“I wanted to give back to books and authors after they’d carried me so far.” ~~Zibby Owens
They Persevered and So Did I
Zibby Owens is a woman with energy, ambition, and a huge appreciation for writers. She 
started a blog and a podcast and then she wrote Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature. She’s picked big subjects and she handles them beautifully, using her life experience to celebrate the value of authors, literature, family, and the day to day joy of being alive.
Her story did not come easily. She lost a close friend when the Twin Towers went down on 9/11. It motivated her, and she’s become a go-to podcaster, interviewing A-list authors and giving them the publicity they deserve. Bookends will show you how she became the person she is—a warm, empathetic human being who loves to read and share the joy of reading. She’s amazingly efficient at what she does and you can read about how she does so much in the interview below.
BLG: You’re obviously a speed reader and an energizer bunny. Is this an acquired or an inherited trait? When you need to slow down, how do you do it?
ZO: It’s an inherited trait! My dad is exactly the same way. Actually these days, he says I’m making him tired just thinking about what I’m doing. When I need to slow down, I have to completely shut off for the day!
BLG: In the book you talk about multiple drafts. Can you tell us how, exactly, you figured out what you wanted and needed to write about?
ZO: I just kept going back to losing my best friend Stacey on 9/11 and how the knowledge of how finite our time is propelled me to live more fully. I wanted to share that message with a sense of urgency to wake everyone up and be like, “Wait! You guys! This could all end ANY SECOND.” Also, I kept going back to what got me through the worst times… and those were books. And then my entire career started making even more sense to me. I wanted to give back to books and authors after they’d carried me so far.
BLG: You were quite discreet as you talked about your –ex and your children. Any tips for knowing what to say and what to avoid?
ZO: You only have one family. But there are a lot of books you can write.
BLG: Once you had your own podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, up and running, what did other authors say that helped you bring your own story into the world?
ZO: So much! Hearing over and over again about how they persevered made me not give up myself, even though some days I’d just gotten a rejection, cried, and had to dry my eyes and start celebrating someone else’s success. But every single author was so inspirational in one way or another. Hearing how many times they were rejected but got it done anyway made me stick with it, plus how much I had in common with the authors. I began to think that maybe I really could be one of them.
BLG: With all the podcasts out there, why do you think people flocked to yours?
ZO: I have no idea. I got so lucky!! I like to think it’s a combination of the amazing guests I’ve gotten since the very beginning combined with the sense of humor and distinct point of view I take. Plus I think I ask the questions everyone really wants to know the answers to. And people love books! My podcast instantly forgives book lovers for not reading as much as they wish they could. Also, it’s short!
BLG: What’s the best tip you ever got from a writer or editor?
ZO: One tip is to write the jacket copy description of the book before you set out to write it. When I did that for one novel I was working on, I was like, “Wait, I wouldn’t even read that.”
BLG: Tell readers about Zibby Books.
ZO: We’re an all-women (except Jordan!) team dedicated to bringing other women’s stories out into world through fiction and memoir. We’re publishing 12 books a year, one per month, available in February 2023 both in-store and via subscription model. Our books have a strong sense of voice and place, propulsive plots, and beautiful writing. We’re partnering with brands, bookstores, and other authors to bring our books into the world and have profit-sharing among our authors and team. We just released our first five covers and book descriptions!
BLG: What are the 3 most important things a writer without your connections can do to market her work successfully?
ZO: I seriously did NOT have connections to the publishing industry before I started my podcast. I knew about five authors total and really no one else in publishing. But I’ve gotten to know people and have helped so many with no ulterior motive. Now they’ve all turned around and started helping me. It’s really, really amazing. But I would say get it to others in your audience who can help you shout it from the rooftops. Also, adjust your expectations and think hard about what success really means.
BLG: What else would you like readers to know, and where can they learn more about you?
ZO: We recently launched an (online only for now) magazine called Zibby Mag with new content every Wednesday. We have a unique “lit lifestyle” angle and column plus book reviews, excerpts, classes, and more! Also, I run Zibby Audio (formerly Zcast) with seven amazing podcasts and audiobooks to come.
BLG: Bookends is an important book for moms and anyone who’s stretched too thin. It will show you how you might organize your priorities and make time to appreciate some great books. She might just make your entrepreneurial spirit come alive.
BLG: Bookends is an important book for moms and anyone who’s stretched too thin. It will show you how you might organize your priorities and make time to appreciate some great books. She might just make your entrepreneurial spirit come alive.
