Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
LightNews LightNews
banner
fsmith827.bsky.social
Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
@fsmith827.bsky.social
5.2K followers 820 following 1.7K posts
Love Is A Contact Sport - 6/16/26 on Bold Strokes Books ✍🏾📚💕🌈
Romance author. Romance reader. Higher Ed Professional. Former TV news. Detroiter in Bay Area. All things Beyoncé. Email: [email protected]; Important Links: linktr.ee/FrederickLSmith
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
fsmith827.bsky.social
Frederick Smith, Ed.D. @fsmith827.bsky.social · 24d
Love Is A Contact Sport, a Black, Queer, Second Chance, College Reunion, MM romance novel is out 6/16/26 on @boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social ✍🏾📚💕🌈

Pre-order: bookshop.org/p/books/love...

#Romancelandia #BlackBookSky #LGBTQBookSky #RomanceBookSky #BookSky #HeatedRivalry
Love Is A Contact Sport cover features two Black men in an embrace. The taller one has light brown skin, bald head, and a beard, and is wearing a college athletics jacket. The shorter one has dark brown skin, twists and a fade haircut, and wearing a yellow sweatshirt with the words Black Romance Writer on it. The cover is purple with red, yellow, and white writing.
fsmith827.bsky.social
Join us this weekend, Saturday!

Book-A-Licious
A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @jezabelle.bsky.social
📚🌈

Saturday, 1/24/26.
9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern.
Free and Online.
RSVP: bit.ly/3L6Al9m

#BookSky #QueerBookSky #LGBTQBookSky #BookALicious
January 24, 2026 at 1:03 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Re-listening to this @fatedmates.net episode.

Topic: What Makes a Romance Novel a Romance Novel? 📚💕

(hint: it always ends with a happily-ever-after or a happy-for-now)

fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

#Romancelandia #RomanceBookSky #BookSky #FatedMates
S03.28: What Makes a Romance Novel a Romance Novel? — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People
Ok, so it’s that time of year and Sarah is on deadline, which means we’re just kicking our next read along episode down the road until she’s done (which she swears will be very soon). So, this week,...
fatedmates.net
January 24, 2026 at 12:58 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
A pride point from when I planned university cultural events is making sure the performer had their check on the day of the event.

Performers still applaud me whenever they reminisce on working w/me.

Performers want & deserve their check when services rendered, not 2 - 4 or more weeks after. 🎓📚🎭
January 23, 2026 at 11:17 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
A thread of Queer Book Fests.
📚🌈 #BookSky #QueerBookSky #LGBTQBookSky
fsmith827.bsky.social Frederick Smith, Ed.D. @fsmith827.bsky.social · 3d
A friend asked me to share Queer Romance Book Fests or Queer Book Fests, for people who may want to attend events catered to LGBTQIA+ stories. I'll list a few I know. If you know others, please add.

ReadOUT. February 2026. Gulfport, FL
outartsculture.org/readout2026

#BookSky #QueerBookSky
OUT Arts & Culture - LGBTQ+ Arts and Humanities
Pinellas County's only LGBTQ+ focused arts and humanities non-profit. Educating, celebrating and inspiring our community.
outartsculture.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:40 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I am taking requests for book events - podcasts, conferences, book clubs, etc… Let’s collaborate! Signup below!

Love Is A Contact Sport, a Black, Queer, Second Chance, College Reunion, MM Romance novel is out 6/16/26 on @boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social

bit.ly/ARCSandEvents

#BookSky #Romancelandia
http://bit.ly/ARCSandEvents
January 23, 2026 at 2:26 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I always enjoy The Lit Library podcast.

Loving this episode featuring author @nicolefalls.bsky.social, author of over 50 Black Romance novels.

Available on all podcast platforms. ✍🏾📚💕🎧

www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the...

#BookSky #BlackBookSky #RomanceBookSky #Romancelandia #BRBF2026
Ep. 29: Big, Tall, & Dickly by The Lit Library
Ep. 29: Big, Tall, & Dickly from The Lit Library on Podchaser, aired Friday, 23rd January 2026. Welcome back to The Lit Library! As we continue on our road to #BRBF26, we welcome the incomparable Nico...
www.podchaser.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
itsafronomics.bsky.social
Um... so today I was on @cbsmornings.bsky.social. 🤯

I talked to Jericka Duncan about why Black women matter to our economy. CBS called me a "Harvard Economist" (bruh). And Gayle King read my book, #TheDoubleTax. I'm in disbelief.

