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bayana a. davis

@yanawroteit.bsky.social

4.7K followers 360 following 420 posts

SFF Writer. Co-founder of @blacknerdscreate.com. Co-host of the #WizardTeam podcast. #DVMentee '22. She/her. rep: @erniechiara.com

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Dec 20

I finished the 2nd draft of this book feeling nervous but reading it back I think it might be the best thing I’ve ever written.

Still got some tweaking to do before it’s ready for eyes but check out this guide to TROUBLE THE WATERS, a historical fantasy about Black resistance, protection & magic ✨

The background is an image of a swamp, tall trees rising from moss-covered water.

“Blessing has found Solace. Now she has to save it.”

TROUBLE THE WATERS
Bayana A. Davis
YA Historical Fantasy
77,000 words

Represented by Ernie Chiara

The background is an image of a swamp, tall trees rising from moss-covered water.

TROUBLE THE WATERS is a YA historical fantasy set in 1808 about Blessing, a girl who runs away from enslavement in an effort to save her younger sister from the very terrors she experienced. When they find a magical maroon community hidden in the heart of the Dismal Swamp, she is determined to keep her own beastly magic underwraps—until she discovers that her own past may be connected to the rot threatening to destroy it.

The background is an image of a swamp, tall trees rising from moss-covered water.

TROUBLE THE WATERS: the comps

Black YA historical fantasies set in 19th C US:
DREAD NATION - mad scientist villain
THE DANGEROUS ONES - revenge on slave masters

THE GILDED ONES - character arc
LEGENDBORN - ancestral magic

The background is an image of a swamp, tall trees rising from moss-covered water.

In the center is a picture of a Black girl with cornrows staring into the camera with the words TROUBLE THE WATERS over her face.

Arrows point out from the picture, pointing to different aspects of the story:

- ancestor magic
- magical maroon village
- eldest daughter problems
- waterbending
- Black resistance
- swamp dragons
- early 19th century setting
- swamp- destroying rot
- immortal elders
- beastly magic
- generational trauma
- “burn it down, then drown it for good measure”
- reunited childhood bffs to lovers

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · May 17

Wizard Team continues on with a new season starting soon! Fans of Black fantasy and SciFi need to make sure to tune in with @yanawroteit.bsky.social @robynrambles.bsky.social and Porshèa!

A new season of Wizard Team is coming soon!

Listen on your favorite app
Follow @wizardteampod on IG & Tumblr
Support on Patreon (repurposed from BNC)

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · May 17

A Birthday Announcement from the team!

A decorative announcement that reads: Some News from Black Nerds Create

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Mar 4

When the Oathbound drop got the whole community buzzing 😂

a blurred image of a refrigerator with the words the office stan on it .

Alt: A gif from The Office. The workers rush out of the building as Michael says “oh my god, it’s happening. Everybody stay calm”

media.tenor.com

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Sistah Scifi @sistahscifi.bsky.social · Feb 26

🚨 Big News! 🚨
Positive Obsession by @susiemaye drops August 19, 2025! 📚
A cultural biography of the legendary Octavia E. Butler, chronicling her trailblazing legacy in sci-fi and how history shaped her writing.
Pre-order now🔥
Published by @AmistadBooks
#PositiveObsession #OctaviaButler #SistahSciFi

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 26

Guardian-ing a preteen sure is something

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 24

Oscillating btwn being nervous about coming back to my WIP next month & being nervous about what’s gonna happen to Bree in Oathbound 💀

bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 20

So excited for Rico’s new era, feels like it’s about to be exactly what I need 🔥 www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Rico Nasty Spent Years 'Locked Away in the Studio.' Her New Album, 'Lethal,' Set Her Free

Rico Nasty announces new album, 'Lethal,' out May 16 via Fueled by Ramen. Here, she tells 'Rolling Stone' about firing her old team and starting over.

www.rollingstone.com

bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 20

Come hang out and debate with us!

Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 20

Who’s That Black* Character Event is live now!

www.twitch.tv/blacknerdscr...

BlackNerdsCreate - Twitch

Who's That Black* Character?

www.twitch.tv

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 19

New #WizardTeam out now!

Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 19

It's #WizardTeam Wednesday and Amari is trying to save the world the way she always does: with half a plan and a plucky attitude!

Join us as we discuss chapters 10-12 of Amari and the Despicable Wonders: https://buff.ly/4f6fgFh

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 18

Today we celebrate #BlackMagicalHistory by uplifting Laverne Cox. Who is a leading LGBTQ+ artist that inspires you?

Photo of actor Laverne Cox in a golden starburst frame. The text reads "Actor and advocate, Laverne Cox became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category for her role in Orange is the New Black. She is currently starring in Clean Slate on Amazon Prime. Also known for her activism, Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School for her work on gender equality."

