Nichole Perkins is an American poet, writer, and podcaster. Perkins co-hosted the podcast Thirst Aid Kit with Bim Adewunmi (2017-2020). She is the author of the poetry collection Lilith, But Dark (2018) and the memoir Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be (2021).
Nichole Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, writer, podcaster |
| Years active | 2017 – present |
| Known for | Thirst Aid Kit |
| Notable work | Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be |
Life and career
editPerkins was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] Growing up she was an avid reader of books by authors such as Beverly Cleary and Mildred Taylor. She also began reading romance novels during childhood.[2] She received her bachelor's degree from Dillard University, an HBCU in New Orleans.[3]
Perkins relocated to New York City in 2017 to pursue a professional writing career after receiving an Emerging Writers Fellowship at BuzzFeed.[4][5] She published personal essays as a part of the fellowship and drafted many essays that would later be included in her memoir.[4] In that position she and her colleague Bim Adewunmi started the podcast Thirst Aid Kit after bonding over their shared enjoyment of discussing celebrity crushes.[6] The podcast, which debuted in 2017, received positive reception and was called "an instant serotonin boost" by Justine Goode for Vanity Fair.[7] The hosts decided to retire Thirst Aid Kit in 2020.[1]
Perkins published her first book, a poetry collection called Lilith, But Dark, in 2018 under Publishing Genius.[4][8] Amber Tamblyn wrote in a review for Bust, "Nichole Perkins has written a beautifully aching and illuminating portrait of a Black woman’s life in her essential collection, Lilith, But Dark."[9]
She released Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be on August 17, 2021 under Grand Central Publishing.[4] The book, the majority of which she wrote after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,[10] is a memoir and essay collection that combines Perkins’ reflections on pop culture in connection to her life experiences ranging from past relationships, mental health, family dynamics, and sexuality.[4] The title comes from a lyric in the Prince song "If I Was Your Girlfriend."[2] The book received positive reception from outlets such as Publishers Weekly, Bitch, and others.[11][12][13]
In 2021 Perkins started the podcast This Is Good For You that explores various things that bring joy and pleasure.[14] She plans to release a romance novel sometime in the next few years.[4]
Personal life
editWorks
editBooks
edit- Perkins, Nichole (2018). Lilith, But Dark. Publishing Genius. ISBN 9781945028144.
- Perkins, Nichole (2021). Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 9781538702741.
Podcasts
edit- Thirst Aid Kit (2017–2020). Co-hosted with Bim Adewunmi.[7]
- This Is Good For You (2021–present).[10]
- The Prince Mixtape (2023)[16]
References
edit- ^ a b Soloski, Alexis (25 February 2021). "When Podcast Hosts Speak, What Do We Hear?". New York Times. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ a b Ukiomogbe, Juliana (17 August 2021). ""Writing Can Be a Spell": Nichole Perkins on Total Literary Immersion". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Paul, Ashley (5 October 2021). "Review: Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins". Feminist Book Club. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Lenker, Maureen Lee. "Nichole Perkins on writing a memoir, getting vulnerable, and thirsting out loud". EW. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ a b Haruch, Steve (2021-08-16). "Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be: Nichole Perkins Q and A". Musing. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ Kahn, Mattie (2017-11-14). "Someone Pour Me a Cold Drink, the Thirstiest Podcast on the Internet Is Here". ELLE. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ a b Alexis, Goode (2020-07-02). "Five Feel-Good Podcasts to Help Find Your Inner Optimist". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ "Barrelhouse Reviews: Lilith, But Dark by Nichole Perkins". BARRELHOUSE. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ Tamblyn, Amber (2020). "Amber Tamblyn's Poetry Corner: "Lilith, But Dark" by Nichole Perkins". bust.com. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ a b Davis, Jesse (2021-11-10). "Nichole Perkins' Memoir Is a Must-Read". Memphis magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
- ^ Strand, Karla (2021-08-16). "August 2021 Reads for the Rest of Us - Ms. Magazine". msmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins". PublishersWeekly.com. 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ "13 Books Feminists Should Read in August". Bitch Media. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ "You Need A Hobby. Here's How To Find One : Life Kit". NPR.org. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ Payton, L’Oreal Thompson (2021-08-17). "Author Nichole Perkins on Sex, Feminism, and Pop Culture". Shondaland. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ^ "The Prince Mixtape - Podcast on CNN Audio". CNN. Retrieved 2023-07-23.