Panelists:

• Karen Strauss (Hybrid Global Publishing)
  
  
• Pam Sheppard (Sheppard Edits)
  
  
• Alesha Brown (Fruition Publishing)
  
  
• E. Danielle Butler (EvyDani Books)
  
  
• Linda Ruggieri (Editor, The Insightful Editor)
  
  

Panel Discussion Highlights:

• Karen Strauss shared her experience leaving corporate publishing due to gender bias and lack of upward mobility. She founded her own publishing company to create more equitable opportunities.
  
  
• Alesha Brown spoke passionately about the challenges of being a Black woman and a hybrid publisher. She highlighted how systemic inequities impact access, legitimacy, and success in publishing, yet emphasized empowerment and resilience.
  
  
• Linda Ruggieri, a white Latina, reflected on her experiences with cultural assumptions and the value of building diverse global teams. Her editorial team spans countries and cultures, bringing richness to her publishing work.
  
  
• E. Danielle Butler addressed misrepresentation and tokenism in the industry, and the distinct struggles faced by Black women. She emphasized the power of choice, ownership, and storytelling.
  
  
• Pam Sheppard reminded us that much of our work is about fighting for credibility. She highlighted how women have professionalized the industry and brought passion and power to every role.
  
  

In this podcast episode, you will learn:

• The current state of women in publishing, including workforce and authorship trends
  
  
• Ongoing challenges with leadership representation and pay equity
  
  
• The intersectional experiences of Black and Latina women in the publishing industry
  
  
• Why building community and diverse support systems is essential for publishing success
  
  
• The importance of unmuting your voice and sharing your story
  
  
• How to pivot and innovate in challenging times
  
  
• Insights on balancing personal health, entrepreneurship, and creativity
  
  
• Inspiration from award-winning women who are blazing trails in publishing
  
  
• How collective action, mentorship, and empowerment are driving the industry forward
  
  

This powerful and emotional finale to the Women in Publishing Summit reminds us all to keep writing, keep creating, and to keep lifting one another up. ✨