The Bookshop Podcast
The Bookshop Podcast is a global literary podcast dedicated to books, authors, independent bookshops, and the world of publishing. Now in its fifth year, the show has become a trusted resource for readers, writers, and book lovers everywhere. Hosted by Mandy Jackson-Beverly, a writer, educator, and literary advocate, The Bookshop Podcast blends thoughtful conversation with a passion for books. Whether you're looking for your next great read, discovering new authors, or exploring the book industry, The Bookshop Podcast offers a welcoming space for anyone who loves books, storytelling, and literary culture. Music created by Brian Beverly.
The Bookshop Podcast
Kerry Slattery, and Author, Journalist, and Teacher Katya Cengel
I love synchronistic moments; that’s how I met this week’s first guest, Kerry Slattery. Now retired, Kerry was the original general manager of Skylight Books in Los Angeles. Before this, she acted in shows such as It’s Gary Shandling, The Twilight Zone, Hunter, and Code Red. Kerry shares her knowledge of years in the bookshop industry and offers suggestions for anyone considering opening an indie bookshop.
My second guest, Katya Cengel, is an author, journalist, and teacher based in California. Her work has appeared in New York Times Magazine, Marie Claire, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, among other publications. She has reported from North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa and was based in the former Soviet Union for half a decade. She was a features and news writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal from 2003 to 2011.
Links from the show:
Kerry Slattery’s Blog – Jack and Viola
Exiled: From the Killing Fields of Cambodia to California and Back, Katja Cengel
Bluegrass Baseball: A Year in the Minor League Life, Katya Cengel
From Chernobyl with Love: Reporting from the Ruins of the Soviet Union, Katya Cengel
My Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein