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Deesha Philyaw

@deeshaphilyaw

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Author of THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN (on sale 9.29.2026) and THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES. My existence is the clapback.

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First Lady Scharisse Freeman thrifted her way up. Married her way into the good pews. Then blew the whole thing wide open—on live TV, in nothing but three fake maple leaves.

Sweepstakes time! The wonderful folks have curated a FABULOUS giveaway package chock full of items inspired by THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN! Pictured are just a few of the goodies the winner will receive. The full list:

📖 A signed, personalized hardcover — the whole scandal, straight from the source.

🍎 An enamel apple charm — because nothing says “confession” like biting into forbidden fruit onstage, live, in front of God and the church mothers.

👑 A rhinestone tiara — a 40th birthday gift from a husband who talked a much better game than he played. Wear it ironically. Or don’t. We’re not judging.

🥋 A silk robe — for your own dramatic reveals, big or small. No stage required.

🕯️ A scented candle — soft, warm, a little nostalgic. The kind of scent memory you didn’t know you were holding onto until it hits you.

💋 A wellness item — a little wink at the very eventful couples’ retreat Schar once got roped into. Some bonds just aren’t meant to be built over ice breakers.

📓 A personalized confession diary — for the secrets you’re keeping better than Schar kept hers.

🕶️ 1970s hexagonal sunglasses — Schar’s $2 thrift-store find, bought in a pair with her best friend Petra after they patch things up. Wear yours the next time you reconnect with your own ride-or-die.

🍨 A banana split kit — for the friendships worth rebuilding, and the men worth a late-night detour to your own private ice cream parlor. No judgment either way.

Enter for your chance to win. The sweepstakes ends October 14th, at 11:59pm EST. Link to enter in my bio. by @deeshaphilyaw

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19 days ago

I’m thrilled to announce the 2026 tour dates for THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN! Don’t see your city? I’ll be touring into 2027 with stops scheduled in the UK, LA, the DMV, and more!

I’m honored to be in conversation with a host of fabulous folks in 2026: Cleyvis Natera, Reggie Reads, Miwa Messer, Dr. Regina Bradley, Nadege Green, Aaron Foley, Nikesha Elise Williams, Sheree L. Greer, David Haynes, Katherine Morgan, Kendra Allen, Kiese Laymon, and more!

Link to my 2026 tour page with RSVP details and other info in my bio. by @deeshaphilyaw

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3 months ago

📣OFFICIAL COVER REVEAL via Elle magazine! #TheTrueConfessionsofFirstLadyFreeman

I invite you to judge my book by its cover! I adore it!

I wrote this novel—20 years in the making—while co-parenting two kids, navigating two divorces, surviving a pandemic, and becoming an empty-nester. I gave this “splendidly, unruly” book everything I’ve got. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Thank you to @laurpuckett and @elleusa! Link to cover reveal article and interview in bio.

So many hands, heads, and hearts helped bring my idea for the cover to fruition. Many thanks to…

✍🏾My brilliant and fearless editor, @rakiathegreat
🎨Painter extraordinaire, @carriegraber
⚜️Deft designer, Yeon Kim

@marinerbooks marketing and publicity wizards: @erosenberry, @taviareads, and @naturallydeanna

And as always, thanks to…
🕵️‍♀️my awesome agent, @DanielleChiotti

On sale 9.29.2026 - Link to pre-order in bio (includes links to Black-owned bookstores @loyaltybooks, @resist_bks, and @kindredstorieshtx) by @deeshaphilyaw

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Thank you to everyone that joined us to celebrate The True Confessions of Fight Lady Freeman yesterday!!! It was an honor to be part of the book tour. We appreciate @aaronkfoley for joining the event wth thoughtful questions. We have great gratitude for the Detroit Public Library’s partnership. We love to support @deeshaphilyaw and her books. We have signed copies in the store. A few extra fans too.

