Dedication

Joyce: Hey lovhers, welcome to the Book Lovhers Club, the podcast where we celebrate Black sapphic love stories one book at a time. I'm your host, Joy, a married lesbian, lifelong book lover and relational communication scholar. Here, we don't just read the romance, we learn from it. I believe that love stories can do more than just entertain us. They can teach us how to love better, how to see ourselves more clearly. and how to create the love life of our dreams. Each week, I'll dive into sapphic stories written for us and by us while weaving in personal insights and communication lessons you can take off the page. So grab your drink, get cozy and let's turn the page together. Welcome to the club.
Joy: Hey Book Lovhers welcome back to another episode of the Book Lovhers Club. And y'all, I have a special guest in the studio with me because today is the final episode of season one of the Book Lovhers Club. And I also want to recap our first annual Book Lovhers Fest. And who best to do that with me than my fellow joy. My joy with an i to my joy. With a why. With a why. Hello,
Joi Miner: Why?
Joy: Joy Minor. Thank you for joining me today.
Joi Miner: Sugar. I was so tickle.
Joy: Ha ha ha.
Joi Miner: I was listening to you like it's the end of the season. What is happening? You didn't tell me none of this.
Joy: Well, season two starts next week. I'm not stopping the episodes, but
Joi Miner: Okay.
Joy: I'm concluding this season. And we're gonna kick off a new season with new, you know, author interviews and new books and just new. Okay, just new. But yeah, no,
Joi Miner: Okay.
Joy: technically this is the last episode of my first season of my podcast. And I yeah. You know, I just
Joi Miner: Dopeness, how do you feel about that?
Joy: feel like I did that shit.
Joi Miner: You did.
Joy: I did. I did. And I think the festival being like the last thing to like end on to conclude my first season just left me with such like a high. I've been floating ever since this weekend. I'm tired as hell. I ain't gonna lie. I'm tired as hell. But
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: just the the joy And the love and the experience that I got from being in community with y'all all weekend and just the outpouring of love and support after the event was over. Like I feel like that was the best way to end my first season. And I'm just really excited to have this wrap-up discussion, this debrief about the event with you. Because I don't know, I feel like you've been here for this part of the festival and just seeing this whole thing unfold and have been like a really big cheerleader and supporter of me ever since we met each other. Cause we are like newly connected and brand new. Okay.
Joi Miner: Brand new.
Joy: But we hit it off and just your support and just how you've been, I don't know, like just this cheerleader. I'm really excited to just debrief and have this discussion with you. So yeah. This is the last episode of season one. So they ain't gonna see me smiling. They can't hear me smiling. I didn't go smile. They can
Joi Miner: Dopeness. Like I'm sitting here smiling and I'm like, yeah, she said we're not gonna be doing video. So thank God 'cause what I look like. But I'm smiling, I'm like, they ain't gonna see me smiling. They can't hear me smiling. I need to say something.
Joy: hear you smile. I can hear the smile in your voice. Look.
Joi Miner: have since my friend told me about your book lovhers fest and we spoke for the first time. I was like, I like this little bitty of woman. Like I like her. Like we trying to figure out how we're gonna see each other in person and run into each other in New Orleans one way or another. because that's gonna happen.
Joy: Yeah. The thing is, Joy, you got like two inches on me, girl. Who little who itty bitty?
Joi Miner: Two inches matter.
Joy: That's fair. That's valid. That's valid. I give you that. You got two inches on me and now all of a sudden you are Amazon. Okay.
Joi Miner: I didn't say I was an Amazon, but compared to me, you're a little bitty woman and it makes me feel good to say that about somebody.
Joy: That's fair. I'll let you have that. It's not as bad as Monique calling us old. Moni good.
Joi Miner: Thank you, ma'am. I don't get it often. Girl. I'm not old. I'm seasoned.
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: Damn it. Old Dur. Still here. Call me
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: anything but old.
Joy: That's real. But this weekend was one for the books. Man.
Joi Miner: my god, yes.
Joy: It was.
Joi Miner: It was actually better than several of the in person conferences I've been to. Like one
Joy: Wow.
Joi Miner: and everybody that I've talked to, they're like, Joi you're not an introvert. Yes, I am. Like I really don't like people. People like me,
Joy: That's real.
Joi Miner: but I don't like people. So being able to like hide in the computer screen and not have to like actually touch and exchange energy, but the energy being there, it was amazing.
Joy: Yeah. You know, that's the key to like a virtual space. I think it gets overlooked, but the intimacy that you can have in a virtual space sometimes gets lost in those events in person with a lot of people. And I just feel like it's some things that you can do. And I knew that a virtual event, especially for my first one. Was like the way to go. And I'm so glad I trusted my vision because the way that
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: it all came together, because a lot of us are introverted. And just to see those personalities
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: shine, I know. In this virtual space, like the chat was bumping. Girl, just the inside jokes.
Joi Miner: People could let that I mean they they snatched their wigs off. They really did. They really did. And they may not have said some of the things they said in in you know public. But it was it was wonderful. Just the readers and the writers. Like I'd have reached out to some of the writers and been like, so you got space for a friend?
Joy: They really did. Mm-hmm. They did. And they may not have said some of the things in in you know public. Yeah. But it was it was wonderful. Yeah. The readers and the writers. You know what the writers have been like, So, you got space corporation
Joi Miner: Are you accepting new friends? Because my God. They were amazing.
Joy: Yes. You know, you see people online all the time and you might communicate with them, but being able to actually connect and see that personality come through and you like, this how you really are? You know,
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: yeah. I think we all left with a few new friends and new connections being made. It was just amazing. Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: It was. It was. You get a bunch of book nerds together. Because the authors, that was another thing that was so dope. The authors were just as much fangirling over other authors as the readers were.
Joy: Yes. As the readers when Erica Alexander says she read The Holiday Truce multiple times, and D.O. was so surprised by that, and I'm like Yeah
Joi Miner: Yeah
Joy: And she was like, No, like I love that book. It was so many
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: of those moments that happened throughout the weekend. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: Right. And like I, you know, I learned about a lot of the ri the authors from you because I was like, I'm out here by myself. I ain't I I would go looking for lesbian authors and I just still will are these good, are these straight people trying to write our stories? I didn't know. So
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: I knew the ones that were there this weekend. They were for us, it was for us by us. Like it really was.
Joy: Mm-hmm. They were for us. It was four us five. It was. You know, but that's why that session kicking off the event with the for us by us panel, I feel like really grounded the conversation because that was the very first panel that launched the whole weekend.
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: And, you know, just those conversations about why black sapphic representation is important, why lesbian representation in books is important. And the blackness, making sure that our identities are also key and central to the stories. I think it just really set a good tone for the rest of the event. And I don't know, it just like I said, it just really kicked things off in such a positive way.
Joi Miner: everybody felt seen. Like
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: we weren't talking about anything that none of us have experienced. And it's very hard to find that space or a space like
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: that. Because a lot of times I'm the only black in the room. And then don't don't add lesbian, 'cause then I'm the only black lesbian in the room. And it's like y'all don't understand what the hell I'm saying. I'm okay.
Joy: That's real. You know, but you bring up a point. This was global.
Joi Miner: Yes!
Joy: Yes. This was global, baby. We had people from other countries at the festival, Canada. Yes.
Joi Miner: Canada, the UK, girl.
Joy: Yes. But then hearing how multiple people from around the world experienced that isolation, being the
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: only black person, the only black queer woman in a space, because J.S. Jasper talked about her experience.
Joi Miner: And how she's as light as she is, she was the darkest. And I was like, Girl
Joy: I know.
Joi Miner: Wow
Joy: That's what I'm saying, the perspectives that we got. And just yes.
Joi Miner: Yes.
Joy: You know, and I'd I've been to in person book events. And, you know, when you're standing in line trying to go and meet with your favorite author, you might be in line anywhere from an hour to two hours. Some you know,
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: sometimes it's shorter, but it depends on the event. And then when you get to the front, there really is only a short period of time to get your book signed, maybe say a couple of words, and then you have to move and let the other person. Yeah, they scoot you out the
Joi Miner: They scoot you on out the way. Yep.
Joy: way. You know, this event we had the breakout rooms with the author meet and greet, and how everybody was able to come in and like really connect with y'all one on one. that got a lot of positive praise and high ratings.
Joi Miner: It was amazing.
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: Yeah, people bounced in and out because they would come in and they would be part of the conversation and they would hop out. So I knew they were going into other break rooms. Like it was
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: four or five folks that were bouncing in and out and would come back and then go back. To have that the ability to do that is amazing. And if I hadn't been one of the authors, my ass would have been bouncing around too, but I was kinda stuck.
Joy: Yeah. And if I had been one of the office five, it'd be bad for my
Joi Miner: And me and D.O. was in there cutting a fool so it's okay. Girl
Joy: Yeah, I put y'all together on purpose.