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 17

Today for #BlackMagicalHistory we want to acknowledge Dr. Debi Thomas.

Who is a Black athlete that you believe deserves more recognition?

Photo of Dr Debi Thomas on a dark purple background with golden moons. Text reads “Two-time national champion, 1986 World Champion, and Olympic bronze medalist, Dr. Debi Thomas is not only the most famous Black American figure skater, she also graduated from medical school in 1997. In 2023, she competed in the World Figure and Fancy Skating Championships at the age of 56.”

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 15

Writer and Distinguised Professor of English at USC, Percival Everett is a prolific writer who can often be found on the finalist lists of the most prestigious literary awards.

What’s a classic (racist) story that you’d want to reimagine from a Black character’s perspective? #BlackMagicalHistory

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 19

Soon as I get my mind and my body together it’s over for y’all*

*my to do list

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 15

Which non-Cowboy Carter songs are y’all hoping to see at the tour?

I’m ready for Daddy Lessons (obv), PURE/HONEY (w SHB), and 6 Inch

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Black Nerds Create @blacknerdscreate.com · Feb 14

The Queen Mother of Guitar, Peggy Jones was the archetype of rock n roll’s female lead guitarist. A member of Bo Diddley’s band, she earned the nickname “Lady Bo”.

Which Black female guitarist do you admire?
#BlackMagicalHistory

Peggy Jones
The Queen Mother of Guitar, Peggy Jones became the archetype of rock n roll’s female lead guitarist. Peggy Jones was a member of Bo Diddley’s band where she also earned the nickname “Lady Bo”. Peggy was married to Diddley’s bass player from 1968 until her death in 2015. Proving that a successful career and relationship in the music industry is possible.

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Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · Feb 14

A Friday reminder that having your book banned doesn't sell books.

Only THE MOST banned books see support, and I assure you all those creators would prefer their books were NOT banned instead.

There's no silver lining. It's just the knowledge that ppl hate you!

Ok have a good weekend

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 14

This one was inspired by my dad & uncle but exactly! 😂

bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 14

I love when Black people say bye and then proceed to have a prolonged convo on the porch 🥰

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 14

Noooo I hate car stuff with a fiery passion, I’m sorry 😔

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Bethany Baptiste @storysorcery.bsky.social · Feb 14

It’s V-DAY, and I’m YOUR matchmaker! Looking for a story w/:

💋 Middle-aged sluts
💋 He’s obsessed w/ her
💋 Werewolves & fated mates
💋 2nd chances & forced proximity

Meet THE BEAST YOU MADE OF ME. Your date is set for Oct 8. Don’t be late!

PREORDER HERE 💋: bit.ly/madebeast

A background of scattered red rose petals frames a brown paper-wrapped package tied with twine, featuring a red wax seal shaped like a heart. The words “Date This Book” are written in elegant red and black script at the top. Below, a handwritten-style list includes:

Middle-aged sluts
"He's obsessed with her"
Werewolves
Second chances
Fated mates
Forced proximity

A red lipstick kiss is stamped on the bottom right corner of the package.

A background of red rose petals frames a brown parchment-style page. At the top, in a playful handwritten font, the phrase "very, very heart-touching stuff" is underlined with a dashed red arrow pointing to a book cover. The cover features a dark-haired man gripping a woman’s throat and tiddy as he licks her neck. The title, THE BEAST YOU MADE OF ME, is displayed in a bold, stylized blue and red font.

Beside the book cover, the summary reads along the lines of:

"After two decades, Sparrow Keating returns to Pinehollow after betraying Stark Westwood, now the alpha werewolf, seeking amnesty for herself and her children. Though distrustful, Stark strikes a bargain: protection for her family in exchange for her powers. Tensions ignite, leading to a night of passion they can’t forget. But when a threat endangers her daughter, Sparrow must face her past sins and Stark’s feral desires (twenty-six years in the making) by becoming his mate. A beast of her own making."

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Nia Davenport @niadavenport.bsky.social · Feb 14

It’s my birthday today🎂🎈
A terrific gift to me and yourself would be to preorder OUR VICIOUS OATHS!

1. standalone
2. enemies-to-lovers
3. dark romantic fantasy
4. the spice gives🙌🏾
5. romantic fantasy
6. Black fae
8. a Black Shadow Daddy (he also wears a grill)🥵

Buy 🔗 linktr.ee/niadavenport

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bayana a. davis @yanawroteit.bsky.social · Feb 14

Happy birthday! Can’t wait for this book 🔥🔥

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Ellen Oh @ellenoh.bsky.social · Feb 14

I know it's hard to write when the fear of book bans & soft censorship looms over all BIPOC & LGBTQ writers. Especially middle grade authors who can't get into schools to promote their books anymore. Book bans are doing exactly what they want-stopping us from writing. DON'T LET THEM! KEEP WRITING!

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