Who Are We?

Jill and Michael met in 2018 while both were working at the artist formerly known as the Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, now the Blue Manatee Literacy Project—a non-profit indie bookstore where for every book purchased, they donate one to a child in need. Both lifelong readers, Jill and Michael found themselves talking endlessly about books they loved, books they loathed, and the ones they read secretly by flashlight. Their conversations sparked an idea.

In March 2020, the duo launched B**K It!, a twice-monthly podcast where they talk about books, frankly. With interviews featuring Jacqueline Woodson, Connie Schultz, Renée Watson, Blair Imani and more, B**K It! has quickly become the go-to book podcast for readers and writes alike!

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Jill (she/her/hers) has worked as a licensed librarian for over a decade. If Jill was a book, she would be multi-generational, female-driven and subtlety emotional. Michael and Jill were friends for over a year before Jill realized they were friends. It’s something Michael can’t let go of.

Michael (he/him/his) an Editor for Writert’s Digest, as well as a freelance writer and editor. He was the Associate Editor at F+W Media from 2014-2018, and has written for various publications across the country. If Michael were a book, he’d be wildly emotional, friendship-driven and queer AF. Michael has been friends with Jill longer than Jill has been friends with him.