Joi Miner: Bad decision, but very good decision.
Joy: Yeah. I had a feeling that y'all would hit it off after our author mixer. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: Honey, I love her so much. I love her so much because she's a seasoned lesbian and I'm still kind of new to it. And to see that my s my issues are the same issues she still having and it's like, shit, so it don't get no better. Okay.
Joy: Look, people think it's easier dating women, it is not. No
Joi Miner: No, I just told my daughter, I was like, you know what? At this point, I have two men that are interested in me. I could just start dating men. I really could just start dating men. And she was like, Yeah, Ma, you could. I said, But I have to sleep with wouldn't I? And she was like, Yes, ma'am. I said, never mind. Never mind. Yeah. I was I was just thinking of the benefits like my bills being
Joy: Yeah, that's where it loses a lot of us. We don't like the men's. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: paid and me being courted properly. And but no, I gotta sleep with you.
Joy: You actually think the men do that? That's sad. That's not true.
Joi Miner: Well here's the ones the ones that are at a at me would. Yeah, and I'm real picky about who I deal with, so yeah.
Joy: I understand. I understand. I got you. I got you. Yeah. Just the dating pool in general I heard is trash, which is why I'm glad I'm out of it. Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: Got piss and shit in it. Yeah. Yeah, like they peed in it, poured some gasoline and set it on fire. Just yeah. It's yeah. Yeah, radioactive.
Joy: That's valid, yeah. It's hyperactive. Yeah. Ra that's the word radioactive, yes. You knew what I was trying to say, okay.
Joi Miner: Yes!
Joy: This why Yeah.
Joi Miner: Tired. All the hang-ups and the trauma and the I told D.O. after the the conference because she was talking about I don't know late-in-life lesbians. And I said, I'm gonna write a whole series about late-in-life lesbians, just like shorts, just fighting different women coming out in different ways and having to navigate it because that's a whole thing to
Joy: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Just finding in different ways and having to navigate it because that's a whole thing.
Joi Miner: navigate that I don't think people respect.
Joy: I know. And that's a lot of our experiences. A lot of people are
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: late bloomers. And that was a common theme throughout the weekend. We talked about that a lot because
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: it's a theme in a lot of people's books. A lot of us experience that. So just this late blooming, just the bonding that we all experienced sharing our lived experiences as black lesbians. Black women. Yes.
Joi Miner: Yeah, and and then black women and then parents and then like all of these things and I love that everybody every session somebody threw out intersectionality and I absolutely
Joy: Every session somebody draw out intersectionality. Yes.
Joi Miner: loved it because it's like all of our different sides. Like we're six and seven dimensional beings. Like we hold Rubik's
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: Cubes around here.
Joy: And you know, and I really got the validation that I chose the right term because also not everybody that attended the event identifies as lesbian. We have a lot of bisexuals that are in the mix. And I also got feedback that people were happy that I used the term sapphic because it made them feel included. It made them feel seen. that term actually makes them feel like the event was for them and make them feel comfortable to attend. So I'm gonna keep trusting my gut and doing things that you know I feel called to do. Yeah.
Joi Miner: So, I mean, look at what you did. And I mean, it's not my
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: favorite word either, because once I looked it up, I was like, okay, this is confusing. I'm a lesbian. that does not mean that I'm shunning anybody who's not who doesn't identify as lesbian. I just want it to be clear. Like, I am a purist lesbian. Like, and that gives me more trouble than if I was sapphic. I really think I would have a better chance dating.
Joy: mean that I'm shunning anybody doesn't identify a clinic. I just want to teach people like I am a puristy. Mm-hmm. And that gives me more trouble than if I was that I really think I would have a better chance dating. If I was that I love that nobody was like Yes, yes. I was sitting there and I
Joi Miner: If I was happy, but I love that nobody was left out. Because I was sitting there and I was like, okay, I know not everybody in here is lesbian.
Joy: Mm. Yeah. you know, it would set me in my my inspector. Okay, so
Joi Miner: And I was, you know, it was that's me and my my inspector gadget, like trying to figure out like, okay, so is she bi? Is is this one non-binary? Like, how are we? Because the honest truth.
Joy: the honest truth. Yes. Love that speaker. Yeah.
Joi Miner: Love that sweetheart. But when they said, and my my pronouns are they and them and I'm sapphic and non-binary, and I was like, okay, So it was wonderful to find authors that are bi and are. Because one woman said when she met the woman that she was with, that was the first woman she'd been with.
Joy: One woman said when she met the woman that she was with, that was the first woman she'd been with. Yep.
Joi Miner: And they were engaged. And I was like,
Joy: And they were
Joi Miner: that's nice.
Joy: I was like, Whoa Yep, that's Yeah, that but that's a common experience for women. So, you know, I'm just glad that I was able to create this safe space, one that people were able to share these experiences so that they could find community in that and find people who also have experienced it. Because, like you mentioned, there are people who are in spaces where they're the only. And
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: this virtual space really allowed them to connect across city lines to find people that they can relate to. So don't I've really been sitting here thinking about the future of the festival. And I think I will always keep a a virtual aspect of it because I just see the benefits of it. And then also
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: people were sharing how they are living with chronic illness. And this event
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: being virtual allowed them to be able to participate without having to travel because they can't. Or they have mobility issues and some of these events aren't accessible enough. So they were really grateful that they could just be at home, log into their computers, and participate. We had people that were zooming in from work. They were in the office on Zoom. Okay.
Joi Miner: Yep. Yep.
Joy: And at no point did participation drop down. When
Joi Miner: Mm mm.
Joy: I tell y'all the festival, the Zoom participants, the chat, it was popping the entire time and then I had built-in breaks so people wouldn't get Zoom fatigue. People were staying on and vibing and still talking. They
Joi Miner: It's still talking
Joy: were like, baby, I don't need no break. I'ma sit here, eat my food, and yap with y'all.
Joi Miner: And listen to this dope ass playlist that you put together and talk some shit.
Joy: Yes. Look, that playlist was a hit.
Joi Miner: Baby
Joy: The playlist was a hit. It's on YouTube if y'all want it. Okay, I do have
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: the YouTube playlist available, but. I didn't know that it was gonna slap like that. Everybody, like, you gonna give this playlist?
Joi Miner: I die
Joy: And it really kept the energy just high vibrating, okay?
Joi Miner: Yeah, it was and I'm sitting here naming things and situations and thinking about if I remember this stuff and I have short term memory loss because of my my brain bleed, like how many people remember even more than I do about the interactions with other people and what was said in the chat or what was said in a panel, like you built something that cause what it's Wednesday, babe, and I still remember. So it stayed with me. Mm-hmm.
Joy: and thinking about if I remember this stuff and I have short term memory logs but my my brain how many people remember do about the interactions with other people yeah or what was it in a panel like you built something that what is wheels say babe and I still remember the Yeah. So it stayed with me. It lingered. Yeah. Yeah. I loved it. I I did it I'll tell you I hopped it in
Joi Miner: I loved it. I I did. I'm telling you, I hopped in in boxes. Like, hey, I like you. Let's ride together. Like
Joy: Yeah. Well, you know, even on the back end, so people have been doing recaps and things like that, and it's just really nice hearing all of the feedback and the positivity that people are sharing around the event. So for those of y'all who are newer to my podcast and maybe have not been following and don't have all of this like background knowledge. about the event. So the Book Lovhers Fest was on September 19th, and September 20th. I opened the event with an opening session. that session started at like 9 30. So I talked and then it, you know, transitioned into the first panel, which was the For Us By Us panel, which talked about Black Sapphic representation in literature. And then we had another panel right at 11, And that one talked about writing in the margins, just the the struggle for visibility and reach for black Sapphic authors. That one really stayed with me because I didn't know all of the struggles that you all are facing as authors trying to get your books in front of your readership. So that was really insightful hearing from y'all. Yes.
Joi Miner: They blacklist us. They do.
Joy: Yeah. Even if it's a romance.
Joi Miner: They blacklist us. Even if it's a romance, because it's sapphic or because it's lesphic, they blacklist it because it's sexual. But they'll put all these erotica right in front of people. It's weird.
Joy: Because it's static or because it's plastic. They blacklisted because it's sexual. But you don't put all these eroticas right in front of me. It's weird. Yeah. But you know, to me that really made a argument for why this space is so important because
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: it gets you directly in front of people who want these books, that love these books. And then just the book recks. Every session people are are just dropping book recs and talking about the books that they've read.
Joi Miner: Y'all gonna be reading for the next year.
Joy: Look, my TBR runneth over.
Joi Miner: Ha ha ha!
Joy: Look, I thought I've already read a lot of black sapphic books, but y'all have let me know I've only scratched the surface, baby. It's so many to be read. And it's still more being released. A lot of the authors got new releases coming out this year. So we had a break after that, and then the author meet and greet was at one o'clock. So that session moving forward. I'm gonna take the feedback. That one needed to be a little longer. Y'all did not want to get up out those breakout rooms. Yeah. Y'all did not want
Joi Miner: An hour and a half to two hours, yeah. Yeah.
