A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

I discovered Jem Erith by accident. I was fed a collaborative post she published that included the doctors featured in this women’s health round table by The Diary of a CEO. I follow Dr. Stacy Sims because I am a fan of the work she is doing to help women like me maximize our workouts while understanding our hormonal fluctuations. I want to age with intention and learning how to work alongside my menstrual cycle has truly been life changing.

Jem is the Executive Producer of The Diary of a CEO where she shapes the rhythm, emotional architecture and intentionality behind the world’s most influential podcast. Her touch is subtle but unmistakable: if you’ve ever felt moved, softened or unexpectedly seen by an episode, Jem was part of the reason why.

As someone who spent 2025 devouring DOAC episodes (my YouTube Recap even crowned it my top channel), speaking with Jem felt surreal. It’s not every day I sit with the producer of a show that complements the independent study I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.

When you are done listening, head over to Jem’s Substack, Studio Thoughts, because she is more than just an executive producer of the largest podcast on the planet right now. She’s a human searching for meaning and balance in her own life and that is something every one of us can relate to.

In this chat, we dive into…

* her philosophy of producing

* the unseen labor of making conversations feel alive

* why discipline and balance matter

DOAC episodes mentioned while chatting with Jem

* Wim Hof WATCH

* Women’s health round table Part 1 WATCH

* Women’s health round table Part 2 WATCH

* Neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor WATCH

* Brené Brown WATCH

* The Glucose Goddess WATCH

* Jocko Willink, retired U.S. Navy SEAL WATCH

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Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House.

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

Originally published March 2018 via Minorities in Publishing | Original transcript

In 2018, I was working at Atria Books, an imprint at Simon & Schuster. That year, I joined Jennifer Baker, host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, for what became my very first public conversation about representation, marketing and the realities of navigating publishing. Alongside me was Jalissa Corrie, who at the time was working in marketing and publicity at Lee & Low Books.

Listening back now, I can hear so many things I didn’t yet have the words for: the excitement, the uncertainty and the deep desire to make a difference.

Today, Jennifer Baker is the Editorial Director of Storehouse Voices at Penguin Random House, where she leads an imprint focused on commercial fiction and nonfiction for adult readers. She’s also the author of Forgive Me Not and continues to champion marginalized voices through her editorial work, teaching and public speaking.

Jalissa Corrie is now the Senior Growth Marketing Manager at the Institute of Culinary Education and and a contributing writer to A Phoenix First Must Burn.

Revisiting this moment reminds me how every step, even the uncertain ones, prepares you for where you’re going. I was 29 when this episode aired. Today, at (almost) 37, I can see how that conversation planted the seeds for The Write Spxt, a space built to keep these kinds of dialogues alive.

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

Ameer Collier is a literary manager and the founder of Dirt Road Productions. But before that title, before the credits and the client roster, he was just a kid from Maryland who loved stories and wanted to help the people around him shine.

In this conversation, we talk about what it really means to build a creative career that lasts. He shares his journey from radio to production sets, from working at FX and Epic Records to finding his calling in management helping writers and directors develop work with endurance and patience.

He breaks down the realities of representation, the balance between art and commerce, and why some of the most meaningful work happens far away from the spotlight.

In this chat, we dive into…

* what it means to network across instead of networking up

* how to build momentum when the system isn’t built for you

* the difference between agents and managers (and why you might need both)

* why the real work of success starts long before anyone’s watching

It’s one of those conversations that reminds you there’s no straight line to creative success. There’s just the dirt road: uneven, unpredictable and deeply personal.

Media mentioned while chatting with Ameer:

* Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency by James Andrew Miller READ

* Really Love feature film WATCH

* The Honorable Shyne documentary WATCH

* Nina Lee Films WATCH

* Atlanta tv series WATCH

* Insecure tv series WATCH

* Gabby’s Dollhouse universe EXPLORE

* Bradford Young, first Black cinematographer to have Oscar nomination for Arrival

* They Cloned Tyrone WATCH

* Neima Patterson and The Black Creatives Revision Workshop EXPLORE

* Queen Mother by Dr. Ashley D. Farmer READ

* The Chit Show WATCH

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

Linda Korn is a Senior Executive Producer at Penguin Random House Audio. Her work has won Grammys and Audie Awards, shaping the sound of the modern audiobook. But over her 38-year career, she has been more than a producer. She has been a collaborator, a coach, a creative partner, a musician. . . someone who sees the voice not just as a tool, but as an instrument of healing and connection.

In our conversation, Linda takes us from reel-to-reel tapes stacked in hallways to today’s booming audiobook industry, reminding us that behind every story is not just a narrator, but a team committed to honoring the author’s voice. She speaks about the healing frequencies of sound, the delicate act of coaching authors through difficult material, and why learning to fall in love with your own voice might be one of the most powerful creative tools we have.

In this chat, we dive into…

* the early days of audiobooks and how the industry grew into what it is today

* the healing power of the human voice and how sound affects our bodies

* what it means to collaborate with authors, narrators, and stories in the studio

* how to listen to yourself, love your voice, and discover its superpowers

Media mentioned while chatting with Linda:

* Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones EXPLORE

* America (The Book) by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show EXPLORE

* Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens EXPLORE

* Soundtrack by Jason Reynolds EXPLORE

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

You can find me here, too:

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

Today, Amanda Armstrong-Frank serves as the Senior Director of Workplace Culture & Diversity Initiatives at Simon & Schuster. But over the course of her 30-year career in book publishing, she has filled many roles, transforming many lives.

