Everyone is a mentor: In conversation with Jennifer Baker

I first discovered Jennifer through her Minorities in Publishing podcast, which shines a light on underrepresented professionals in the book publishing world. Its episodes generously offer everything from real-world context on issues like representation to a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry to a deep dive into the personal histories of guests.

The podcast recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and is already charging ahead through its 11th year — a feat of longevity that, under her leadership, simultaneously comes as no surprise to long-time listeners and marks a significant accomplishment in today’s increasingly ephemeral media landscape. I’ll continue to be among the many who are celebrating this major milestone as we eagerly look ahead to its future from here.

—

Read the full interview at womenofletters.substack.com/p/jennifer-baker.

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 is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023), a 2023 Los Angeles TimesBook Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA, and the editor of Everyday People: The Color of Life — A Short Story Anthology(2018). Her website is JenniferNBaker.com.

— —

Song: “Walk Through the Park,” by TrackTribe