Joy: to get up out those breakout rooms. So that session was good. Then Lindsey, the content creator, Books and Banter, she was on
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: a brand trip, y'all. My girl was on a brand trip in New York and zoomed in to facilitate a session for us on how to build a content brand and business and I learned so much from it. I was taking notes.
Joi Miner: Same.
Joy: Yeah, she dropped a lot of gems. It was stuff I didn't even think about, like tagging the publisher in your post. Never thought to do that. Yeah, that was just so insightful. And then there were sessions then from four o'clock, five o'clock, and six o'clock. So the four o'clock session was about books like coming into yourself and stories about identity and coming out. And then the five o'clock session was on crafting yearning and tension and books. Y'all some freaky people though, because that 6 p.m. The spices right.
Joi Miner: The that spices
Joy: That panel, girl,
Joi Miner: That was the favorite panel. Yeah. That was the favorite panel. Yeah. And when I
Joy: that one got the people going. That was everybody's favorite panel. Cause we was talking about sex.
Joi Miner: say it's so funny because they were asking the panelists, and this is why I'm saying this virtual space was so important, because they were asking the panelists things and they were blushing. And I'm like, You wrote the shit. Like, why are you
Joy: If they were blushing, I'm gonna talk for you.
Joi Miner: blushing? Because you're being asked a question about something you wrote. Like, but it's we're all shying. It's like, yeah, I wrote it, but I don't want to talk about it because I just wrote it because. It happens this way and it's like, okay. But the the chat was hotter than the damn panel.
Joy: Look, who was blushing? Because D.O. and Ava, they were giving all the T okay
Joi Miner: We're not we're we're not we're not we're not we're not we're not we're not we're not we're not it was amazing we
Joy: That was a fan favorite, y'all. Yeah.
Joi Miner: got to let our hair down it was six o'clock you know it was after dark that was perfect
Joy: Yeah. It was the best panel to end the first day. And I feel like people didn't really want to hop off, but they were tired. Like they didn't want to hop off. And just the
Joi Miner: Yeah. No. No. No, because
Joy: high that we all left on that after that first day.
Joi Miner: I was tired and I was there and I was like, okay, I'm just gonna do my session and I'm gonna take a nap until the author meet and greet and then I'm gonna come back. Girl, I was there the whole day. Yeah, I was there the whole day.
Joy: Yeah. And I was here and I was like, Okay, I'm just gonna do my fishing and I'm gonna take a nap until the office be free and I'm gonna come back. Really? You never left. You were even in the breaks. Like during the breaks you stayed on Zoom yapping. I didn't know
Joi Miner: Yes, I need a nap. I need a nap so bad. By the time I got off, I just passed out. I was like, you what? I'll get it later. I get it later.
Joy: you were planning on hopping off Zoom, babes, 'cause you never left.
Joi Miner: Taking nap. I needed to take a nap. I had been up the night before. So I was like, I I'm
Joy: That's fair.
Joi Miner: just gonna jump on and then jump up. No, that didn't happen.
Joy: Yeah. Well, day two was just as lit. So day two kicked off at ten AM with Battle of the Book Tropes. So I facilitated this March Madness style battle of
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: the tropes, y'all. And they had to defend. So I was a judge. I was Judge Joy. And y'all had to convince me of your favorite book trope and why it's superior. But you had to use data. You had to give me the books. You had to tell me why. friends to lovers is better, the enemies to lovers, but you couldn't just say, I just like it. Give me the book rec. Let me know which book will convince me that friends to lovers is better. Y'all, I'm very surprised, but forced proximity came out on top But I do love forced proximity. That is like one of my favorites. I just love that this festival allow people to nerd out in peace. Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: They did. my God, they did. And I was like, that is so cute. Because when you were like, y'all can unmute. That was even worse than them putting it in the in the chat. Cause
Joy: even worse than a putting it in the chair.
Joi Miner: Lord, don't let them start talking. The a
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: room full of women like
Joy: Mm.
Joi Miner: talking about sapphic books.
Joy: Yeah. It was just a time. It did.
Joi Miner: It got hot. It got heated in there.
Joy: Some of y'all were flirting. I peeped game.
Joi Miner: I don't know what's that map.
Joy: Some of y'all were definitely flirting, but you know, what happens on Zoom stays on Zoom. We ain't gonna go there.
Joi Miner: 'Cause it was one I I was like one session you had, I'm not I'm not gonna be specific.
Joy: Hehehehehe
Joi Miner: it was a couple of them that had me kinda okay.
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: but one session I was like, the girls are out and I'm not even a breastwoman, but I was like,
Joy: Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: I heard everything that person said. Everything. I noticed every breath, every breath she took.
Joy: You were locked in. Yes. Yes. I mean, we're lady lovers. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: We are
Joy: It was a lady loving space.
Joi Miner: And we were in there being manish We were flirting. It was so cute. It was so cute.
Joy: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was cute. It was cute. Well, you know, that eleven o'clock session on Sunday was the audiobook narrator conversation with AM Elizabeth K. That was so
Joi Miner: Mm. I love that.
Joy: informative. It was so good.
Joi Miner: I thought it was dope to preserve her identity.
Joy: Yeah, there are a couple of audiobook narrators that are anonymous or faceless. Mm-hmm. Yep.
Joi Miner: Really? Hmm.
Joy: They're just the voice behind the story. You don't need to know their face. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: So why do you need to what they look like? That makes sense. See, I learned something new about that. But even like with her talking about how she got into it and how she does it like saving the voices for the characters so she can go back and listen to remember how the characters sound.
Joy: Yes. But saving the voices for the characters, she'd go back and mention her because the character says that was a gem. I would have never thought to do something like that.
Joi Miner: Genius
Joy: It was.
Joi Miner: Genius.
Joy: But she literally gave us a step-by-step playbook on how to get into narration, where to start. She gave practical resources. When I tell y'all, it was just so many gems that got dropped and so much information. And it was actually quite a few people there that were interested in becoming narrators. So they all like just told me like they left that session feeling like, okay, I know what I need to do next. And that's exactly what I was hoping for. And also she's the voice behind a lot of our favorite black sapphic books. So then also connecting readers to a narrator that they listen to and that they enjoy. So
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: that was just such a great session. It was so good. Yeah. It was like book demand her and then her shift from authors talking about reading. Yeah. Yeah. Yes.
Joi Miner: And it was a shift. It was a shift. Like Books and Banter and then her, they were a shift from authors talking about reading, but other aspects of the business practices in publishing and writing.
Joy: Mm-hmm. Yeah, because she even talked about how sometimes the author doesn't know that the publisher chose a certain narrator for their book. They don't always have a say in who gets chosen to narrate
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: the book. And I didn't know that. So
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: she was just sharing just aspects of the publishing industry, especially when it comes to the audiobooks, that we wouldn't know. Like just this behind the scenes stuff. So it was just very insightful.
Joi Miner: That's how traditional publishing goes though, and that's why I've never wanted to do it because you're not gonna tell
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: me what the cover and what the title of my book are gonna be. Like this is the title that I chose for it, and now I have to change it because I'm under contract with you. It's it's a lot that goes into traditional publishing. You give up so much control over what you're doing. That's why a lot of us are indie, because it's like, no, I'm not changing the race of my character. No, I'm not changing this plot point. Like I'm not because you think it'll sell better. And you have to give up a lot.
Joy: contract fee. It's it's a lot that goes into traditional publishing. You give up so much control. Wow over what you're doing. That's why a lot of us are indie 'cause it's like, no, I'm not changing the race of my character. No, I'm changing this plot point. Like I'm not because you think sell better. Yeah. And you have to give up a lie. Yeah. Wow. Well, that's something I definitely took away from this event is just the pros and cons of
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: being traditionally published versus indie. And I just love hearing y'all talk about being authors. I also think that y'all have superpowers. The way that y'all be talking about how
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: these characters talk to y'all and y'all just vessels, you know that's a superpower, right? Like okay. I call it channeling. Yeah. You have.
Joi Miner: Yeah. Yeah. I call it channeling and that's what I was saying. I y I think I've said that to you before. Like if I don't if I don't write the story like they tell me to write the story, they're gonna stop talking. I'm be sitting there staring at a computer looking stupid.
Joy: That's crazy to me. Like so many of you express that, like, no, the characters
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: are the ones telling me to write. And you
Joi Miner: Uh-huh.
Joy: go into a story thinking that it's gonna go a certain way, and then the character's like, Nope. Yeah, that's
Joi Miner: Never does. Never does. Never does.
Joy: just so wild to me. Like superpower. It's a superpower. Wow.
