Vanessa Riley

Sunday Express: American-Trinidadian Riley depicts formidable women pirates.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

The Vicarious Vicious Keyboard Why do cruel posts go viral? And why does it feel so good when our own posts do?In this episode of Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley explores the dark psychology of the internet—the thrill of going viral, the temptation of vicarious living, and the rise of the “vicious keyboard.” From a childhood vocabulary word that unlocked the power of storytelling to a viral Instagram moment that revealed the addictive pull of social media, Riley reflects on human nature, online cruelty, and the consequences of digital pile-ons.Through scripture, storytelling, and insights from writing the pirate heroine Jacquotte Delahaye in Fire Sword and Sea, Riley asks a deeper question: have we become so comfortable behind a keyboard that we forget the humanity of the people on the other side?If the internet rewards outrage, how do we resist becoming part of the mob?This episode challenges listeners to pause before posting, reconsider the impact of our words, and reclaim the joy of stories that let us live vicariously—without destroying someone else in the process.Plus: this week’s book recommendations and upcoming events in Baltimore. https://open.substack.com/pub/vanessariley/p/the-vicarious-vicious-keyboard Vanessa Riley explores social media addiction, vicarious living, and the danger of the “vicious keyboard.” Keywords: Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage podcast, social media toxicity, online harassment, keyboard warriors, viral posts, internet culture, digital ethics, vicarious living, storytelling and human nature, Fire Sword and Sea, Jacquotte Delahaye, authors talking writing, social media addiction, online bullying, cancel culture, internet psychology, writing craft, book podcast, author commentary, Mahogany Books event, Baltimore author events

📣 New Podcast! "The Vicarious Vicious Keyboard" on @Spreaker #culture #digital #ethics #harassment #internet #keyboard #media #of #online #passage #podcast #posts #riley #social #toxicity #vanessa #vicarious #viral #warriors #write

Woman’s World: Perfect for gritty yet vibrant historical fiction lovers.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Woman’s World: High-stakes adventure. She captains. She conquers.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Woman’s World: Under-the-radar historical fiction. Radar officially broken.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Woman’s World says pick it up. Consider this your sign.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Woman’s World: Epic journeys. 20 years of danger, love, high-stakes adventure.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Woman’s World: Best New Books for Book Club. Imagine that discussion.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Victoria Christopher Murray still stands by it: “The pirate book I didn’t know I needed.”https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Ali Hazelwood said it again: “Like VCM, I didn’t know I needed this.” Neither did we.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Ms. Magazine: The Pirate Book of 2026. I don’t argue with facts.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Ms. Magazine: Reads for the rest of us. Complex. Messy. Free.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Resist Booksellers stop. Community. Conversation. Commitment.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Gwinnett Library book tour stop — what a crowd. Atlanta showed up.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Book Riot: “I’ve never been more excited about a premise.” Lady pirates will do that.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Book Riot: Most Anticipated Historical of 2026. History is trending.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

BookBub calls it a “daring adventure.” No soft sails here.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

BookBub: Best of 2026 Winter Books. Winter belongs to the pirates.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Autostraddle: Secrets. Swashbuckling. Intrigue. That’s the tweet.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

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Shut Up and Write When artists speak beyond their craft, they’re told to stay in their lane. From “shut up and dribble” to “just write romance,” this episode examines why Black art is expected to entertain but not challenge power—and why silence has never been an option. Keywords: Black artists, creative resistance, art and politics, LeBron James, Laura Ingraham, shut up and dribble, Black writers, censorship, cultural criticism, race and identity, artistic voice, social justice, political art, Black history, power and performance

📣 New Podcast! "Shut Up and Write" on @Spreaker #and #art #artists #black #censorship #creative #criticism #cultural #dribble #identity #ingraham #james #laura #lebron #politics #race #resistance #shut #up #writers

Autostraddle: One of the most anticipated queer books. Queer. Black. Pirate.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Book Riot puts Fire Sword and Sea in excellent company. Pirates among giants.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Book Riot: Start the year right by reading. They meant this one.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

"I Became My Own Publisher" | The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston with Vanessa Riley

When traditional publishers didn’t think there was a market for historical fiction featuring black female leads, @vanessariley.com decided to self-publish and PROVE the readers were there. Now her books ARE traditionally published with the Big 5. An incredible story!

shows.acast.com/the-long-roa...

The Root highlights Jacquotte hiding her identity. Survival is strategy.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

The Root lists it among books by Black authors you need to read. Period.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Essence celebrates the release. The culture is paying attention.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f

Essence says read more — and check out Fire Sword and Sea. Gladly.https://buff.ly/6bzhr3f