Meet JJ Colagrande: Writer, Professor & Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with JJ Colagrande and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JJ, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“The Party, though its flame may flicker low and all but gutter in these juiceless times, goes on forever.” Lester Bangs, renowned music journalist 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As the publisher of Jitney Books, I published 11 books with four more in the works in 2021. That’s fifteen full-length books, three of which I wrote as an author, all of which I edited, laid out the interior design of the text, directed the graphic design of the covers, all of which have Miami street art on. It’s an accomplishment, not sure it was worth it, to be honest. Publishing is a masochistic cut-throat dying business but on the other side of the equation , writing makes up the bones of all storytelling. So, we will see. It’s an open-ended determination.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re in a freaking pandemic, just go outside. Go to the top floor of the 1111 Lincoln Road building and take a yoga class. Go to a state park and rent a kayak or paddleboard. Ride a wave runner. Ride a bike. Picnic in the park. Pretend like its the 90’s and throw away your phone and go…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Miami Dade College #MadeInDade, America’s largest college and truly Democracy’s College, also home to the Miami Book Fair, MDC Live Arts, MOAD, and The Miami Film Festival as well as owners of the Freedom Tower and Tower Theater in Little Havana and so much more!!

Website: jitneybooks.com
Instagram: @jjcolagrande
Linkedin: @jjcolagrande
Twitter: @jjcolagrande
Facebook: @jjcolagrande