Episode 3: Black Joy, Black Pain, and the Spaces Inbetween
In Conversation with Jay Coles
This week’s episode features Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson was Here and the forthcoming novel, Things We Couldn’t Say, which drops September 21st.
In addition to writing books for middle grades and young adult audiences, Jay is a composer with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and a professional musician living in Muncie, Indiana.
I’d like to issue a Content Warning for my listeners: This episode was recorded on April 16, 2021, on the heels of gun violence in Indianapolis and includes a discussion of gun violence and police violence against Black and Brown bodies.
In this episode, we cover several key topics including:
Making time and space for healing
How to navigate what to share and post on social media
How the publishing industry monetizes Black pain
Writing fiction that reflects the real world and celebrates Black joy
And lots more! So sit back and enjoy!
You can order Things We Couldn’t Say wherever books are sold and you can connect with Jay through his website and social media:
Connect with Jay Coles
https://www.jaycoleswrites.com/
https://twitter.com/mrjaycoles
https://www.instagram.com/mrjaycoles
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia, includes a story by Jay Coles
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
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