Minorities in Publishing

Minorities in Publishing episodes:

• 03.25.2024

  Episode 130: Interview with Newbery honored author/illustrator Pedro Martín

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] For the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn welcomes recent Newbery honoree and Pura Belpré winning author/illustrator Pedro Martín! Pedro talks about his entry into books...

  
• 02.14.2024

  Episode 129: Interview with bestselling author Renée Watson

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] For the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn welcomes back best-selling & award-winning author Renée Watson for her fourth episode (in a year she has 4...

  
• 01.10.2024

  Episode 128: Interview with young adult author Matt Mendez

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] For the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn speaks with author Matt Mendez about his new young adult novel, The Broke Hearts, a companion to his debut YA Barely...

  
• 07.28.2023

  Episode 127: Interview with graphic novelist Elizabeth Agyemang

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with editor and graphic novelist/author Elizabeth Agyemang (Fibbed) about her debut middle grade, finding space for her professional and creative life, how she's learned that incremental...

  
• 06.26.2023

  Episode 126: Interview with Publicity & Outreach at Candlewick Books!

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with Candlewick publicity manager Jamie Tan (a 2020 PW StarWatch honoree and CBC Diversity Achievement Awardee) and former Candlewick outreach manager Ally Russell (whose debut...

  
• 02.27.2023

  Episode 125: Interview with debut novelist Namrata Poddar

  [This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with debut novelist Namrata Poddar about her book Border Less (longlisted for the 2022 Center of Fiction First Novel Prize), pursuing publication with an small press versus a...

  
• 01.23.2023

  Episode 124: Interview with Kashana Cauley

  [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...

  
• 12.15.2022

  Episode 123: Members of the HarperCollins Union Speak Out

  [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...

  
• 11.21.2022

  Episode 122: Interview with assoc. production editor Kaitlyn San Miguel

  [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...

  
• 10.31.2022

  Episode 121: Interview with production editor Carla Benton

  [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...

  
• 07.27.2022

  Episode 120: Interview with author/illustrator Kate Gavino

  [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...

  
• 07.06.2022

  Episode 119: Interview with Zakiya Jamal

  [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...

  
• 05.31.2022

  Episode 118: Interview with Samira Ahmed

  [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...

  
• 03.23.2022

  Episode 117: Interview with Erin Entrada Kelly

  [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...

  
• 02.07.2022

  Episode 116: Interview with Bethany C. Morrow

  [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...

  
• 01.04.2022

  Episode 115: Interview with Daphne Palasi Andreades

  [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...

  
• 12.21.2021

  Episode 114: 2021 Wrap-Up!

  [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...

  
• 09.15.2021

  Episode 113: Interview with Regina Flath

  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...

  
• 08.18.2021

  Episode 112: Interview with Anton Treuer

  (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...

  
• 07.26.2021

  Episode 111: MiP + Desi Books Podcast Collab

  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...

  
• 05.27.2021

  Episode 110: Interview with Anjali Enjeti

  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...

  
• 04.12.2021

  Episode 109: Interview with Angeline Boulley

  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...

  
• 03.24.2021

  Episode 108: Interview with Fauzia Burke

  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...

  
• 02.24.2021

  Episode 107: Interview with Porscha Burke

  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...

  
• 01.25.2021

  Episode 106: Interview with Chris Gonzalez

  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...

  
• 12.09.2020

  Episode 105: Interview with Mike Sakasegawa

  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...

  
• 11.11.2020

  Episode 104: Interview with Na Kim

  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...

  
• 10.14.2020

  Episode 103: Interview with Dr. Yusef Salaam and Ibi Zoboi

  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;...

  
• 08.20.2020

  Episode 102: Interview with Fin Leary Lavoie

  WNDB Communications manager and writer Fin Leary 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 he's observed in the industry. Transcription of...

  
• 07.15.2020

  Episode 101: Interview with Kelly Yang

  [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...

  
• 06.09.2020

  Episode 100: Interview with Liara Tamani

  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...

  
• 05.13.2020

  Episode 99.5: Interview with Hannah Oliver Depp (during Covid)

  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...

  
• 05.13.2020

  Episode 99: Interview with Hannah Oliver Depp

  [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...

  
• 04.14.2020

  Episode 98: Interview with Renée Watson

  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,...

  
• 03.05.2020

  Episode 97: Interview with Connor Goldsmith

  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...

