Legacy Lit Acquires “Independent” by Former Biden Administration White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre
INDEPENDENT, a groundbreaking, revelatory assessment of America’s broken two-party system, will be available on October 21, 2025
NEW YORK, NY — (June 4, 2025) Krishan Trotman, Vice President & Publisher of Legacy Lit, announced today the acquisition of INDEPENDENT: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines by former White House Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to the President, Karine Jean-Pierre. Trotman acquired World Rights from Steve Troha at Folio Literary Management, LLC. Legacy Lit will publish in hardcover, ebook and audio editions on October 21, 2025.
“Legacy Lit’s mission is to give voice to those who have been underrepresented and underserved,” says Trotman, “so to publish a book by the first Black and first openly queer person to hold the position of White House Press Secretary is an honor. We look forward to bringing Karine’s unique perspective to readers all over the world.”
Our country has become obsessed with blind loyalty to a two-party democratic system. In her new book, timed for publication just one year after the 2024 election, Karine Jean-Pierre shares why Americans must begin to look beyond party lines and why she chose to embrace life as an Independent.
“Since I left The White House on my final day as The White House Press Secretary this past January, rarely a day goes by that I’m not stopped in the supermarket, at my daughter’s school, at the bank, in an airport, or in my neighborhood to be asked for my perspective, opinion, or insight about the state of our country and what we must do to preserve our democracy,” says Jean-Pierre. “Until January 20, I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the President of the United States. At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country. I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically. We need to be clear-eyed and questioning, rather than blindly loyal and obedient as we may have been in the past. And freeing ourselves of boxes is truly at the heart and soul of my new book, Independent.”
Jean-Pierre didn’t come to her decision to be an Independent lightly, she has served two American presidents, Obama and Biden. In 2020, she joined Biden’s campaign as a senior adviser, becoming Harris’s chief of staff and then, two years later, White House press secretary. She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden’s abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision.
INDEPENDENT is an urgent, timely analysis that urges all Americans to vote their values and maintain individuality within party lines. She presents clear arguments and provocative evidence as an insider about the importance of dismantling the torrent of disinformation and misinformation that has been rampant in recent elections and provides passionate insight for moving forward. As a history maker, veteran public servant, political analyst and independent thinker, she urges Americans to think outside of the blue-and-red box as we consider what’s next to save our democracy.
Karine Jean-Pierre was the White House Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to former President Joe Biden. She has worked in senior communications and political offices in both the Biden and Obama Administrations. Prior to her time in the White House, Jean-Pierre was the Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org. She is a graduate of Columbia University. She is represented by Folio Literary Management and Squire Media & Management, Inc.
About Legacy Lit:
Legacy Lit is an imprint dedicated to giving voice to issues, authors, and all groups that have been underrepresented, under-served, and overlooked. Our mission is to inspire social change and to elevate and celebrate diverse communities. We are unapologetically intentional and committed to promoting equality and equity for all people. Our books uplift and celebrate diverse communities using fresh narratives, powerful storytelling, and big ideas that will educate, enlighten, and inspire.
About Grand Central Publishing Group:
Grand Central Publishing Group reaches a diverse audience through books that cater to every kind of reader. Our divisions include Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Nashville, and Union Square & Co.
About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading US general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group; Grand Central Publishing Group; Hachette Audio; Little, Brown and Company; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orbit; and Workman Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to other publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world’s third-largest trade and educational publisher.
Visit hachettebookgroup.com to learn more about HBG imprints. For updated news follow HBG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X.com, Pinterest, and YouTube.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Tara Kennedy, Director of Publicity, Legacy Lit
212-364-0699, tara.kennedy@hbgusa.com
Megan Perritt-Jacobson, Director of Publicity, GCP Non-Fiction
212-364-1259, megan.perritt-jacobson@hbgusa.com
Gilda Squire, Squire Media & Management, Inc.
917-952-7340, gildasquire@verizon.net