Here's a clip from our segment. #blacksky #news #jobs
January 23, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Reposted by Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
rdotspoon.bsky.social
If you missed out on the limited edition hardcover of A MAN FOR MRS CLAUS, Cover Snob, you can buy your copy here, without a subscription, while supplies last! 🎄❤️
www.coversnob.com/sh...
The hard cover with decorated edges of A MAN FOR MRS CLAUS by Rebekah Weatherspoon. A Black couple embraces. The man is kissing the woman's neck as she holds a sprig of mistletoe over their heads. He is wearing a red tshirt and fireman's gear pants with suspenders. She is wearing a short tight fur lined red christmas dress and white boots. This book takes place in the summer so its technically a North Pole romance, not so much a Christmas romance A Man for Mrs. Claus - Exclusive Cover Snob Edition $43.95 A Man for Mrs. Claus Exclusive Edition Includes: Illustrated hardcover with foiling Illustrated endpapers Three-sided digital sprayed edge Signed bookplate Bookmark BONUS sticker (while supplies last)
January 23, 2026 at 3:59 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
If you're in St. Louis area, support @novelneighbor.bsky.social bookstore, & also preorder my forthcoming novel.

Love Is A Contact Sport, a Black, Queer, Second Chance, College Reunion, MM Romance is out 6/16/26 on @boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social.

thenovelneighbor.com/item/5nyr0Nq...

#Romancelandia
Love is a Contact Sport by Frederick Smith | The Novel Neighbor
After a rough breakup, gay romance author Renny Ross heads to the Bay Area for a fresh start. His new gig writing the anniversary story for a local university is supposed to be a fresh chapter (thanks...
thenovelneighbor.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Enjoyed this @buzzingpod.bsky.social podcast episode. All about Heated Rivalry -- the book and the tv series.

bookcaseandcoffee.com/why-heated-r...

#HeatedRivalry #Romancelandia #RomanceBookSky
Why Heated Rivalry is Scoring - Bookcase and Coffee
On this episode, Becky is joined by Lindsey, Jenni, and Hockey Pro turned author Bill Keenan, we’re diving into the very
bookcaseandcoffee.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:54 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I have no idea what I'm going to make for dinner this evening. And I didn't take anything out the freezer before heading to the office. Might be a breakfast for dinner night. 🍳🥓 #FoodSky #CookingSky
January 23, 2026 at 12:49 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Join us this weekend, Saturday!

Book-A-Licious
A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @jezabelle.bsky.social and featuring several authors of LGBTQIA+ stories. 📚🌈

Saturday, 1/24/26
9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern
Free and Online: bit.ly/3L6Al9m

#BookSky #LGBTQBookSky #QueerBookSky #Romancelandia
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: JEZA BELLE PRESENTS BOOK-A-LICIOUS January, 24, 2026. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: JEZA BELLE PRESENTS BOOK-A-LICIOUS January, 24, 2026. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
bit.ly
January 23, 2026 at 12:16 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Reflecting.

I love that Heated Rivalry came out as a weekly series - one episode per week for six weeks - rather than releasing all episodes at once for people to binge. (1/2)

#HeatedRivalry #Romancelandia #RomanceBookSky
January 22, 2026 at 4:36 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I hope you can join us online on Saturday, 1/24/26. 📚🌈
fsmith827.bsky.social Frederick Smith, Ed.D. @fsmith827.bsky.social · 3d
Join us this week, Saturday!

Book-A-Licious
A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @jezabelle.bsky.social
📚🌈

Saturday, 1/24/26.
9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern.
Free and Online.
RSVP: bit.ly/3L6Al9m

#BookSky #LGBTQSky #QueerBookSky
Join us this week, Saturday! Book-A-Licious A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @iamjezabelle. 📚🌈 Saturday, 1/24/26. 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern. Free and Online. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3L6Al9m
January 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
In real life, and as a reader, I'm a big fan of second chances in romance.

This list by @lgbtqreads.bsky.social shares five (and a bonus) MM romance novels featuring second chances.

lgbtqreads.com/2026/01/12/f...

#Romancelandia #RomanceBookSky #MMRomance #BookSky
Fave Five: M/M Second Chance Romance
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander I Think They Love You by Julian Winters I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky Ancient History by A.J…
lgbtqreads.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:10 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I enjoy the Black & Published podcast. Hosted by @nikeshaelise.bsky.social, it follows Black authors & their road to publication. I've enjoyed the recent shows featuring the team for her forthcoming novel THE SEVEN DAUGHTERS OF DUPREE.

mahoganybooksmedia.com/podcast/blac...

#BookSky #BlackBookSky
Black & Published | MahoganyBooks Podcast Network - Our Stories, Our Voices, Our Way
Black & Published brings you the journeys of writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds to discuss what it means to be a writer, dissect the...
mahoganybooksmedia.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:42 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
The life of a MM romance author.

