When We Ruled by Paula Akpan

Awakened by Dorothy Koomson

Awakened by Kelechi Okafor   Kelechi Okafor is a British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, writer, presenter, actor, and political commentator. She is the creator of the podcast Say Your Mind, which explores self-reclamation through an unflinching critique of society. She has written books for children, young adults, and adults, often addressing Black identity and systemic injustice. Kelechi’s work extends beyond literature and media—she actively engages in political commentary and social advocacy, particularly on issues affecting Black women. She frequently critiques institutional racism and performative activism, calling for concrete action in support of Black communities. Through her artistic and social endeavours, she continues to push boundaries, create transformative spaces, and amplify marginalised voices. About your host: I’m Dorothy Koomson, award-winning, bestselling author. You can find out more here: www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me [http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me]  And you can buy my latest book, Give Him To Me here: https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe [https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe] Stick on the kettle, settle in your chair and tune in to the Dorothy Edit with me, Dorothy Koomson. This episode is part of my new series where I grab an author so they can tell me all about one of their books. Edited, so you can find out all about your next favourite read in under 15 minutes. Yes, I’m so good to you because I love you. : ) ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

When We Ruled by Paula Akpan

Paula Akpan is a historian and journalist. Her writing has appeared in British Vogue, Teen Vogue, The Independent, The i Paper, VICE, GAY TIMES, The Bookseller, DIVA Magazine, i-D and more. Her essays have featured in Loud Black Girls [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/loud-black-girls-20-black-women-writers-ask-whats-next-yomi-adegokeelizabeth-uviebinen?variant=32180060422178], The Queer Bible [https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-queer-bible/jack-guinness/9780008343989] and The Black History Book [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675754/the-black-history-book-by-dk/].   Paula holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Black British History. Her MA dissertation examined the personal, interpersonal and political development of Black lesbian identity in the UK, 1978-1996. She’s (slowly) working on an app that will aid Black queer travellers as they navigate the globe.   Paula lives in London with her fiancée and their cats. When We Ruled: The Rise And Fall of 12 African Queens and Warriors is her first book. About your host: I’m Dorothy Koomson, award-winning, bestselling author. You can find out more here: www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me [http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me]    And you can buy my latest book, Give Him To Me here: https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe [https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Isolation Island by Louise Minchin

Louise Minchin and Isolation Island Louise Minchin is most famous for her twenty-year stint on BBC Breakfast's red sofa, but she has also been the main news anchor on the BBC News Channel and the BBC's One O'clock News and presented The One Show, Five Live Drive, Real Rescues and Missing Live. She’s also participated in a number of reality TV shows including ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Channel 4's Time Crashers, BBC's Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Gladiators. She is now a presenter of Rip Off Britain on BBC One. Louise has written two non-fiction titles, Dare to Tri and Fearless, and she was Chair of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023. Isolation Island is her debut novel. Find Louise on Insta: @louiseminchin or visit: www.louiseminchin.com   About your host: I’m Dorothy Koomson, award-winning, bestselling author. You can find out more here: www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me [http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me]    And you can buy my latest book, Give Him To Me here: https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe [https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe]   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Best of Everything by Kit de Waal

Kit de Waal and The Best of Everything Kit de Waal was born in Birmingham to an Irish mother and a Caribbean father. She worked for fifteen years in criminal and family law, was a magistrate for several years and sits on adoption panels. She used to advise Social Services on the care of foster children, and has written training manuals on adoption, foster care and judgecraft for members of the judiciary. Her writing has received numerous awards including the Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2014 and 2015 and the SI Leeds Literary Reader's Choice Prize 2014 and the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year. MY NAME IS LEON, her first novel was published in 2016 and shortlisted for the Costa Book Award. She has two children and lives in the West Midlands.   Find out more about Kit and The Best of Everything at: https://www.kitdewaal.com/   About your host: I’m Dorothy Koomson, award-winning, bestselling author. You can find out more here: www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me [http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me]    And you can buy my latest book, Give Him To Me here: https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe [https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe]   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Possibility by Sareeta Domingo

Sareeta Domingo and Possibility Sareeta Domingo is the author of several novels) and creator, editor and contributing writer of romantic fiction anthology Who's Loving You. Her novel If I Don't Have You was shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2021. She has also written numerous erotic short stories and an erotic novella with Pavilion Books, and her books for Young Adults are published under S.A. Domingo, including Love on the Main Stage, shortlisted for the Lancashire Book of the Year 2021. She has contributed to publications including, iNews, gal-dem, Black Ballad, Stylist and Token Magazine, has appeared on BBC Woman's Hour and Sky Arts Book Club, and has taken part in events for Primadonna Festival, Black Girls Book Club and the Royal Society of Literature among others. She lives in South East London. Find out more about her at: sareetadomingo.com or on Insta at: @SareetaDomingoAuthor Find out about her novel Possibility here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/sareeta-domingo/possibility/9781408748763/   About your host: I’m Dorothy Koomson, award-winning, bestselling author. You can find out more here: www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me [http://www.dorothykoomson.co.uk/contact-me]    And you can buy my latest book, Give Him To Me here: https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe [https://geni.us/DK_GiveHimToMe] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.