Authors & Espresso

Minerva Honkala, poet, devotional writer, and humanitarian, shares her motto "Live, Love, Give," her 365-day devotional Boost Me Up, and her long-standing scholarship work supporting students. The episode explores faith, purpose, daily practices (Pause, Ponder, Pray), and her community impact. Listeners will hear about her nonprofit FASFOS, volunteer work, writing and publishing journey, and practical encouragement to build self-worth, strengthen family ties, and create a purposeful life guided by faith.

This episode breaks down what an ISBN is, why it matters for distribution and discoverability, and how it differs from copyright. Nadia explains the pros and cons of free ISBNs from retailers versus buying your own through Bowker, covers costs and formats, and explains why ISBN ownership matters for branding and long-term control. Practical advice: consider buying a 10-pack to cover multiple formats and future editions, register your own publisher information, and keep control of your book’s identity.

Welcome to Authors & Espresso with Nadia Gilkes featuring Tiana Tee, a licensed marriage and family therapist, Amazon bestselling author, and mother of a nonverbal autistic son. In this episode Tiana discusses her new book, What? A 90-Day Devotional for When Life Changes Everything, and shares lived experience on autism parenting, early warning signs, stigma in Black and brown communities, and practical advocacy tips for IEPs and assessments.   She also explores preventing and healing burnout through self-care and 'grace over grind,' explains the value of functional behavioral assessments and record-keeping, and introduces companion group sessions that guide readers through acknowledgement, attending, and aligning to a new normal. Tiana’s A Seat on the Couch series and upcoming memoir about her son are also highlighted, offering relatable stories and therapeutic insights for readers seeking healing and practical tools.

Host Nadia Gilkes walks through her hands-on experiment with Amazon’s audiobook AI beta, testing voice options, accents, and chapter-by-chapter editing from an existing e-book. She highlights pronunciation fixes, pacing and emotion limitations, royalty and pricing choices, and practical tips for authors deciding whether to use AI narration or record professionally.

Hello and welcome to Authors and Espresso with Nadia Gilkes, who announces the launch of Author Status .. Loading, her new on-demand self-publishing course, and explores audiobook options. This episode explains ways to create audiobooks — record yourself, hire a narrator or studio, or use AI narration like Amazon KDP's Virtual Voice and Riverside's AI — and gives practical tips: start with one chapter, listen with headphones, and check pronunciations and audio levels before publishing.

This episode re-airs Nadia Gilkes’ guest interview on the Sunday Morning Chat Series with Jesse Oakley III. Nadia discusses her bestselling comedic novel Woke Up Dead, the inspiration behind it, and her upcoming book Before Forever — a divorce-attorney’s take on premarital conversations. She shares the emotional story behind her book cover, practical end-of-life planning advice, encouragement for aspiring authors, and where to find her work and podcast. A warm, candid conversation about writing, legacy, and starting important conversations early.

In this episode of Authors & Espresso, host Nadia Gilkes interviews Sheryl Green, a bestselling author and expert on setting boundaries. Sheryl shares her personal journey of hitting rock bottom due to overcommitment and burnout, leading her to discover the importance of boundaries. The conversation explores various aspects of boundary-setting, including the Goldilocks principle, the clash question as a decision-making tool, and the significance of kindness in communication. Listeners are encouraged to pause before responding to requests and to recognize their struggles with different types of boundaries. Sheryl emphasizes that setting boundaries is essential for emotional health and maintaining relationships.

Host Nadia Gilkes talks with Dr. Otito Iwuchukwu — organizational psychologist, editor, and author of The Belonging Paradox — about her multi‑hyphenate career, the psychology of belonging, and the power of words. They cover practical tips for writers and self‑publishers, the pillars of belonging (orientation, empathy, grace, boundaries), and how Dr. Otito’s editing and consulting work helps people find authentic communities and stronger voices.

