We recently connected with Storm and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Storm thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

As an individual in spaces on the internet as a woman, African American, and POC there is a mold people expect you to present yourself in these spaces. When you step outside of that it can come with applause or backlash or both. In my experience being authentic can get you so far before it annoys others to start bullying. As a person whose platform has been dedicated to Indie Authors, Indie voice narrators, and book lovers looking to build a community to uplift. That journey can be reat or filled with those who can’t see authenticity or passion behind it…so they try to tear you down. I’m known2 as Blackgirltiredbooktok on TikTok and have a podcast called Negro in Distress: BlackGirlTiredBooktalk each platform is dedicated to indie authors, I,ndie spirit & wine brands. I’m not the typical influencer/ content creator I don’t always have makeup on, I smoke cigars, and drink while discussing books because that’s my passion. I took up this mantle because I have seen so many people conform to what sells or the popular trends in books leaving the indie authors behind because they’re not traditional. I wanted to be myself and incorporate my love for reading with my love for adult beverages and cigar. These spaces are predominantly white and male driven (in the case of adult beverages and cigars). So I decided to pair it together and interviewing indie authors…because you can’t complain about not seeing representation if you’re not willing to change it.

Now I’ve had my share of backlash from being called ghetto, uneducated, classless, keep stereotypes alive, etc. at first it bothered me, but now I realize if people agreed with my style of content than I’m
I wouldn’t ve 1reaching people who don’t know I exist. I even started a book tour with another book influencer to help readers and authors meet in a chill adult event called the Boozy Book Tour. The way I see literary in this climate is to stand on business when so many would rather take it away. In this space I learned I can’t please everyone nor will everyone like what I do, but it’s worth it when those who weren’t seen before have a platform like mine that wants them to succeed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Storm a Book Vlogger, Podcast host, Cigar & Adult Beverages reviewer, Veteran, (Soon to be BDSM club owner) and co-owner of the Boozy Book Tour for Indie Authors. I’m from Chicago and served 12 years between the Marines and Army. I’ve been in podcasting for about 2 yrs but switch it to interviews with Indie Authors a year ago due to my love for Indie books. In the height of COVID I was left sick in the hospital which changed the trajectory of my plans in life as a forty something I finally thought I knew where I wanted to go, but after almost meeting my maker my perspective changed. I was already an avid reader, but only traditional publishing until the shutdown from covid aand came across Booktok and Blackbooktok. It opened a world of reading, author reader interactions, and events that I didn’t know existed. This put me In1 spaces where I was able to form friendships and be apart of communities because of my introverted personality I don’t like physical contact or emotional connection often…but being in the world of fiction and like minded people open me up to so much more. Such as reading groups like the Boozy Book Baddies on TikTok Live and forming a company with my partner Shannon that uplifts indie authors the Boozy Book Tour. The moment I realized my love for books wasn’t just a hobby, but a passion I started Negro in Distress: BlackGirlTiredBooktalk podcast on TikTok Live weekly to interview Indie Authors to showcase their books on my platform to my followers. In the world of literary there’s so much emphasis on traditional publishing, but it’s actually a small part the companies have more money for marketing compared to the Indie literary world. I wanted to bring more awareness to this and help in any way possible. I also had a love for drink festivals and cigar festivals so I decided to start content of pairing Adult beverages, Cigars, and books where I review these items and match them to characters in books. My whole brand is about uplifting those who may seem like the underdog, but help them be seen for the talented individuals they are. Since I’m in the community or lifestyle of BDSM I also am taking my love for erotica books to make a space for those in the lifestyle that also read these genres to live out their fantasies. Honestly, the women I’ve meet in the Booktok community have catapult me to put my best foot forward.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a woman we are always put into boxes by society, men and some women. Whether it’s how we speak, dress, or just breathe…and that’s in every aspect in life. When I came into the literary world it was only to get recommendations and read, but I learned that there was more I wanted to say due to my excitement of the stories I’ve read. Hence the beginning of my reviews I wasn’t concerned about followers it was felt amazing to talk about it. As my follower count raised and added more content I started to notice was just talk talk negativity. I have received DM’s calling me racist names, people within the community calling me ghetto, people saying I’m not feminine enough…etc. did it bother me? Yes it did to the point I wanted aweto go back in the shadows. It was the positivity that kept me going the messages from authors, readers, and my book sisterhood that help me to understand I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but someone’s shot of whiskey. I can’t be anything but myself and if my authentic self isn’t for you so be it. So I continue with my head held high and uplift those who want to be uplifted.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

While I’m looking forward to learning from others from afar. I started to engage more with other readers after watching their lives and getting a feel for their personality. This is where I meet my business partner Shannon and we had such a great love for reading indie books, but didn’t like overly large book events. We came together to put an five city small adult readers and author event. We weren’t seeing the events readers wanted to see so we took what was missing and made an event.
We started an Awards event and Ball to showcase diversity and inclusion for readers and authors that was clique based or popular trends books. As a team we started Boozy Book Tour, and Indie Literary Awards.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://boozybooktour.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirltiredbooksanddrinks?igsh=MXA3b2NkaTBlcWV1OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGirlTiredEnergy
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackgirltiredbooktok?_t=8mjjedQpcKJ&_r=1