iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

If you could share this with fans of me or Gloomy Girl I would really appreciate it. This is the home I wrote about that continues to be my healing space and am very afraid to lose.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

And 1 year since this health crisis I am still recovering and facing eviction as I spent the resources of myself and love ones staying housed and despatelty trying to get out of pain that could have been prevented from earlier intervention. I had to put myself back together to not gaslight myself.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

The same "Bipolar disorder" allowed doctors to deny treatment and standard of care while I had severe memory loss and disassociative amnesia, and somehow tried to do my already planned debut book tour whilst I fought, alone cross country from family, till the 3rd opinion.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Last year I suffered through dangerous chronic pain from an untreated iatrogenic prolactinoma--after 10 years of polypharmacy including 8 years on a antipsychotic for Bipolar disorder that I did not have that was truly complex trauma--alongside fibromyalgia and genetic connective tissue disorder...

brittlepaper.com

Nigerian Author Freda Epum is Sick and Needs Our Help

Nigerian author Freda Epum, whose work we've featured on Brittle Paper, is facing a difficult health crisis and needs our support. After being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor this year, Freda has en...

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Jackie Domenus @jackiedwrites.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

AWP recap in photos. 📸 Great readings, lovely writers. Completely exhausted, but good vibes overall. @zoebossiere.bsky.social @womanistbae.bsky.social @earthtokb.bsky.social @fredaepum.bsky.social @krysmalcolmbelc.bsky.social

Copy of the book No Offense: A Memoir in Essays in front of the 2025 AWP sign

Five memoir authors holding copies of their books

Three nonfiction authors posing in front of Skylight Books sign

Display of various books and merch from the AWP conference

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Harare Review of Books @hararereview.com · 04/04/2025

📝 @fredaepum.bsky.social Out now from @feministpress.bsky.social Paperback: bookshop.org/a/90290/9781... Ebook also available on Bookshop.org

bookshop.org

The Gloomy Girl Variety Show: A Memoir

A Memoir

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Todd Dillard @toddedillard.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

sometimes it seems like people want to get published like it will Solve Their Problems and I just want to confirm that after you publish they don't give you a new childhood, you still have to live with yourself, it's just that some of that self is on display this month at a Review

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Jeffrey Pryor @blueca1971.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Hey there! There's a GoFundMe campaign to help someone get a set of false teeth, as they’re on disability and can’t afford it on their own. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference, so please consider clicking the link below to contribute or share it with others.

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Queer Fortress @fortress-frederick.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

HHS plans to remove gender dysphoria from disability protections under Section 504—but 17 GOP AGs are still pushing a lawsuit that could gut all federal disability protections. Schools, hospitals, and workplaces could refuse accommodations. #DisabilityRights #TransRights \

19thnews.org

Federal government to remove gender dysphoria from protected disabilities list

It’s unclear what the move means for a related lawsuit that could dismantle protections for all people with disabilities.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

My live interview with The Writer's Center is tomorrow night at 7pm! Come listen to me talk about house tour reality shows and writing. 😛 Rsvp in the comments.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

This image captures the joy of 155 strangers signing up to hear me to talk about my first book.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

So honored to be included! Thank you so much @karlajstrand.com ❤️

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Thank you for having me! 😀

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Next stop on the Gloomy Girl tour! See you soon LA!

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Thanks so much @ironhorselitrev.bsky.social! Gloomy Girl is also perfect for upcoming Mental Health Awareness month in May! 😉

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Still glowing from my book launch last week!

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

"Epum’s debut will be one of the most important books published this year. Epum examines intersectional identities of being Black, disabled, female, and a first generation Nigerian American through an inventive and brilliant book structured as a search for [safety]." — Rachel León, Managing Director

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Guys Gloomy Girl is officially on shelves next week! And so is my book launch! I'll be sharing more press and good news throughout this month! First, another Most Anticipated List from the Chicago Review of Books! chireviewofbooks.com/2025/01/06/o...

chireviewofbooks.com

Our Most Anticipated 2025 Books - Chicago Review of Books

15 books you need to add to your 2025 reading list.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Feeling so fortunate to be alive at the same time as Nikki Giovanni. I started writing about home in 2015 and love seeing how Nikki Giovanni contemplated home in 1974. Writing helps us find belonging across time. #booksky #blacksky #writingcommunity #history #art #authors #poetry #artists #writing

