Women of Letters

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“I became a person who took those kind of risks”: Alia Hanna Habib on her career as a literary agent and an author
In this podcast interview, Alia discusses how she reads as a literary agent, what she learned from booking a one-way ticket to live in Italy, why she…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Alia Hanna Habib
“I was going to do whatever I wanted”: Stephanie Wambugu on her career as a writer & editor
In this interview, Stephanie discusses her celebrated debut novel, becoming a writer in New York, the importance of having a routine, and what she’s…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Stephanie Njeri Wambugu
1:08:04
“I went back to what I’d always been passionate about”: Petya K. Grady on her career as a writer, featured Substacker, and UX strategist
In this podcast interview, Petya discusses reading as an antidote to scrolling, her childhood in Bulgaria, launching her Substack, & how she’s…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Petya K. Grady
1:56
“I realized that maybe I could be the one”: Anna Malaika Tubbs on her career as a writer and TED speaker
In this interview, Anna Malaika discusses her latest NYT-bestselling book, preparing for her viral TED Talk, her relationship to social media, & what…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Anna Malaika Tubbs
2:15
“I essentially rearranged my life”: Emily J. Smith on her career as a writer and novelist
In this interview, Emily discusses her debut novel, her background in tech, how she navigated the transition to writing full-time, & what she’s working…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Emily J. Smith
In-depth conversations on work, writing, & professional success with the women shaping our cultural landscape. A longform interview series now in its 3rd season.
Top posts
“I didn’t seem to be good at anything else”: Ayşegül Savaş on her career as a writer
 • Jana M. Perkins
“I went back to what I’d always been passionate about”: Petya K. Grady on her career as a writer, featured Substacker, and UX strategist
 • Jana M. Perkins and Petya K. Grady
“I became a person who took those kind of risks”: Alia Hanna Habib on her career as a literary agent and an author
 • Jana M. Perkins and Alia Hanna Habib
“I didn’t know you could be a writer”: Iris Jamahl Dunkle on her career as a biographer and poet
 • Jana M. Perkins and Iris Jamahl Dunkle
“I wanted something different”: Mary Jo Bang on her career as a poet and Guggenheim Fellow
 • Jana M. Perkins and Mary Jo Bang
Women of Letters
Women of Letters
In-depth conversations about work, writing, & professional success with the women shaping our cultural landscape. A longform interview series now in its 3rd season.
“I’m a multitasker”: Jennifer Baker on her career as an author, editor, and podcaster
In this interview, Jennifer discusses the mentors who supported her work, how to establish boundaries, & the importance of reframing the definition of…
 • Jana M. Perkins
2:16
“I moved cities, I moved jobs”: Marianne Brooker on her career as a writer and memoirist
In this podcast interview, Marianne discusses her acclaimed debut memoir, the early influences that shaped her thinking, & winning the Fitzcarraldo…
 • Jana M. Perkins
29:19
“I wanted something different”: Mary Jo Bang on her career as a poet and Guggenheim Fellow
In this interview, Mary Jo discusses the books that shaped her thinking, studying at Columbia University with Lucie Brock-Broido, & her latest writing…
 • Jana M. Perkins and Mary Jo Bang
2:15
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