  
• 01.21.2020

  Episode 96: Interview with Abigail Hing Wen

  [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...

  
• 12.26.2019

  Episode 95: Interview with Angela Maria Spring

  [This interview was conducted over Google Hangouts, there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with Angela Maria Spring, owner of Duende District, about her trajectory as a bookseller from the midwest to the east coast and back. Spring mentions...

  
• 11.12.2019

  Episode 94: Interview with Kacen Callender

  [Please note this interview was conducted via Google Hangouts. Audio quality may vary.] Jenn speaks with author Kacen Callender (Queen of the Conquered, Hurricane Child, This is Kind of an Epic Love Story) about their background as an editor, the...

  
• 10.09.2019

  Episode 93: Interview with Rena Barron

  [This interview was conducted over Skype, so there may be some audio variation.] Jenn speaks with Rena Barron (Kingdom of Souls, Maya and the Rising Dark) about her growth as a writer, the necessity of a wider range of fantasy...

  
• 09.17.2019

  Episode 92: Interview with Sailaja Joshi

  [This interview was conducted via phone and the audio quality on speakers will vary.] Jenn speaks with Bharat Babies publisher Sailaja Joshi about the creation of a new independent imprint focused on South Asian stories, the work behind-the-scenes as a new...

  
• 08.27.2019

  Episode 91: Interview with Bassey Ikpi

  Jenn talks with author and mental health advocate Bassey Ikpi (I'm Telling the Truth But I'm Lying) about her new book and the depictions within it along with the ways she pursued writing & utilizing memory in personal essays on...

  
• 07.31.2019

  Episode 90: Interview with Keah Brown

  This interview was conducted over Skype so there may be some audio variation. Author and disability activist Keah Brown (The Pretty One) openly discusses the discomfort she felt in a lack of reflections of disabled POCs in media, her thoughts...

  
• 07.16.2019

  Episode 89: Interview with Tanisha C. Ford

  Jenn spoke with author and professor Tanisha C. Ford about her new memoir Dressed in Dreams, which ties in personal history with cultural representation and fashion. This discussion ran the gamut from Black hair care, to nostalgia for FUBU and Karl Kani,...

  
• 06.18.2019

  Episode 88: Interview with Sonya Chung

  Author Sonya Chung (The Loved Ones, Long for This World) discusses her essay dissecting the issues of gaze and focus in Green Book and the documentary Period: End of Sentence, how she formulated success as a published author, and her experiences publishing with a Big...

  
• 05.28.2019

  Episode 87: Elizabeth Acevedo & Meg Medina (Creative Conversation)

  The latest episode is the live recording of the March 27, 2018 Creative Conversation with Meg Medina and Elizabeth Acevedo at I, Too Arts Collective in East Harlem. This event was in celebration of the publication of The Poet X. Meg and...

  
• 04.22.2019

  Episode 86: Interview with Radix Media

  Jenn speaks with co-owners of Brooklyn based Radix Media, Lantz Arroyo and Sarah Lopez, about the work of printers, being a new independent publisher, and the case for worker cooperatives to provide equity in the workplace.  [Transcription will be available...

  
• 03.25.2019

  Episode 85: Live Recording at TechForum with Jael Richardson

  [Audio and Transcription of this episode was provided by BookNet Canada] Road Trip to Toronto for the latest episode! At this year's Tech Forum conference Jenn spoke with author and founder of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD), Jael Richardson,...

  
• 03.06.2019

  Episode 84: Creative Conversation with Carole Boston Weatherford & Frank Morrison

  On January 10th, the nonprofit I, Too, Arts Collective held a celebratory NYC book launch for the picture book The Roots of Rap, a collaboration between award-winning & acclaimed artists  Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison at Langston Hughes’ brownstone in East...

  
• 02.21.2019

  Episode 83: Interview with Jerry Craft

  Jenn speaks with artist/illustrator Jerry Craft about his trajectory as a cartoonist from regular strips to self-publishing to his latest graphic novel (New Kid) pubbing with a Big 5 publisher. Jerry shares his aesthetic which is bringing humor and heart...

  
• 01.23.2019

  Episode 82: Interview with Imani Josey

  [This episode was heavily edited and conducted over Skype, so please not audio variation.] Jenn speaks with Imani Josey (The Blazing Star) about creating a realistic and mindful historical YA novel with Black protagonists, the inspiration from her pageant background...