Joi Miner: My c my characters have made me cry. Like cry, like whole breakdown, hollering, crying, throwing stuff.
Joy: ma'am, you made us cry. I don't know
Joi Miner: Somehow.
Joy: what's up. Look, y'all, okay, I haven't even gotten to one of the highlights of the event. So we had our book lovher award ceremony. That was the last like official session of the festival. So before that, we had a book discussion with Karmen Lee about the Peach Blossom series. And you know, that was the book club meeting, but then we went into the award ceremony. Yeah. Yeah.
Joi Miner: Well, before we go into the award ceremony, I think it was dope that you included your book club session into the conference.
Joy: yeah.
Joi Miner: Like so we all got that experience.
Joy: Yeah, you know, I want to have this virtual book club. We've been meeting in person, and every time I try to have virtual meetings, people will RSVP but then not show up. I think that this space, because everybody was just vibing and having such a good time and they see how I could facilitate a virtual space, I'm like, I want y'all to sign up for this virtual book club so we can keep these vibes going. We can be doing things like this once a month. So I wanted to also introduce people to what the book club meeting could look like so that they can see themselves as a member of it and want to participate. So a lot of the people that were there signed up to be a part of my virtual book club. So we'll kick things off in October. Yeah.
Joi Miner: How do
Joy: So if you are listening and you want to be a part of a virtual Black Sapphic book club, please, I will have the information up on my website by the time you hear this and you can sign up. And you can join us because the next meeting will be in October. Okay? And then you can come and help vote on the October book pick and all of that. So,
Joi Miner: Hell yeah.
Joy: but I'm glad y'all like that. because it was several of my book club members that were at the event. So I wanted to also make sure
Joi Miner: Okay, nice.
Joy: that they felt like they were a part of the festival. Well
Joi Miner: Well they were.
Joy: they were. They
Joi Miner: Awesome.
Joy: And some of them were the most vocal. Y'all don't even realize it. You know, they I was like, that's my book club member that's talking right now, you know. yeah. That's true. That's true.
Joi Miner: they let us know. Yeah, because they they protected you like she's ours. That's what that was. Like she's ours. And that's wonderful to
Joy: Yeah. Like she's out. And that's wonder. Yeah.
Joi Miner: know I don't think you realize the community that you created for yourself. And now you're creating it for the rest of us.
Joy: You know creating for the rest the Yeah, you know, it really hit me after the event was over that I brought all of these strangers together. 'Cause and none of us really knew each other. And I just had to sit with it like you brought all these strangers together and Yeah.
Joi Miner: Almost a hundred, almost a hundred.
Joy: you're right.
Joi Miner: On the other side of a hundred, yep.
Joy: Yeah, you're right. But yeah, it was just beautiful that all these people came together and bonded and formed connections. And none of us knew each other prior to this, you know? And
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: we talk about how hard it is to make friends in adulthood. But if I'm gonna make a new friend, I want them to be a book friend. I feel like book people are like some of the best people in the world. And yeah.
Joi Miner: One of my dating questions is what's the last book you read? If you tell me something that you read from high school, baby, we don't have nothing in common. I I can't do it because you probably country slow. Like I'm sorry, I'm and I'm country, but there's a difference between country and country slow. Like I I just I can't do it. I can't do it. Like I need I need intellectuals, and that's why I tell people like all of my friends serve a purpose, but all of my friends are intelligent.
Joy: That's real. I I can't do it because she's probably country slow, but and I'm country. But there's a difference between country and country Like I I I can't do it. Yeah. I can't do it. Like I be I be intellectuals and
Joi Miner: Even my good time friends. Like
Joy: that's why I tell people like all of my friends serve a purpose, but all of my friends are intelligent. Yeah. That's real. Even my good time bringing. I mean I get it. I really do. Yeah. It is.
Joi Miner: It's necessary. You want somebody that stimulates you. And like my my friend that I go out and twerk with is an attorney. But we can have these important conversations and then bend over and grab our ankles. Like it's it's you know the the economy of being human, right?
Joy: Yeah. Yes.
Joi Miner: So finding people who read books. Yeah, finding people who read books, you know how hard that is. yeah, you know. you created a space because you know
Joy: We're multifaceted. folks, you know how hard that it is. I know. yeah, you know. yeah. That's why Yes. I mean that's why I want the virtual space because it expands the reach. You know, like being able to find book people in other spaces and we can all come together because a lot of us are in spaces where it's hard to find like minded individuals that
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: read that you can talk to about something you're passionate about. You know, even if you don't read the same genre, just knowing that they read books, like tell me about your favorite book is a great way to get to know somebody, you know? So
Joi Miner: And you find out about them 'cause it's like, what did you like about that book? that's interesting. I never would have thought that anybody thought that was the part to like. Like it's it scratches my brain so good.
Joy: Yep. That was interesting. I never would have talked to anybody about that was the part of life. Yep. Yeah. Scratches my brain so good. Mm-hmm. Well, let's get to the award ceremony because you were my co host and we did that. Yes. We did that. Y'all,
Joi Miner: Yes, yes
Joy: we were in there like it was the Grammys baby. It was. It was.
Joi Miner: good time. It was a good time. But I had been thinking the whole session, like these folks gonna get tired of me. Like the whole weekend I was like, I I talked the whole weekend. I know they tired of me. I know they tired and here we go again. Hey y'all
Joy: Here we go again. Yeah. No, we had a time. I don't think at any point anybody felt like, here they go again. No. We had the humor. We did.
Joi Miner: We had a blast.
Joy: We did. And it was nice seeing people get celebrated and get their flowers and that appreciation. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: Yes Yes
Joy: And just feeling like the work and the effort that you put in, it didn't go unnoticed.
Joi Miner: It's recognized.
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: It's recognized.
Joy: Yep.
Joi Miner: And like I said, I found so many people that I didn't know wrote the same kind of books that I write. And I was talking over the weekend, I was like, you know the difference between what I write and what most of the women that were here write? They write romance. I don't really do romance.
Joy: Yeah. Yeah, Deja Lee says she don't like H E A's in her book. I mean, but that makes sense. Yeah.
Joi Miner: I mean, but that makes sense. Cause I don't I don't do happily ever afters either. Like I can't stand them.
Joy: Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: I'll give you a happily ever
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: after every now and then. Like Charm kinda had a happily ever after, kind of, but and that was a slow
Joy: Kind of.
Joi Miner: burn I didn't realize it was a slow burn because they didn't even like get together, get together until the end of the book.
Joy: Yeah, but you know, I think it's a art to keep people engaged in a slow burn. Cause sometimes people like just get to it. But you know, charm, I don't know, cause it's a strip club. Like, that's one of my favorite books of yours. I really love that book. But I like leprechauns and stuff, and you I'm one percent Irish, so
Joi Miner: That explains why you're little bitty, right? The one percent did it.
Joy: Yeah, I got little leprechaun in me, okay? Yeah, a little leprechaun in me. Mm-hmm. One percent.
Joi Miner: 1%. I'm done. Let's go back to this this award ceremony because I'm not even gonna entertain that foolishness. This nuts that you want. I'm talking like I'm talking to somebody other than myself. Like this 1% Irish.
Joy: Look, yeah, that's why I like the book. I feel seen. Mm-hmm. Me and Charm are kindred spirits.
Joi Miner: T
Joy: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Me finding out
Joi Miner: Yeah, 'cause she like four eleven. Like she was a little bitty.
Joy: that I need a booster seat was not on my bingo car for the weekend.
Joi Miner: Listen, and I'm just too I'm I'm just the right height to wear I'm not I don't have to wear one by law in Georgia. However, comma,
Joy: That's crazy.
Joi Miner: I still have to wear one because I can't see over the front of the car because I'm so short.
Joy: Girl, that's crazy. So I discovered that Georgia passed the law that if you are under what was it, 5-1, 5-2 or 5-1,
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: that you have to use a booster seat when you're driving. So as an adult,
Joi Miner: As an adult. As an adult.
Joy: how embarrassing is that?
Joi Miner: Ha ha ha.
Joy: I was embarrassed because why I gotta be this short that I gotta use a booster seat. So I guess I won't be driving in Georgia. It's crazy.
Joi Miner: I mean, but it's I what I do is the little the ergonomic like the is it ergonomic? It's the foam. Yeah,
Joy: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: and I have one and they used to joke at joke on me at one of my old jobs and they were like you you got a booster seat and I'm like, Yeah. But my
Joy: But then I can't reach the pedals. Don't don't do that. Don't make that face. Don't make that face. It's already embarrassing. But if I boost me up, I d
Joi Miner: See, I knew they could see my face.
Joy: I don't got enough leg. So if you boost me up, what I'm gonna do? Use my tippy toes.
Joi Miner: Well I'm I'm I'm like ninety percent leg, so I s I can still touch the pedals, but
Joy: That's my fear. If I get boosted up, I don't have enough leg now to touch the pedals. Cause I barely be struggling. I gotta sit all the way up on the steering wheel to be reaching. Don't do that. Okay,
Joi Miner: I do too.
