Minorities in Publishing

[This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] "Your sentences are your vehicle." --Denne Michele Norris Denne Michele Norris (When the Harvest Comes and Both/And) returns to the MiP podcast to discuss everything leading up to her debut novel, including breaking from a "quitting" mentality to one where she invested herself fully into the writing process. A process that has lead her to an amazing career as Editor-in-Chief of Electric Literature and editor of the upcoming anthology Both/And. Denne shares her fears of not reaching her dream up until the day she received an offer and how the pursuit of what you desire most can strengthen your focus.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here. A transcript of this episode is available.]  

The Power of Storytelling is a special collaboration episode between Minorities in Publishing and the Restorative Works! Podcast. Through the power of storytelling, we aim to engage powerful leaders and activists in conversations around keeping hope in dire times; giving back power to communities; radical empathy; arts as means to tell real life stories, and the effects of genuine engagement in community resilience. Listen to critical storytellers and educators including Jennifer Coreas, Reginald Dwayne Betts, and Tiffany Yu, who have been foundational in bringing awareness to societal issues and community movements through storytelling and literacy. Tune in to hear these influential voices speak on the power of transforming stories into actionable change in the worlds of criminal justice, disability awareness, and publishing.  Participant Bios Jennifer Baker is an author, editor, writing instructor, and creator of the Minorities in Publishing podcast. She's been a recipient of NYSCA/NYFA and Queens Council on the Arts grants, a 2024 Axinn Writing Award, and was named the Publishers Weekly Star Watch SuperStar in 2019. She edited the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (2018) and is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023) a 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA.  Claire de Mézerville López is a licensed psychologist from UCR (Universidad de Costa Rica). She holds a Master in Education with an emphasis on cognitive development from ITESM (Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, México). She also has a Master of Science in Restorative Practices from the IIRP Graduate School. She is also an associate professor at Universidad de Costa Rica, and has experience as a therapist, researcher, and consultant. Claire has published papers on adolescence, restorative practices, resilience and educational psychology. Claire has worked with the IIRP since 2011. Currently, among other duties, serves as a liaison to Spanish-speaking communities and organizations in Latin America and elsewhere Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet and lawyer. A 2021 MacArthur Fellow, he is the Executive Director of Freedom Reads, a not-for-profit organization that is radically transforming the access to literature in prisons through the installation of Freedom Libraries in prisons across this country. Betts has authored several books including the poetry collections Bastards of the Reagan Era and Felon. Jennifer Coreas is the coordinator and cofounder of the program Literacy for Reconciliation for ConTextos in El Salvador and Chicago. Her work extends from curriculum development and teaching to advocacy, training, and facilitation of dialogue. She has led the work and the vision for ConTextos's work in prisons and communities, accompanied authors in their journeys of self-discovery, and brought their stories to hundreds of teachers, psychologists, and social workers in professional development spaces. She has been recognized with numerous fellowships and scholarships including the Rocky Gooch Memorial Scholarship and the Esperanza Fellowship. She holds degrees from El Salvador in English as a second language and applied linguistics, and she received a master's degree in English from Middlebury College in 2018. Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride, the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. Her TED Talk, How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive, has over one million views.  She serves on the NIH National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research and was a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.

[This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] "Writing has extracted from me this idea of exorcising demons, but also exercising a self that felt so erased." -Cherry Lou Sy In the first MiP episode of 2025, Jenn speaks with debut author Cherry Lou Sy (Love Can't Feed You) about adjusting to prose writing as a playwright, the line between fiction and autofiction, and how the stories we need to create most come from a necessity to be seen.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here. A transcript of this episode is available.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] Jenn spoke with the most avid of readers and the most bountiful of hosts, Traci Thomas (The Stacks podcast), about The Stacks origins and Traci's deep love of books in her approach to interviews, plus we go in-depth about the reader experience! Discussing book events and the possibilities, Traci suggests The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker to discuss overall energy and setup as well as the range of how the tour experience can go. Good stuff!  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

This is a live recording of the Minorities in Publishing podcast hosted at The Westport Library on September 21st as part of the 2024 StoryFest line up. Audio was provided by Travis Bell (The Westport Library).  StoryFest 2024 welcomed Jenn and fellow 2023 debut authors Don P. Hooper (True True) and Shannon C.F. Rogers (I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom and Eighteen Roses) about their respective year as debut authors in the young adult space. The group discusses expectations, surprises, and the ways they found community to help one another through a somewhat emotional, uplifting, and unpredictable time in their creative and professional lives.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here.] This month's ewsletter was sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination.