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Review: Merging memoir, poetry, and criticism, this radical literary revue traces a first-generation Nigerian American’s search for home. I don’t cover a lot of memoirs, but when I do, I want it to push and challenge me. This promises to push what a memoir does in a new direction.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Guys, I'm a Most Anticipated 😭. Thank you so much Debutiful, for naming Gloomy Girl one of the most anticipated debut books of 2025! Who knew my ruminating on hopefully making the list was ✨manifesting✨ Very happy the book's innovative structure is getting some shine. 😌

A grid of books from Debutiful's Most Anticipated Debut Books of 2025

From the publisher: Merging memoir, poetry, and criticism, this radical literary revue traces a first-generation Nigerian American’s search for home and belonging on her own terms.

I don’t cover a lot of memoirs, but when I do, I want it to push and challenge me. This promises to push what a memoir does in a new direction.

A tweet reading "women shoot their shot by thinking about you smh" "first of all it's called manifesting"

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Gloomy Girl's Amazon ranking shot up over the last week! Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered! If you read the book and liked it (hopefully 🥹), I would love it if you could leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Or request it at your local library or book store. Linking both pages below. 🖤

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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

One of the single best things you can do for us on #InternationalDayofPeoplewithDisabilities is to wear a mask. Make public spaces safe for us again. Join us in demanding masks in healthcare. Refuse to leave us by the wayside.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

"I came to theory because I was hurting-the pain within me was so intense...I came to theory desperate, wanting to comprehend-to grasp what was happening around and within me. I saw in theory then a location for healing." - Toni Morrison. Here’s me at the start of my book and me now. Out Jan 15!

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

So I've applied for some grants and fellowships that would allow me to be a full-time writer for a while if I got them! *Fingers crossed*

A Black woman with box braids in a low ponytail and white sweater sits at a wooden desk writing in a journal.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Through the bodies of work of other Black women writers, I reach out to hold the archive’s hand and now I can feel the wrinkles on Audre Lorde’s palm. Again, feel free to comment, subscribe, or DM me your thoughts!

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

I started thinking about autotheory as a documentation of a life as the writer processes living it. I started thinking about how a body of work is a body, the archive is a living, breathing, narrative of a life. When I’m dead and gone all that’s left will be my words.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Proud of myself for pushing through to the next newsletter entry! This piece features art from Gloomy Girl. And started as a response to a prompt from new writer friend Zeba Blay in her Pop Culture is Personal class: a manifesto on why we write. As always, here's a sneak peak.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

where all the writers talked about their sobering nice deals, and understanding how they got their six-figure deals, and the questions of equity around underrepresented authors. One of my best friends just told me that “people don't really read anymore,” and he's right.

fredaepum.substack.com

A Re-introduction & Post Election Hugs

A debut author defining and re-defining herself in our new political moment.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

If you’re curious, you can read more about the realities of being a writer in the Attention Economy, how some writers have been thinking of quitting the hustle (been there), and how 50% of books being banned in the U.S. are from BIPOC and LGBTQ authors

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Throughout American history, Black people are the only group of people to have been forbidden by law to learn to read. What stories did we miss out on by the various ways Black people were not allowed to engage with literature? In a systematic disenfranchisement sort of way.

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

I've relaunched my newsletter! 🎉 Finally feeling a little more room to breathe this year and I decided to relaunch my newsletter. Pub day is January 14! Have you pre-ordered? 👀. Here's a sneak peak (links to all sources are in the newsletter itself. --- Why talk about identity and publishing?

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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Ive noticed the same issue with the history packs. I didn't bother pointing it out, because what would be the point? It feels weird to ASK to include BIPOC historians, if you can't even see us as part of your community.

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Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Hi, here are some quick notes about the upcoming holidays. If your absence from the holiday table is a political act, don’t assume your silence communicates your politics. Tell them why. “I don’t break bread with people just attempted to poison me.”

saeedjones.substack.com

Some Quick Notes Toward The Holidays

I’m just saying.

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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Kendrick Lamar just dropped the music video for "Squabble Up"

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darth™️ @darthbluesky.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

i thought the rap battle arena *was* the court of law

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Freda Epum @fredaepum.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I'm currently working on a new project, I Dream of Labor: Disabled in a Productive World, about the politics of Black, immigrant, and disabled burnout recovery and forming digital intimacy through representation in parasocial relationships. #AddToBlackSky

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