AF.FEM Press is a Independent Literary Coven that exists to cultivate a sanctuary for stories born from the depths of womanhood—stories shaped by the intersecting identities of marginalized voices, with a dedicated focus on the experiences of People of Color. We honor truths that are tender, fierce, and profoundly human; uplifting narratives too often pushed to the margins.
We champion these voices by guiding authors along their literary journeys with care, craft, and unwavering support. As we nurture writers, we also gather a vibrant community of readers who seek connection, illumination, and creativity.
Together, we celebrate the power of storytelling, amplify the brilliance of writers of color, and create a space where authenticity not only lives but thrives.
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A collective exploration of history, healing, and the feminine experience.
In our debut issue, Roots Vol. 1, eighteen writers and creatives offer a profound look at the manifestation of generational trauma in everyday life. This volume serves as a mirror for the complexities of the modern woman, capturing the "before" and the "after" of the legacies we carry. Roots Magazine is more than a publication; it is a dedicated space for hard-hitting dialogue, viewed through a uniquely feminine lens to better understand the systemic and personal affects of our shared histories.
KaJena. J
Taste of Cigarette Smoke is a hauntingly intimate maps of the soul. Through a visceral blend of poetry and personal essays, KaJena.J navigates the jagged landscapes of generational trauma, mother wounds, and the heavy architecture of grief.
With language that is both tender and fierce, this collection lingers like the scent of woodsmoke, capturing the suffocating weight of the past and the breathtaking relief of finally coming up for air. It is an authentic showcase of growth—an invitation to sit with the shadows until they transform into light. For anyone who has ever had to break their own heart to save their soul
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Assata Shakur
On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local, state, and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper. Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover's campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.
This intensely personal and political autobiography belies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the state. With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at the hand of government officials. The result is a signal contribution to the literature about growing up Black in America that has already taken its place alongside The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the works of Maya Angelou.
Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison. She was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides.
Toni Morrison
Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. With this brilliantly imagined novel, Toni Morrison transfigures the coming-of-age story as audaciously as Saul Bellow or Gabriel García Márquez. As she follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family’s origins, Morrison introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized black world.
F.C. Yee
F. C. Yee’s The Rise of Kyoshi delves into the story of Kyoshi, the Earth Kingdom–born Avatar. The longest-living Avatar in this beloved world’s history, Kyoshi established the brave and respected Kyoshi Warriors, but also founded the secretive Dai Li, which led to the corruption, decline, and fall of her own nation. The first of two novels based on Kyoshi, The Rise of Kyoshi maps her journey from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar.
Sydney J. Shields
Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So when her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence come with a price: No one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.
When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.
The Heart’s Spark
Herbal Insight: This blend focuses on "invigoration and flow." Green Tea provides a gentle, sustained lift, rich in polyphenols that protect the body at a cellular level. Raspberry is traditionally associated with heart health and feminine wellness, offering a nutrient-dense sweetness that tonifies the system. Ginger acts as a catalyst, stoking the "inner fire" and improving circulation to ensure that energy (and magic) flows freely through the body. Lemongrass adds a final layer of protection and purification, clearing away heavy moods to make room for joy
Key Action: Invigorating, Heart-centering, Vitalizing
A vibrant, sparkling infusion designed to ignite the heart and awaken the senses. This organic blend pairs the antioxidant-rich energy of green tea with the tart, flirtatious sweetness of raspberry. Balanced by the warming kick of ginger and the zesty clarity of lemongrass, it is a tea that celebrates the enchantment found in everyday moments of connection.
Ingredients: Organic Green Tea, Organic Raspberry, Organic Ginger, Organic Lemongrass.
Profile: Bright, Effervescent, Spiced-Berry.
Format: Loose Leaf.
Quantity: 65 servings at 2g per cup.
Packaging: Sustainable, reusable glass jar.
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Radical Self Love
The Mental Clarity
Herbal Insight: A tonic for the mind and breath. Peppermint is a powerful antispasmodic that releases tension in the body and clears the respiratory tract. Rosemary has been used for centuries as the "herb of remembrance," believed to stimulate cognitive function and memory. When paired with the peppery clarity of Basil, this tea helps sweep away mental fog, allowing you to see yourself—and your needs—with radical precision.
