Minorities In Publishing

[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 episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 + past roles in the industry. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

(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 does. [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 listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

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 Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 the podcast Tumblr.]

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.]

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 podcast Tumblr.]

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 the podcast Tumblr.]

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 be found on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr.

WNDB Communications manager and writer Alaina Lavoie 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 she'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!  Transcription of this interview can be found on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr. 

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 of the podcast Tumblr.