Host Nadia Gilkes gives a candid behind-the-scenes account of the emotional, messy, and ultimately rewarding process of designing book covers for self-published authors. She shares personal failures, lessons learned, and the choices that helped her land on a cover she loves. Filled with practical tips—use stock photos smartly, play with Canva, set a clear concept before hiring designers, check thumbnail readability, and be cautious with AI—this episode encourages creators to experiment and own the design process.

Host Nadia Gilkes recaps Authors & Espresso’s February episodes featuring three independent Black authors: Rhonda Green (Behind the Smile), James Jeffley (Un-FEC'd and more), and Jesse Oakley, III (Greetings, Happy People). Each interview explores personal journeys, leadership, mental health, and practical writing and publishing tips. Nadia also shares a personal highlight —moderating a Black History Month panel at the new West Las Vegas Library—and reflects on the passing of Jesse Jackson. She previews Women’s History Month interviews and invites newly published indie authors to be featured on the podcast. {NOTE: I forgot to mention the second personal highlight but catch the announcement in my March newsletter. Happy Listening & Reading!}

In this episode host Nadia interviews Jesse Oakley, III — a civil engineer, longtime Toastmaster and former Toastmasters International Director, Red Cross volunteer, author of Greetings, Happy People, and host of the Sunday Morning Chat Series. They discuss leadership growth, the power of positivity, service, lifelong learning, and practical stories that reveal how to show up and lead with purpose. Listeners will hear personal anecdotes, book and podcast insights, and actionable ideas for staying resilient, serving others, and finding the silver lining in challenging times.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews award-winning speaker, coach, author, minister, and musician James Jeffley about leadership, change, and the human side of organizations. They discuss his latest books, including Misdiagnosed and Un-FEC'd, the FEC framework (Fear, Ego, Culture), the importance of listening and diagnostics in solving organizational problems, and the role of creativity, spirituality, and Toastmasters in his leadership journey. James shares practical advice on adapting to technological change, building multiple income streams, writing and publishing, and how to lead with empathy to make change initiatives succeed.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews author and engineer Rhonda Green about her Sunrises and Sunsets trilogy and her new memoir Behind the Smile: Depression is Real. They discuss storytelling, mental health, leadership in STEM, and how personal honesty can heal and inspire. Rhonda shares candid moments from her life, practical resources for recognizing and responding to depression, and lessons from Toastmasters and a 45-year aviation career on resilience, mentoring, and how to turn hard experiences into purpose.

In this episode Nadia Gilkes interviews Len Tran about his escape from Vietnam, 21 days at sea as a refugee, and the path that led him to the United States. Len shares the memories behind his memoir "Split Up by the Sea" and why he decided to record his family’s legacy. They also discuss Len’s career as a chemical engineer and supervisor at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, his self-help book "Break the Bricks," martial arts teaching, YouTube coaching, and his growth as a Toastmasters semifinalist. Len offers practical insights on resilience, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the power of sharing your story.

Host Nadia Gilkes walks through her step-by-step editing process—from resting the draft and reading it like a novel, to big-picture revisions (story, characters, pacing), then line edits and formatting. She explains using beta readers, text-to-speech, writing groups, or hired editors to catch what you miss. Practical tips include printing and redlining, selecting thoughtful beta readers, vetting editors, and setting deadlines; the episode encourages writers to polish their work, trust their editing choices, and release their book into the world.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Joi A. McMillon about her 30-plus year healthcare journey from bedside CNA to healthcare executive and author. They discuss Joi’s new book, Survey Ready Every Day, which blends memoir, practical leadership tools, and reflective exercises designed to help caregivers and leaders lead with compassion, accountability, and resilience. The episode covers mentorship, building and retaining teams, self-care practices for busy leaders, adapting leadership across generations, and actionable strategies to support staff and improve patient care. To contact Joi, you can visit her website: jadicc.com. To follow her, she can be reached at Joi A. McMillon on all platforms. 