More than ten years ago, I found Amanda on LinkedIn. I was living in South Florida, trying to figure out how to work with books. My approach back then was simple: find familiar faces in publishing and ask if they’d be open to me asking them a few questions.

It didn’t work. No one knew who I was and time is precious.

So, I packed my bags and moved to the publishing capital of the world: New York. I told my husband, “I need to put a face to my name!” A year of hustling later, when I finally walked through the doors of a Big Five publisher, it was Amanda’s office I went looking for.

In this conversation, Amanda speaks the kind of truth that changes lives, including my own. It’s the work done behind the scenes: patiently and intentionally.

In this chat, we dive into…

* what real DEI work looks like behind the scenes

* how to build a purpose-driven career that lasts

* why staying can be as powerful as speaking up

Media mentioned while chatting with Amanda

* “Worse than Slavery” by David M. Oshinsky READ

* The Coldest Winter by Sister Souljah READ

* 50 Cent Publisher Page BROWSE

* Spike Lee Publisher Page BROWSE

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

You can find me here, too:

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

I met Libby Tanner while managing my booth at the Summer 2025 Oxford Exchange Book Fair in Tampa. She approached with a bright smile, curious about why I was giving books away for free (I wanted to spark conversations about The Write Spxt). When she learned that I worked in book publishing and was passionate about creating resources and learning opportunities for other creatives, she immediately said she’d love to be involved—especially as she was preparing to release her debut novel, Better than Gelato.

In this chat, we dive into…

* what it’s like to pursue a creative dream while raising four kids

* how taking yourself seriously invites others to do the same

* ways to fuel your creative spirit—no matter the season you’re in

Media mentioned while chatting with Libby

* Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Phd READ

* Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert READ

* Save the Cat! Write the Novel by Jessica Brody READ

* On Writing by Stephen King READ

* Libby Tanner’s Newsletter SUBSCRIBE

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

You can find me here, too:

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

What a joy it was to sit down with Ebony LaDelle on The Write Spxt to talk about book marketing, transitioning into an author and finding moments of pause through it all. Ebony and I met 10 years ago, when I was a wide-eyed assistant at Simon & Schuster. Since then, we’ve never lost touch nor have we stopped rooting for each other.

Today, she is the author of 3 books, linked below, and has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

* why word of mouth is the best thing for your book

* how to feel the fear and do it anyway

* trusting your intuition is your greatest ally

Books by Ebony

* Love Radio READ

* This Could Be Forever READ

* You’ve Got a Place Here, Too READ

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

You can find me here, too:

Instagram | Facebook

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

In this episode, journalist, poet, and multimedia storyteller Wilkine Brutus shares how Haitian heritage, global travel, and his guiding “Four P’s”—purpose, planning, persistence, and patience—have shaped his creative path.

We revisit his years living in South Korea, including one unforgettable moment when a crowd of locals, fascinated by his locks, reached out to touch his hair. Rather than taking offense, Wilkine turned it into a joyful, cross-cultural exchange and a teaching moment for everyone.

From building a career that spans YouTube and NPR to navigating identity across cultures, Wilkine offers lessons on staying grounded, resisting burnout, and turning alignment into action.

You’ll learn how to…

* approach storytelling with curiosity

* design a creative life that can evolve with you

* find the courage to start even when you don’t have all the answers

Books Mentioned while Talking with Wilkine

* Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler READ

* Dawn by Octavia Butler READ

* Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson READ

* The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates READ

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Ways You Can Support My Work

* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.

* Subscribe to my newsletter.

* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.

* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.

You can find me here, too:

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The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

This week on The Write Spxt, I sat down with Daria Gocal, the founder of Sznurki Studio and third-place winner of the Stan Store Challenge.

Daria’s story is one of trust and tenacity: she left home alone at 19 to build a new life in Barcelona and turned crochet into a thriving business. So much so that the support her studio receives from the community landed her as top 3 in the Stan Store Challenge, beating 16K others from around the globe - including me.

Utilizing a creative obsession that started when she was in primary school, she created a space where young women in Barcelona can find connection and belonging. Her path is a reminder that there’s no single way to build a creative life. And, sometimes, the launch of an adventure may start by being out on your own. I am inspired by what she has been able to solidify for herself at just 22-years-old and I believe you will be, too.

Listen in for lessons on courage, building community, and why the “traditional” route isn’t the only path.

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Books for crochet beginners

* A Stitch Dictionary with Step-by-Step Illustrations and 10 Easy Projects by Arica Presinal READ

* Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns by Sarah Zimmerman READ

* Bookies: Bookmarks to Crochet by Jonas Matthies READ

Platform Clarity Workbook

To support you in your creative rituals, I just released a new free resource through my Stan Store. A Platform Clarity Workbook for anyone who is in the process of creating their own social channel. Figure out what you’re building—and why.

Do you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt?

Send an email to [email protected]

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.

I first met Anabel Jimenez back when we were both navigating the early waves of our bookish careers at Simon & Schuster. Watching her evolution online has been nothing short of inspiring. From her cozy, joy-filled posts on @anabelscorner to her incredible work behind the scenes as the Social Media Manager for Random House, Anabel has always had a gift for connecting people through stories. Her presence is gentle, genuine, and grounded—and I hope, as you listen, you feel as if you’re sitting in the room with friends you’ve known for years. Because that’s exactly what this conversation was. I can’t wait for you to hear it.

To support you in your creative rituals, I just released a new free resource through my Stan Store. A Platform Clarity Workbook for anyone who is in the process of creating their own social channel. Figure out what you’re building—and why.

Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Are you open to being featured on The Write Spxt?

Send an email to [email protected]!

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