Agate Publishing and Medill announce inaugural “Medill Books” pilot project for publication in 2027

EVANSTON, ILL. -- Agate Publishing and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, both based in Evanston, Ill., announce the pilot project of their Medill Books imprint partnership. Tentatively titled Your Plate and the Planet, the book is a deeply reported guide to reducing greenhouse gas emissions one trip to the supermarket, one meal, and one plate at a time by Medill alumna Liza Schoenfein (MSJ89). The book will be published in 2027.

“Your Plate and the Planet is a meticulously researched and highly accessible book that will allow readers to thoughtfully consider how they can protect the environment while eating healthfully,” said Medill Dean Charles Whitaker. “We are delighted to work with a Medill alumna on our first book project.”

“I couldn’t be prouder that we’re inaugurating this project with the first book by Liza Schoenfein, a leading food journalist whose work I’ve known and admired for decades,” said Agate president Doug Seibold. “I think her project is shaping up to be a great way to launch Medill Books, and Liza has much to say on this urgent topic.”

Medill Books is the recently announced publishing partnership between Agate Publishing and Medill, publishing nonfiction books written by journalists. The project’s specific aim is to develop a new outlet for journalists to produce ambitious longform work in a media climate where it’s increasingly challenging to find opportunities to do so.

After graduating with a master’s degree in journalism from Medill in 1989, Schoenfein began her journalism career in Chicago, working for Crain Communications, WTTW, and Chicago magazine. She has served as executive editor of Saveur magazine and editor-in-chief of GoodHousekeeping.com and Parenting.com, and continues to write and develop recipes for publications including Epicurious, New York magazine, and Self, among others. She lives outside New York City and writes the Substack newsletter “Life, Death & Dinner.”

This summer, graduate students in Medill's Integrated Marketing Communications program will help develop the brand identity and positioning for Medill Books in an immersive, 10-week course where they will apply strategic, data-driven approaches to amplify the imprint's reach within and outside the Medill community.

“We are excited that Medill Books will provide a new outlet for writers to produce longform journalism, and also offer our students a hands-on experience in the publishing project through this course and other opportunities to come," said Whitaker.

For more information about the Medill Books imprint, please contact Jacqueline Jarik (Agate) at jarik@agatepublishing.com or Sara Brazeal (Medill) at sara.brazeal@northwestern.edu.

Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications has been educating students since 1921 and is the only top 10 university to offer an undergraduate degree in journalism. Medill offers programs in journalism and integrated marketing communications across its undergraduate and graduate programs, with locations in Evanston and Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Agate Publishing is an independent publisher based in Evanston, Ill., that encompasses four distinct trade imprints, an educational content development division, and a training and certification program for publishing professionals.