Host Nadia Gilkes celebrates the first chapter of Authors & Espresso with a year-end recap: the podcast launch on her authorversary, twice-monthly author interviews, and festival flashbacks. She spotlights featured guests, their books, and practical publishing and writing tips shared throughout the year. The episode highlights memorable interviews (including Angela Findley, Sheila Kennedy, Cheryl Baker, Joel Plummer, Liz Del Signore, Diane Windingland, Kala Gause, and Verde Arzu), a pre-vision-board workshop, and resources for independent authors. Looking ahead, Nadia outlines goals for 2026 — more author interviews, a newsletter, YouTube improvements, and her own upcoming legal guide for couples — and invites referrals, subscriptions, and community support.

Author and teacher Verde Arzu discusses her novels Rainbow and Promise Keeper, her work as a middle school special education and English teacher, and her commitment to centering Black queer lives and HBCU culture in her storytelling. She also shares insights on indie publishing and placing books in independent bookstores, using AI as a creative tool, and how listeners can follow her work at VerdeArzu.com and on social media.

Host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 Virtual Festival interview with June Dillinger, author of The Benefit of the Ex: Making Love Visible When Everything Changes. June shares her divorce-to-purpose journey, practical invitations for healing, and how she transformed pain into service as a speaker and Hawaii-based wedding officiant. This hopeful episode covers accountability, reflective exercises from the book, tips for recording audiobooks, and simple ways to "make love visible" in everyday life.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Kala Gause, author of Keys to the Journey, about his workbook-style guide for parents and college‑bound student athletes. They discuss his coaching philosophy, real success stories (including his nephew’s path to the NFL), and practical steps for balancing academics, athletics, and career readiness. The episode covers scholarship strategies, highlight reels and camps, mentorship, mental wellness, and how families can start preparing early. Kala also shares his writing process, speaking work, and resources for schools and parents to support young people’s long-term goals.

Host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 interview with former Texas Tech standout Jerry “Bobo” Mason, covering his high school and college basketball career, the injuries he played through, and his choice to prioritize family over pro opportunities. Mason discusses his book Coach, Mediator of Dreams and Destroyer of Generations, his 26-year coaching career, and the life lessons and mentorship that shaped his path and helped others heal.

Host Nadia Gilkes leads a short, guided pre-vision-board workshop to help you clarify goals before you start gluing pictures on a board. She offers reflective journaling prompts, pacing tips (including pausing to write), and a simple structure to review the past year, assess the present, and imagine the future. The episode covers how to celebrate accomplishments, identify supports and limiting beliefs, inventory what energizes or drains you, and name priorities and role models. Nadia also asks practical future-focused questions—where you want to live, work, or travel, and what small steps you can take this month to move toward that vision. You'll get guidance on choosing a one-word theme for the year, creating intentional visuals for your board, setting up accountability (partners and a 90-day guided journal), and celebrating progress along the way. The episode finishes with encouragement to prioritize yourself and practical tips for keeping your vision front of mind.

Author and speech coach Diane Windingland shares her journey from engineer to professional speech coach and author of 10+ books. She discusses overcoming fear, Toastmasters, self-publishing, using AI tools for coaching and writing, and practical habits to become a confident speaker. This episode includes real client transformations, writing and launch tips, and resources for virtual coaching at virtualspeechcoach.com.

In this Festival Flashback, Sheila Kennedy explains why every author’s story matters — how books create connection, give others permission to speak, and start conversations that change lives. She shares candid self-publishing insights, encouragement for hesitant writers, and the power of storytelling even in a virtual world. Recorded at the 2020 Virtual Festival of Books, the keynote highlights practical motivation for sharing memoirs or focused life moments, finding your audience, and using your book to influence others one conversation at a time.

Host Nadia Gilkes sits down with debut author Liz DelSignore to discuss her newly published novel From Death to Birth, which follows a man awakening in the afterlife and living his life in reverse. They explore themes of transformation, purpose, grief, and self-discovery, plus the author’s writing and publishing journey—from phone notes to cover design, audiobook narration, editing, and marketing. Liz shares practical self-publishing tips, the inspiration behind her striking cover, lessons learned during the launch, and a preview of future writing projects.