Key Action: Clarifying, Refreshing, Centering.
Ingredients: Organic Peppermint, Organic Basil, Organic Rosemary.
Profile: Cooling, Sharp, Resinous.
Format: Loose Leaf (Caffeine-Free).
Quantity: 65 servings at 2g per cup.
Packaging: Sustainable, reusable glass jar.
The Rooted Strength
Herbal Insight: This is a blend of "circulatory stimulants." Ginger and Cinnamon work together to move the blood and stoke the digestive fire, providing a physical sense of warmth and groundedness. Basil acts as a gentle adaptogen, helping the body "resonate" through stress rather than breaking under it. The Black Tea provides a steady, rhythmic energy—a song of endurance for the spirit.
Key Action: Warming, Energizing, Grounding.
A bold, rhythmic infusion of strength and spice. This organic black tea base is layered with the warming heat of ginger and cinnamon, finished with the unexpected, peppery brightness of fresh basil. It is a soulful, grounded blend designed to invigorate the senses and harmonize the spirit.
Ingredients: Organic Black Tea, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger, Organic Basil.
Profile: Robust, Spiced, Herbaceous.
Format: Loose Leaf
Quantity: 65 servings at (2g per cup).
Packaging: Sustainable, reusable glass jar
To experience the full melody of Black Song, steep 2g (approximately one teaspoon) in 95°C (203°F) water for 3–5 minutes. Delicious on its own or tempered with a splash of milk to bring out the creamy notes of the cinnamon.
Woven Branches
A digital sanctuary where Black and Brown women, including those at the intersections of queer and gender-queer identities, can see their complexities reflected without compromise.
The Essence of Red
Surrounded by red, she could only swim in the grief of blue - Flash Fiction: Psychological | Grief of Self | Inner Wounds
Child Born of Shadows
The burdens given through blood cloak our backs like Shadows of truth. Flash Fiction: Ancestral work | Shadow Work | Spiritual-Magical realism
Dried Flowers in Unforgiving Hands
The burdens given through blood cloak our backs like Shadows of truth. Flash Fiction: Ancestral work | Shadow Work | Spiritual-Magical realism
Want to submit your writing?
AF.FEM Press is more than a publisher; we are a sanctuary. We are looking for womxn of color with intersecting identities to share their tender, fierce, and profoundly human truths. Whether you are a seasoned writer or an emerging artist, your voice has a home here.
Choose the path that best fits your work:
( Click below to learn more)
1. The Roots Collective (Magazine Feature)
Join the Archive: A Call for Stories & Art
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Literary Services
Illustration & Design
The Full Sanctuary Bundle ($1,250)
The complete home for your book. Includes 1 high-detail custom cover, 32-60 interior spot illustrations, full professional typesetting/layout, and 3 social media launch graphics.
The Zine Collective ($450)
Intimate design for shorter works. Includes 1 custom cover, full layout for up to 32 pages, and 2–3 artistic flourish throughout.
Digital & Merch Illustration
Spot Illustration | $60 (Single subject/icon)
Merch Design | $65 (Formatted for apparel/goods)
Detailed Full Composition | $75 (Complete scene & texture)
Signature Canvas Originals
Bespoke Fine Art Commissions | $250 – $525
Physical hand-painted works on canvas (Mixed media/Gouache/Acrylic)
Roots Review & Strategy
Before the design begins, the story must be firm. This tier is for authors seeking a "first look" through a lens of equity and authenticity. ($250)
The Sanctuary Review: A comprehensive Beta Read (up to 50k words) focused on character dignity, "Own Voices" authenticity, and narrative flow.
The Strategy Session: A 1-hour 1:1 consultation to discuss your publishing path, branding, and how to reach your target audience.
The Path Forward: A summary of actionable steps to take your manuscript to the next stage.
Batch Printing
We offer custom, small-batch printing services designed for artists, writers, and thinkers. From vibrant 4-color art magazines to minimalist journals, we handle every project with professional precision and a personal touch.
Custom Builds: Ideal for zines, poetry, art books, and fiction.
Versatile Specs: 10–200 pages; full support for 2–4 color layouts.
Hand-Finished: Every book is hand-bound for a premium, durable feel.
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