Author Era. During the episode, you’ll be reminded of four key takeaways from the season that will help you move forward with a manageable book marketing plan. You’ll also get a great tip from comedian Josh Johnson, and you’ll hear how I am putting all of these strategies into practice myself. Stick around to the end of the episode to hear what’s coming next on the Your BIPoC Writing Coach podcast. Lit Links to Learn More If you want to watch the What Now episode with Josh Johnson, you can do that here. But it is two hours long. Be warned. If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, visit the reed write and create website at REEDWriteandcreate.com. For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter 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.

2. 

   1 Dec 2025

   The Three Stages of Book Marketing with Jenn de Paula

   On episode 69, which is our final guest interview for the Your Famous Author Era season, my guest is Jen dePaula, a veteran in the book marketing space who is going to share her tips and strategies for long-term book marketing success that does not require selling your soul to the social media algorithms. Jenn is a marketing and social media expert who has been working with authors, musicians, and other creatives for over 24 years. She’s worked with every type of author - from New York Times best selling authors to self-publishing authors starting from scratch. Her zone of genius is helping overwhelmed fiction and nonfiction authors clearly and confidently market their books. During our conversation, Jenn and I talk about: When an author should start their book marketing plan. The three different phases of book marketing every author should know. How social media should be incorporated into your book marketing plans, and why it absolutely should NOT be the main component of your marketing efforts. How to hook your reader with emotional triggers. The three things every author should have to successfully market their book. LIT LINKS to Learn More For more information about Jen dePaula and her work, visit her website, where you’ll find information about her YouTube channel, podcast and all of her resources for Authors. If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, visit the reed write and create website at REEDWriteandcreate.com. For literary inspiration and opportunities delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the Reed, Write, & Create monthly newsletter 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.

3. 

   24 Nov 2025

   The Secret Life of A Book Influencer with Jananie K. Velu

   THE DOORS TO THE REED, WRITE, & CREATE SANCTUARY ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN: NOV. 21 - 28, 2025. GET ON THE LIST TO GET AN APPLICATION. On episode 68, get ready to go behind the scenes of the world of book influencing. My guest is one of my favorite BIPOC book influencers, Jananie K. Velu, YouTube star and literary tastemaker. I invited Jananie on the show to share everything she’s learned from the influencing world about getting strangers to get excited about a book. Jananie has built a massive following of over 100,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, “This Story Ain’t Over,” and she runs her own publishing imprint, Boundless Press, which is a part of the new start-up publishing company, Bindery Books. During our conversation, Jananie shares: How she built her audience of BIPoC book lovers. How she selects the books she’s going to feature on her social channels. How authors should approach influencers to get their books on their radar. How she runs her publishing imprint at Bindery Books and who should submit their work. Why stickers are part of her community building strategy. LIT LINKS to Learn More You can follow Jananie on YouTube, and across all of her social platforms at ThisStoryAin’tOver. You can also buy her bookish merch at her store This Story Ain’t Over.com. Jananie’s imprint Boundless Press is part of Bindery Books Some of Jananie’s Favorite BIPOC authors: Alexis Henderson Sylvia Moreno Garcia Olivie Blake Visit the website, to learn more about The Reed, Write, & Create Sanctuary, and add your name to the Tell Me More List to get an application. Remember doors to the Sanctuary are open from November 21 - 28, 2025. After that, they stay closed until May 2026. Stop waiting on your writing life. If you're looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, visit 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 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.

Who has been a guest on Reed, Write, and Create

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Regina Brooks
• Stephanie Lim
• Jeannine A Cook
• David Ruggles
• Sylvia Arthur

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

13,592

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

70 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

85

Contact Reed, Write, and Create

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.