Movers & Makers: Katel LeDu, Author
Photo Credit: Carina Roma
Meet Katel LeDu…
Small businesses, makers, and creatives are the heart and soul of the city. We are proud to announce our very first client spotlight, Katel LeDu - the Author of You Should Write a Book. This one is a must-read if you’re in the market for a new book. It officially debuts February 2, 2022. Our friend Katel is a former Fishtown resident. She is now delighted to call Graduate Hospital home. We asked Katel to answer some of our burning questions about her upcoming book! Check out her story and learn why she is such an inspiration to others. Also, make sure you follow her on Instagram: @theledu
When did you begin writing your book? Did anything in particular inspire you to write it?
I started writing the book with my coauthor, Lisa Maria Marquis, in September of 2020. Lisa Maria is the managing editor at A Book Apart, and we’d been thinking about starting an “editorial office hours” for ABA over Zoom. We were looking for a way to talk to aspiring authors—to answer questions, demystify the process of writing and publishing, and offer support to more folks. As we discussed what that might look like, we realized we had a lot to say about our experience thus far, and decided to put it all into a book first!
Photo Credit: Carina Roma
What is your background?
I’m an East-coaster; I grew up in Maryland and lived in Washington, DC, New York, and now Philadelphia as an adult. I’ve worked in publishing for most of my career—from magazine, to music, to now books—even though I majored in Photography in college. (I also minored in English!) Recently I moved to Graduate Hospital with my husband and our little mutt (scroll to see photos of Hugo), though we lived in Fishtown the first five years of living in Philly.
How did you come up with the name and concept of your book?
The concept, I hope, speaks for itself—but the title was a much more challenging thing to land on! We talked about it a lot and finally landed on You Should Write a Book, because we’ve heard those words—and said them—many times in our careers. We also wanted it to feel personal; like we were talking directly to whoever reads it.
Katel and her beloved dog, Hugo.
Can you tell us a little bit about the book?
Our main goal in writing the book is to support more people in tech (and any other industry, really!) to write books and contribute their voices—particularly people who have intentionally marginalized and shut out of the publishing industry. Whether an aspiring author wants to work with a publisher or on their own, we guide the reader through crafting a stellar proposal, break down the reality of writing and editing a manuscript, and demystify the marketing and publishing process—so when they’re ready to contribute, they’ll know what to expect.
What did you learn while writing the book?
I learned that often, putting your heart and soul into a creative project requires you to slow down. For me, that means taking breaks when I get frustrated and stepping away from the project entirely. I also learned to ask for help when I got stuck, and for encouragement when I felt disheartened.
What is your favorite book and why?
This is the hardest question so far! The only way I can answer this faithfully, is to say my favorite book at the moment is All About Love by bell hooks. In it, bell hooks seeks to answer the question, “What is love,” in the most beautiful and sometimes unexpected ways. Reading it makes me feel closer to my own, and others’, humanity.
Where do you go in Philadelphia to find inspiration?
Graffiti Pier - Fishtown, Philadelphia
If I’m in Fishtown, I love going to Penn Treaty Park and walking along the river or wandering around Graffiti Pier. I can’t go to Chloris & Prase (the plant store at Jinxed on Washington Ave), without picking up a new green friend (or several). And now I find any reason I can to walk or run along the Schuylkill and up into Wissahickon.
What is one thing you need in your work space to make it your own?
Books! Ok that’s probably obvious. Other than that, it’s plants—I’m more at ease with green around me.
Katel’s Former Fishtown Home - Serious green vibes!
Photo source: Instagram @marthakensington
What is your favorite local Philadelphia restaurant?
I love Martha and miss it, since we moved. Any spot that offers veggie/vegan options and makes it taste DIVINE, is ace in my book.
What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia culture?
I love that folks here are genuinely interested in one another. I’m also constantly amazed and inspired by how DIY this city is. Philly folks make things happen.
What is the best advice you ever received?
I wasn’t given this advice directly; it’s something adrienne marie brown said in her book, Emergent Strategy, and has always stuck with me: “move at the speed of trust.” To me, this means trusting myself, my pace of life, and my experiences more.
What is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
I have family in France, and I love visiting any chance I get. I’ve been so lucky to spend a good bit of time in the Southern regions as well as Paris, and I can’t wait to travel again to explore more of the North!