Left Unread Books

Let's talk about company towns and how the great Ms Octavia Butler was an oracle for our (being Black people) ancestors.

Octavia Butler saw Elon Musk coming, and we need to talk about it!

If you haven't seen, we are talking about whether audio reading is reading again. I know... EXHAUSTING. Well, as expected, I have some thoughts. And as usual, they won't be exactly what you expect. Enjoy. 

Is this about Elyse Meyers, audio reading or white supremacy? 

You know that many of us are spiraling over the end of TikTok, and for good reason. But I wanted to take a moment to share exactly what it means for me and what I hope I can do to fix it.

Can I tell you what the TikTok ban will mean for me personally?

Take a moment out of your day to help me support and celebrate a Black woman in publishing! E.A. Noble is a phenomenal writer and one of the kindest people you will ever meet. I have linked her socials below, given you a link to her newsletter, and shared a synopsis of each of her published works! Please take a moment to go show her support!! And if you are a Black or brown indie author--or have one in mind that you would like me to highlight next--there are instructs at the end of this post for how to nominate them/yourself!!! Thanks, y'all!!!

Indie Highlight: E.A. Noble

I am putting together a list of Black and brown indie authors that I can use my various platforms to support. So if you know any authors who could use that kind of support, or if you ARE a Black/brown author, please let me know in the comments! Let's change some lives!

Nominate an indie author for me to highlight!!!

PitchFest Update: Let’s talk about our first manuscript!

Check out the first manuscript I read from this Pitchfest and follow along as we search for our Fall, 2026 book! This one is a hard-hitting Dystopian and I look forward to hearing your initial thoughts!!!

Pitchfest Update: Manuscript 1 - Dystopian

If you haven't seen yet, another BookToker has dug themselves into a hole with an SJM shaped shovel. And I don't know about you, but I'm over it. But instead of just crapping on her, let's talk about why we keep ending up here. 

Anyone else done hearing about Sarah J Maas?

If you are free tonight at 7PM CST, come hang out with author Deston Munden! He is an incredible fantasy and sci-fi author and I can't wait for his upcoming Bindery release next year!

Come Meet author Deston Munden TONIGHT!

I have spent a lot of time thinking about the way that we do justice work online and I have some thoughts. Especially as bookish creators. We have created a space where people cannot grow, even if they are willing to. And I think that is something we should maybe reconsider.

Are we actually abolitionists? Or are we maybe just self-righteous and well-read?

My platform has always been about creating space for indie authors. And here are the ways I plan to do exactly that. 

Indie Authors: I want to build community with you!

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Michael

I am a Black man in a white-centered world and my reading tastes reflect that. I care about making space for Black and brown writers in an industry that has forgotten how badly it needs us. I am an author, book reviewer and passionate advocate for marginalized people and I love reading anything that pushes back against systemic barriers or challenges me to see the world through a wider lens. I can be a lot, so be prepared. But I promise it’ll be a good time!

Michael LaBorn

Dismantling systems of oppression one book at a time.

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