Joy: okay. I'm like, I thought it was just me. Gotta be kissing that motherfucker.
Joi Miner: No. I do too. And they be like drop they be like drop the steering wheel. That's not gonna help. Doesn't it's not gonna help. Like it's in my chest when I'm sitting in the car. Like I I'm sit up,
Joy: No help, like it's in my chest. I know. Like I I
Joi Miner: press forward so I can see over the front of the car and I'm still in a booster seat. So
Joy: Yep.
Joi Miner: yeah.
Joy: Sad. Sad, sad day finding out I need a booster seat. Yeah. Like all the dog.
Joi Miner: Yeah. And we whole adults. Like whole adults. You married, I'm raising my I have an adult child and I still gotta ride in a booster seat.
Joy: Yep. And we need booster seats. That was a depressing fact to learn. It really was. And they was happy to tell us, thirsty to tell us, yeah, I need a booster seat. Like, okay.
Joi Miner: So don't be nervous. I yes. Dio, I mean, Dio broke it down. She broke it down. And we sitting here like, shut up. Just don't don't do that. Yeah, tiny.
Joy: We get it. We get it. We short. Short and old according to Monique Good, okay? we never gonna let that girl live it down. Look, we got we got so many inside jokes. Inside jokes.
Joi Miner: Yeah
Joy: And what space would readers be able to interact with authors in this way? To now
Joi Miner: There aren't any.
Joy: say they have inside jokes with them. Come on. Yeah.
Joi Miner: There aren't any. Like, I've been to author events and I'm like, I wanted to have whole conversations. And I'm so bad because I walk away from my table to go have conversations with other people whose books I've read or, you know, who started a conversation with me. Hey, let's go outside. And it's like
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: I'm at this table by myself, and I left my books unattended to have a conversation.
Joy: Yeah. It was just such good conversation at this event. It was. Well,
Joi Miner: It was wonderful. It was wonderful.
Joy: back to how you made everybody cry. I did
Joi Miner: Didn't I?
Joy: not. Girl, people were turning their cameras off because they did not want people to see. Okay, so
Joi Miner: I almost cried at the at the end. I was struggling at the end.
Joy: Yeah. So the award ceremony, Joi was my co-host, but she is also a poet. So I had asked her if she would recite a poem that she's written at the beginning of the event at the award ceremony to just kick it off to set a tone for the session. And then also want to close us out. Just some good parting words to give people as we conclude the festival, because the award ceremony was the official. Last session of the event. Because after that we had a happy hour, but that was just us, you know, just still drinking, having drinks, and people didn't really want to leave just yet. We were just trying to ride that
Joi Miner: Drank in. Right.
Joy: high. And also just to, you know, recap all of our favorite moments and everything from
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: the weekend. But that award ceremony ushered us into that. So I wanted to give people just something to like sit with. after the award ceremony was over and you really did that. You really did that. I I knew you
Joi Miner: Thank you.
Joy: were a poet, but damn. Like
Joi Miner: Imagine.
Joy: like I knew you wrote poems, but damn. You really did that. Like I was fighting for my life to not start crying because I was co hosting with you. So I can't be over here boo hooing, ugly crying.
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: Look, people started to turn their cameras up. You had us choked up. Those were the most beautiful poems I've heard. Like, my God. Just phenomenal. They were beautiful. So I asked her to come
Joi Miner: Thank you.
Joy: on air today to recite these poems for y'all because I just feel like more people have to hear that. And I intentionally didn't record the sessions because I wanted people to have the ability to relax and let their hair down without that fear
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: of being perceived that comes from cameras recording you nonstop.
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: And I feel I also think that contributed to why we were all having such a great time because people were present in the moment. Nope.
Joi Miner: Because nobody had to worry about right.
Joy: We were not worried about capturing content. That that's not what this event was for. Okay. So it was.
Joi Miner: It was making memories and that's exactly what happened.
Joy: It was. But I need people to hear these poems, Like there wasn't a dry eye in the spot because you did that. Well, it's because of what you did. Like I was like, I have to I have to come up with something that shows her what what she did need. Because like you said, we fight for our lives every day. Yeah. Just trying to get rid of three or stuff,
Joi Miner: Well, it's because of what you did. Like I was like, I have to I have to come up with something that shows her what what she did means. Because like you said, we fight for our lives every day. Just trying to get readers to read our stuff. just trying to get people to understand that okay, we're women loving women, but we're also human and we're going through the same thing that you're going through and we're pushed to the side
Joy: Just trying to get people to understand that okay, we're women loving women, but we're also human and we're going through the same thing that you're going
Joi Miner: So it's
Joy: a real relationship a lot of the time. So it's giving us the spaces you did, I want to make sure that I did it just.
Joi Miner: Giving us the space that you did, I wanted to make sure that I did it justice.
Joy: You really did. And I just wanted to personally thank you, like, cause you didn't have a whole lot of time to whip
Joi Miner: No.
Joy: these poems up. Cause y'all, okay, Joy, she be really with the shits. Because the way my brain works, I'll have a random idea in like the middle of the night. And I'll be like, I'm sorry for the late text. But I got I got this random
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: idea. Do you think this is something you might be interested in? And she was like, you know what? I'll make it work. I got you.
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: And you really did have me because girl, what the my God. Y'all gonna understand when you hear these poems, but it really to me centered the purpose and the reason for why I created the book lovher awards in the first place. And then I don't know if y'all saw, but Trei Taylor, she won Favorite Audiobook Narrator.
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: And I tagged her in the award so that she would know that she won it at the festival. She made a post, y'all, and she was crying, talking about how amazing it felt to just be seen. And she didn't, she was like, I don't know who these people are. She's like, I don't know who these people are. But this like she's like, This made my day. She's like crying. And it just, I don't know. I didn't know when I came up with the idea for this stuff that it would have this type of impact on people. And just to see the impact of my dream come into life and wanting to have spaces where we could be celebrated and not have to wait for other people to do it
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: and see that someone at her level, someone as big as she is as an audiobook narrator, needed to feel seen and got that from us, from us. That really meant a lot. And I'm so glad that she made the post and I feel like that was part of the reason why I did this is that I see y'all. And I just get tired of the community getting overlooked. And it's just like, you know what? If all this shit is made up, I'm gonna make up my own stuff too. And we gonna celebrate
Joi Miner: And that's
Joy: ourselves.
Joi Miner: yeah, and what you did, and I've been telling you this since our first communication, like what you did and what you were doing was so important. That's why I was so like, what do you need me to do? Like, how can I help? And it it seems like everybody else is the same way, like, hey, Joy, what you need, we want because you invest in us, we invest in you.
Joy: and what you were doing was so important. That's why I was so like, what do you need me to do? Yeah. Like, how can I help? it seems like everybody else is the same They were joined. What you need people because you invest enough to get Yeah.
Joi Miner: So we wanted you to know, no, your idea's not crazy. No, you ain't gotta do this by yourself. And girl, you ran yourself ragged.
Joy: But you know, I'm a Capricorn. I may have ran myself ragged, but my hard work paid off. And it's hard because I'm so passionate. And I'm having a lot of fun doing this. And you could tell, I think that was something that everybody
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: could see is that, she likes this. 'Cause I do. You know, so I hear you.
Joi Miner: If you do it after your nine to five, then absolutely.
Joy: Yes. So I hear you. I don't know. very much a stereotypical Capricorn and I pour myself into things. But that's part of the reason why I wanted to start my own stuff. If I'm gonna work myself ragged, it's gotta be for my own brand.
Joi Miner: Yes, I tell people that I'm not gonna drive myself in the ground building somebody else's shit. I'm just not. I'm just not.
Joy: Yep. I don't mind working tirelessly for my own dream. Yeah.
Joi Miner: Right. Right. And that's what people I don't think people realize that. Will it be slower? Yes. Will it take longer to get there? Yes. But when you get there, it's all yours. It's all yours. So what you're doing, I mean,
Joy: Yep. Yep. So what you're doing, I mean
Joi Miner: nobody has done what you're doing. Nobody thought to include black.
Joy: nobody has done what you're doing. Yeah. Nobody thought to include
Joi Miner: sapphic author.
Joy: black staff. They will now though. All it takes
Joi Miner: But you know Yeah and
Joy: is a little bit of a spark and then people are like, I see what she did there, let me try. But you know, I got the special sauce. I'm the secret ingredient. Nah.
Joi Miner: Right, I was about to say they they don't want our milkshake because their their shit'll be bland if we're in the same room. They don't want that. That's why we're excluded because can't nobody do it like we can do it.
Joy: Mm. That's real.
Joi Miner: So now keep doing what you're doing.
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: And let try and emulate it. It's not gonna happen. It's not gonna work, but they can try though.