  [This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] Newly anointed MacArthur Fellow and best-selling, award-winning author Jason Reynolds returns to the MiP podcast for the 10th anniversary year! His new book, Twenty-Four Seconds From Now, joins the compendium of many of Jason's love stories for and featuring young people. Jason speaks to the transparency of larger conversations around intimacy--what it means, feels like, and actually looks like outside of "mainstream" representation--the multidudes of love in relationships and storytelling, as well as a very necessary need for more discourse around the emotions that come with Black male's sexual experiences. Particularly the need for more tenderness. [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] Continuing the podcast's 10th anniversary year, Jenn speaks with book influencer--bookstagrammer and booktoker elite--Lupita Aquino! Lupita keeps it real about the influencer life, setting boundaries, reading for the joy of it, and the ways the book influencer space has changed over the years. In this very illuminating and fun convo, Lupita also gets honest about the juggle of advocating for books while also holding down other responsibilities and interests.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, transcripts, and new eps on the MiP website here.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[This interview was conducted online and there may be some audio variation.] As the 10th-anniversary year continues, Jenn welcomes debut author Danica Nava (The Truth According to Ember) for some laughs around romance shenanigans! Danica breaks down what often makes a rom-com while increasing the stakes for characters, she discusses the necessity of representing the reality of Indigenous characters within all genres through hardships and highlights, and what it's like being one of the first Indigenous writers of a romantic comedy to be traditionally published.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation.] For the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn welcomes Nick Medina to the podcast! Nick Medina is the author of the novels Indian Burial Ground and Sisters of the Lost Nation. In this episode, Nick discusses the many drafts that lead to his first book deal, how horror can represent some of the truest and most potent emotions as a genre, and how he wove cultural and fantastical elements into his latest novel.  [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat] Continuing the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn welcomes another Newbery honoree in Veera Hiranandani! Veera her new middle-grade novel, a follow-up to the award-winning The Night Diary, Amil and the After. Veera also discusses how writing a book about a massive historical event like The Partition of India reflects the ongoing effects/repercussions for the communities (and world) involved, the ways in which we can parse out our own questions through fiction, and how healing can happen through writing and for the characters depicted. [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here. Transcript of this episode is TK.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination.

[This interview was conducted online so there may be some audio variation. Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat] (Content Warning: At around the 20-minute mark there is mention of the video of Ahmaud Arbery's death and the last words of Elijah McClain when Alicia mentions participating in NaNoWriMo. If this may be triggering, please skip forward by 2 minutes and 30 seconds.) Continuing the 10th anniversary year of Minorities in Pub, Jenn welcomes Newbery honoree and Coretta Scott King awardee Alicia D. Williams! Alicia discusses her new middle-grade novel in verse MID-AIR and how the narrative form scared but called to her, the connections her books exploring the multifaceted nature of grief, the paralysis of writing this second novel after your first receives so much acclaim, the need for more representation of soft-hearted Black boys in books, and the beauty of fully being able to express yourself when you find the story that moves you. [You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here. Transcript of this episode is TK.] This month's episode & newsletter were sponsored by Writeability, a nonprofit writers guild, in defense of the imagination.

[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 from creating greeting cards, how the Mexikid online comic expanded even more with his award-winning book, learning lots about publishing his debut and how to consider young readers in storytelling, aplus how he approaches humor in his illustrations, especially when touching on aspects of his childhood/family.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 books publishing)! We discussed Renée origins in storytelling as a poet and playwright when she started a performing arts company in high school, her new book of poetry BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS (illustrated by Ekua Holmes), the benefits & necessity of poetry--and poetry for young people--in her work as a teaching-artist, and how early rejections can lead to big successes.   [Transcript of this episode can be found on Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.] Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[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 Missing Everything. Jenn and Matt discuss the unrealistic expectations of knowing your path at a young age, male representation for young readers, and parental influence on young people not only in life but in writing for younger readers.  [Transcript of episodes can be found on Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.] Intro/Outro music is by Moutaineer and licensed through Premuim Beat.

