First Book of a Two-Book Deal

NEW YORK, October 30, 2023—Former White House Press Secretary and MSNBC host Jen Psaki will publish a new book with Scribner. Titled Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World, the book offers stories about how to be an effective communicator in any situation. The book takes readers along the campaign trail, inside the State Department, and the White House under two Presidents.  Psaki writes about navigating an array of bosses from the hot-tempered Rahm Emanuel to the coolly intellectual Barack Obama, to the empathetic Joe Biden, walking readers through the most difficult conversations, and those where humor saves the day—whether with preschoolers, partners, or presidents.   Say More is a lesson in how to listen, how to advocate, and how to break through the noise. The first of a two-book deal, the book will be published on May 7, 2024, and simultaneously as an audiobook by Simon & Schuster Audio. The second book will be an illustrated one for children to be published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

“Effective communication is about empathy and explanation.  It is about connecting with your audience, whether it is the President, your partner, your colleagues, or even your kids,” said Jen Psaki. “This is a book I wish I had at many stages in my career, and my hope is that it will equip anyone with the practical advice and skills to be a more powerful and impactful communicator.”

“Jen Psaki’s experience is revelatory and inspiring,” said Nan Graham, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Scribner.  “She is a star, and she’s written a pragmatic, entertaining, and empowering book full of stories that can help anyone become a better communicator. It’s a classic.”

“Jen Psaki captured my attention, along with the rest of the world’s, at her White House press briefings, which were master classes in communication. Now, Jen brings her signature clarity, candor, and quick wit to the page, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with her,” said Kara Watson, Vice President and Executive Editor at Scribner.

Jen Psaki is the host of MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki on Sundays at 12 p.m. ET and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and served as the thirty-fourth White House Press Secretary under President Biden from January 2021 until May 2022. She contributes a regular column for the network’s morning newsletter, MSNBC Daily, and is a principal voice in the network’s primetime coverage of major political events and election night programming. Over the course of her twenty years in public service, Jen Psaki also served as White House Communications Director under President Obama and as the spokesperson for the State Department under then Secretary of State John Kerry and on three presidential campaigns. She lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband and two children.

Kara Watson acquired world and audio rights from Pilar Queen and Georgia Bodnar of United Talent Agency.

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