Joy: Yeah. But the beautiful thing is you only get one chance to make a really strong first impression. But this
Joi Miner: All right, Eminem.
Joy: but this was my first impression. Like a lot of people, this was their
Joi Miner: Absolutely.
Joy: first time like really getting to know me. And I feel like I really gained a lot of people's respect.
Joi Miner: Absolutely.
Joy: Mm-hmm.
Joi Miner: And if you didn't and it they better not say it out loud 'cause you got a whole band of folks gonna come behind you or come a come ahead of you.
Joy: That's real. You know, but the support has been real. Like, there's a lot of authors stepped up to offer support, offer help, like whatever you need. And you know, my girls, like I really could not have done this weekend without the help on Zoom, just making sure that the technology flowed and the conversation flowed. Like I had a team of people that stepped up to Help me make this a lot smoother. Cause I probably could have juggled it on my own, but why stress myself like that? Like I really think
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: it's important to have collaborators and people who you can lean on. And I'm just really grateful that I found that in you all. And you know, the support and love that I received to make this event happen was very, very real. So I'm just very grateful. But you and these poems, girl, like you I I know.
Joi Miner: You see I'm trying to deflect and you keep on bringing it back.
Joy: I know, but you really, I think, wrapped up every feeling that we all
Joi Miner: But
Joy: have experienced and felt throughout, you know, our journey, either as a reader, people as a writer, someone that's just in the community as a black sapphic, identified woman, whether it's a lesbian, bisexual, queer, however you identify, non-binary, your words spoke. to our experiences and really spoke life into us. So to know that you whipped that up in the timeline that I gave you also blows my mind. 'Cause they don't know that. That's what I'm saying. So back to
Joi Miner: Think it what, like two or three days. Yeah, like two or three days.
Joy: my original point. I knew you were a poet, but damn You did that. Wow.
Joi Miner: 25 years. Like, I've been doing it for 25 years. So it's at the point where I can sit down and say, I need to write this poem. And I can write it in about an hour or two. And then all it
Joy: Wow.
Joi Miner: takes is like some polishing. But yeah, it's like breathing. And my my baby says that. She's like, Mama, who says writing poetry is like breathing? Like, who says that? Yeah. Like when I sit down, and again, it's not I don't hear voices with that.
Joy: Yeah, it's like breathing. And my my baby says like, Mama, who says write poetry is like breathing? Like who says that? You? Yeah, you when I sit down and again it's I don't voices but that.
Joi Miner: I hear my own voice, actually. Most people don't hear their own voice in their head.
Joy: Mmm, wow.
Joi Miner: But I hear my own voice and it's like, Okay, this needs to go here and that needs to be said and I'll put a bunch of lines, you know, on a sheet of paper or on a computer and then
Joy: Wow.
Joi Miner: say, Okay, let me move this, let me move that and it just fills itself in.
Joy: Well,
Joi Miner: But yeah.
Joy: can you recite these words for us, please? Girl, these are long, but I do both. Do you want me to do both? Absolutely. This is my pod
Joi Miner: Girl, these are long, but I do both. If you want me to do both of them, I yes, ma'am. She's like, This is my podcast.
Joy: So before we have Joi recite these poems for us, I forgot to tell y'all that we had a ton of freebies. Every session at this event, we gave away free Black Sapphic books. And I say we, I mean me, okay? Gave away free
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: Black Sapphic books, including audiobooks. And all of the books were by authors that were participating in the festival. Then we had the virtual swag bags, which had Zoom backgrounds. Look, I was in my digital product creation bag. Okay, we had Kindle inserts,
Joi Miner: Yeah.
Joy: book journals. some of the authors gave free books discount codes. So it was just so much freebies. Like different crossword puzzles and challenges, But you know, something that I was excited for was the Zoom background competition. And seeing all of the different Zoom backgrounds
Joi Miner: Girl.
Joy: that people made, y'all's creativity. I love it. Girl, it was so many. D.O. Robinson ended up winning the Zoom background competition.
Joi Miner: Course she did.
Joy: Yeah. She her her Zoom background, y'all said, me and Pussy go way back. It was so creative, so creative and raunchy. But that's what I like. You know, the smut and the spice gets the people going. We like that. But yeah. I'm just glad that everybody left with these book recs Their TBRs are long and strong. And some people were able to get free books. it was just so many things about this event that just came together to make it just a really special experience. it was a really good time.
Joi Miner: It was that. It was definitely that. Like I didn't want to leave. And I think that's why I was about to
Joy: think that's why
Joi Miner: cry with the last poem, because I was like, my God, it's about to be over. Like this is the best weekend I've had in a very long time with my introverted self. Like I didn't have to go in people or anything. And I still had a blast.
Joy: Yeah. Yeah. And I still had a blag. Yeah. And it felt like we were at a in person book event but virtual. Like the quality of the activities, the panels, the interactions are on par with what you would experience at an in person event, but from the comfort of your home. And that is very
Joi Miner: Yep. And I think my
Joy: valuable. Well, I'm excited for y'all to hear the words that moved us, that made some folks shed tears, and that really, I think, encapsulated all of the emotions of the weekend and really set such a good tone for us to celebrate each other at the Book Lovher Awards. more people need to hear these poems. So I'ma pass it to you, poet.
Joi Miner: Well, I d I I did have to tweak them a little bit because after being there the first day, I was like, this needs to be added. we gotta say this too. so it they kept growing. But this one is called Immortal Inc.
Joy: After being there the first day I was like, this needs to be acting. we gotta say this too. they kept growing. But this one is called Immortal Eight. They told us history was
Joi Miner: They told us history was written by the victors, so we picked up pens because we know there is more than one way to win a war. Sometimes survival looks like a sentence.
Joy: written by the victors, so we picked up pens because we know there's more than one way to win a war. Sometimes survival looks a sentence.
Joi Miner: Sometimes Freedom is a blank page and a black woman unafraid of what she might put on it. Sometimes the most revolutionary thing a woman who loves women can do is tell the truth, her truth, in her language, in her rhythm, with her people at the center and everybody else learning how to read around us. We've spent enough centuries being somebody else's supporting characters, enough pages as the best friend. The cautionary tale, the secret, the sin, the somebody who dies so somebody else can learn something. So we learn to write ourselves alive. We put black girls on pages and let them grow up. Let them be soft, let them be strange, let them be southern, stud, fem, masculine mother, lover, villain, hero, heartbreaker, heartbroken, human. We let black women fall in love and did not punish them for it. Do you know how powerful that is? To create a world and decide we get to live in it, that is a superpower. To reach inside your imagination, pull out a woman who has never existed before, give her a name, a body, a history, a hunger, and then give her forever. That is a superpower. Because somewhere long after our hands have forgotten these keyboards,
Joy: Because somewhere, long after our hands have forgotten these keyboards,
Joi Miner: Long after our voices have left these rooms, somebody will open a book and there we will be. Still talking, still loving, still black, still queer, still here. Baby, we have figured out how to haunt the future. We call it publishing.
Joy: long after our voices have left these rooms, somebody will open a book and there we will be. Still talking, still loving, still black, still queer, still here. Baby, we have figured out how to hunt the future. We call it publishing.
Joi Miner: We have figured out how to leave pieces of ourselves where death cannot reach them. We call it storytelling. We figured out how to take everything they told us to hide.
Joy: We have figured to leave pieces of ourselves where death cannot reach them. We call it storytelling. We figured out how to take everything they
Joi Miner: Our mouths, our bodies, our wanting, our anger, our tenderness, our blackness, our queerness, our impossible, beautiful lives, and turn it into literature. We call that power.
Joy: told us to hide, our mouths, our bodies, our wanting, our anger, our tenderness, our blackness, our queerness, impossible, beautiful lives, and turn it into literature. We call that power.
Joi Miner: Because every time one of us writes the truth, somebody who thought she was the only one finds evidence that she isn't. Every time one of us writes a love story, some black girl gets proof that she deserves an ending that does not require her disappearance. Every time one of us writes ourselves into fantasy, romance, horror, mystery, poetry, history, we widen what is possible. We're not asking to be included in somebody else's canon. We brought pens. We can build our own. And look at us, authors, readers, book lovers, book love hers, a room full of women who understand that words can make worlds. And decided to make worlds big enough to hold us. That takes courage. Because there is bravery in being seen. There's bravery in saying, This happened. I felt this. I wanted this. I loved her. I survived this. I imagined this. I am this. And I will not erase myself to make my story easier for someone else to swallow. Tonight, we celebrate the women who wrote anyway. Who loved anyway, who imagined anyway, who published anyway, who told the truth even when fiction was the safest place to put it in. Tonight, we celebrate the hands building our immortality one word at a time. So sharpen your pencils, charge your laptops, open your notes app at the most inappropriate time possible, write the thing
Joy: We celebrate the hands building our immortality one word at a time. So sharpen your pencils, charge your laptops, open your notes app at the most inappropriate time possible. The thing they told you there
Joi Miner: they told you there wasn't a market for. Write the women they told you were too much. Write us messy, write us magnificent, write us wrong, write us righteous, write us wanting, write us whole, write us our way.
