Blessed, Highly Favored, and Delicious: Writing as a Black Queer Author

In this insightful episode, Dakota Perry and Ella get into the crucial themes of representation in LGBTQ literature, personal growth, and the ongoing quest for authenticity. Dakota reveals her inspirations and the pivotal role of her supportive sister, emphasizing the importance of independent publishing for marginalized voices. Throughout the discussion, Dakota shares her vision of crafting inclusive stories with Black and queer characters, underscoring the empowering nature of writing.

The conversation highlights the shared personal and universal journeys of identity, self-discovery, and creative zeal, showcasing both the struggles and triumphs of seeking visibility and staying true to oneself within the literary world.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:50 Discussing Representation in Literature

03:20 Empowering the LGBTQ+ Community

04:53 Personal Stories and Inspirations

13:51 Writing as Therapy

30:46 The Power of Dreams

46:52 The Desire for Visibility

51:33 Conflict of Identity

52:12 Embracing Authenticity

53:21 The Audacity of the Black Woman Writer

53:35 Identity Labels and Representation

54:14 The Role of Family Support

57:29 Navigating Love and Relationships

01:00:56 The Audacity to Write

01:10:31 Independent Writing Journey

01:11:25 TikTok and the Indie Book Scene

01:20:10 Creative Outlets and Future Projects

01:27:09 The Black Viking Book

01:32:47 Final Reflections and Gratitude

Episode: Navigating the In-Between

Welcome to the Black Writer Therapy podcast, where we are dedicated to uplifting and amplifying the voices, stories, and experiences of Black women (femme presenting) writers.

In this episode, we're thrilled to have Dakota Perry, a remarkable author championing Black LGBTQ+ representation in fantasy and historical romance. Dakota shares her journey and the powerful motivations behind her writing.

In Your Dreams – A Closer Look:

Dakota's most cathartic book, "In Your Dreams," invites readers into a vividly imagined world where dreams are more real than the humdrum of Parker's reality. The novel follows three queer characters on their quests for love, blending time travel, fantasy kingdoms, and a dash of magic. This discussion reveals the inspirations behind the book and delves into the deeper themes of desire, destiny, and the power of the imagination..

Episode Highlights:

• Dakota’s inspiration for writing relatable characters.
• The significance of the representation of LGBTQIA+ in fantasy historical romance fiction
• How and where Dakota drummed up the audacity to accomplish the things she has
• Dakota’s message to aspiring writers in the LGBTQ+ community.

Tags: Dakota Perry, LGBTQ+ literature, African American fantasy, historical fiction, queer love stories, fantasy novels

Thank you for joining us on the Black Writer Therapy Podcast! We hope you enjoyed today's episode and found inspiration in the stories and insights shared. If you loved what you heard, please leave us a review and recommend the show to your family and friends. Your support helps us continue to uplift and amplify the voices of Black women writers.

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Until next time, remember writing is an intentional act of healing. Thanks for listening!

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