Hello ,

February is Black History Month, and this year I'm feeling... spicy about it.

Because while Black history is American history (and human history), the current U.S. administration has been working overtime to systematically erase Black history from museums, take down exhibits, pull books from libraries, rename parks ... and to pretend that if they delete the evidence, they can delete the truth.

Nope.

And also? Romance readers and romance writers are not known for quietly accepting la foutaise (pardon my French).

So here's my middle finger invitation for this month—something we can actively do, with joy, that says: "Nice try." 

Our "middle finger" plan

Pick one Black romance author to support in February… and do one (or more) of these small actions:

1. Buy their book (ebook, audio or print—it all counts).
2. Request their book from your library (this helps authors SO much).
3. Leave a quick review—even if it's just "loved this, 5 stars, chef's kiss."
4. Follow them on BookBub/Goodreads/Amazon and add their books to your TBR
5. Tell a friend: "You need to read this book!"

That's it. Small actions. Important impact.

Why this matters (beyond the obvious)

Supporting a Black romance author is also a reminder—especially right now—that stories don't belong to governments.

They belong to the people who live them, the people who write them, and the readers who keep them alive by passing them hand to hand.

That's us.

Every book we buy, every review we leave, every library request we make is data that says: "This story matters. This author matters. You can't erase this."

Stories are how history survives.

And contemporary romance written by Black authors celebrating Black love and joy? That may not be about the past—but it's about saying the Black experience matters right now, in every genre, in every story. When they're removing plaques and exhibits, uplifting romance with Black characters is resistance.

So let's be rebellious together.

If you're thinking "but I don't know where to start"

Search "Black romance author" + [whatever trope makes your heart happy].

Let Amazon or Goodreads do the work.

Please double-check the author is, in fact a Black author, because bots can get it wrong.

Then, click "buy."

And let me know who you're going to read and support this month—and hopefully through several of their titles!

Something Old

Last year I delivered a workshop about including more diversity in our stories. Although it was well-received, after it was over, I spoke to an author friend who is mixed race and she challenged some of my assertions. As a result, I created a follow-up resource, Inclusive Storytelling: A Starting Point for Reflection.

Something New

Alexa Bigwarfe's Women in Publishing conference is one that stands head and shoulders over the majority of online events I've bought over the years, so when Sue Brown-Moore and I were invited to co-present a session called Teaming Up for Author Success: Three Ways to Combine Audiences, Services, and Styles for Shared Growth I was giddy with excitement.

Leading up to the conference, Alexa is hosting a few free events this month that look super interesting and valuable—

• A Peek Behind the Process of Your Hybrid Publishing Journey with Warren Publishing

• The Six Stages of Production & Launch with Alexa Bigwarfe

• Navigating Book Awards: What Authors Need to Know with Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro

Something Borrowed

If you're adding diversity to your own stories, here's one resource that might be helpful. WritingWithColor is dedicated to writing and resources centered on racial, ethnic, and religious diversity.

Something Blue

Okay, it looks more pink than blue, but it's about cold weather, which is most definitely a blue nod. And, lucky for me, living in the Pacific Northwest, I was in the narrow blue belt, where my tits did not freeze off. But they did get wet on our hike.

(This was from a January 29 newscast that was memed!)

Take good care of yourself and each other this week.

xo,

Danika Bloom

Author Ever After 💖

Swoonworthy Services 😍

Where romance writers become romance authors. Write it, finish it, publish it—together.