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If I Ruled the World
A novel you NEED to read before watching The Devil Wears Prada from a former editor-in-chief!
Table of Contents
About The Book
The Devil Wears Prada meets America's Next Top Model meets The Reckoning in this witty debut filled with scandal and romance in the world of publishing from the former editor-in-chief of Honey, Ebony and Teen People…
* PICKED AS A BOOK TO LOOK OUT FOR BY STYLIST *
‘A fun, scandal-filled romp set in the giddy era of New York's magazine heyday’ ELLE
'A fast paced debut’ SUNDAY TIMES STYLE
'Hits all the right notes: it's meaningful, nostalgic, heartfelt, and resonant' KATE FAGAN
'Captures the glamour, danger and magic of a defining moment in American culture. An utterly dazzling debut!' ROBINEE LEE
‘A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ TIA WILLIAMS
‘The perfect blend of nostalgia, entertainment and drama. I loved every page!’ KELLY MULLEN
Get ready for a utterly immersive journey through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history.
It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor-in-chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that ‘Black girls don’t sell magazines’, she quits to take over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential.
Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar – and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with New York City’s most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her married, powerful ex-lover and former boss, who is determined to destroy both her and Sugar.
Along the way, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what – and who – she truly wants.
Written by the ultimate insider, this is a juicy story of ambition, friendship, love and finding your own voice.
Readers can't stop talking about If I Ruled the World . . . (5 star reader reviews)
‘The story was engaging from start to finish … A highly recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable and entertaining read’
‘A sharp, sexy debut that pulls the reader straight into the glamorous and cutthroat world of magazine publishing in 1999 New York City’
‘This book is layered. It inspires. I could not put it down. Bravo Amy!!’
'Buy this book! Get copies for your friends!’
‘This book was absolutely AMAZING! Following Nikki’s journey pulled me in and I was rooting for her on every page … Superb writing!’
* PICKED AS A BOOK TO LOOK OUT FOR BY STYLIST *
‘A fun, scandal-filled romp set in the giddy era of New York's magazine heyday’ ELLE
'A fast paced debut’ SUNDAY TIMES STYLE
'Hits all the right notes: it's meaningful, nostalgic, heartfelt, and resonant' KATE FAGAN
'Captures the glamour, danger and magic of a defining moment in American culture. An utterly dazzling debut!' ROBINEE LEE
‘A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ TIA WILLIAMS
‘The perfect blend of nostalgia, entertainment and drama. I loved every page!’ KELLY MULLEN
Get ready for a utterly immersive journey through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history.
It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor-in-chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that ‘Black girls don’t sell magazines’, she quits to take over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential.
Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar – and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with New York City’s most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her married, powerful ex-lover and former boss, who is determined to destroy both her and Sugar.
Along the way, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what – and who – she truly wants.
Written by the ultimate insider, this is a juicy story of ambition, friendship, love and finding your own voice.
Readers can't stop talking about If I Ruled the World . . . (5 star reader reviews)
‘The story was engaging from start to finish … A highly recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable and entertaining read’
‘A sharp, sexy debut that pulls the reader straight into the glamorous and cutthroat world of magazine publishing in 1999 New York City’
‘This book is layered. It inspires. I could not put it down. Bravo Amy!!’
'Buy this book! Get copies for your friends!’
‘This book was absolutely AMAZING! Following Nikki’s journey pulled me in and I was rooting for her on every page … Superb writing!’
About The Author
Photography by Kimberly Genevieve
Amy DuBois Barnett is an award-winning media executive and author who earned national acclaim as editor-in-chief of Honey, Ebony and Teen People – where she made history as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream US magazine – and as deputy editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar. She has held senior leadership roles at Paramount, Hearst, Disney, Time Inc. and several independently owned media brands. Barnett has a BA from Brown University and an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. She resides in Los Angeles. If I Ruled the World is her debut novel. Follow Amy on Instagram, X and TikTok @amyduboisbarnett.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (February 16, 2027)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781398543690
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Raves and Reviews
A fun, scandal-filled romp set in the giddy era of New York's magazine heyday ... An exciting debut that covers one of the most dynamic moments of pop culture history
– ELLE
A fast paced debut
– Sunday Times STYLE
Brimming with scandal, romance and a generous helping of 90s New York glitz, this gripping debut is a must-read
– Daily Express
With scandal, romance and a healthy dose of 90s New York glamour, this propulsive debut is the read for any fan of The Devil Wears Prada or America’s Next Top Model
– Daily Mirror
'With a keen eye and an accomplished voice, Amy DuBois Barnett takes us on a thrilling ride through the high-stakes world of magazine publishing in 1990s New York. At the intersection of fashion and hip-hop, If I Ruled the World captures the glamour, danger and magic of a defining moment in American culture. An utterly dazzling debut!' Robinne Lee, bestselling author of The Idea of You
'I’m always here for '90s nostalgia, especially of the NYC variety – and Amy DuBois Barnett’s If I Ruled the World scratches the itch. As a major player in the fashion and music scenes of the era, who better than Barnett to weave a world sizzling with such delicious romance, swagger and intrigue? A sexy, fast-paced ride!' Tia Williams, New York Times bestselling author of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
'Amy DuBois Barnett’s debut sparkles with drama, scandal and ’90s New York energy. She powerfully captures a pressure-cooker moment of transition – the messy work of growing past bad choices, squaring ambition with integrity and holding on to your ride-or-dies. It’s a pitch-perfect depiction of a world I didn’t want to leave' Essie Chambers, national bestselling author of Swift River
'Funny, sexy, witty and full of grit, If I Ruled the World is for anyone who’s spent a lifetime climbing a ladder that keeps adding rungs. This fierce, unputdownable, guilty pleasure of a novel steps back into the uniquely fabulous and ruthless New York hustle at the turn of the century, through the eyes of a real Working Girl ad industry insider, when the biggest players moving the needle of culture were grinding for recognition in a society that would rather look away. An utterly intoxicating debut' Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming
'If I Ruled the World had me hooked from the very first page. This fascinating story from inside magazine publishing – and the music world – really hits all the right notes: it's meaningful, nostalgic, heartfelt and resonant' Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Cate Kay
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