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Mindy Kaling is excited for this interview, which makes this writer very happy.
Photos: Courtesy of Amazon Publishing, Getty Images
Im less busy now because of the strike, she says from her home in Los Angeles.
I like to seem busy, so this interview is very welcome.
With Mindys Book Studio, she selects gripping works written by women authors of color to publish.
The cherry on top?
Shell also have the first option to adapt the books into films.
Reading has always been my first loveeven before beading and working at video stores, she says.
(More on that later.)
The novel, out now, is the third to be published under the imprint.
Each book represents years of work and sacrifice for a writer, Kaling says.
Ive written two books, and I know what that feeling is like.
If Im going to be this champion for a book, I want to get it right.
Glamour: What does your typical morning routine look like?
Mindy Kaling:I usually get up between 6 and 6:30 in the morning.
The first thing I do is sit up and drink about 16 ounces of room-temperature water.
I started doing this when I was pregnant with my son.
Ive been crazy about the sunscreen thing since I turned 40.
She really wants me to look put together, even when Im working out.
What does breakfast consist of?
The nanny and I make breakfast for them.
They are little princes and princesses who eat a hot breakfast every morning.
They dont even eat cereal!
They have pancakes or eggs, or Ill bake some protein muffins.
I know, its like a full restaurant here.
[When I was a kid] I used to just eat cereal or yogurt and a banana.
After breakfast, well play outside.
Then I take my daughter to school, and once that happens, Im in workout zone.
What do your workouts look like?
Because of the strike, I have a little bit more time, so Im hitting the workouts hard.
Ill workout with a trainer for an hour, or Ill go for a run or a hike.
Then I finally feel like Ive earned my shower.
If Im in the shower, Im like, Ive gotta earn my shampoo!
Ill be in meetings starting around 10 a.m. for the rest of the day.
When you were a kid, what was your dream job?
My dream job as a child was always to be a comedy writer.
Im sure when I was really little, I probably had princess dreams or whatever.
What was your firstactualjob?
My first job was at our neighborhood video store.
It wasnt a Blockbusterit was an independent store outside suburban Boston.
I think I was 16.
I also worked at a bead store, Bead Works in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Im going in August and am already so excited-slash-stressed.
What is the friendship-bracelet etiquette?
Are you supposed to trade them with other people?
I traded them with other Swifties while we were waiting in line for the bathroom.
Oh, I love this.
What a community feeling.
How do you typically deal with rejection in your line of work?
In my particular field, its excruciating if you dont develop a very comfortable relationship with rejection early on.
I dont love it, but I also have developed a pretty thick skin.
Now, at this place in my career, Im facing it all the time.
But Ive always said I learn only from failure.
I dont tend to learn as much from success.
I have a family now.
Caring about things outside of work takes the sting off of rejection.
Theres nothing more intoxicating than making a group of comedy writers laugh.
I might have what it takes to stick it out in this career.
What is your biggest vice?
Tapatio Doritos and Diet Coke.
Whats your favorite low-stakes treat after a successful day?
Id say McDonalds cheeseburgers or Dunkin Donuts Munchkins.
I love fast food.
Both my parents worked growing up.
They both immigrated here and were very busy working and reestablishing themselves.
I have these really fond memories of going to McDonalds with them and all of us being together.
I really do have a lot of affection for fast food.
Even though its been demonized in our culture, I do like to partake now and again.
Do your kids eat fast food?
I havent introduced them to fast food.
Thats kind of how I was.
We didnt have a lot of sweets in our house, so Im such a sweet addict.
Once theyre older, I dont have any issue with taking them to fast food once in a while.
What is the best parenting advice youd give to a new mom?
Everyone says its joyous and its very difficult.
But what I wish I had known is that the difficult part can last for many days.
Do you have a go-to thank-you gift?
Ive bought the actors on my show something from Anita Dongre, who is an amazing Indian designer.
I like to find a personal gift that reflects whats important to me.
What is the best piece of money advice youve received?
They scared me, and I would dread it.
I learned to really confront my money and have a monthly conversation with my business manager.
We talk about my finances, go over my mortgage and everything.
Making that a regular thing has really helped me in my relationship with money.
For me, it helps to be very clear-eyed and not avoid it.
Whats your typical email sign-off?
Its XOXO, MK.
What were you most nervous about when it came to starting your own imprint?
And what aspect were you most excited about?
Im most excited about that intoxicating feeling of making people laugh.
The other thing is that earnest gratitude from writers who are like, Thank you so much for helping.
Its so easy because I loved their work so much.
What are you looking for in the books you choose to publish?
For me, its not about genre because I like so many things.
I lovethrillers likeGone Girl, but I also love epic stories about generations of families and immigration stories.
I also love underdogs, so I gravitate toward books where someone feels underestimated.
Whats the last great book you read?
Well, there are two.
One is the third from our imprint, which is Ali Frank and Asha YoumanssThe Better Half.
I read and reread it because its absolutely incredible.
As someone that age, I love that theres unexpected romance.
I cant wait to read it.
I dont want to give too much else away.
The other book I am loving isThe Covenant of Water[which was selected by Oprahs Book Club].
I would go ahead and say that Im friends with Oprah.
Its basically a dynasty about an Indian family.
Im still reading it because its very long.
Isnt it like 800 pages?
Yes, Im staring at it now.
Its as big as my humidifier.
Im going to be reading it for the rest of my life.
I used to be a fast reader when I was younger, but Im just not anymore.
Im really luxuriating readingThe Covenant of Water.
Whats next on your to-read list?
Now that its summer, Im looking for my next girl-centric murder mystery.
Summer is for murder and the beach.
Im looking for the nextLuckiest Girl Alive, The Girl on the Train….
I wish there was a female-centricYoutype of book.
I haveThe Paris Apartment, which feels like it could scratch that itch.
This is not murder-y, but it is Oprah-y.
Have you readHello Beautiful?
It was also an Oprahs Book Club pick.
No, but people love it.
You read it and loved it?
Its truly one of my favorite books Ive ever read.
I never wanted it to end.
Oh my God, Im so excited.
Im literally on Amazon buying it now.
It arrives today by 2 p.m.
Thank you, Jeff Bezos.
Caitlin Brody is the entertainment director atGlamour.