[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 progress is still progress in all aspects of our work, and the inherent struggles creators of color face when the expectations are not balanced (or unbiased).  [Transcript of this episode can be found on Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 middle grade It Comes From Trees pubs in 2024). They discuss working outside of NYC in the publishing industry and the reality of what hybrid work has looked like for their positions, what drew them to the industry and keeps them in publishing, in addition to the added emotional labor BIPOC take on in speaking up about issues in the workplace.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 Big 5 publisher, the "classic" question of marketability versus craft that BIPOC writers especially face when publishing their work, and one's intentionality in not only their writing but what their expectations are when it comes to publication.   (We also mention Book Coaching and the Unicorn Authors Club that you can learn more about at their website.) [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 this novel came to fruition, how juggling several career paths helped her stay on the path to writing, and how this novel's themes apply to what she's seen and observed about New York City (and people) at large.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 made to HarperCollins, how to support those on strike, on why they believe in the work they do as both publishing professionals and in being vocal on pushing for a contract renewal, as well as what it's been like on (and off) the picket line. As of this episode posting, the strike is now on Day 26 with no response from HarperCollins management. Listeners can follow the HCP Union on Instagram and Twitter as well as go to their LinkTree for assets, to sign their solidarity letter, for information on how to donate and about their 12/16 Rally in the Financial District.   [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 space, and why the production department spoke to her love of books.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 in the publishing landscape, and how some may look into freelancing by using social media to connect with other production editors in the industry.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 imitated art--and was fictionalized--for her latest book, the experiences that led her to leave the industry and pursue life as an artist, inequality in the workplace economically and the importance of AAPI representation in her book to reflect an honest experience of entry-level workers in publishing. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 role of social media depts at book publishers, her recent departure, and the importance of salary transparency in the workplace for establishing equity.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 panels, how her past experience dictates her approach to writing, and how much she loves engaging with young readers for pertinent discussions as they inherit the world we live in.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 the business part of publishing makes her happy, productivity, and uplifting the writing community as a core tenet of an author's role. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 in which stories develop for her in terms of knowing characters & audiences.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 "unconventional" narratives in her novel.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

[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 of inclusion & equity, how lack of efforts leads to a sustainment of continually problematic & harmful systems, and we also delve into their respective current + past roles in the industry. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 happened around BIPOC rep on covers. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

(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 his dedication to education and empathy in recognizing Indigenous history and society. The importance of understanding perspectives remains at the forefront of the work Prof. Treuer does. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. You can sign up for the MiP monthly newsletter with job listings, guest news, and new eps here.]

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 build their platform by building community in a genuine way. [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 socioeconomic status comes into play in publishing, and the importance of indie presses.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 in telling this story, and her path to publication after writing this book for 10 years.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 word out about their books!  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 she's worked with, and the ways she's seen the industry grow and evolve.   [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 upcoming story collection I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat publishing later this year.  [Transcript of this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 will be available on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr.]

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 Alaina 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 she'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. 

[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 the hardships of crowdfunding, the importance of a bookstore honoring BIPOC artists, and the importance of bookselling in the publishing industry. Transcription for this episode can be found on the Episodes page of the podcast Tumblr. 

[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 perils of privilege for the protagonist in their adult debut, and the ways in which they pursue storytelling and outcomes for different readerships from their education to decolonizing their reading.  Transcription for this interview will be available on the Episodes tab on the podcast Tumblr. 

[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 stories featuring People of Color, and her upcoming middle grade fantasy that takes place in Chicago's Southside.  Transcript for this episode will be available on the Episodes tab of the podcast Tumblr. 

[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 indie publisher, and the overall goals and support needed when making such a venture for young readers.  Transcription of this episode will be available on the Episodes page of the MiP podcast's Tumblr.