• Melody’s journey from music producer to founder
• The real problems African artists face with royalties
• Why Songdis was created
• Record labels versus distribution platforms
• Payments, ownership and control
• Building African tech for African creatives
• AI, infrastructure and the future of music on the continent

In this solo episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I share what stood out to me from attending the London Book Fair, especially around publishing, technology, discoverability, and the future of books.

I reflect on the UK government’s controversial AI copyright proposal, the strong pushback from the creative industries, and why this matters so much for writers and anyone building an audience.

I also talk through some of the most interesting ideas I picked up from the fair: why print is still holding strong, why readers are moving back towards more physical and comforting experiences, and why authors now need to think about General Engine Optimization (GEO) and beyond SEO and pay attention to how AI-driven search is changing discoverability.

This is an episode for writers, creatives, and publishing watchers who want to understand where things are going and how to stay visible in a changing landscape.

Episode 13 - Navigating the digital shift - Insights on writing seo and ai with Abidemi Sanusi

https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/episode/navigating-the-digital-shift-insights-on-writing-seo-and-ai-with-abidemi-sanusi

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Pubishing Perspective

https://publishingperspectives.com/?s=london+book@UC1eU2S9cTu-HcN3Yn8a-QmQ

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Dr Kadija George Sesay has spent decades championing Black writers, preserving overlooked stories, and building Pan-African literary networks that stretch across continents. In this rich conversation, I sit down with her to explore what it really means to decolonise the bookshelf and ensure that our stories are not only published, but preserved for future generations.

Kadija speaks about founding Sable LitMag, curating festivals such as the International Black Speculative Writing Festival, and her extensive work with radical independent presses. She explains how Pan-Africanism operates in practice, why independent publishing and ownership are crucial, and how collective memory and community gatherings help us keep our histories alive.

We also discuss how technology, online platforms, and now AI can support preservation and access without losing the heart of the work. Kadija shares her excitement about her upcoming Fulbright journey to the United States, her ongoing research into Black publishers and Pan-Africanism, and what she hopes future readers and scholars will discover about the Black writing emerging today.

If you care about literature, archives, cultural memory, or how our stories survive in a rapidly changing world, this episode offers a powerful and generous masterclass.

If you enjoyed the episode, consider sharing it with someone who loves books, archives, or Black history.

• LinkedIn:

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadija-sesay-00323b4/

• Interview on Africa in Words:

  https://africainwords.com/2022/03/23/qa-scholar-activist-kadija-sesay-on-afripoetree/

• Review of the International Black Speculative Writing Festival (Vector Magazine):

  https://vector-bsfa.com/2024/02/27/review-of-the-international-black-speculative-writing-festival-2024/

• About me:

  https://stellaonithewriter.com/about/

• Podcast website:

  https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/episodes

• Substack:

  https://stellaoni.substack.com/

• YouTube:

  https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives

• LinkedIn:

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-oni-065788140/

Thank you for reading and listening. I hope this episode leaves you thinking about your own role in preserving stories, and the ways you can share what you know with the people coming after you.

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In this episode, I speak with Hamid Ibrahim, creator and production designer of Iwaju, the groundbreaking Afro-futuristic series produced in collaboration between Kugali Media and Disney. We dive into his journey from portrait artist, to Hollywood VFX work on films such as The Lion King, Dumbo and Doctor Dolittle, to building one of the most important African creative IP houses of our time.

Hamid shares the origins of Iwaju, how a BBC interview unexpectedly led Disney to their door, and what it took to build a futuristic Lagos that resonated globally. We talk about African IP, ownership, investment, the realities of raising funds as an African founder, and why authentic stories still matter in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

If you care about African storytelling, animation, technology, creativity or the future of global IP, this conversation offers valuable insight.

Highlights:

• How Kugali Media caught the attention of Disney

• The making of Iwaju and its cultural impact

• African IP as a global asset

• The business realities behind storytelling

• AI and what it can and cannot replace

• Why meaning and authenticity still matter

• Building creative businesses without a roadmap

Guest Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamidibrahimportfolio

Instagram (Kugali): https://www.instagram.com/kugalimedia

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hamid-ibrahim-564892a7

Twitter: https://x.com/hamid_portfolio

My Links:

About Stella: https://stellaonithewriter.com/about

Podcast Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/episodes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives

Substack: https://stellaoni.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-oni-065788140

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This week I have a lively conversation with author and literary activist Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm about building platforms for women of colour from the 1990s to today.

Rasheda traces her path from founding Candace magazine to writing fiction, creating the WILDE Foundation, running writing retreats in Jamaica, and launching the H&F Writers’ Festival in West London. We explore how technology and community remove old gatekeepers, the healing power of journaling, and WILDE’s future plans to expand retreats, mentorship, and international collaborations.

