Magic in the Melanin

Hello Dear Readers!

I am trying to be better about using the blog portion of my website. You would think it’s easier for a writer to write about themselves than creating extensive secondary worlds, but for me, that is not the case.

Today I am coming to you with some very exciting news, however, there’s a bit of backstory I need to offload first. My struggle with believing in my writing is a perpetual battle. Rome wasn’t built in a day and never will my self confidence.

Even though I was afraid, even though I didn’t think I would get accepted, I submitted a cozy romantasy short to the Magic in the Melanin anthology. When I came across the announcement on threads, there was a little less than two months left on the deadline. Could I create a compelling story within that time? Was it even worth the attempt?

Doubts and all, I wrote. One idea had me absolutely in love with the premise, but about 5,000 words in, I discovered the story needed much more space. So I scrapped it and moved on to the next. And oh was I excited about the shiny new idea. It was bold, and dark, and dangerous, but again, it was too big for the 7,000 word limit. Then To Shape the Night came to me. Lovella, a woman who wants nothing more than the secluded peace of her cottage. Of course the status quo must be disturbed, but it is a soft story about a soft woman. But by the last pages you will feel warm, and loved, and safe.

Once the story was submitted, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that it would be rejected. I had plans to do other things with the story, because I had that little hope in it actually finding a home. One month later, an email popped into my inbox on an early Saturday morning. I scanned it, knowing it was my rejection letter. Without reading the full message, I closed out the app and scrolled.

Something in the back of my mind began to tingle. “Hey, I think we saw something.” Annoyed with myself, I opened the email again to read the gut wrenching news that I wasn’t good enough. But then I took in the full email. And they said they were impressed by my story. That they liked my story!

To Shape the Night was accepted into Magic in the Melanin.

It was a surreal moment. That “yes” meant the world. That “yes” was a confirmation that I should keep going, that I should write more stories and continue to put myself in places that make me afraid.

If you are curious, please check out Magic in the Melanin. Any pre-orders will help pay the talented Black writers featured in this anthology. I am grateful the editors believed in my little story and appreciate all their hard work in uplifting Black voices.

Check out the Melanin Library. It’s a growing database of Black books by Black authors.

Until Next Time,

Tonja K. Johnson