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book cover for If I Ruled the World

If I Ruled the World

A witty novel filled with scandal and romance in the world of publishing from a former editor-in-chief

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Pub Date Jan 28 2026 | Archive Date Jan 23 2026

Simon & Schuster (Australia) | Simon & Schuster UK


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Description

‘An utterly dazzling debut!’ ROBINNE LEE

‘Sparkles with drama, scandal and ’90s New York energy’ ESSIE CHAMBERS

‘A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ TIA WILLIAMS

Get ready for a utterly immersive journey through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history.

It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor-in-chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that ‘Black girls don’t sell magazines’, she quits to take over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential.

Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar – and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with New York City’s most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her married, powerful ex-lover and former boss, who is determined to destroy both her and Sugar.

Determined not to be beaten, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what – and who – she truly wants.

Written by the ultimate insider, this is a juicy story of ambition, friendship, love and finding your own voice.

‘An utterly dazzling debut!’ ROBINNE LEE

‘Sparkles with drama, scandal and ’90s New York energy’ ESSIE CHAMBERS

‘A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ TIA WILLIAMS

Get ready for a utterly immersive journey through...


Advance Praise

‘I’m always here for 90s nostalgia, especially of the NYC variety - and Amy DuBois Barnett’s If I Ruled the World scratches the itch. As a major player in the fashion and music scenes of the era, who better than Barnett to weave a world sizzling with such delicious romance, swagger and intrigue? A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ Tia Williams, New York Times bestselling author of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

‘If I Ruled the World had me hooked from the very first page. This fascinating story from inside magazine publishing – and the music world – really hits all the right notes: it’s meaningful, nostalgic, heartfelt and resonant.’ Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Cate Kay

‘With a keen eye and an accomplished voice, Amy DuBois Barnett takes us on a thrilling ride through the high-stakes world of magazine publishing in 1990s New York. At the intersection of fashion and hip-hop, If I Ruled the World captures the glamour, danger, and magic of a defining moment in American culture. An utterly dazzling debut!’ Robinne Lee, bestselling author of The Idea of You

‘I’m always here for 90s nostalgia, especially of the NYC variety - and Amy DuBois Barnett’s If I Ruled the World scratches the itch. As a major player in the fashion and music scenes of the era, who...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781398543669
PRICE A$34.99 (AUD)
PAGES 368

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