Last night, I met friends for happy hour. A handsome Russian guy, a tourist, sits adjacent to me.

We chatted, didn't have a "heated rivalry"... but there's time before he leaves on Friday. Ha.

(he hasn't watched HR)

#HeatedRivalry #SanFrancisco #Romancelandia
January 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social
IT'S TODAY!
Today, all our January releases are available everywhere you shop for books!
OUT NOW! January releases. Bold Strokes Books. [Image: nine book covers of January releases -- THE LOVE BOOK by Gun Brooke. SECRETS UNDER THE JUNIPERS by Suzie Clarke. TRAVELING TOWARD FOREVER by Erin Dutton. BROOKE TAKES QUEEN by Alaina Erdell. CODA by Anna Gram. THE DEBUTANTE DILEMMA by Jane Walsh. I MET SOMEONE by Julie Cannon. TAKING A RISK by Erin Dutton. BOUQUET OF LOVE by Anne Shade
January 14, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Reposted by Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
chu.house.gov
Trump spent the weekend threatening our treaty allies with a military invasion to seize Greenland because he didn't win the Nobel Peace Prize.

This talk of invading Greenland is absurd and embarrassing. Congress needs to put a stop to this now.
Trump ties Greenland takeover bid to Nobel Prize in text to Norway leader
Trump’s push to take over Greenland and unleash a trade war with European nations has sparked the greatest transatlantic crisis in generations.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:42 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
I got some author blurbs back today for Love Is A Contact Sport. So thankful for the love and support 🥰😊

Love Is A Contact Sport, a Black, Queer, Second Chance, College Reunion, MM Romance novel out 6/16/26 on @boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social

bookshop.org/p/books/love...

#BookSky #Romancelandia
Love Is a Contact Sport
Check out Love Is a Contact Sport - <p>After a rough breakup, gay romance author Renny Ross heads to the Bay Area for a fresh start. His new gig writing the anniversary story for a local university is...
bookshop.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:18 AM
fsmith827.bsky.social
A friend asked me to share Queer Romance Book Fests or Queer Book Fests, for people who may want to attend events catered to LGBTQIA+ stories. I'll list a few I know. If you know others, please add.

ReadOUT. February 2026. Gulfport, FL
outartsculture.org/readout2026

#BookSky #QueerBookSky
OUT Arts & Culture - LGBTQ+ Arts and Humanities
Pinellas County's only LGBTQ+ focused arts and humanities non-profit. Educating, celebrating and inspiring our community.
outartsculture.org
January 20, 2026 at 9:57 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
It’s a book anniversary! 📚🎉

Play It Forward published 1/20/2015 on @boldstrokesbooks.bsky.social.

MM Romance between Malcolm Campbell, the queer community activist, and Tyrell Kincaid, the NBA ball player. ✊🏾🏀🌈

www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/play-i...

#Romancelandia #MMRomance #RomanceBookSky
January 20, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Frederick Smith, Ed.D.
chanda.blacksky.app
Getting my book from the library means that the library keeps it in stock and people will find it and read it and the book will live and I love that for my book
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 3d
Someone said to me, "I'm sorry but I got your book from a library." Nobody should ever apologise for that. You read my book! That's brilliant! I grew up hanging out in libraries and the idea of a world without them fills me with dread. Without libraries, authors, like readers, will only suffer.
January 20, 2026 at 1:56 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Another great @queerlyrec.bsky.social podcast episode. Great recommendations for queer books, films, games, and more. 🎧🌈

www.queerlyrecommended.com/2026/01/20/i...

#BookSky #QueerBookSky #LGBTQSky #Romancelandia
Introducing Henry Rollins (QR 125) - Queerly Recommended
We talked about this! New year. NEW. Different. Better. Not (waves hands at the world) all of this. Oh well, at least there’s puppies, blurbs, and recommendations on tap. Pull up a chair, fellow sapph...
www.queerlyrecommended.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:16 PM
fsmith827.bsky.social
Join us this week, Saturday!

Book-A-Licious
A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @jezabelle.bsky.social
📚🌈

Saturday, 1/24/26.
9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern.
Free and Online.
RSVP: bit.ly/3L6Al9m

#BookSky #LGBTQSky #QueerBookSky
Join us this week, Saturday! Book-A-Licious A Queer Reading Event, curated and hosted by @iamjezabelle. 📚🌈 Saturday, 1/24/26. 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern. Free and Online. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3L6Al9m
January 20, 2026 at 1:45 PM