If I Ruled The World

If I Ruled The World by Amy DuBois Barnett Pre-Order January 27th 2026

From former Essence editor-in-chief Amy DuBois Barnett comes If I Ruled the World—a sharp, sexy, and addictive debut novel that takes readers deep into the glamorous, cutthroat world of late 1990s hip-hop and high fashion media.

It’s 1999, and Nikki Rose is done playing by the rules. After years of being the only Black editor at an elite fashion magazine—and being told that “Black girls don’t sell magazines”—she walks out and takes over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop and lifestyle publication with everything to prove.

Suddenly thrust into a whirlwind of music moguls, private jets, and dangerous entanglements, Nikki has six months to turn Sugar into a success—or lose everything she’s worked for. But when her powerful, married ex-lover tries to sabotage her comeback, Nikki must decide what she’s truly willing to risk for her career, her heart, and her integrity.

Vividly capturing the glitz, ambition, and cultural revolution of the late ’90s, If I Ruled the World is a dazzling page-turner about Black excellence, reinvention, and the price of power—perfect for fans of The Devil Wears Prada and The Perfect Find.