Minorities in Publishing

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 Fin Leary 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 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.

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, and also her trajectory over the years and how much her stories for Black girls continue to showcase range & beauty.

Transcription for this episode can be found on the Episode tab of the podcast Tumblr.

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 publishing.

[Transcription can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

[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 ways in which character journeys can mirror one's own.

Transcription of this episode can be found on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr.