This week’s episode is one that’s full of joy and inspiration and the payoffs of believing in yourself. Guest Kwame Alexander is one of the most upbeat, persistent, and tenacious people in book publishing, and we’re honored that he SAID YES to coming back to Memoir Nation seven years after his first appearance. This week’s show is about the power of yes and where yes can lead you—and we touch upon when and how to cultivate no, since sometimes you simply have to. Kwame shares stories from his past and how he became a 26-year overnight success story, and Grant and Brooke weigh in on how they balance (mostly) yes and (sometimes) no. Listen in!

Also, for those interested in learning more about the Anthropic case that’s this week’s Book Trend, we encourage you to visit Brooke’s Substack, Writerly Things, for this week’s update.

Kwame Alexander is an Emmy® Award-winning producer of The Crossover, his Newbery Medal-winning novel turned Disney+ TV series, the creator of the new animated PBS special Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Band, and the host of America’s Next Great Author, the first reality television show for writers which will premiere in 2026. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 46 books, including his memoir, Why Fathers Cry at Night. A recipient of the 2025 NAACP Image Award, Kwame regularly shares his passion for literacy, books and the craft of writing around the world, including Ghana, West Africa, where he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic. His mission is to change the world—one word at a time.

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