Minorities in Publishing

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation. Please note there's also a dog in the background.] Jenn speaks with former senior social media manager, In the Books IGLive host, and writer Zakiya Jamal about the role of social media depts at book publishers, her recent departure, and the importance of salary transparency in the workplace for establishing equity.  [Transc...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] New York Times bestselling author, Samira Ahmed, speaks to Jenn about her new YA novel Hollow Fires, the reasons why diversity panels should always have been craft discussion panels, how her past experience dictates her approach to writing, and how much she loves engaging with young readers for pertinent discussions as the...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] The many award-winning author/illustrator Erin Entrada Kelly author of the new middle grade novel,  Those Kids From Fawn Creek.  She discusses her new book, reading Goodreads reviews, what aspects of the business part of publishing makes her happy, productivity, and uplifting the writing community as a core tenet of an aut...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] Bethany C. Morrow discusses her writing practice of prioritizing Black and Brown femmes, the ways that canonization can (and has) erased marginalized people and stories, and the ways in which stories develop for her in terms of knowing characters & audiences.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page o...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with debut author of the novel  Brown Girls,  Daphne Palasi Andreades about selling (and pubbing) a book during a pandemic, her MFA experience as a BIPOC, and tackling "unconventional" narratives in her novel.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast  Tumblr . You can sign u...

[This interview was conducted via Zoom so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with Electric Literature EiC Denne Michele Norris and freelance development/copyeditor Jon Reyes about the travails of publishing over 2021 including continuous calls for true efforts of inclusion & equity, how lack of efforts leads to a sustainment of continually problematic & harmful systems, and we also de...

This month, Jenn speaks with former colleague and Assistant Art Director for young adult covers, Regina Flath about the arduous and import work of design, creating & leading super helpful DEI initiatives in the workplace, and the discussions that have happened around BIPOC rep on covers. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast  Tumblr . You can sign up for the...

(Please note this interview was recorded via phone so audio quality may be muffled.) Jenn speaks with Professor Anton Treuer about the young reader's edition of his well-known work  Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask  and his dedication to education and empathy in recognizing Indigenous history and society. The importance of understanding perspectives remains at the...

This month is a podcast collaboration/discussion with Jenny Bhatt (author of  Each of Us Killers  and  Ratno Dholi ) and creator/host of the Desi Books podcast . Jenn and Jenny discussed creating platforms to celebrate marginalized writers, indie vs. big publishing, and how authors can build their platform by building community in a genuine way. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Epis...

Jenn speaks with debut author, in two genres(!), Anjali Enjeti about her essay collection  Southbound   and novel  The Parted Earth .  She discusses relevant themes in both her fiction & nonfiction, her growth as a writer when considering the examination of privilege and trauma, how socioeconomic status comes into play in publishing, and the importance of indie presses.  [Transcript of this episod...

Jenn speaks with #1 New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley (member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) about her debut novel Firekeeper's Daughter,  how's she's been able to prepare to engage with audiences, the responsibility she felt in telling this story, and her path to publication after writing this book for 10 years.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the...

Jenn speaks with FSB Associates founder Fauzia Burke about her 20+ years experience in book promotion, running her own firm focused on digital marketing, and tells authors what they should ask (and expect) from those they hire to get the word out about their books!  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast  Tumblr .]

This episode was recorded online and may have some audio variation. Assistant Director of Publishing and editorial maven Porscha Burke joins the podcast to discuss her entry into publishing from the music industry, the work of some legacy Black-run presses she's worked with, and the ways she's seen the industry grow and evolve.   [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the...

Jenn speaks with ebook production specialist, literary mag editor, and author Chris Gonzalez about the balancing act of working in publishing and his creative pursuits, how he built a literary community when coming to New York City, and about his upcoming story collection  I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat  publishing later this year.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of...

In the last episode for 2020, Jenn speaks with podcaster and photographer Mike Sakasegawa about producing not one but  two  literary podcasts--LikeWise Fiction and Keep the Channel Open--the work this entails and forging one's own definition of success.  [Transcript of this episode will be available on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr.]

Art director and 2019 PW Star Watch honoree, Na Kim, joins Jenn to discuss how she got into book publishing, the benefits of making mistakes, and the core role of book designers in book publishing.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr .]

Punching the Air  collaborators Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam discuss their latest bestselling book; the roles adults, especially educators, play in young people's lives; the introspective nature of young people that needs to be respected & represented in more work; and the importance of how to discuss topics such as the carceral system in work for young readers.  Transcript of this episode can b...

WNDB Communications manager and writer Fin Leary returns to the MiP podcast to discuss ableism in the workplace, how remote working has been possible but not available in publishing, and what progress he's observed in the industry. Transcription of this episode can be found on the  Episodes page  of the podcast Tumblr site. 

[CW: This episode discusses sexual assault.] Jenn speaks with bestselling author Kelly Yang ( Front Desk ) about her new young adult novel Parachutes centering two teen perspectives on sexual assault. Kelly speaks to the importance of these books, the ways in which victims deserve more advocacy, and the need to open up more discussion and education around rape culture. 

Yes we have reached episode 100 of Minorities in Publishing! Holy cow! This milestone episodes features guest Liara Tamani ( All the Things We Never Knew  and  Calling My Name ). We discuss the ideology behind success and striving to stay afloat, how she found her way back to a first love she didn't realize she was missing, and her new YA romance from Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins out today!  Tr...

In a follow-up conversation, Jenn and Loyalty Bookstore owner Hannah Oliver Depp discuss the importance of campaigns like saveindiebookstores.com to get funds directly to Indie Bookstores when federal grants may not and ways we can continue to aid indies during Covid-19.  Transcription for this episode can be found on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr. 

[This episode was recorded online. Audio variation may occur.] Jenn speaks to owner of Loyalty Bookstores (in the DMV area) Hannah Oliver Depp on running a small business, the challenges facing booksellers as business owners through economic inequality, and the importance of independent bookstores in community establishment and growth.  Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes tab o...

MiP welcomes back Renée Watson who has had quite the trajectory since she first appeared on the podcast five years ago this month. She talks about her new book from Bloomsbury Ways to Make Sunshine ,  writer's block & imposter syndrome, and also her trajectory over the years and how much her stories for Black girls continue to showcase range & beauty. Transcription for this episode can be found on...

Jenn speaks with literary agent Connor Goldsmith (Fuse Literary) on his path to agenting from film casting, why publishing/agenting would make a bad reality show, and the financial realities of agenting and how privilege comes into play with stability in publishing.  [Transcription can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

[This interview was conducted over Skype so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with debut author (and recent  NYT  bestseller) Abigail Hing Wen about her book  Loveboat, Taipei,  combating Asian stereotypes in her work, pursuing writing and another full-time career, and the ways in which character journeys can mirror one's own.  Transcription of this episode can be found on the Episod...