Let’s talk about it: we're done being strong all the time. We are not your mules, your martyrs, or your constant comeback stories. We’re in our soft era, and guess what? It looks good on us. It smells like shea butter, sounds like Ari Lennox, and reads like slow-burn romances and cozy affirmations.

So if you’re ready to leave the grind behind (just for a lil while) and step into stories that affirm your softness, your joy, your rest, and your wholeness—this one’s for you. Here are 10 books that embody the Soft Black Girl Era, and yes, they are all giving.

Want to get your book into libraries? Public, school, academic—you name it. This guide’s got you covered, whether you’re self-published, traditionally published, or a Black author looking to connect with underserved communities.

Why Black Indie Authors Are the Future of Publishing

Posted by The Ink Spot

Let me be real with you: the publishing world hasn’t always made space for us. For generations, Black authors have had to fight to get a foot in the door, and even then, we were often told our stories were too “urban,” too “unrelatable,” or just plain not what readers wanted. But here’s the truth they weren’t ready for—we are the culture. We’ve always been the culture. And now, we’re finally claiming our place at the table—by building our own.

This is why I believe with my whole chest that Black indie authors are the future of publishing.

Legacy on the Shelves: The Oldest Black-Owned Bookstores in America

Every time I walk into a Black-owned bookstore, it feels like stepping into a sacred space. Not just because it smells like paper and possibility, but because the walls hold the echoes of ancestors who wrote, resisted, and remembered. These places aren’t just bookstores. They’re community hubs, cultural archives, and battlegrounds where Black stories have fought to survive and thrive.

Growing up, we didn’t always see ourselves in school books. The history was watered down, the heroes barely mentioned, and the trauma sanitized. But when I found Black-owned bookstores? That’s where I met the truth. That’s where I learned that our brilliance ran deeper than what they were teaching in class. And that’s why these bookstores are so important. They don’t just sell stories—they protect our history and our future.

Let me tell you about three Black-owned bookstores that have been doing just that for decades. These aren't just shops—they're legends.