Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Givens Kurtz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ten years ago, I started Mocha Memoirs Press, a small press publishing marginalized voices in speculative fiction. At that time, only a handful of Black authors were getting published in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. As a fan of those genres, I knew I couldn’t be the only one consuming science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I also knew I wasn’t the only one writing it. With the launch of electronic books and online publishing, I was able to not only publish my own work, but also others’ works as well. Today, Mocha Memoirs Press continues to pursue our mission of amplifying marginalized voices in speculative fiction.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path for small press publishing is rife with valleys and few peaks. When I started Mocha Memoirs, there were many small presses–quite successful ones too. Today, many of those presses have disappeared in the wake of Amazon’s KDP, 0.99 e-books, and self-publishing. Like other industries like music and movies, the internet has provided an avenue for authors to self publish their works. The avenues to publishing is easier now than ever. Plus, with streaming, gaming, and online social media, it is ever more challenging to grab consumers’ attention and get them to spend their disposable income on books. That’s even more so in the wake of COVID-19.
The readership for Black/BIPOC/Queer speculative fiction is there. The challenge is to find those readers when larger publishers have status, capital, and flashier marketing. It’s a common challenge. How do Mom and Pop stores compete with larger box stores? That’s our challenge.
Still, when I vend at events and meet new readers, they’re always so happy to see themselves represented in our works. That for me is worth the challenges of running a small business in an ultra competitive industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m both a published author and a small business owner. I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and horror–commonly described as genre fiction. I’m most proud of Mocha Memoirs continuing to publish BIPOC/Queer stories in the SF/F/H spaces.
As an author, I’m most published to be the recipient of the Horror Writers Association’s Diversity Grant, and the Ladies in Horror Grant. I’m also a professional author in both Science Fiction Writers of America and Horror Writers Association. I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years and that to me is astounding.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like your readers to try reading speculative fiction, if they haven’t already. There are so many different subgenres that I believe there’s something for everyone in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Contact Info:
- Email: mochamemoirspress@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.mochamemoirspress.com
- Instagram: mochamemoirspress
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NicoleGKurtz
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NicoleGKurtz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNMpvh4JWfEuyG6jhK2E4RMtTYf2lOBDG
- Other: http://www.nicolegivenskurtz.net
Image Credits:
Kecia Stovall
Weston Smith