Make sure you get a ticket for our event to celebrate How Bright the Path Grows with @marciachatelain on November 11th at the store #bookstorejoy #booktourstop #sourcebooksellersdetroit taken in Source Booksellers by @deeshaphilyaw

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So so so lovely to speak with @deeshaphilyaw!

“You mentioned inherited shame. I would also like to talk about misplaced shame. One of the tools in the toolbox of evangelical Christianity is getting people to do things or not do things because if not a fear of hell, then shaming them into submission. It’s still very externally focused: other people being displeased with you, other people seeing you as less than, and wanting you to see yourself as less than.” Link to interview in Linktree under Latest Newsletter. by @deeshaphilyaw

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@deeshaphilyaw is rating pop culture's messiest moments... and the tiaras are NOT distributed equally. 👑

For a book packed with five-tiara moments, meet The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman. by @deeshaphilyaw

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Author @deeshaphilyaw joins me this week to talk about her debut novel, THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN! I loved this fun, snarky, satirical look at Black women in the Church, and I was especially interested to hear about the book's journey to publication.⁠
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Deesha first started writing this story more than 20 years ago, before her short story collection, THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES, became a National Book Award finalist. Now she's sharing how both the story and her own life have changed along the way.⁠
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Plus, Deesha shares her top book recommendations!⁠
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🎙️ Also in this episode:⁠
• What it means to be a “First Lady” in Black churches and how Deesha's own experiences inspired the novel⁠.⁠
• Why she temporarily put the FIRST LADY FREEMAN manuscript aside and what publishing THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES taught her⁠.⁠
• How Deesha approaches writing sparkling opening lines⁠.⁠
• A peek at what she's working on next!⁠
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As always, this episode is SPOILER-FREE!⁠
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🎧 Listen to Deesha Philyaw on The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman wherever you get your podcasts — and don't forget to share it with your reader friends!⁠
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#sarahsbookshelveslive #bookpodcast #deeshaphilyaw #thetrueconfessionsoffirstladyfreeman #authorinterview #bookrecommendations #literaryfiction by @deeshaphilyaw

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"Integrity is going to cost you something. But I also believe that integrity requires that you are willing to do what’s right despite what it might cost you."

Ruined to Become Real: Timothy Jai (@JaiGottaStory2Tale) interviews Deesha Philyaw (@deeshaphilyaw) about her new novel The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman (@marinerbooks).

Read their conversation now at the link in our bio. The cited information but not the quote written in white at the bottom of Deesha Philyaw's author photo. The book cover for The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman is in the lower lefthand corner. The singular Rumpus R is in the upper lefthand corner in white. by @deeshaphilyaw

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3 days ago

Join Wintergreen and Torch for our next Welcome Table Talk– “The Sacred & The Secret: Writing the Women of the Black Church” with author Deesha Philyaw and poet-scholar Dr. Latorial Faison, moderated by novelist Ashley M. Coleman.

Tuesday, October 13th, 6-7:30PM CT / 7-8:30PM ET
Zoom Webinar

Learn more and register at the link in our bio 🔗

Deesha Philyaw’s debut short story collection, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Story Prize, the LA Times Book Prize: The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. Deesha’s debut novel, “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman,” is forthcoming from Mariner Books in September 2026.

Dr. Latorial Faison is a Virginia poet, author, professor, veteran military spouse, and mother. She is the author of historical research and over a dozen poetry collections, including Pulitzer Prize nominee “Nursery Rhymes in Black.” Faison is Assistant Prof. of English & Dept. Chair of Languages & Literature at Virginia State University. In 2026, Faison was appointed the Poet Laureate of Virginia.

Ashley M. Coleman is an author and music industry executive whose work sits at the intersection of literature, culture, and community. Her debut novel “Good Morning, Love” was featured by Joy the Baker and Katie Couric Media and named one of Bustle's Most Anticipated Books of June 2022. As a journalist, her bylines span Essence.com, The Cut, and GRAMMY.com. Coleman is a fellow of Torch Literary Arts (2023) and Kimbilio (2025), and the founder of Permission to Write. by @deeshaphilyaw

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