In this episode, filmmaker, author, and brand builder Cebo Campbell takes us behind the scenes of how stories move from the page to the screen. He shares how he used his background in hospitality and brand development to build his identity as an author and creative entrepreneur — leading to powerful partnerships, including a book-to-film deal with Laurence Fishburne.

Listeners will gain insight into the creative and business sides of film adaptation — and what it really takes to position your story, your brand, and yourself for the big screen.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Cebo leveraged his experience as a hotel brand builder to shape his personal brand as an author and filmmaker.
• What it’s like to secure and package a book-to-film deal, including his collaboration with Laurence Fishburne.
• The key differences between the film business and the book industry — and how to navigate both.
• Why immersion and vision are critical for writers looking to adapt their work for screen.
• The story behind UnOthr , Cebo’s new brand and creative venture.
• His perspective on independent publishing

Everyone in publishing talks about bestsellers—but few people actually know how those lists are made.

In this episode, I’m joined by Troy Johnson, Founder of the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), and Linda Duggins, longtime publishing executive, to unpack what really goes into making a book a “bestseller.”

Together, they created The BLK Bestsellers List—a list spotlighting the top-selling Black authors across all genres. We talk about why it matters, how it challenges traditional systems, and what it reveals about the power of the Black book community.

🔗 Explore the BLK Bestsellers List: aalbc.com/blackbestsellers

I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Brandes, Founder & CEO of Jacaranda Books, a Black-owned independent publishing company based in London.

In our conversation, Valerie shares her journey of starting and growing her press, how she’s overcome challenges like distribution, publishing 20 books during a pandemic, and the ways indie publishers can connect with their audiences to grow sales.

✨ Check out Jacaranda’s incredible, award-winning books here: https://jacarandabooksartmusic.com/