4/18/2025 EPISODE #50 BLACK BOOK PUBLISHING IN THE UK WITH VALERIE BRANDES

In this milestone 50th episode of Conversations With Carole, host Carole Copeland Thomas sits down with trailblazing publisher Valerie Brandes, the founder and CEO of Jacaranda Books, one of the most dynamic independent publishing companies in the UK. This episode is a powerful narrative of Black resilience, global identity, and visionary leadership in the world of literature.

Valerie shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a large Caribbean-British family in London to building a life in California—and ultimately launching Jacaranda Books in 2012. With over 120 titles published and a mission to amplify Black and diverse voices, Valerie takes us behind the scenes of how her company was born from both necessity and belief in her own untapped power.

The conversation is rich with stories about the Windrush generation, systemic racism in the UK publishing industry, the cultural impact of books like The Spook Who Sat by the Door, and the importance of cultivating the next generation of Black publishing professionals through Jacaranda’s paid internship program.

Whether you're a writer, reader, or cultural advocate, this episode will inspire you to think globally, act boldly, and write your own story into the future.

Valerie’s Timeline And Jacaranda Books

• Valerie’s Childhood & Family History:
  One of eleven children, Valerie was raised in a working-class Caribbean family in 1970s–80s London. Her love of literature was sparked early thanks to a home filled with books and encyclopedias.
• Life in the U.S.:
  A university exchange year brought her to UC Santa Cruz, where she met her husband. She later spent nearly 20 years in California, became a bookseller at Barnes & Noble, and was active in writing groups.
• Return to the UK & Reinvention:
  Returning to the UK as a mother of two, she pursued a master’s degree in publishing studies in her late 40s—leading to the founding of Jacaranda Books.
• The Birth of Jacaranda Books (2012):
  Sparked by exclusion in traditional publishing and fueled by her global Black identity, Valerie founded her own company, starting with only a logo and a dream. Today, Jacaranda boasts 120+ titles and counting.
• Publishing Impact:
  Valerie discusses key titles, including Fashion Africa, The Book of Harlan by Bernice McFadden, and a UK reissue of The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Jacaranda’s acquisitions span the entire African diaspora.
• Windrush Legacy & Community Resilience:
  Valerie shares deeply personal reflections on the Caribbean migration to the UK, including her mother’s harrowing journey, housing discrimination, and eventual triumphs—all echoing the resilience embedded in the diaspora.
• Black Excellence in Publishing:
  Jacaranda is not only a publisher but a training ground for future professionals, offering paid internships to uplift Black and brown talent.
• Website and Bookstore:
  Jacaranda has its own e-commerce platform for direct book sales:
  Visit https://jacarandabooksartmusic.com