We recently connected with Colette Shade and have shared our conversation below.
Colette, appreciate you joining us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
My book, Y2K: How the 2000’s Became Everything (Essays on the Future That Never Was), blends three different writing genres: memoir, cultural criticism, and history. Most publishers I talked to wanted me to stick to a single genre: straight memoir, or straight history. But I wanted to create a new genre, one that puts personal history in a cultural and historical context. I wanted to write the book I always wanted to read. My agent, Erik Hane, saw my vision as well. He helped link me up with Stuart Roberts at Dey Street, who took a chance on that vision, and helped guide me through making it a reality. Now that my book is out, I have been reviewed by the New York Times, the Washington Post, Harper’s, and more, and I have appeared on Bloomberg and NPR’s All Things considered. My book has gotten starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. Many of the reviews mention the book’s fusion of memoir, cultural criticism, and history as one if its biggest strengths. I’m glad I stuck to my vision instead of doing what most publishers thought was safe. Taking risks is often the difference between producing something good and something great.
Colette, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an essayist who has written for publications including The New Republic, The Nation, Interview Magazine, Teen Vogue, and more. Most important, I published my debut collection of essays this January on Dey Street, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book is called Y2K: How the 2000’s Became Everything (Essays on the Future that Never Was). It’s a history-in-essays of the years 1997-2008, and it’s also a memoir about coming of age during that time (the book starts when I’m 9 and ends when I’m 20). I’m currently doing a national book tour, and have appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, Bloomberg’s Odd Lots, and the comedy show Chapo Trap House to talk about the book. I really enjoy public speaking, whether that’s on a podcast or at a live tour appearance. I see myself as more of a performer than a writer, though writing a book gives me an excuse to perform and brings people out to see me. I always wear a look (for this tour I planned out a whole wardrobe inspired by fashion trends from 1997-2008). I try to make events fun, funny, and interactive. I’m inspired by the comic Ziwe, who uses fashion and humor to talk about politics and history, which can seem dry and dull otherwise.
Currently, I am seeking a contract with a podcasting production company to turn my book, Y2K, into an interview-based podcast. I am also seeking representation by a speakers’ circuit, like The Tuesday Agency.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
It’s hard to explain how non-linear creative paths are. They’re different from, say, being a lawyer, where you study for the LSAT, take the LSAT, apply to law school, go to law school, take the bar, get a job in the field, and gradually move up to more senior roles. There’s a lot of jumping around, trying things out that don’t work, building an audience, etc.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice
I’m generally a skeptic. However, Kyle Chayka and Daisy Alioto have used NFTs to fund their publication, Dirt. I think they can be a great tool if used in the right way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coletteshade.com
- Instagram: MsShade
- Linkedin: Colette Shade
- Twitter: MsShade
- Other: BlueSky: coletteshade
Image Credits
Red and white portraits: Clayton Cubitt
Book photo: HarperCollions
Tour photos: Colette Shade