Zibby Owens Shares Her Inspiring Journey Through Books and Publishing

PHOTO: Zibby Owens, a passionate author and advocate for the literary community, at her bookshop in Santa Monica, CA.

Celebrating A Trailblazer In Literature And Community Engagement

Zibby Owens discusses her podcast’s evolution, her memoir, and her passion for supporting fellow authors, highlighting the joy of storytelling.

Zibby Owens, a name that resonates deeply within the literary community, has carved a niche for herself as a multifaceted author and a pioneering figure in the world of publishing. As the driving force behind the USA Today bestselling anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, along with five other remarkable titles, Zibby’s contributions to literature are both profound and inspiring. Her work reflects not only her passion for storytelling but also her commitment to fostering connections within the literary world.

As the founder and CEO of Zibby Media, Zibby’s influence extends beyond the written word. She captivates listeners with her award-winning podcast, Totally Booked with Zibby, where she engages with over two thousand authors, bringing their stories and insights to a broader audience. In her vibrant bookshop located in Santa Monica, CA, and through her publishing house, Zibby Publishing, she continues to champion emerging voices and celebrate established writers alike.

In this interview, Zibby shares her journey from aspiring author to a prominent podcaster and publisher, offering invaluable insights into her creative process, the evolving landscape of publishing, and her deep-seated desire to connect readers with the stories that matter. Her memoir, Bookends, serves as a testament to her resilience and dedication, illustrating how literature can serve as a beacon of hope during life’s challenges.

Join us as we delve into the world of Zibby Owens, a true literary champion whose enthusiasm for books and authors illuminates the path for many in the publishing industry. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and the profound impact that literature can have on our lives.

Zibby Owens is an extraordinary force in literature, empowering authors and readers while inspiring countless individuals through her dynamic contributions to the literary

What inspired you to start the “Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books” podcast, and how has it evolved over time? (NOTE: the new name is Totally Booked with Zibby.)

I was trying to sell a collection of essays called Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books but I was told by agents that I didn’t “have a platform” so wouldn’t be able to sell it. I wasn’t even on social media after staying home with my kids for 11 years during which time I’d only been freelancing. I guess that didn’t count! An author friend suggested I start a podcast. I’d never listened to a podcast before, but I was a lifelong book lover. I figured I’d try to interview authors and try out hosting a podcast. Why not? Once I did my first few interviews — including with Andre Agassi — I was hooked. Over the past 8 years, it has turned into a daily podcast. I’ve interviewed more than 2,000 authors and all of that knowledge led me to start my own publishing house and bookstore, plus I’ve had six of my own books published!! 

Every day is different — and I love that.” – Zibby Owens

Can you share your process for selecting authors and books to feature on your platform?

Publicists pitch me books via email constantly. A few times a year, I go through all the pitches plus all the book listings on Edelweiss. I make a “Most Anticipated” list which I publicize and which authors are invited to parties to celebrate. From those lists, I invite select authors onto my podcast. I used to just respond to pitches without a broader lens but now I do try to balance it out in terms of authors, publication months, genres, and more. Mostly? It has to be a book I’m excited to read myself!! 

How do you balance your roles as an author, publisher, podcaster, and mother of four?

Every day is different — and I love that. I rely heavily on my schedule to plan my time in advance. I obsessively manage my email inboxes (and I have 6 different ones) with email filing and more. My author-related projects? Marketing and publicity are “easy” in that I can plan them out. But writing fiction? I try to be inspired but my publisher, Little A, gives me deadlines, so I often block out 3-5 days to only write. I write a lot on airplanes. For my work, I stop daily at 2:30 pm to go to school pick-up and don’t schedule meetings after that except for book clubs or appearances in the evening on Zoom and, if I’m on book tour, in the evening. Anne Messitte and Kathleen Harris run the publishing house so that I can pop in and out for meetings but make all final acquisition decisions. I podcast in batches, 3-5 at a time! 

What was the most memorable or impactful interview you’ve conducted with an author, and why?

They’re all really impactful because I learn every single time. Recently my most memorable was with Tamron Hall who I love. She’s been on my show several times and I’ve been on her TV talk show. She just wrote a children’s book called Harlem Honey. While we were talking, she broke the news to me that she’s now writing what she calls “a mini memoir.” I can’t wait for it to come out.

How has your experience as an author influenced your approach to publishing and supporting other writers?

It informs everything I do. I want our Zibby Publishing authors to be treated the way I’d want to be treated! Even people who submit manuscripts to us. I know the pain of waiting all too well so we do our best to get back to people promptly. I love supporting other authors and connecting them to each other. That’s why I have frequent events where I bring groups of authors together, sometimes with readers, too. 

What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to break into the publishing world?

I’d say make sure you know what you’re writing about and why it deserves to be published. How does it fit into the landscape at large? Know your comps. Know the market. Add something to it. Figure out your messaging around the book. Make sure you’re excited to be the main spokesperson. Only submit your very best work. Resubmissions rarely work. But that’s how to get published. First, you have to learn how to write. Take classes. Get experience. Get feedback. Get practice. Meet people. Go to workshops, classes, conferences, retreats. Get out there in the world. And don’t be afraid to DM an author! 

Can you talk about the inspiration behind your memoir, “Bookends,” and what you hope readers take away from it?

Ever since my best friend Stacey died on 9/11, I’ve tried to write a book about her. I’ve written many versions of it. Ultimately, I ended up including her story in the context of my larger history including my history of reading books. I want people to know that even in their darkest days when they feel like life will never, ever go back to normal, you will find a way to rediscover joy in some form again. I want them to be inspired to read more. I want them to understand who I am so when they see a book I publish or recommend, they’ll have a context for it. Really I want them to feel less alone.

What trends or changes do you see shaping the future of the publishing industry, and how is Zibby Books adapting to them?

TikTok and the trend towards fantasy, decorated page edges, and the upswing of that genre are all happening but honestly, I haven’t found a way into that other than interviewing some fantasy writers on Totally Booked with Zibby (formerly Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books). In terms of the genres I love like memoir and contemporary, upmarket commercial fiction, there are some trends (romcoms are having a moment), but really people are still looking for the same thing: a story they can’t stop thinking about and can’t put down. Right now the world is so heavy that I wouldn’t be surprised to find an overwhelming supply of lighter, funnier, happier books in years to come.