Meet Our Authors

You’re looking at just a taste of the talent. We’ve confirmed an incredible list of authors across genres for Black Book Bash 2025 — and more are joining us every day.

Some haven’t made it to this page yet because… well, they’re on deadline 😅 so we’re still chasing down bios and photos.

So if you’re wondering, “Where’s so-and-so?” — don’t worry. They’re coming.

The full line-up is gonna be legendary.

Kaia Alderson
Kaia Alderson
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Kaia Alderson is a historical women’s fiction author with a passion for discovering “hidden figures” in African-American women’s history. Her two published novels are Sisters In Arms (2021) and In A League of Her Own (2024). She is an alumna of Spelman College, University of West Georgia, and various creative writing workshops.
Danielle Allen
Danielle Allen
Love Jones &
Situationships
Danielle Allen is a USA TODAY Bestselling author, educator, and life coach. She writes sexy romance stories full of heart, humor, and heat. Her background in social sciences fuels her passion for helping people grow and find love.
A.C. Arthur / Lacey Baker
A.C. Arthur / Lacey Baker
Love Jones &
Situationships
A.C. Arthur writes contemporary and paranormal romance. As Lacey Baker, she’s written Hallmark novelizations. She’s also the founder of the One Love Reunion literary event.
Aubry J.
Aubry J.
Love Jones &
Situationships
Aubry J. is a prolific urban romance author, known for her heartfelt stories and strong emotional themes. Recent books include Hoop Session and Hood Legacy.
Daniel Black
Daniel Black
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Daniel Black is a professor of Africana Studies at Clark Atlanta University and author of The Coming, Perfect Peace, Black on Black, and Isaac’s Song.
Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks
Love Jones &
Situationships
Danielle Brooks is a contemporary romance author from Richmond, Virginia. Known for her Fire Company 143 series, she’s released 10+ books celebrating Black Love.
Denny S. Bryce
Denny S. Bryce
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Denny S. Bryce is a bestselling historical fiction author, NPR book critic, and writing professor. Her latest novel releases in 2026.
Paula Chase
Paula Chase
Coming in Hot,
Coming of Age
Co-founder of The Brown Bookshelf, Paula Chase is a YA and middle-grade author known for writing honest, tough-topic books for young readers.
Nia Davenport / N.E. Davenport
Nia Davenport / N.E. Davenport
Black to the Future
Nia 'N.E.' Davenport writes award-winning science fiction and fantasy and advocates for diversity in literature. She lives in Chicago.
Shameka S. Erby
Shameka S. Erby
Love Jones &
Situationships
Shameka Erby writes queer and plus-size inclusive Black romance with gentle vibes and emotional depth. She’s based in Baltimore.
Nicole Falls
Nicole Falls
Love Jones &
Situationships
Nicole Falls is a beloved Black indie romance author known for relatable characters and humor. Her books are full of charm and warmth.
Octavia Grant
Octavia Grant
Don't Go in There!
Award-winning thriller author Octavia Grant has published over 30 books and been featured at ESSENCE Fest and in media nationwide.
Sherelle Green
Sherelle Green
Don't Go in There!
Sherelle Green writes high-stakes mafia romance, blending suspense and sensuality. She’s a USA Today bestselling author.
Clarence A. Haynes
Clarence A. Haynes
Black to the Future
Clarence Haynes is a glam horror and fantasy author, co-writer of Omar Epps’ Nubia series, and editor living in Brooklyn, NY.
Kaylynn Hunt
Kaylynn Hunt
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Kaylynn Hunt is a bold, multi-genre author who writes heartfelt, gritty stories across romance, drama, and suspense.
H.D. Hunter
H.D. Hunter
Coming in Hot,
Coming of Age
Hugh “H.D.” Hunter is an award-winning author from Atlanta. His Futureland series is celebrated nationwide, and his debut novel won the 2025 BCALA Youth Literary Award.
Jahquel J.
Jahquel J.
Love Jones &
Situationships
Jahquel J. has been writing since 2014, known for her hit urban romance series including The Delgato Family and Confessions of a Hustla’s Housekeeper.
Jatoria C.
Jatoria C.
Love Jones &
Situationships
National bestselling urban romance author Jatoria C. writes dark and emotionally gripping stories drawn from her Southern roots and imagination.
John Jennings
John Jennings
Black to the Future
Afrofuturist artist and author John Jennings is known for speculative graphic novels and is the founder of Abrams Megascope imprint.
Kim Johnson
Kim Johnson
Don't Go in There!
Kim Johnson writes acclaimed social thrillers like *This Is My America* and *The Color of a Lie*. She’s a multiple award-winning author and educator.
Christina C. Jones
Christina C. Jones
Love Jones &
Situationships
Christina C. Jones is a bestselling romance author known for writing dynamic, relatable Black love stories across subgenres.
elle kayson
elle kayson
Love Jones &
Situationships
Amazon bestselling author elle kayson writes compelling urban and contemporary romance, including *The Beauty of This Street Love*.
Toni Larué
Toni Larué
Don't Go in There!
Award-winning thriller and horror author Toni Larue' crafts gripping, twisty stories nominated alongside Walter Mosley and others in 2025.
Lorna Lewis
Lorna Lewis
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Southern fiction author Lorna Lewis writes deeply emotional novels about betrayal, healing, and forgiveness, inspired by her Louisiana roots.
Sheryl Lister
Sheryl Lister
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Sheryl Lister is a multi-award-winning author of romance and women’s fiction, known for emotionally rich, character-driven stories.
M. Monique
M. Monique
Love Jones &
Situationships
