Community-building, Representation, and Storytelling with Naseem Jamnia

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:

• Naseem Jamnia’s website

• 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.