Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love.
Today, we’re getting to know Kendra Winchester, a Contributing Editor for Book Riot. Stay up to date on other industry professionals by reading our Lit Happens blog throughout the year.
A note from Kendra:
I work freelance in book media, so I’m constantly juggling different projects. And as a chronically ill girlie whose energy varies drastically from day to day, I don’t stick to a set routine. But here is life for me on an excellent spring day.
9 a.m.
My one constant is that I start every day with a cup of coffee and a little self assessment. How do I feel today? It happens to be a good day. So I start my day by turning on an audiobook—today it’s Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney performed by the author—and by checking my email to make sure nothing is on fire in my inbox. Next, I check my planner (I adore my Hobonichi Techo Cousin) and sketch out my day.
10 a.m.
Winchester Ave is my newsletter where I write about being a disabled book lover, and I have a post due soon. I finish up a draft of the newsletter, and double check that everything is set for me to record the voiceover later that day.
10:30 a.m.
While I may not have a set routine, Dylan and Gwen—my two Corgis—certainly do. It’s time for a mid-morning walk break!
11 a.m.
I settle in and work through more emails. Right now, I’m scheduling interviews for my podcast, Read Appalachia. A lot of people in Appalachia live in areas where they can’t go to book events, so one of my goals with the show is to bring (virtual) events to listeners wherever they happen to be. Read Appalachia is now in its 3rd season, and I’m thrilled with the upcoming line up of authors.
11:30 a.m.
After working through a few audio files, I grab a pair of headphones and start editing my latest episode of Read Appalachia. It’s with Raye Hendrix, a poet whose debut collection What Good Is Heaven still haunts me in the best possible way.
12:15 p.m.
Lunch break! On the menu today is an omelette with habanero sauce. I’m sitting down to eat when I realize that I was supposed to finalize my book picks for next week’s recording of Read or Dead, Book Riot’s mystery and thriller podcast. We’re pretty chill planners, so I send my co-host a quick text with my picks. She gives me the thumbs up.
1 p.m.
Today is an author interview day. Yesterday, I made detailed notes about the author’s book, the highlights I want to hit in the interview, and what those questions might look like. I also review details from the book like character names. Next, I set up my recording space and do a quick sound check. Before you know it, it’s showtime!
2 p.m.
Wes Browne is a fantastic interview. His book They All Fall the Same is a Southern Noir set in Eastern Kentucky. Browne has all sorts of great stories to tell about what inspired the book and even shares a little behind-the-scenes info about what it was like casting the audiobook’s narrator.
3:15 p.m.
Once again, the Corgis remind me it’s time for their afternoon walk.
3:30 p.m.
Before my next podcast recording, I have just enough time to head over to the local cafe and get a cup of herbal tea. I bring my copy of Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya. It’s my favorite memoir of the year so far, and I’ve been annotating my copy a little bit at a time. I sip my tea as I watch the rain begin to sprinkle outside the windowpane. On the way home, I spot my first magnolia bloom of the season.
5:30 p.m.
Every month or so, I appear as a contributor for AudioFile Magazine’s podcast, Behind the Mic. I choose a handful of audiobooks to share with listeners, highlighting the incredible work by the narrators. To prepare for Behind the Mic, I review all my notes about each of the audiobooks, go over any pronunciation guides, and perform my sound check. We record four short episodes in a session, so I really need to know exactly what I want to say about each of the audiobooks.
6:30 p.m.
While my sound equipment is still set up, I record the voiceover for my latest newsletter for Winchester Ave (the one I finished up in the morning) and the introduction for my episode with Raye Hendrix for Read Appalachia.
7 p.m.
Snack Break! Right now, I’m really into toasted pistachios.The Corgis, of course, get whole carrots.
8 p.m.
I watch a friend of mine present her thesis about the Brontes! I love how the internet makes it possible for me to attend virtually.
9 p.m.
With my disability, I know that every good day is probably going to be followed by a bad day. So I take inventory of all of the things I might want to get done before the next day. I pick up around the house, throw the laundry in the dryer, and grab the heating pad. Finally, it’s time to clock out.
Kendra Winchester writes about audiobooks and disability literature for Book Riot. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram @kdwinchester. Find out more on her website https://www.kdwinchester.com or BlueSky.
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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