I’m excited to share this very first episode of my new limited series “Behind the Author Brand,” where I’ll be sharing candid, insightful conversations with authors who are making their mark. Many of whom I’ve worked closely with as clients.
My first guest is Naseem Jamnia (they/them) whom I first met years ago through The Binders Facebook group, and have worked with (and adored) over the years.
Naseeem is a Markowitz Award–winning author who writes speculative fiction for adults, teens, and kids. Their adult work has been nominated for the Crawford, Locus, Astounding, and World Fantasy awards. The Glade is their middle-grade horror debut. An Iranian Chicagoan, inclusive writing educator, and pro-library activist, Naseem lives outside Reno, Nevada.
I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation (and not notice too many of my newbie mistakes). Haha.
~Andrea
Also, quick note: Substack’s transcript generator isn’t the greatest and wouldn’t allow me to upload the polished transcript I had…so ya know, doing our best & learning here.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Tuesday Telegrams newsletter
Bookseller Guide for The Glade (Simon & Schuster)
Naseem’s Linktree (including links to their classes and social media profiles)
Learn more about on author branding and marketing at: AuthorBrandStrength.com
Chapters & Key Takeaways:
00:00 Meet author Naseem Jamnia
02:32 Transitioning from Adult to Middle Grade Fiction
04:28 The Importance of Representation in Literature
06:56 Navigating Identity and Social Issues in Writing
07:19 The Challenges of Writing Marginalized Characters
14:45 The Impact of Book Bans on Authors
18:44 Self-Care for Writers in Challenging Times
22:45 Balancing Self-Care and Productivity
26:50 The Impact of Capitalism on Creativity 3
0:17 The Importance of Reading in a Digital Age
33:35 Connecting with Young Readers
39:35 The Role of Community in an Author's Journey
44:20 Embracing Multidimensionality in Author Branding
48:24 Embracing Identity in Writing
51:24 Navigating Market Trends and Personal Authenticity
53:11 Flexibility in Author Identity
55:09 The Importance of Early Author Brand Preparation
57:21 The Journey of a Writer: Struggles and Growth
01:00:51 Naseem’s Advice for Marginalized Writers and Creators
01:04:06 The Power of Representation and Community
A Few Key Takeaways
Naseem Jamnia transitioned from adult to middle grade fiction
The importance of literacy and representation in literature for children.
Representation in literature is crucial for children to see themselves and their experiences reflected.
While authors must navigate the complexities of storytelling without being overly didactic about representation, marginalized authors often excel at integrating this well through insights from lived experience.
The current political climate (see book bans, etc.) poses significant challenges for marginalized authors.
Self-care is essential for writers, especially marginalized ones.
Building a supportive community is vital for authors to thrive personally and professionally.
Author branding should reflect the multifaceted nature of a writer's identity and work, not just a singular book.
The importance of BIPOC and marginalized writers and their stories in representation and in contributing to cultural change.
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