Florida-based author M. Monique is an urban romance powerhouse with 30+ novels, known for themes of love, loyalty, and strong family dynamics.
Brandon Massey
Brandon Massey
Don't Go in There!
Brandon Massey is an award-winning author of horror and thrillers. His novels include *Thunderland* and *Good Intentions*, praised for suspense and depth.
Rhonda McKnight
Rhonda McKnight
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Christy Award finalist and Emma Award winner, Rhonda McKnight writes emotionally compelling book club fiction and Black romance.
Vanessa Miller
Vanessa Miller
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Vanessa Miller is a USA Today bestselling author of inspirational fiction. Her book *The American Queen* won multiple major literary awards.
K.C. Mills
K.C. Mills
Love Jones &
Situationships
K.C. Mills is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100 novels, writing edgy, realistic romance that centers Black love in all its forms.
Nek Mills
Nek Mills
Love Jones &
Situationships
Alabama-based Nek Mills is a bestselling urban fiction author whose breakout novel *Cuffed By A Certified Maniac* hit #2 on Amazon.
Wanda M. Morris
Wanda M. Morris
Don't Go in There!
Author of *All Her Little Secrets* and *Anywhere You Run*, Wanda M. Morris is known for gripping legal thrillers and award-winning suspense.
Unoma Nwankwor
Unoma Nwankwor
Love Jones &
Situationships
Unoma Nwankwor writes multicultural romance across Africa and the diaspora, blending faith, family, and love with rich cultural stories.
Shakir Rashaan
Shakir Rashaan
Black to the Future
Shakir Rashaan writes lavish speculative fiction and urban fantasy. He's the creator of the NEBU Universe and a leading voice in indie Black SFF.
Edwin Raymond
Edwin Raymond
Real Talk,
Real Life
Retired NYPD lieutenant Edwin Raymond is the author of *An Inconvenient Cop*, named Best Book of 2023 by *The Washington Post*.
justin a. reynolds
justin a. reynolds
Coming in Hot,
Coming of Age
justin a. reynolds is the bestselling author of *Opposite of Always* and *Early Departures*. He co-founded the Cleveland Reads Book Festival.
Bethny Ricks
Bethny Ricks
Real Talk,
Real Life
Bethny Ricks is an author, speaker, and leadership strategist known for her raw voice and redemptive storytelling. Named one of the Top 100 African Americans in Business, she spent two decades inside billion-dollar boardrooms before writing the stories that once went unsaid. Her latest book, Face Forward, is a bold invitation to reclaim hope and rebuild when everything falls apart.
Rona D.
Rona D.
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Rona D. is the author of the *Friendship Matters* series, known for heartwarming stories about love, resilience, and lifelong friendships.
S.Yvonne
S.Yvonne
Love Jones &
Situationships
Bestselling author S.Yvonne writes raw, emotional urban fiction. She also runs her own publishing house, S.Yvonne Presents.
Charity Shané
Charity Shané
Love Jones &
Situationships
Charity Shane’ holds a Bachelor degree and a Juris Doctor degree. She’s an Author, Higher Education Leader, Legal Expert., and Creative. Writing stories that create feelings through her words is her true passion. To date, she has published many books, traditional and indie, including Amazon best sellers. She has been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Woman’s World Magazine for her traditionally published book, A Novel Christmas. Her soul sings Black romance and Black Women’s fiction.
Angel M. Shaw
Angel M. Shaw
Love Jones &
Situationships
Angel M. Shaw writes angsty, dark romances and mythology-inspired contemporary stories. She's the author of *The Shadowplay Trilogy*.
Frederick Smith
Frederick Smith
Love Jones &
Situationships
Frederick Smith is a prolific writer of Black LGBTQ+ romance and higher ed stories set in LA and San Francisco.
Sharifa Stevens
Sharifa Stevens
Real Talk,
Real Life
Sharifa Stevens is a writer, poet, speaker, and singer. She is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, born and raised in New York, and currently resides with her family in Dallas, TX. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies /before earning a master’s in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Sharifa aspires to use writing as a vehicle that moves readers to intersect with the sacred and the honest. She co-authored Only Light Can Do That and contributed to the books Vindicating the Vixens, Rally, and Lecrae’s upcoming Set Me Free. Sharifa is married to a Renaissance man and is a mother to two lively boys.
T'Lyn
T'Lyn
Love Jones &
Situationships
T’Lyn is a prolific romance and hood lit author with over 25 novels. Her work blends gritty realism with heartfelt emotion.
Tiye
Tiye
Love Jones &
Situationships
Tiye is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and emotional fiction. She also works in the mental health field.
Alexandra Warren
Alexandra Warren
Love Jones &
Situationships
With 30+ titles, Alexandra Warren writes contemporary romance that centers Black love. She's also the co-founder of Girl, Have You Read…
DL White
DL White
Love Jones &
Situationships
DL White is a standout indie author known for romantic fiction filled with charm, heat, and unforgettable Black love stories.
Jahid Wilson, Jr.
Jahid Wilson, Jr.
Black to the Future
Jahid Wilson Jr. is a BIPOC fantasy writer, podcast host, and creative writing student shaping the next wave of Black speculative voices.
Lakita Wilson
Lakita Wilson
Coming in Hot,
Coming of Age
Lakita Wilson is the acclaimed author of *What Is Black Lives Matter?*, *Pretty Girl County*, and more. She holds an MFA from VCFA.
Rita Woods
Rita Woods
Our Stories,
Our Terms
Rita Woods is the acclaimed author of *Remembrance* and *The Last Dreamwalker*, blending historical fiction with magical realism.