Can I love on y'all for a minute here?

I couldn't be more grateful to be in a community that champions authors the way that you do. I really mean that. When I came to Bindery and asked them to invest in an already published book, it took some convincing. Publishers, in general, are not eager to take already published books. It can be a real risk. Which is even more true for a company as young as ours. But I pointed at this community--at you--as evidence that taking a story like this would not be a risk.

I was right.

Not only did Devil of the Deep hit a bestseller list its first week of publication, but it has continued to sell steadily ever since. In fact, only six weeks out, we have already DOUBLED our launch numbers.

Which couldn't be more exciting news to find out on BLACK MERMAID DAY!

So let's celebrate.

Not just this incredible accomplishment, or this incredible book. But us. Our community.

We launched this community to fill an important need in the industry. To take the exploitation out of publishing and to replace it with radical community. And we have done that with a level of success and ease that I don't think anyone saw coming. We have only been a player in this industry for a little over a year and already, we are becoming known for our dedication to our authors, and quite frankly, for excellence.

I am proud of Falencia (and every other author we are so privileged to work with). But I am also proud of YOU.

Thank you. I know I tell you often that we couldn't do this without you, but I need you to really hear me. WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.

It is your dedication to platforming this work that enables us to reach the masses. It is your platforms these books are noticed on. It is your reviews that readers are convinced by. It is your subscriptions that fund our investment into these stories and writers. It is your passion that propels these books onto bestseller lists and in front of award judges.

YOU are the magic that Left Unread is casting its spells with.

THANK YOU.

I am so unbelievably excited by how well this book is doing. In this industry, everyone wants us to believe that Black books don't sell. That Queer books don't sell. That books that challenge systems of oppression, and that center the voices of women, do not sell. Especially when they unapologetically--no, PROUDLY--display Black women right there on the cover. And I won't lie to you. I felt the difference publishing our first Black, queer book.

Fighting for this book took more intention, more effort, more drive, than publishing a book that didn't have a Black, queer woman at the center. I felt that resistance as we pushed this book out into the world. But more than that, I felt this community's refusal to give a *insert your favorite explicit* what anyone had to say about it.

Despite the way this industry feels about Black, queer women, LEFT UNREAD fought for this story and continues to. And I can't tell you how proud I am to be in a community like this.

So it's time to celebrate. And to keep fighting.

It is Black Mermaid Day and the start of Black Mermaid Weekend.

What do you say we push our gay little mermaid story onto another best seller list this weekend?

If you use social media, this weekend would be a great time to talk about the book. Here are some quick ideas!

• Post your review, if you've read it

• Talk about how excited you are to read it, if you haven't

• Start a read-a-long for you and your community

• Do a public buddy-read with a mutual

• Take a trip to your local bookstore or library and show off one of their copies

• Link to your favorite article I've written about the book on your socials

• Invite Falencia onto your podcast, or feature her in your blog

• Talk about Black Mermaid Day/Weekend and feature Devil of the Deep

• Let your audience know that the e-book is now only $3.99!

• Talk about the importance of investing in Black stories with Black characters right on the cover

And most importantly, if you haven't grabbed a copy yourself yet, now is a great time to do it! Like I said, the e-book is available for just $3.99 pretty much everywhere and the physical is a little over $1 off on bookshop and amazon currently. So grab your copy and show it off to your friends, family and social media community!

AHHHH! I am so proud of the work we've done to get this book onto bookshelves all across the country! And I am EXCITED to spend this weekend putting it onto even more!

Love y'all!

As always, I am grateful you are here. And if you feel compelled to help us to continue investing in more stories like this one, consider upgrading to the $5, $12 or even the $25 tier. Thank you!