Amy DuBois Barnett on Her Debut Novel If I Ruled the World and the Hulu TV Adaptation

Amy DuBois Barnett joins Prepare For Takeoff for an inspiring conversation about vision, reinvention and building a career at the highest levels of media and storytelling. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Barnett earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her master’s degree in creative writing from Columbia University. She made history as the first Black woman to lead a major mainstream consumer magazine in the United States as editor-in-chief of Teen People. She also served as editor-in-chief of Honey and Ebony, deputy editor at Harper’s Bazaar and later held senior leadership roles at TheGrio and BET Digital. Amy reflects on her journey from Chicago to the upper ranks of the media industry, navigating the pressure of representation, adapting to the shift from print to digital and the discipline required to sustain long term success. She also discusses the power of relationships, intentional energy and staying focused on purpose. Amy shares the story behind her debut novel If I Ruled the World and how it led to a television adaptation deal with Hulu, where she is developing the project alongside Oscar nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels. This conversation is filled with insight on creativity, leadership, reinvention and pursuing your vision with clarity and confidence as you Prepare For Takeoff.Chapters00:00 - The Journey Begins: Amy's Early Life and Education04:09 - Breaking into Media: Amy's Career Path07:27 - The Pressure of Representation: Navigating the Magazine Industry10:06 - Transitioning to Digital: Adapting to Industry Changes12:22 - The Reality of Success: Hard Work and Intentionality16:20 - The Importance of Relationships: Networking and Building Connections19:57 - The Birth of a Novel: Amy's Writing Journey22:28 - Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations22:31 - The Journey to Authorship27:38 - From Page to Screen: The TV Deal31:56 - The Art of Pitching: Challenges and Strategies34:37 - Naming the Novel: A Creative Process39:48 - Preparing for Takeoff: Key Insights for Success46:39 - Prepare For Takeoff ClosingThe future of business is yours to shape. Sign up for a free Shopify trial by clicking our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shopify.pxf.io/55LGnj⁠⁠.Start recording like a pro with Riverside, click our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://riverside.sjv.io/jeVZYP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started.