The authors and the couple Nicola and David Youn call themselves “Romantic Governors”. So much so that after meeting each other in college, they became fast friends, striking up conversations about art, poetry, literature, and yes, even their love of comedies and romance. There was one caveat to these romantic comedies: they were all “all white.”
“These movies are very important to us and they mean a lot to us, but none of them starred someone like us,” says David Yoon, a Korean-American author. the hollywood reporter. “We look alike, isn’t it strange? They hardly believe we love them, but of course we love them. I mean, we fell in love with each other.”
Since the couple, married for nearly 20 years, became published authors, Jamaican-American writer Nicola has produced highly successful fiction. The sun is also a star. s All all And David is behind the best seller sincerely in love – Their journey led them to seek a way to expand the narrative horizons of the romance genre and offer stories in which readers could see themselves as they wished.
“Before Nicki posted, I posted, especially when Nicki took a big risk. The sun is also a star.David talks about the adaptation, which stars Yara Shahid and Charles Melton. “The main romantic protagonists are two boys who were just like us. One was Jamaican-American, the other Korean-American. It’s adapted and all of a sudden you have these people on screen and we’re like, ‘Okay, this is really important.’ The affirmative impact of seeing people like you on screen is simply undeniable. “
Courtesy of David Yoon
He also explains: “Until recently, there weren’t many [books], especially the contemporary novel YA, only had white on the cover. Suddenly, the last few years, he’s suddenly good at covers of black guys and girls who were never good before. The fact that things are changing for the better, we say, “We have to do this. Now is the time to start printing.”
The authors launched Joy Revolution in 2020 with a commitment to publishing young adult novels starring people of color, written by people of color. The label’s purpose is in the name itself, bringing stories from authors dedicated to bringing joy and offering readers a safe space, while at the same time tearing down a media landscape where people of color are often erased as main characters.
David and Nicola point out that stories of characters of color often focus on “struggles or trauma” or that characters exist to “educate a predominantly white audience about racism”. While these stories are important, otherwise they would be “forgotten and this awareness lost”, both reiterate that “there is another side to our existence beyond trauma”.
“We don’t wake up thinking, ‘Oh, I’m black’ or ‘I’m Asian,’” explains David. “Representing people of color as human beings and experiencing all things normal is silently revolutionary…
“You don’t wake up thinking about fighting. I wake up thinking, “David, please bring me coffee. I love you so much,” adds Nikola. “A writer’s job is to tell the truth, and the truth is that we are human.”
Joy Revolution is committed to presenting this truth through love stories, with its first list to be published in Spring 2023, featuring young adult novels from the bestselling Talia Hibbert and Amalie Howard.
Highly questionable and unfairly sought after by Hibbert (released January 3, 2023) centers on a quirky content creator and an athlete who tests their skills to survive the great outdoors and with each other. “It’s sarcastic, dry and funny”, they joke about the book, remembering that the two laughed the whole time while reading it. The novel is Hibbert’s first young adult novel and offers some worthy moments of humor and hilarity, as well as raising awareness of mental health through its characters. “I’ve been a fan of Talia for a long time,” says Nicola. “I read everything. We asked a young adult to write for us and she said yes, surprisingly!
Courtesy of Joy Revolution
Meanwhile, Howard’s historical novel Queen Bee (On sale April 4, 2023), described as “bridgerton realize The Count of Monte Cristo” tells the story of a teenager seeking revenge on her former best friend who stabbed her in the back. However, things might not go as planned after she catches the eye of a handsome marquis she meets.
“It was an early draft and I just discarded it,” recalls David, also noting that the book has a “strong element of Indian culture” that runs in the background.
“We are like proud parents,” says Nicola of upcoming titles. “We are very proud of our authors and will sit back and let the world discover their books now.”
Courtesy of Joy Revolution
The Joy Revolution team acquired the worldwide rights Highly questionable and unfairly sought after By Courtney Miller-Callihan at Handspun Literary and for Global Rights Queen Bee Tao Ledan at the Sandra Dykstra Literary Agency. Both books are now available for pre-order.
“Love is transformative and transcendent, and books should know that. That’s one of the things we’re really looking for,” Nicola says of the books they plan to publish under her imprint.
Other futures titles include you put your heart into it by Daniel Parker, described as “a heartfelt childhood best friend love story between academic rivals”; party at homeedited by Justin A. Reynolds, a novel set at a New Year’s Eve party; sinner’s island by Ángela Montoya, a fantasy novel centered on the romance between a witch and a pirate; s Caught up in a bad fax By El Gonzalez Rose, “A contemporary romantic comedy that follows two families in conflict.”
Bria Ragin, editor of Joy Revolution/Delacorte Press, acquires and edits the list in partnership with the Yoons, overseen by Wendy Loggia, VP/Senior Executive Publisher of Delacorte Press. Jodi Rimmer, Writers House LLC, represents the Yoons.
“Talia and Amal are fantastic storytellers and genuine people whose values and interests align perfectly with Joy Revolution’s mission,” says Ragini. “His beautifully written novels really set the tone for this new brand, and I couldn’t be happier that the Joy Revolution list got off to a good start.”
In addition to being busy with her record label, author production company Yooniverse Media has signed a deal with Anonymous Content for original film and television content created and curated by authors. The authors admit that they look forward to having the opportunity to customize the books published under their imprint: “We are very much looking forward to doing this. We are just beginning to explore this world. Hollywood is very different from publishing.
While working under their publishing and production banner, David and Nicola will also continue to write their individual novels. Nicola is writing her first adult novel, and Davit recently published it. orange city. A Young Adult Novel by David sincerely in love Also adapted by Paramount Players and Alloy Entertainment. Despite their busy lists, both are surprised that they can make a significant difference to readers through these stories.
“People talk about doing some kind of work [and] trying to change the world a little bit,” says Nikola. “So this is our way of trying to make a little difference in the world, because I think these stories mean a lot, not just to people of color who read them, [but] to everyone who reads them. Stories are universal; It doesn’t matter who plays them.”
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