Joy: wasn't a market for. Right, the women they told you were too much. Right us messy. Right as magnificent. Right us wrong.
Joi Miner: Because somewhere there is a black sapphic girl looking for herself between two covers, and because of us she will find her. That is our bravery. That is our legacy. That is our immortality. That is our power. And that is our superpower.
Joy: 'Cause somewhere there's a black zapped girl with a herself between two countries. And because of us she will find her. That
Joi Miner: All right, so and the second poem, which was the closing poem. I'm gonna read it and my voice ain't gonna shake this time.
Joy: Or so you think.
Joi Miner: Girl, every time like I read it after and I was like, It's just something about being in a space where you find other people like you.
Joy: Yeah. Right.
Joi Miner: Right. Right. Okay, so
Joy: Powerful.
Joi Miner: I just said I wasn't gonna get all choked up. Don't do that. So
Joy: Okay, we fix my face. Go ahead. You see, like I'm I'm I'm looking away from
Joi Miner: You see, like I'm I'm I'm looking away from you because if I look at you,
Joy: you.
Joi Miner: you're not gonna help because I saw your head nodding. I'm like, let me lower this brim of this hat, because Joy opened it up. Thank you.
Joy: The poems are good. I don't know what to tell you. They're good. They make me emotional.
Joi Miner: okay. Okay. Carry it with you. Before we close this space, I need you to remember what happened here. Not just the names called, not just the awards lifted, not just the screenshots we will post tomorrow when we finally find the right caption. Remember this, we were here. Black sapphic, brilliant, book loving, story making here, across cities, across states, across miles. across countries. We found our way to one another. And there is something sacred about gathering with people who do not require you to translate yourself before they can celebrate you. So before we go, think about who gathered here. Somebody on this screen wrote a book she almost gave up on. Somebody logged on today having read a book that made her feel less alone. Somebody is carrying a story she has not been brave enough to write yet. Somebody is wondering if anybody will care when she does. This is your answer. We care. Write it. Write it scared. Write it tired. Write it between shifts and school pickups on lunch breaks and sleepless nights. Write it when the algorithm ignores you. Write it when the sales don't look like the dream yet. Write it when the reviews are quiet.
Joy: Ride it between shifts and school pickups on lunch breaks and sleepless night. Write it when the algorithm ignores you. Ride it when the sales don't look like the dream yet. Ride it when the reviews are quiet.
Joi Miner: Write it when somebody tells you there's no audience for women like us because look at us.
Joy: Write it when somebody tells you no audience for women like us because look at us. She the audience is already here. And you ever think all book. You held somebody's imagination in your hand. You entered a world she built from nothing to believe in it for a little while.
Joi Miner: Sugars, the audience is already here. And readers, don't you ever think all you did was read a book? You held somebody's imagination in your hands. You entered a world she built from nothing and agreed to believe in it for a little while. That matters. Every book you bought, every review you left, every friend you told, every author whose name you said in a space she had not entered yet, you helped a story travel. Readers are how books learn to walk. Writers give stories bodies. Readers give them legs. And together, we make sure our stories go farther than we ever could alone. So when you log off today, carry somebody with you. Carry an author's name into a bookstore. Carry a title into your group chat. Carry a recommendation to your book club. Carry a sentence that changed you. Carry the writer you met here when she gets tired. Carry the reader who has been searching for a story that finally feels like home. Carry each other, because there are still black sapphic girls who do not know how enormous their lives are allowed to become. There are still women learning that loving a woman does not make their story smaller. There are still people searching shelves for evidence that we have been here, that we laughed here, fell apart here, got back up here, made mistakes here, made families here, made love here, made art here, made whole damn worlds of everything we were told was too much. So let us leave them evidence, bookshelves full of evidence, libraries full of evidence, kindles full of evidence. Dog eared pages, cracked spines, highlighted sentences, stories passed from hand to hand to hand. Proof that we were here, that we loved here, that we created here, that we did not wait for permission to become unforgettable and maybe not everybody will understand why these stories mattered. That's alright. They weren't all written for everybody. Some were written for the girl who needed to see two black women make it to the last page still loving each other. Some were written because joy deserves documentation too. And some were written simply because we had something to say, and that is reason enough. So writers, go and finish the story. Readers, go and find the next one. And when you find something beautiful, something brave, Something that makes you close the book and stare at the ceiling for a minute. Tell somebody. Say her name. Share her work. Keep the story moving. Because what happened here does not end when the screen goes dark. It continues in another woman's hands. And then another's and another's. Until what started as one black sapphic woman sitting somewhere with a blank page becomes a shelf, becomes a library. Becomes a community, becomes a legacy, becomes a history and nobody can erase. And isn't that what brought us here in the first place? A story crossing distance. A woman we may never have met putting words on a page and somehow finding us. That's what books do. They cross rooms we've never entered, cities we've never visited, years we haven't lived yet. They find people their authors may never get to meet. So maybe it makes sense that we gathered this way. From wherever we are, we came together because stories have never needed our bodies to occupy the same room to make us feel less alone.
Joy: Make us feel less alone. So go. Read boldly, write fearlessly, love loudly. Tell the truth in whatever way only you can tell it. And whatever you do, keep the stories moving, keep
Joi Miner: So go. Read boldly, write fearlessly, love loudly, tell the truth in whatever way only you can tell it. And whatever you do. Keep the stories moving, keep the books circulating, keep the names alive,
Joy: the bullets circulating, keep the names alive.
Joi Miner: keep making room, keep finding each other, keep choosing each other, and please keep giving us something worth reading. Because we are still here, we still have stories, and sugars, we are nowhere near the end.
Joy: Keep thank you, bro. Keep finding
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm.
Joy: each other. Keep choosing each other. And please keep giving us something Those are some beautiful poems. Thank you.
Joi Miner: Mm.
Joy: You really captured the spirit of the event and sent us off into the world with really good words.
Joi Miner: You so funny. girl, my favorite comment when I was reading was they were like that southern accent is what's driving it home and I was like, Okay. I hear that all the time.
Joy: That doesn't accent driving at home, but I was like, okay. We do love an accent around here, we do. But thank you for helping me recap the event and just helping me conclude my first season with a bang. Cause I enjoyed the conversation. It's always a good time when we link up.
Joi Miner: Yes, ma'am. Yes, it is.
Joy: I feel like don't know how to find words. To express the magic that happened and you really just had to be there. It's still vibrating. It is.
Joi Miner: It's still vibrating. It's very much still vibrating. because I wake up and I still have moments where I'm like, that was so dope. And she said this and she said that. And we yeah.
Joy: Yeah. and she said that and we said, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, so if you
Joi Miner: It's really, really, really, really dope. It's very
Joy: missed it, you missed out. I mean, and I kept looking at it and saying it's sold out, but folks
Joi Miner: I mean and I kept looking at it and saying, It sold out. Some folks gonna be sick when they find out how good it was. Like it's gonna they're gonna be sick when they find out how good it was.
Joy: they're gonna be sick when they find out how good it works. Yeah. You know, but I don't have like Tens of thousands of followers. So you know, sometimes like people look at that like it's social proof to trust something. Like if you was doubting me, baby, you could you sick right now because a time was had and you missed out. Like you had like But like I said, I think
Joi Miner: There were a lot of people.
Joy: my decision to maintain the intimacy of the space is what contributed to it feeling so magical was because you could really connect. for those of you who couldn't get tickets to some of these bigger festivals, don't count us out. you know, those of us who are hosting these smaller, more intimate gatherings or even your local events, there's a lot of enjoyment that comes from going to a smaller book event that you might miss out on if you only chasing tickets to these really bigger festivals. It's
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: room for all of us. And I think all of those big festivals have their demographic, have their purpose, but I just don't want you to be passing up these really amazing experiences because it's not this hugely known. very like viral event that everybody's fighting like Beyonce tickets to be able to go to. You know, don't count us out because like I said, if you did and you doubted me, you realistic you missed out. You missed out.
Joi Miner: You missed out. You missed out. And I don't think I want I've been to big ones and I've been to small ones. And I prefer the smaller ones. Because like I said, I get to have conversations with people.
Joy: been to big ones and I've been to small ones and I prefer the smaller ones. Yeah. Because like I said, I get to have conversations
Joi Miner: I want to know which one of my books was your favorite. Why did you choose that one? Like I want you to throw the book down and make me sign it because you're mad at me because I killed your favorite character. Like I want us to have that time. And I think that does something
Joy: Yeah. And I think that does something for a lot of reasons. I mean a lot of writers. Now the ones that just try to be really popular, they
Joi Miner: for a lot of riders. Now the ones that are just really, really big and really, really popular, they can't. And I think they've had bad experiences with readers too, so they may not want to.
