Author Talk: Zakiya Dalila Harris, The Other Black Girl

The Other Black Girl is an electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing. Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust. Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW. It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career. A whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace, The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist.

About the Author:

Zakiya Dalila Harris spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday before leaving to write her debut novel The Other Black Girl. Prior to working in publishing, Zakiya received her MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Guernica and The Rumpus. She lives in Brooklyn.

About Dialogue Partner:

Rashida Jones continues to establish herself in the industry as an actor, director, screenwriter and producer. She currently stars opposite Bill Murray in Sofia Coppola’s film ON THE ROCKS for A24 and AppleTV+. She recently starred in, directed and executive produced #BLACKAF, a half-hour comedy created by Kenya Barris for Netflix, which was picked up for a second season. Jones also recently launched a podcast with Bill Gates titled BILL GATES AND RASHIDA JONES ASK BIG QUESTIONS. Jones and producing partner Will McCormack are executive producing KEVIN CAN F*** HIMSELF for AMC.