Behind the Book with Bookseller Jeannine A. Cook: Founder of Harriett’s Bookshop in Philly

On episode 54 we’re going Behind the Book with bookseller Jeannine A. Cook, founder of Harriett’s Bookshop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Jeannine A. Cook is a self-described word worker. In 2020, she opened Harriett’s Bookshop in the Fishtown section of North Philadelphia with the mission to celebrate women authors, women artists, and women activists. In 2021, she opened Ida’s Bookshop in Collingswood, NJ, and Josephine’s Bookshop (a bookshop installation in Paris). 

Jeannine’s work as a literary activist has been recognized by several national and international news outlets including The New York Times, Vogue Magazine, Google, and  Forbes, Inc.

Jeannine is also a writer and author who writes about the complex intersections of motherhood, globalism, activism, and the arts. Her delicious debut novel, It’s Me They Follow will be released in September, 2025.

During our conversation, Jeannine shares:

• How magic, synchronicity, and obedience to spirit play a part in her success as a bookseller. 
• The history of word working and miracles in her own family that inspire her own literary work.
• Why she doesn’t worship money.
• The challenges she faces as a bookseller who is also a writer.
• What she’s working on next in honor of the late Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathii.

This is a magical and motivating episode.

To learn more about the amazing Jeannine A. Cook and what she’s up to, visit her website.

To Follow all the fun at Harriett’s Bookstore and her sister shop, Ida’s Bookstore, visit their website and/or Follow on Instagram.

You can pre-order Jeanine’s debut novel, It’s Me The Follow at the Reed, Write & Create bookstore.

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If you’re looking for more creative writing inspiration, and useful resources for your literary life, check out the Reed, Write, & Create website at ReedWriteandCreate.com. 

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