Joy: Yeah. And I think they've had bad experiences for readers too, Yeah. I mean some people really are crazy. They take these books entirely too seriously.
Joi Miner: I know. 'Cause
Joy: I know. Yeah.
Joi Miner: I've had a couple and I'm like, yo.
Joy: I just think about Jahquel J. She's not a black sapphic author, but she's one of my favorites and I talk about her all the time. But some of her fans are really unhinged. And I just know that that has this impact on her. And I wouldn't blame her if she decided that she wasn't gonna keep writing this series. Because fuck y'all, you know, I really would understand.
Joi Miner: Yeah, they I've seen some of the people's comments and I I was like, wow.
Joy: They really do too much. Like she lost her mother. She's been grieving. Like where's the empathy? If you say you love this person this much and you support them and you love their art, where why are you like not they don't care?
Joi Miner: They don't care. They don't care.
Joy: So So you're right. Some of the authors, you know, they have to protect themselves. They've gotten so big and they just don't they can't do certain things. But don't count us out. Okay? So if you were doubting me, just know you missed out on an amazing experience. And one
Joi Miner: And he it?
Joy: th and one thing, don't doubt me. I will always rise to the occasion.
Joi Miner: Yo shit.
Joy: Cause I I motherfucking did that.
Joi Miner: You did and anybody that says you did is a flat face fucking lie because
Joy: Nobody did. I got I got one hundred percent of my evaluations. Some people literally told me they didn't have any notes.
Joi Miner: Yeah, I didn't have any. I was like, what am I supposed to put on here?
Joy: Yeah. Like the only feedback I got was just suggestions on how I can make it even better. But they were like, This was great. So no, my evaluations y'all poured into me. So no. Don't doubt me. I'm a Capricorn and I'm passionate and sensitive about my shit. So Okay.
Joi Miner: Alright baby Badu.
Joy: But yeah, I will rise to the occasion and I put on one hell of
Joi Miner: And you did.
Joy: an e yes, I put on one hell of an event. Yes.
Joi Miner: And y'all tell y'all, anybody who cares about her, anybody who met her and got close to her, we were all worried. We were all like, my God, Joy gonna kill herself. Yeah, like we
Joy: Y'all was like, so all you gonna drink is green juice? You didn't eat nothing?
Joi Miner: were pushing for her to eat. Like, what are you doing? Like we, we were really, and I had to message her, like, I'm sorry if I'm fussing a whole lot, but
Joy: Hey.
Joi Miner: like you are doing the absolute most, baby, and you're not getting enough in there. But she's she's one of those that I would I bet on. I would bet on
Joy: Yeah.
Joi Miner: you.
Joy: Thank you. I would bet on me too. I got the validation.
Joi Miner: Bad.
Joy: The proof is in the pudding. I really did that. And I'm very grateful that it all came together. And it was a great way to conclude my first year, my podcast, this first season. It's just been a season of blessings. And I'm excited for season two. I got some heat coming already in season two.
Joi Miner: Y'all if y'all if y'all could see her face right now and just the the pure joy in her face. I'm about to cry.
Joy: Yeah. It's only up from here. there's no greater feeling of watching an idea coming to fruition.
Joi Miner: The That and you know we experience that with our books every day. So like to see you actually so you understand. And now this is your baby and you fight somebody for it.
Joy: We experience that with our board every day. Yeah. So like There's no greater feeling. But you understand. Yes. And now this is your baby and you platform by the bowl. Yes. Yes.
Joi Miner: I'm a proud auntie. This was amaz it was. It was about and I can't say it enough. And I was telling everybody I could. I messaged my friend that sent me your link, and I was like, bitch, you are officially one of my best friends. Because I never would have it never would have crossed my timeline because I'm not, I'm not on I post on social media and then I'm off of it. And she was like, No, Joy, you need to get this. You need to see this. And
Joy: Thank you. This looks say it enough and I was telling everybody I could I mentioned my friends that sent me your link and I was like, bitch, you are this one of my best friends I never would have it never would have crossed my timeline because I'm I'm not on I'll post on social media and then I'm off of it. Yeah. You need to get this, you need
Joi Miner: Hmm.
Joy: to see this and Man Well You know? I guess what they say. That's a wrap on season one. Yeah. Congratulations, Dero. Thank you.
Joi Miner: Yes! Your first season. Congratulations, dear heart. How many episodes is that?
Joy: This is fifty seven. No, fifty eight. Fifty eight. This is a fifty-eighth episode. I've literally dropped an episode every Saturday from the moment I started. I have not missed. And I've added bonus episodes.
Joi Miner: No, because you told you just told me it was fifty eight okay, so I've done episodes
Joy: Yeah, fifty eight.
Joi Miner: of a podcast and I know how stressful that is. Girl, you talking about superpower.
Joy: And I d I do all my editing. Yeah, I do all my editing. Everything. I am a one-person team for real. I'm doing all this stuff. Okay. I'm the the marketing, the content creator, the audio editor, everything you see. I've been in here. And if I don't know something, I just go Google it and teach myself.
Joi Miner: Mm-hmm. Congratulations,
Joy: Thank you. Thank you. I feel so accomplished. You should.
Joi Miner: Jeez. You should, hell.
Joy: Hell. And Trei Taylor knows who I am now. That was the biggest. I'm like, my God. So yes.
Joi Miner: Yep. Look at you leaving a mark.
Joy: I feel very accomplished. Good.
Joi Miner: Good.
Joy: Cause the nerves were eating me up. I was so nervous going into this event. And it just all
Joi Miner: But you know what?
Joy: came together.
Joi Miner: Queen Latifah has a saying, if you ever stop being nervous, don't do it. You've lost your love for it. I still get nervous. I still get nervous. And it's twenty five years in several of the games of the things that I do. it's twelve years for fiction for me. And I still get nervous. I almost get dry heaves every time I hit publish on a book. Yeah.
Joy: Wow. I still get nervous. And it's twenty five years of several of the games and the things that I do. it's twelve years of fiction for get nervous. Yeah.
Joi Miner: So nerves are good.
Joy: I almost get dry heavies every time I get published. Yeah. So nerves
Joi Miner: Yes, yeah, it is.
Joy: That means you care.
Joi Miner: Okay.
Joy: Yes. You're passionate about it. Mm-hmm. Well thank you. For joining me today for this conversation. Well that
Joi Miner: Thank you for giving me something to join. We can do this all night.
Joy: I know. Well, I'ma see you in season two, baby, okay?
Joi Miner: I know. I saw the email and I read it and I'm like, Like, if you see Joi you just know Joy somewhere behind her. Just know you see one, you see the other one at this point.
Joy: Yeah, y'all see y'all see the duo again in season two.
Joi Miner: Yes. And then next June, girl.
Joy: Yes.
Joi Miner: I'm gonna be all up through the. I'm telling folks and bringing folks from Alabama with
Joy: Telling folks and bringing folks
Joi Miner: me.
Joy: for those of y'all who don't know, I am hosting a I'm calling it Pages and Pride, but it's a a Black Sapphic book lovers meetup in Atlanta during the Black Romance Book Fest weekend because I was selected as a content creator for the festival. And also my book club is one of the book club partners. So me and the book club girlies are coming to Atlanta to turn up with y'all. So that Thursday on June 10th at 7 p.m., we will be at my sister's room. So MSR, the lesbian bar in Atlanta. We will be having a meetup. I'm gonna have giveaways, some bookish fun. Okay. Y'all know I'm gonna make it interactive, but we'll be at the bar. So y'all can come. It's free. I just ask that you patronize the bar, pour some money
Joi Miner: Right.
Joy: into the local lesbian bar, but come and kick it with your girl. And some of the authors said they'll be there, some of the content creators and other book lovers, but you know, this is gonna be the The Black Queer Girlies Book Meetup during Black Romance Book Fest weekend. So come join us.
Joi Miner: And that's how we slide that on in there.
Joy: Yes. Okay. My nice little self-placed advertisement for my event, okay? Yes. We're gonna be there. Yes.
Joi Miner: Yes, ma'am, that's why I nudge. Like, no, I'ma see ya. I'm yeah. The caravan. Yes, ma'am. All right. I love you, Bookie.
Joy: The love is real. Love me some you girl. But thank you for the support.
Joi Miner: Yes, ma'am. Always.
Joyce: Thank you for tuning in to the Book Lovhers Club. If you love today's episode, make sure you subscribe so you never miss a chapter. And if you're feeling generous, leave a review, because you know those reviews help other lovhers find us. So if you want to keep this conversation going, please join me on Instagram or hop on over to Fable to join the virtual book club. And until next time, remember the stories we read can help us write the love lives of our dreams. See you next Sapphic Saturday.