Amy Dubois Barnett's New Novel Explores Ambition and Misogyny in 2000s Magazine Industry

The author, who was the first Black deputy editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, draws from her own experiences breaking barriers in media

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Amy DuBois Barnett, the first Black deputy editor-in-chief at Harper's Bazaar, has written a complex, vibrant novel called "If I Ruled the World" that explores the life of a young, ambitious woman navigating the challenges of the magazine industry in early-2000s New York. The novel's protagonist, Nikki Rose, is inspired by Barnett's own experiences and observations as a trailblazer in media, including incidents of casual racism and the rampant misogyny she witnessed. Barnett discusses the process of writing a "messy" main character, the changes in the magazine industry over the years, and the upcoming TV adaptation of her novel.

Why it matters

Barnett's novel provides a fictionalized but authentic look at the experiences of women, especially women of color, working in the male-dominated magazine industry during a time of significant cultural shifts. Her story sheds light on the casual racism and sexual harassment that were pervasive in the industry, while also celebrating the resilience and ambition of those who persevered. As the novel is adapted for television, it has the potential to reach a wider audience and continue the important conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in media.

The details

In her novel, Barnett draws from her own experiences as an influential media executive, including an incident at Harper's Bazaar where a white editor made an insensitive comment about featuring a Black singer. Barnett wanted to capture the pressure-cooker environment of magazine offices in the early 2000s, where jobs were highly coveted and appearances were paramount. She also explores how the rise of "gangsta rap" contributed to a culture of misogyny that permeated the music industry and spilled over into magazine coverage. While Barnett's protagonist is not a direct autobiographical account, the character's journey reflects the emotions and observations Barnett experienced as she broke barriers in the industry.

  • Barnett's novel, "If I Ruled the World", was published in 2026.
  • The novel is set in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The players

Amy DuBois Barnett

The author of the novel "If I Ruled the World" and the first Black deputy editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

Nikki Rose

The protagonist of Barnett's novel, a young woman navigating the challenges of the magazine industry in early-2000s New York.

Glenda Bailey

The editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar during Barnett's tenure as deputy editor-in-chief.

Emma Watts

A powerful Hollywood executive who discovered Barnett's novel and helped bring it to development for a TV adaptation.

Lee Daniels

An Oscar-nominated filmmaker who is co-writing the TV adaptation of "If I Ruled the World" with Barnett for Hulu.

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What they’re saying

“I just love this character. She is not coming of age because she's an adult when we meet her—she's 29—but it's a coming-of-power story because she is navigating New York City in the late 1990s, early 2000s.”

— Amy DuBois Barnett, Author (Harper's Bazaar)

“When I was in this meeting, one of the editors in the room looks at me and goes, 'Oh, that singer is so boring. The only way I could see Glenda greenlighting the story is if she would agree to be photographed in whiteface or something.' And then she looks at me and she's like, 'Oops, sorry.'”

— Amy DuBois Barnett, Former Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Harper's Bazaar (Harper's Bazaar)

“I'm very much a roll-up-my-sleeves, work-until-the-job-gets-done person, but I'm also comfortable representing a brand. And so I liked that aspect of it as well. So working in magazines really, really hit a lot of areas that I'm very passionate about.”

— Amy DuBois Barnett, Author (Harper's Bazaar)

What’s next

The TV adaptation of "If I Ruled the World" is currently in development at Hulu, with Barnett co-writing the pilot episode with director Lee Daniels.

The takeaway

Barnett's novel provides a timely and insightful look at the challenges faced by women, especially women of color, in the male-dominated magazine industry during a pivotal cultural moment. Her story highlights the importance of diverse representation and the power of finding one's own voice in the face of adversity.