Minorities in Publishing

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.]

Jenn speaks with TV writer and journalist Kashana Cauley author of the debut novel The Survivalists out now from Soft Skull Press. Kashana talks about the many drafts before this novel came to fruition, how juggling several career paths helped her stay on the path to writing, and how this novel's themes apply to what she's seen and observed about New York C...

[This interview was conducted via Zoom with several participants, so there may be some audio variation.]

Ten days into the HarperCollins Union strike, four employees and union members--Doris, Genessee, Ahmunet, and Parrish--spoke to Jenn about the requests the union has made to HarperCollins, how to support those on strike, on why they believe in the work they do as both publishing professionals and in being vocal on pushing for a ...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.]

Jenn speaks with associate production editor, Kaitlyn San Miguel, about her switch from editorial to production in children's lit, adapting to a white collar and white dominant work space, and why the production department spoke to her love of books. 

[Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for th...

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.]

Jenn speaks with production editor, Carla Benton, about the specifics of the role of the production editor in trade publishing, how more remote positions may help with representation in the publishing landscape, and how some may look into freelancing by using social media to connect with other production editors in the industry. 

[Transcript of this episode...

[This interview was conducted online and is an overseas conversation so there may be some audio variation.]

Jenn speaks with illustrator/author, Kate Gavino about her latest graphic novel A Career in Books will publish on August 2nd. Kate discusses how life imitated art--and was fictionalized--for her latest book, the experiences that led her to leave the industry and pursue life as an artist, inequality in the workplace economical...

[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. 

[Transcript of this episode can be found o...

[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 they inherit the world we live in. 

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[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 author's role.

[Transcript of this episo...

[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 of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign ...

[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 up for the MiP monthly newsletter with j...

[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 delve into their respective current +...

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 MiP monthly newsletter with job listi...

(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 forefront of the work Prof. Treuer d...

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 episode can be found on the Episodes page of th...

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 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 ...