Just A Girl & Her Laptop
Volume 6, Issue 1
Hi Loves!
Happy New Year! I know it’s the end of January, but this is the first time we’re connecting this year so—Happy New Year. How are you guys? 2024 didn’t go quite like I planned, but I’m still proud of myself for everything I was able to accomplish:
I released four written projects—the first two books of the Elements Series (The Air Between Us and Her Solid Ground), a m/m romantic novella in the same universe (The Pick-up), and a Christmas novel set in my new fictional town of Luna Lake (All I Want for Christmas is Two).
I made appearances at multiple places to talk books and commune with readers: the South Bowie location of the PG County Library, to talk Black Women Writers for Black History Month; the Chicago Urban Book Expo as an exhibiting author; and Southern Hearts and Signed Kisses as a fan in love with Black indie romance.
My books were featured in so many places! I was in the Essence Fest Bookstore, I got placed in three libraries (PG County, DC, and Baltimore City), and in Loyalty Books in DC and Silver Spring, plus my book was featured on popular lists in Curls in the Hood Magazine and the Huffington Post!
I also was able to do a great interview with my good friend Ashley Coleman and the incredible Bella Jay on Ashley’s Permission to Write podcast.
2024 was a triumph, and for a girl who didn’t think she’d survive, it was a masterpiece. RIP to my gran. I love you always. 2025 promises to be busy, so pray for my energy.
In Shameka the Writer News…
I am hard at work on a Valentine’s Day novella (set in Luna Lake) and the final book of The Elements Series, His Fire and His Ice. Both will have February releases (I hope).
The novella is a part of Cupid’s Countdown, another collab I am doing with a great group of authors, many of whom were included in the 12 Days of Black Christmas. Starting February 1st, there will be a new book dropping every day.
Mine drops February 8th, and will feature four short stories featuring residents of my small made-up town of Luna Lake, NC.
Officer Rick Wilkins wants to make Violet Harrison and her daughter Sasha a permanent part of his life. But less than two weeks before Valentine’s Day, her ex reappears, and he wants his family back.
Nate Harper is a talented barber, and the one younger, single, man in Luna Lake that Sassy Dumont can’t have. He does want her; he just doesn’t want to be seen as a throwaway lover. But after a nasty divorce, Syreeta Dumont is happy with her freedom and refuses to trust any man with her heart again. Can Nate change her mind?
Lilah Meadows is the shy, nerdy owner of the only bookstore in Luna Lake. She lost her first love a decade before, and has been hiding herself ever since, but she’s ready to get swept away for the first time in a long time when she meets Aislin Kendall-Ross, avid reader and the new music teacher/ band director at Luna Lake High School. Aislin is wary of everyone, even the welcoming people of Luna Lake. But the beautiful bookstore owner with the kind eyes might get her to trust again.
Hassan and Everly Meadows have been drifting away from each other after the loss of their baby, and frustration from outside pressure has them turning on each other rather than sticking together. Hassan has a plan to put the romance and intimacy back into his marriage, and help his wife heal. But Everly loves her husband just as much--and she has some plans of her own.
I am finally sticking to my commitments and learning to crochet. It’s slow going, but I’ll check back in when I make something.
I had some issues with Ingram Spark, so Her Solid Ground is not in KU. But I plan on putting it on sale in February at a deep discount, so people can read it before the last book of the series drops. The Pick-Up is still free, and can be downloaded here.
I have been transitioning out of using my Twitter/ X and now spend more time on BlueSky. I will also be reducing my TikTok usage in the coming months, but you can still find me on IG and Threads.
Where You Can See Me
In next year’s news… Shameka the Writer will be posted up and selling books at:
I’ve been invited to Krewe of Lit! Krewe of Lit is a Black Author Showcase in New Orleans! You can come see me April 4-6, 2025 in one of the greatest cities in the world! More details to come.
Krewe of Lit tickets are on sale! Tickets
The Black Romance Book Fest is happening May 31- June 1, 2025 in Atlanta and promises to be one of the year’s best, with authors from all over the Black Romance galaxy, including yours truly.
The Write Women Book Fest is back next year, July 19th and 20th, 2025, and your girl will be posted up to table and kick it with you in Bowie, MD. Write Women Book Fest
Tickets for the Write Women Book Fest are on sale! Tickets
The Boozy Book Tour is making its way to my neck of the woods in 2025, and I will be exhibiting there July 26th, 2025. Boozy Book Tour
I will also be an attending author at the Curvy Hearts Book Club Virtual Signing, September 12-14th. Details in their Facebook group and on their IG Curvy Hearts FB group Curvy Hearts IG
My Latest and Greatest, aka, What I’m Reading, Writing, and Listening to
Books
Release Me If You Can- Christina C. Jones
The World Around Us- Lauren Lacey
Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer (ARC)- A.H. Cunningham
Words
I am nearly done with Hearts Afire, and a little less than halfway through His Fire and His Ice. I am trying not to put pressure on myself and let the words come to me, but some days it’s hard.
Sounds
Cabrini Green- Ransom
Muddy Waters Too- Redman
I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, Vol. 2- Teddy Swims
Permanent Ink- Boldy James