As part of The Pixel Project‘s Read For Pixels campaign, we interview authors from genres as diverse as Science Fiction and Fantasy to Romance to Thrillers as well as other members of the publishing industry and community such as publishers, editors, and agents about why they support the movement to end violence against women and girls.
In this interview, we talk to Joanna Volpe who is a literary agent and the president of New Leaf Literary & Media, where she represents a broad reach of fiction and non-fiction. Joanna works with incredible talent such as Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows), Susan Dennard (Truthwitch), Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die), and Veronica Roth (Divergent). Leigh Bardugo and Susan Dennard are both Read For Pixels authors as well.
New Leaf Literary is taking part in the 5th annual Fall Edition of the Read For Pixels campaign by donating a special Mystery Book Box choc-a-bloc with gorgeous hardcover editions of books by their clients containing the theme of rebellion to help raise funds for The Pixel Project. New Leaf will send this box anywhere in the USA to one (1) generous donor only! More details are available on the Fall 2018 Read For Pixels fundraising page.
If you’d like to have a chance to participate in live Q&As online with 15 award-winning bestselling authors who will be having live Read For Pixels Google Hangouts, check out the schedule here.
And now, over to Joanna…
Picture courtesy of New Leaf Literary & Media.
1. Why is ending violence against women important to you and why did you decide to take action about it by supporting The Pixel Project?
Ending violence against anyone is important to me, but particularly when it’s used against women and children because they often are not in the position to defend themselves. I admire the mission of the Pixel Project to put an end to it!
2. New Leaf Literary has very generously donated a special Mystery Book Box (featuring some of your most awesome authors) in support of our anti-VAW work alive and kicking. As the founder of New Leaf, what do you think literary agents can do to help stop violence against women apart from raising funds?
Apart from raising funds, agents can help to discover, nurture and publish stories that showcase healthy relationships for women and children.
3. Publishing has started having its own #MeToo reckoning this year with survivors coming forward to name a number of male authors and editors as having a history of behaving extremely inappropriately towards female colleagues (including workplace bullying and sexual harassment and assault at cons). What do you think the publishing industry (including literary agents) can and/or should do to address this issue?
We’re doing it now. Offering clients and colleagues support when they decide to (or not to) step forward to share their stories. And also by promoting zero tolerance for harmful behaviour and actions.