Have you ever wondered what a book editor does? How they make the decisions about whether or not to buy and publish the books they do? What they actually think of your book proposal? Why — especially if you're a writer — the publishing industry seems so inherently f*cked?

My guest this week is the powerhouse editor Kate Napolitano. Kate is the editorial director of nonfiction books at Atria Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) where she's edited nearly a dozen New York Times bestsellers. She also happens to be the best editor I've ever worked with, a person who is not only amazing at her job, but also smart and insightful about the business at large. We're talking the business of publishing, diversity in books, rookie mistakes in book proposals, how we can help save an industry in trouble and a whole lot more.

Kate's book recs:

• No Sense In Wishing: Essays — Lawrence Burney
• Finding My Way: A Memoir — Malala Yousafzai
• Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980) — Eleanor Johnson
• The People's Project: Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward
• The Dream Songs
• The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop

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The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.

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This week I'm talking to Karen Walrond. Karen is an award-winning author, a leadership and activism coach, a speaker a former high-level lawyer and all around brilliant/wise/inspiring/cool person to know. Her latest book, which comes out this week, IN DEFENSE OF DABBLING and is all about "intentional amateurism" and discovering a sense of devotion, purpose and even joy through what interests you outside of making money, including everyday hobbies.

To support the production of the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.

The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week is Amanda Litman. Amanda is the co-founder and president of Run for Something, an organization which recruits and supports young, diverse progressive leaders running for down-ballot office. Since launching in 2017, Run for Something has elected more than 1500 leaders across nearly all 50 states, mostly women and people of color. Amanda is also a writer who runs a popular Substack and whose most recent book When We’re In Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership came out earlier this year.

To support the production of the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.

The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.