It is an inspiring story of creativity, persistence, and the ongoing work of empowering women’s voices through literature, activism, and connection.

Key takeaways:

• Community and craft can coexist and strengthen each other.

• Journaling helps survivors find voice and confidence.

• Technology widens access and continuity beyond physical events.

• WILDE seeks collaborators, mentors, and publishing partners to platform emerging writers.

We also spent time talking about Jamaica, where Rasheda runs her writing retreats and where I recently attended the Calabash Festival. Sadly, the country has since been hit by Hurricane Melissa and suffered devastating damage. Journalist Nadine White has compiled a helpful list of trusted aid sources here:

Hurricane Melissa – How Can We Help

Please do your due diligence before making any donation.

You can read more of Nadine White’s reporting here: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nadine-white.

Explore more:

Talking Tech with Creatives – talkingtechwithcreatives.com

Podcast Instagram – @talkingtechwithcreatives

My author website – stellaonithewriter.com

Author Instagram – @stellaonithewriter

Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm – @ashantirashedaauthor

H&F Writers’ Festival – handfwritersfestival.co.uk

H&F Writers’ Festival Instagram – @hfwritersfest

If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to Talking Tech with Creatives, follow us on Instagram, and share the episode to help amplify the stories of women shaping creativity and culture.

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In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with my literary agent, Francesca Riccardi of Kate Nash Literary Agency, to unpack how publishing really works. Drawing on her 15 years at publishers like Harper Collins, Atlantic Books, and Canelo, Francesca explains the differences between traditional, indie, and self-publishing; what agents actually do; and how deals, rights, and marketing come together. We also talk frankly about author income, why building community matters, and how AI is reshaping the industry and what protections authors need. If you’re a writer, or curious about the business of books—this conversation will help you navigate the landscape with clarity.

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In this powerful episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I’m joined by Dr. Carlton Brown, founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), business strategist, and author of the Black Entrepreneurs Report.

Dr. Brown shares his personal journey from watching his Jamaican mother run blues parties and the community padner financial schemes to becoming a leading voice for change in UK entrepreneurship. We discuss what’s really holding Black business owners back—and what must change, from biased lending to lack of market access.

We explore: • The “race paradox” and what the data reveals • His vision behind BBEC and its real impact (like a founder getting into 450 Tesco stores) • Why the US and UK differ in Black entrepreneurial culture • How tech and AI are being used to level the playing field • What the future of inclusive business could look like

If you care about innovation, inclusion, and building an equitable business landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Previous guests include:

• Ajay Chowdhury – Tech entrepreneur and author of the Kamil Rahman crime series • Nanna S. Soenya – Founder of Fundhership • Obi Asika – Creative industries leader and co-founder of Storm360 • Corina Goetz – Middle East business strategist and founder of Star-CaT • Jendella Benson – Author and Head of Editorial at Black Ballad

Follow the podcast and never miss an episode.

Host: Stella Oni | Instagram : @stellaonithewriter, @talkingtechwithcreatives

Watch on YouTube: @TalkingTechWithCreatives

#TalkingTechWithCreatives #BBEC #DrCarltonBrown #BlackEntrepreneursUK #BusinessEquity #RaceParadox #TechAndInclusion #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with prize winning crime fiction author and tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury. His career journey spans co-founding Shazam, leading innovative tech ventures, and writing the Kamal Rahman series.

Ajay shares how his early years in India shaped his creative and business mindset, why food, culture, and immigrant experiences run through his fiction, and his frank views on diversity in publishing and the future of AI in writing. We dive into:

• Building Shazam and seeing it become a global tech phenomenon

• Winning a major crime writing prize with The Waiter — and how it changed his life

• Writing authentic immigrant narratives with humour, heart, and high stakes

• Food as a storytelling device and the joy of making readers hungry

• Using AI to enhance creativity without replacing the writer’s voice

• The shifting landscape of tech innovation in publishing and beyond

• Navigating identity, risk-taking, and success across cultures

Whether you’re a writer, tech enthusiast, or just love a gripping story, this conversation blends creativity, innovation, and real-world insights in a way that only Ajay can deliver.

Listen now to discover:

How to balance creativity and technology in your career, why failure is part of the journey, and what the future holds for both crime fiction and AI.

Talking Tech with Creatives podcast

Website: https://talkingtechwithcreatives.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingTechWithCreatives

Instagram: @talkingtechwithcreatives

Host: @stellaonithewriter

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Ajay’s Website: https://www.ajaychowdhury.com

Ajay on Instagram: @ajaychowdhurywriter

Get Ajay’s free interactive thriller here: https://theinvitation.ajaychowdhury.com