Mindy Kaling has a clear guideline when choosing her projects: they need to have an engaging story, and strong female characters take center stage. This standard applies to her television shows like Champions, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Kaling has also ventured into publishing with her Amazon imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio, which launched in 2022.
Kaling has expressed her affinity for dynamic and bold women in her stories. She stated, “I really like ambitious women, underestimated women, women with secrets. Those with big personalities. I’m not involved in a lot of things with demure female leads. That’s not my vibe.” This passion is not just confined to her screen projects but extends to her selection of books, as well.
One of the upcoming titles from her book studio is The Rules of Fortune, a novel by rising author Danielle Prescod, slated for a February 1, 2025 release. Kaling selected this book because it resonated with her personal taste, identifying it as something she would enjoy reading.
The Rules of Fortune marks Prescod’s debut novel, although she is already well-known as a successful figure in the fashion industry. Her memoir, Token Black Girl, published in 2022, caught Kaling’s attention and fueled her excitement about Prescod’s future work. Kaling mentioned, “When I read that book, I was like, if this woman ever does a novel, I will read it instantly.”
Kaling has a straightforward approach when it comes to her selections. “Honestly, I know this sounds bad, but I wish I had a bigger, broader strategy of how I pick things. But the truth is, I just pick things that I really, really like,” she explained. She visualizes every book as potentially adaptable for the screen, hence the name ‘book studio’—it’s all about whether the narrative can be dramatized.
The Rules of Fortune follows the story of Kennedy Carter, an aspiring filmmaker who delves into her family’s wealthy background. After the unexpected death of her billionaire father, a wave of secrets begins to surface, leading to a crisis that puts their family legacy at risk.
Prescod recognizes the sensitive nature of discussing wealth in today’s society. She wants to explore what it means for Black Americans to navigate wealth and its challenges. "As the conversation around wealth, and the ethics of wealth started growing, I was definitely thinking about how that conversation certainly leaves out people who are not white," she shared.
Writing her first novel has posed its challenges, as Prescod feels more pressure crafting an entirely fictional world compared to her memoir. She acknowledges the appeal of fantasy and science fiction as an escape from that pressure.
Throughout her research, Prescod encountered various instances that reveal how wealthy individuals are often seen differently than the rest of society, with many assumptions surrounding their experiences. Kaling appreciates Prescod’s ability to inject humor into potentially heavy themes, stating, "Family dysfunction is so much better when it’s written in a witty way. I really relate to Danielle’s book."
Overall, Kaling’s focus on compelling narratives with rich characters continues to shape her creative endeavors, blending humor with poignant themes that resonate with audiences.
The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod is set for release early next year.
