There are moments in an author’s journey that feel like a shift—like the ground moves just a little, and suddenly you can see the path ahead with new clarity, new purpose, and new joy. This past weekend was one of those moments for me.
I’m still sitting here, wide-eyed and honestly a little emotional, because Creative Differences, my one little novella that started as a spark in my heart, crossed 3,000+ orders during the Black Readers Appreciation Event (BRAE). Three. Thousand. Orders. I’m still letting that sink in.
Before I dive into my own personal whirlwind, I want to pause and explain what BRAE is for anyone who may be new to it.
So… What Is BRAE?
BRAE—Black Readers Appreciation Event—is 3 days dedicated entirely to celebrating, uplifting, and honoring Black readers.
Created by Author A.A Lewis, BRAE brings together authors, readers, bloggers, and book lovers from every corner of the community to spotlight the magic of Black literature. Throughout the event, readers get access to free ebooks, exclusive discounts, giveaways, and opportunities to discover new authors they may not have found otherwise.
At its heart, BRAE is a love letter.
A thank-you.
A reminder that Black readers deserve generosity, joy, and endless access to stories that center them.
And being part of that? Whew. A blessing.
My BRAE Weekend: Gratitude, Shock, and A Whole Lot of Happy Tears
I knew Creative Differences would be free for the event. I figured a few new readers might download it. Maybe my regular supporters would share it around. Cute and simple.
What I didn’t expect was waking up and watching the numbers climb, and climb, and climb—until my novella crossed 3,000 orders in a single weekend.
To know that thousands of people took a chance on a story I wrote…
A story that introduced the Porter brothers, that poured out of me with equal parts joy, vulnerability, and chaos…
A story that nearly didn’t exist because I almost talked myself out of publishing at all…
To know that it reached that many hands?
It felt surreal. And holy. And motivating in a way that is hard to even put into words.
Writing can be lonely. Publishing can be overwhelming. But moments like this? They remind me exactly why I do this.
Why BRAE Matters So Much
As authors, especially Black romance authors, we don’t always get the visibility, the push, or the platform our work deserves. BRAE creates a space where:
- Black readers are centered
- Black stories are celebrated
- Black authors are discovered and amplified
- Community is prioritized over competition
- Love is poured back into the people who hold our stories up every day
Being featured in BRAE wasn’t just an opportunity—it felt like a celebration of everything I write for. My readers. My community. My culture. My characters who love loudly, live boldly, and swear by soft, intentional intimacy.
To Everyone Who Downloaded Creative Differences… Thank You
I mean this with my whole chest:
Thank you.
Thank you for downloading.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for sharing, tagging, messaging, and showing up for me the way you did.
Thank you for giving Jackson and Mackenzie a home in your hearts.
Thank you for reminding me that even the “little” stories can ripple farther than you ever expect.
This weekend changed something in me. It fueled me. It made me more excited than ever for what’s coming next—Masterpiece in Progress, Sky High, and all the future Porter paths y’all haven’t even seen yet.
I write because I love it.
But moments like this make me feel loved right back.
More to Come—And I Can’t Wait to Share It With You
If BRAE was a glimpse into what’s possible… whew. Just know I’m taking this momentum, this gratitude, and this community straight into everything I create from here on out.
Thank you for being part of my story.
Thank you for letting me be part of yours.
And thank you, BRAE, for giving a “little novella” a moment that turned into a milestone.
Here’s to the next chapter.
And the next celebration.
And the next 3,000 readers.
🩷
—D.H. Renfroe