#121 A Deep Dive into Hachette’s Legacy Lit Imprint with Publisher, Krishan Trotman

Krishan Trotman is the co-author of the Queens of the Resistance series and Vice President, Publisher of Legacy Lit, an imprint at Hachette Book Group in New York. She was recently profiled in the New York Times and Essence magazine as one of the few African American publishing executives. She has committed over fifteen years to publishing books by and about multicultural voices and social justice. Throughout her career, she has proudly worked with leaders and trailblazers on this frontier such as John Lewis, Stephanie Land, Malcolm Nance, Zerlina Maxwell, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Al Roker, Ed Gordon, Lindy West, and other dynamic celebrity and bestselling authors. She is the self-described Beyoncé of Books, and mom to her son Bleu.   In this episode: The importance of partnership in publishing and how to make it work [2:41] How to navigate your book’s cover design conundrums [3:50] The benefits of acting proactively [9:45] Legacy Lit's mission and the true meaning of diversity in publishing [13:22] How Krishan sources writers for Legacy Lit and what to do to get on her radar [15:55] How publishers support their authors and uplift voices that might not be heard [16:01] How Krishan uses her spidey sense to make deals [17:58] An big announcement about Legacy Lit the types of books they are acquiring [19:53] How Audiobooks can make a difference [26:30] What will make you a writer that will get a publishing contract? [35:08]    Connect with Krishan and Legacy Lit   Website https://www.krishantrotman.com/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KrishanTrotmanInks   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/krishantrotman   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishan-trotman-14936934/   Threads https://www.threads.net/@krishantrotman   Legacy Lit   Website https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/landing-page/about-legacy-lit/   Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/legacylitbooks/?hl=en   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/legacylithbg/   Twitter https://x.com/legacylitbooks/status/1794073420914913357 Connect with Estelle Erasmus   Estelle’s episode #119 analyzing the publishing landscape  Estelle’s Edge on Steering Through the Publishing Gauntlet https://estelleserasmus.com/119-solo-episode-estelles-edge-on-steering-through-the-publishing-gauntlet/   Estelle’s substack post on getting her audio book dea If You Are Thinking About Doing an Audiobook: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-thinking-of-doing-an-audiobook   Apply to be on Freelance Writing Direct in a coaching episode: email freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com and state three of the issues you are dealing with that you would like Estelle’s help with.   ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at  https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter.   Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest  https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals   Sign up for Estelle’s NYU Classes https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/e/1068-estelle-erasmus.html   Get Her Book  Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0   Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P   Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests   Follow Estelle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSerasmus BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/estelleserasmus.bsky.social