Our first 100 days

Who's on the list?

Our first in-office birthday party, with special-guest author Casey Burgat

One hundred days ago, Authors Equity opened its doors for business. The most frequently asked question since then: Who are we going to publish? 

When we launched, many speculated who our “typical” authors would be. As it turns out, there is no single type. As individuals in publishing, we’ve worked across all categories in the past, so it makes sense that there’s range in what appeals to us now. More interesting, though, is the range of authors drawn to us. If there’s a common thread, it’s that these are all creators driven to try something new.  

Many of the questions we ask in evaluating books are pretty standard: Is it not just good but great? Can the author connect with readers? Will the combination of book and author break through the noise? 

But that’s just the start. At Authors Equity, we’re effectively going into business with each author. We spend significant time together, not just during the editorial process, but as joint partners strategizing every aspect of publication. We’re both taking a leap, stepping out of our comfort zones to try new things with existing industry partners and forging relationships with those who aren’t typically involved in the book world. This collaborative approach requires a strong foundation of mutual trust and respect. 

Have we landed every author we pursued? Nope! Have we been sought out by authors we never would have expected? Yes! 

At every turn of the journey so far, we’ve been reminded of something one of our wise former colleagues at PRH used to say: “You get the books you’re meant to get.” Whether you’re a publisher who’s been around for a hundred years or a hundred days, the axiom holds true. 

By way of celebrating the 100-day mark, we’re delighted now to share the books and authors who will be joining our founding author James Clear here at Authors Equity. 

---

First 10 Books (in order of publication): 

831 Stories: Pleasure Reading for Romance Heads. 831 Stories is a romantic fiction company that celebrates the genre and its enthusiasts, delivering fresh content, community driven programming, and new ways for fans to engage with the stories and characters that bring them joy. Founded by retail and storytelling innovators Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo (also known for Of a Kind and “A Thing or Two” newsletter and podcast), 831 will publish a new book every couple of months, with the first, Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff, on sale September 10, 2024, and the second, Hardly Strangers by A.C. Robinson, on sale November 12, 2024.

---

This is Strategy by Seth Godin (October 22, 2024). Seth is one of the world’s leading business teachers, having written 21 books that have been bestsellers around the world. He’s also spent the last three-plus decades experimenting and innovating as a media entrepreneur, which means we at AE are not only joining him as a publisher but also as a partner. This is Strategy, an inspirational guide to leading in a complex, ever-changing world, is a modern classic for creating change in business and in life. 

---

Don’t Believe Everything You Think: The Expanded Edition by Joseph Nguyen (October 29, 2024). A self-published author who has already sold several hundred thousand copies of his book online, Joseph is eager and ready to bring his work to readers in all channels. Using a straightforward, concise, and relatable style, Joseph's blend of spiritual and philosophical concepts with practical techniques has won him a devoted and grateful audience of individuals seeking relief from anxiety and overthinking. To launch the book into the broader retail world, Joseph has expanded and revised the text, and we’re packaging it as an elegant clothbound hardcover suitable for gift-giving. Editor: Cecily van Buren-Freedman; Designer: Jared Oriel. 

---

New book by Rachel Hollis (December 2024). With her signature blend of vulnerability, humor, and hard-won wisdom, three-time New York Times bestselling author and motivational powerhouse Rachel Hollis invites us to join her on a journey to unwind some of life’s toughest knots. Designed around questions that will spark self-discovery, ignite personal growth, and unlock our true potential – from “Would you sign up for this again?” to “What if YOU are the problem?” – the book will help all of us get just a little closer to living our best lives, or at least make us feel better while we try. Editor: Robin Desser.

---

Superagency: Empowering Humanity in the Age of AI by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato (January 28, 2025). Whether it’s here to save us or kill us, the one thing everyone in the AI debate agrees on is that it's the biggest deal since the birth of the internet. Now tech visionary Reid Hoffman is ready to share his unique insider’s perspective on an AI-powered future, making the case for its potential to unlock a world of exciting possibilities. Together with co-author, tech and culture writer Greg Beato, Reid challenges conventional fears, inviting us to view the future through a lens of opportunity, rather than fear. It’s a call to action – to embrace AI with excitement and to actively shape a world where human ingenuity and the power of AI combine to create something extraordinary. Editor: Geoff Shandler; Designer: Pete Garceau.