Host Nadia Gilkes shares a quick, personal episode about the creative power of changing your scenery to refresh your mindset and jumpstart writing. She explains how new views and environments can awaken your senses and improve your storytelling. Practical ideas include working from coffee shops or hotel lobbies, visiting libraries, spending time in nature, rearranging your home writing space, taking day trips or weekend getaways, and creating mini writing retreats. Nadia also suggests people-watching, listening to different music, and noting dialogue and interactions to enrich your scenes. She closes with an invitation to weekly write-ins, upcoming interviews with new and experienced authors, and encouragement to prioritize creativity and take small steps that lead to big gains in your writing.

In this engaging conversation, Joel Plummer discusses his new book 'Black Kid, White School: What They Don’t Teach Your Black Child - Volume 1' and the inspiration behind it, emphasizing the importance of teaching Black history to children. He shares insights from over 20 years teaching experience, the challenges of writing, and the necessity of providing Black youth with the tools to navigate a world that often overlooks their history. The discussion also touches on the significance of visual aids in education, the self-publishing journey, and the role of parents in supplementing their children's education. Key Takeaways: - Writing is a necessity for Joel, driven by the need to educate. - The book aims to fill gaps in Black history education. - Joel's teaching experience informs his writing style and content. - The book is designed for middle school students and their parents. - Black history is often omitted or misrepresented in schools. - The importance of understanding Africa's contributions to humanity. - Slavery's impact is more severe than commonly understood. - Black resilience is highlighted throughout American history. - Future volumes will cover psychology, culture, and economics. - Parents must supplement their children's education on Black history.

Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 Authors & Espresso interview with Anthony K. Robinson, covering his autobiographical fiction (He Was My Husband Too, Being Married to Her, and upcoming When I Said I Do), his experiences with grief and family fallout, nonprofit and scholarship work, self-publishing and ghostwriting advice, and a live breakout performance.

Host Nadia shares a candid week-nine update from Authors & Espresso — juggling braces trouble while celebrating podcast growth, new YouTube uploads, and a well-received newsletter. She highlights recent author interviews, festival flashbacks, and listener stats. Also covered: community writing resources (Shut Up and Write), weekly November write-ins, a planned vision-board workshop, and an open call for self-published authors to be spotlighted on the show.

Host Nadia Gilkes revisits a 2020 interview with Susan Johnson, author of Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping, who shares her lived experience with bipolar disorder and the memoir that grew from it. Susan discusses diagnosis, treatment, coping strategies (medication, sleep, exercise, support), overcoming obstacles to finish college and publish her book, and the importance of breaking stigma and offering hope.

Cheryl Baker, an experienced elementary music teacher and author, discusses her books Lessons from the Music Room and A Survival Guide for New Elementary Teachers, sharing practical classroom strategies and niche-focused advice for new music educators. She also talks about her writing and self-publishing process, marketing tips, and how to build community and resources for elementary music programs.

In this festival flashback from 2021, host Nadia Gilkes interviews educator and author Joel Plummer about his book Sumo Wrestlers and Supermodels and what two decades in the classroom taught him about the failures of a one-size-fits-all American school system for Black children. They discuss Plummer’s journey into teaching, the historical context shaping Black students’ needs, practical steps for parents and teachers, and his call to build lasting change beyond individual classrooms.

Host Nadia Gilkes shares practical tips and favorite apps (Structured, Trello, Evernote, Habit) to help writers organize their schedules, find hidden free time, and build writing routines. Learn how to consolidate calendars, plan writing blocks, track projects visually, and create lasting habits to make room for your novel.

Host Nadia Gilkes revisits a 2021 festival interview with Dr. Shafeeq Ameen, a lifelong educator and author of HBCU Pride and A Message to a Fatherless Generation. They discuss the influence of HBCUs, the impact of fatherlessness on Black boys, community support efforts, and Dr. Ameen’s self-publishing journey and outreach work.

Host Nadia Gilkes shares three practical tips to beat the blank page: listen to conversations around you, reconnect with friends and family for story sparks, and photograph daily moments to inspire descriptive writing. These small habits help build a daily writing practice and prepare you for writing a book in November. Subscribe to the newsletter for more tips and share your work on social media by tagging Nadia Gilkes, eLegal Cafe, and Authors & Espresso.

