“Authentic Voices”

Natalie Obando is a graduate from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in journalism emphasizing public relations and a minor concentration in creative writing. For nearly two decades, she’s worked in the world of books as a book publicist. Natalie is the founder of Do Good Public Relations Group and the author of How to Get Publicity for Your Book. She is the current national president of the 105 years old non-profit, the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA), overseeing all eleven chapters across the nation. As the first Latina president of the national organization, her goal has been promoting diversity in publishing via strategic grassroots efforts. She is also the founder of the grassroots organization, Women of Color Writers Podcast and Programming. Her dedication to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the book world led her to found and chair Authentic Voices—a four-month long program that immerses people from marginalized communities in a master class of writing, editing, marketing, and publishing.

Natalie has spoken at some of the most well-regarded literary conferences in the industry including the The West Coast Writers Conference, the Central Coast Writers Conference, Publishers Group West Conference, as well as conferences that focus on diversity in publishing such as Centering on the Margins.

Always looking to amplify BIPOC writers and create community and discussion around diversity in publishing, she recently joined the Ladderbird Literary Agency team. As a literary agent, she hopes to further usher BIPOC writers into careers as authors.

Instagram: @wocwriters

Website: www.womenofcolorwriters.com