---

We Hold These “Truths” by Congressional Staffer turned GWU Legislative Affairs Professor Casey Burgat (February 4, 2025). A clarion call for informed political discourse, Burgat and a team of officials, academics, and experts from both sides of the aisle come together to dismantle the deeply embedded myths that perpetuate political division. Presented in an accessible format intended to engage a wide range of readers, We Hold These “Truths'' offers real-world, research-driven solutions for building a healthier democracy. (To become a smarter, more engaged citizen while you wait for the book, follow Casey’s newly launched Substack Crash Course with Casey Burgat.) Editor: Grace Rubenstein.

---

Kweli Journal’s 15th Anniversary Short Story Collection (spring 2025). Edited by founder Laura Pegram, with a foreword by Edwidge Danticat. Hailed as The Paris Review of BIPOC literature, Kweli has been one of the first homes to many of today’s most critically acclaimed writers. Exploring themes of displacement, loss, and resilience, this collection reflects the rich history and future potential of BIPOC communities, aligning with Kweli's mission to nurture and empower emerging writers of color. All proceeds will support Kweli Journal's vital work. Authors include Brit Bennett, Naima Coster, DéLana Dameron, Nicole Dennis-Benn, Daphne Palasi Andreades, Susan Muaddi Darraj, and Princess Perry. Editor: Robin Desser. 

---

Next to Heaven by James Frey (summer 2025). From the sensational first paragraph all the way to the very last line, this novel has all the ingredients you could possibly want in a knife-sharp, can't-stop-won't-stop rip-roaring summer read. Bonfire of the Vanities meets "The White Lotus": you'd never want to live with any of these characters, but you just can't resist peeping through their windows. We couldn't be more excited to publish this novel with the reckless abandon it deserves. Editor: Robin Desser.

---

New series from the #1 New York Times bestseller Kyle Mills (summer 2025). Beloved by Vince Flynn fans for his contributions to the Mitch Rapp series, Kyle has been hailed as “better than anyone else working in the genre today” (Booklist). Ex-Navy SEAL Salam al Fayed – Fade to his friends – has already been declared clinically dead twice in his career, and his countless enemies want to make sure that the third time sticks. So, when a shadowy private organization tracks him down and offers him a new identity, he agrees. Nothing’s free, though, and he’s immediately recruited to lead a desperate mission to head off a threat unlike any humanity has faced before – one that the world’s increasingly corrupt and incompetent governments have no hope of resolving without him. Editor: David Highfill.

---

Pregnancy Personalized by Rachel Swanson (fall 2025). A renowned registered dietitian and nutritionist, Rachel has developed an exclusive clientele devoted to her expertise and is now setting out to empower all moms-to-be. This essential guide transforms traditional prenatal advice with personalized, proactive, and science-backed strategies for optimizing fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health. Her readers will be able to leverage the latest in diet and lifestyle advice to enhance the microbiome, manage blood sugar, increase IVF success rates, and ease pregnancy discomforts, all while staying on the cutting edge with best-in-class health-tech.

---

So, yes, we’ve been very, very busy, but there’ve been lots of treats along the way. Some had a field trip to DC to meet up with Casey and his contributors. Others got to sit in on a taping of Reid’s podcast followed by drinks on a swanky rooftop here in NY. We had the first in-office birthday celebration (accompanied by chocolate cake). We joined our friends at Poets & Writers and at the Authors Guild in celebrating the work they do on behalf of authors every day. And we continue to consume much more than our fair share of Van Leeuwen Honeycomb ice cream, which is perhaps why they’re now out of stock. 

We’re also very happy to report that our team, while still tiny, is expanding slightly. Deron Triff is joining as our Chief Partnerships Officer, taking the lead in developing revenue opportunities for our authors that go beyond the strict bounds of their books – we’ll share here what that means in the months ahead. We’re particularly grateful to have Deron’s mighty expertise and deep experience from outside the book industry (TED, Masters of Scale, PBS) to complement what others of us bring from the inside.

Thanks to all who have been so generous with your support – please do keep the ideas coming.  

Until next time, happy reading!

Andrea, Carly, Deron, Don, Madeline, Nina, Robin, and:

Chief Fun Officer, Wally