In this festival flashback episode of Authors in Espresso, host Nadia Gilkes revisits her 2020 interview with Dr. Gerry Hagen about his novel Mia Thaw: The Future Whispers. Dr. Hagen, a retired physician turned author, explains his vision of a future where minds can be "deep downloaded" into the cloud and explores how that technology might reshape society. The conversation covers the book's characters and plot threads, the philosophical and religious questions raised by digital immortality, Dr. Hagen's publishing journey and reader reactions, and the possibilities for sequels and broader impact.

Host Nadia interviews Sheila Kennedy, founder of The Zebra Ink, about her journey from coaching to starting a small-label self-publishing company. They discuss do's and don'ts when hiring publishers, the layers of editing, ghostwriting realities, and how traditional vs. indie publishing compare. The episode offers practical tips for authors: vet publishers and contracts, invest in editing, consider ghostwriting carefully, and use simple techniques to overcome imposter syndrome and finish your manuscript. Sheila also shares resources for indie authors through The Zebra Ink and Stripes of Power.

Host Nadia Gilkes presents a festival flashback featuring Verde Arzu, author of Rainbow, exploring themes of Black queer love, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in literature. Verde discusses her independent publishing journey, discusses the importance of acceptance and owning your work, and offers encouragement for aspiring writers.

Host Nadia Gilkes shares practical, encouraging tips to help aspiring authors find topics and start writing. She recommends beginning with what you know, listening to recurring feedback from others, using emotions or headlines as prompts, and keeping a journal or voice memos to capture story ideas. Small daily writing habits can turn collected moments into a book over time. Stay tuned for next week's interview with self-publishing expert Sheila Kennedy.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Brandon Ward, Sr. about his memoir The Pain of a Man, his daughter’s life-changing accident, and the healing tools he used—books, meditation, and community—to rebuild his life. Brandon also discusses his nonprofits promoting child safety and CPR training, his work mentoring young men, and his second book, The Manifesting Playbook. This episode highlights the power of vulnerability, the importance of seeking help, and practical steps listeners can take to protect and empower their families and communities.

Host Nadia Gilkes interviews Angela Findley about her debut novel On This Rock, a church-set family drama set in Las Vegas that explores hidden conflicts, a spoiled teen, and community fallout. They discuss Angela’s writing process, self-publishing experience, lessons about editing and marketing, plans for the sequel, and practical advice for aspiring authors.

In this Festival Flashback Friday episode, author Chanda Austin discusses her children’s book Qiana’s Braids, a celebration of natural Black hair and the beauty-salon culture that builds pride and community. She shares the inspiration behind the book, the importance of authentic representation, and the history and meaning of braids. Released in June 2020, the book sold over 700 copies in two months and led to new opportunities for Austin, including board invitations and upcoming projects like an HBCU coloring book. The episode highlights how children’s stories can spark important conversations about identity, culture, and inclusion.

In this episode Nadia launches Authors & Espresso and explains what self-publishing means, walks through popular platforms (Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark), and shares pros and cons of indie vs. traditional publishing from her own experience. She offers practical tips on editing, cover design, distribution, and marketing, encourages writers to choose the path that fits them, and teases the first author spotlight dropping September 9th.

Host Nadia Gilkes reflects on the sudden end of NaNoWriMo, explains her cautious stance on AI in writing, and outlines her planned writing timeline and alternatives like write-ins to help authors stay motivated. She offers practical tips for preparing in October, writing in November, and editing afterward, and invites listeners to join her community-driven approach to keep creating together.

Host Nadia Gilkes celebrates her authorversary and returns with Authors & Espresso, sharing her publishing journey, the Virtual Festival of Books, pandemic challenges, Toastmasters leadership, and a renewed focus on supporting indie authors. Expect author interviews, self-publishing tips, festival flashbacks, NaNoWriMo preparation, and calls for guests — all served with a side of coffee. Follow Authors & Espresso on Facebook or contact Nadia by email.