The Blk Powerhouse Podcast
Welcome to The Blk Powerhouse Podcast, where we explore the publishing industry through the lens of Black voices. Whether you’re a writer, author, publisher, bookseller, librarian, or book influencer, this podcast is for anyone navigating the world of books—from the page to the bookshelf and beyond. We’ll tackle everything from how to break into the industry, to building lasting careers, to making meaningful connections in an ever-evolving field—and, most importantly, how we, as Black people in this space, can work together to create the equitable changes we need to see.
The Blk Powerhouse Podcast
The Truth About Bestseller Lists (and Why We Need Our Own)
Everyone in publishing talks about bestsellers—but few people actually know how those lists are made.
In this episode, I’m joined by Troy Johnson, Founder of the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), and Linda Duggins, longtime publishing executive, to unpack what really goes into making a book a “bestseller.”
Together, they created The BLK Bestsellers List—a list spotlighting the top-selling Black authors across all genres. We talk about why it matters, how it challenges traditional systems, and what it reveals about the power of the Black book community.
🔗 Explore the BLK Bestsellers List: aalbc.com/blackbestsellers