The Polygamist Author Sue Nyathi | on Netflix, Self-Publishing & Writing Success

Sue Nyathi authored "The Polygamist" after witnessing corporate Harare's hidden polygamy culture and her book has been adapted into a globally renowned Netflix original series. She details it all. Publishers rejected it with formal letters. She borrowed money from a friend and self-published in 2012. For five years, sales were slow. Then in 2017, word-of-mouth changed everything. By 2022, Stained Glass Pictures optioned the book. In 2024, Netflix acquired the series. In January 2026, The Polygamist became #1 in 16 countries worldwide. In This Conversation: ✅ How she survived 14 years from rejection to Netflix success ✅ Why she quit her finance career at 40 with no backup plan ✅ Living on prayer through COVID as a full-time writer ✅ The moment Stained Glass approached her in 2022 ✅ Self-publishing lessons that saved her career ✅ Why the Polygamist sparked global conversations about GBV, narcissism, and HIV ✅ How she writes 8am-3pm daily while raising her son ✅ The business of book rights, options, and film adaptations ✅ Why traditional polygamy differs from what she wrote about Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Sue Nyathi & The Polygamist Netflix Success 4:32 - How The Polygamist was rejected by publishers 8:15 - The cousin who convinced her not to quit writing 12:40 - Writing in high school: Books passed around Girls College 18:22 - Career pivot: Finance analyst to full-time author at 40 24:10 - COVID years: the Spiritual Awakening & Living on prayer with no income 28:45 - 2022: Stained Glass options The Polygamist 35:18 - 2024: Netflix acquires the series 38:50 - January 2026: #1 in 16 countries 42:15 - Self-publishing business lessons authors need 48:30 - Book rights, film options, and derivatives explained 52:10 - Why The Polygamist resonates globally 56:40 - Social anthropology through fiction 1:02:15 - The HIV pandemic context in the book 1:08:20 - Christian backlash and misogyny debates 1:14:35 - Characters: How she builds believable people 1:20:10 - Daily writing routine and time management 1:24:50 - Why she doesn't mentor (yet) 1:28:40 - Translation rights and global distribution 1:32:15 - 13-year-old Sue's message to 48-year-old Sue Books by Sue Nyathi: The Polygamist (2012) - Now a Netflix series The Gold Diggers (2018) A Family Affair (2020) An Angel's Demise (2023) Where to Buy: 📚 Amazon: 📚 Exclusive Books (South Africa): 📚 Takealot 📚 Print-on-demand worldwide: Connect with Sue Nyathi: Instagram: @suenyathi Twitter/X: @suenyathi Facebook: Sue Nyathi Author About HUMHR Career Insights: Global career and leadership podcast featuring entrepreneurs, humanitarians, executives, and changemakers across Africa and the diaspora. Hosted by Batje Chibafa. #ThePolygamist #SueNyathi# NetflixSeries #ZimbabweanAuthors #AfricanLiterature #SelfPublishing #BookToScreen #DiasporaStories #Entrepreneurship #CareerPivot #WritingCareer #AfricanAuthors #KenyanReaders #SouthAfricanBooks #HarareStories #BulawayoWriters #NetflixAfrica #ThePolygamistBook #PublishingIndustry #authorinterviews GUEST: Sue Nyathi | Author | The Polygamist, The Gold Diggers, A Family Affair, An Angel's Demise HOST: Batje Chibafa | Certified Professional Career Coach | Founder, HUMHR Advertise on this podcast: [email protected] Buy me a cup of Tea : https://www.patreon.com/HUMHRCareerIn... Subscribe: YouTube @humhr3715 🎧 Podcast (Apple/Spotify) 🌍 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/humhr?utm_source=li... 💼 Batje on LinkedIn: / batjechibafa 🏢 HUMHR LinkedIn: / humhr Subscribe: YouTube @humhr3715 Instagram: @humhr2021 Website: humhr.org Linktree: linktr.ee/humhr DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or substitute for specialized professional advice, including legal, financial, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard relevant professional advice based solely on the information presented in this podcast or channel. Furthermore, all opinions expressed by guests are their sole views and do not represent those of the channel or its host.