This week, we’re introducing some new segments, “Given the Option” and bringing you more of our great conversation around writing, publishing, life and culture. For our Read Like a Writer episode, we’re diving into description with our reference texts Leaving Cecil Street, Diane McKinney-Whetstone and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, Akwaeke Emezi. 

This week in Publishing 

Simon & Schuster turns 100. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/94707-simon-schuster-turns-100.html 

Kiley Reid says fiction isn’t activism. https://lithub.com/kiley-reid-on-why-fiction-isnt-activism/ 

North Caroline bookstore closes after receiving death threats. https://www.wonkette.com/p/bookselling-while-black-latest-danger 

Read Like a Writer books: https://bookshop.org/lists/read-like-a-writer? 

Powered by: Permission to Write 

Edited by: OfficialDilemma  

To kick off Season Two, we caught up with award-winning author, filmmaker, and scholar, Sheena C. Howard, PhD. Take a listen as we discuss her new book Academic Branding: A step-by-step guide to increased visibility, authority, and income, developing a love of comic books, and the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Purchase your copy of Academic Branding: https://bookshop.org/a/8081/9781637744406 

In the final episode of Season 1, Ashley is joined by authors Ana Reyes and Diane Marie Brown to discuss the rise of celebrity book clubs and their impact on the success of debut books. Reyes and Brown share from personal experience as Reese’s Book Club and Jenna Reads picks, respectively. 

Purchase books: 

Black Candle Women 

The House in the Pines 

Articles: 

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/03/755532368/for-many-authors-celebrity-book-clubs-are-a-ticket-to-success

In this episode, Ashley is recapping highlights from Season 1. From guests to important topics, what episodes did you enjoy the most? 

Powered by Permission to Write 

Editor/Producer: @officialdilemma

This week in publishing: 

The Book World Still Isn’t Diverse. Dhonielle Clayton Is Trying to Change That.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/books/dhonielle-clayton-diversity.html 

Best Nonfiction of 2023

https://electricliterature.com/electric-lits-best-nonfiction-of-2023/ 

Crown to relaunch Andy Cohen Books

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=4432 

Jezebel to be resurrected by Paste Magazine 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/business/media/jezebel-resurrected-paste-magazine.html

In this week’s episode, Ashley is chatting about the gamification of books and highlighting some of her fave reads from 2023. Not at all an exhaustive list, but some of the bright spots for sure! Take a listen. 

Powered by Permission to Write 

Producer/Editor: Dilemma 

This week in publishing: 

Nylon returns to print.

https://www.nylon.com/life/nylon-print-return-april-2024 

Paul Lynch wins the Booker Prize.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/93817-paul-lynch-wins-2023-booker-prize-for-prophet-song.html 

Is the campus novel dead? 

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a45894579/campus-novel-dead/?utm_campaign=socialflowTWESQ&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social-media&src=socialflowTW 

The Gamification of Books 

https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/books/a44567428/the-gamification-of-reading-is-changing-how-we-approach-books/

In this week’s episode, Ashley discusses memoirs. It’s been a huge season for the genre and she is sharing some of her favorites that include: 

• How We Fight For Our Lives, Saeed Jones 


• Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden 


• The Heartbreak Years, Minda Honey


• WILL, Will Smith 


• Becoming, Michelle Obama 

In addition, some forthcoming reads for the TBR pile.

• How to Say Babylon, Safiya St. Clair


• Nothing is Missing, Nicole Walters 

All titles can be purchased through our Bookshop storefront where we receive a small commission. http://ptwbooks.com. 

This week in publishing: 

National Book Awards 

https://lithub.com/zibby-owens-withdraws-sponsorship-for-the-national-book-awards-over-its-pro-palestinian-agenda/ 

Time shares must read books of 2023

https://time.com/collection/must-read-books-2023/

In this week’s episode, Ashley discusses the moment beyond 2020 for Black and POC writers. Will the moment last? And how will marginalized writers fare in a post BLM protest world?

Articles referenced: 

https://thewalrus.ca/black-books/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/11/opinion/culture/diversity-publishing-industry.html

"I don't know what I think, until I write about it." Joan Didion.

In this week's episode, Ashley discusses the current state of the world and the powerful role writing plays in understanding our own thoughts and complex issues.

In this week’s episode Ashley M. Coleman discusses who gets to tell stories in reference to the recent Reese Witherspoon pick, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. 

Join the discussion for the final Read Like a Writer summer series.

This week in publishing: 

Shane McCrae in The New York Review

https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/07/22/unheard-melodies-shane-mccrae/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2023-07-28_McCrae-BE-3 

The Gamification of Books - https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/books/a44567428/the-gamification-of-reading-is-changing-how-we-approach-books/ 

A.I.’s Inroads in Publishing - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/books/ais-inroads-in-publishing-touch-off-fear-and-creativity.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare 

In this week’s episode, we caught up with journalist and author Minda Honey to chat about her juicy memoir The Heartbreak Years. We discuss our favorite character from her dating life, trusting intuition, and letting go of the fairytale. 

Grab your copy of The Heartbreak Years, out October 1st.