It’s time. This week, we discuss by far the most influential entity in the book industry: Amazon. Bigger than everyone else, more ruthless than everyone else, and yet, completely indispensable to modern book culture. We go through Amazon’s history as it relates to publishing, highlighting its many innovations and its fights with publishers throughout the last decade, and try to get a handle on what Amazon could mean for books, publishing, and the written word.
May 23, 2017•1 hr 10 min
This week, we discuss the levers of power that are at play in a book’s acquisition and publication, all of which end up determining that book’s fate and prospects. How does the size of a book’s advance payment affect how it’s published? What about author clout, or precedent, or expectation, or a pushy agent? It’s a chat about who ends up on the hook for what, and how all these factors come together (or don’t). We also do a quick BEA galley preview, in which we beg attendees to grab us books. Ple...
May 16, 2017•52 min
This week’s show is on maybe the most fundamental thing any of us do outside the whole eating/sleeping thing: reading. How has the role of reading changed in our lives as we’ve gotten older? Is it the same experience reading as an adult as it is as a child or even a student? We unpack that, and also discuss the NYT slashing some of its bestseller lists, the new James Patterson/Bill Clinton collaboration, and books in your dating profiles.
May 09, 2017•51 min
This week we talk about the seemingly surface-level elements of books that seem to periodically rise and fall in popularity: things like the vampire in paranormal/YA books, or the cupcake shop in romance novels, or the word “Girl” in EVERY SINGLE LITERARY FICTION TITLE. Who’s driving these trends, and how and why do they change over time? Also included is a JP book of the week and a word on recent layoffs in the industry.
May 02, 2017•54 min
Just the two of us again this week. We discuss the supposed reader experience known as “escapism”—what does it mean, why do people seek it out, and are people actually “escaping” like they think they are when they pick up a good book? Also included is a brief discussion on Henry Holt’s decision to stick with Bill O’Reilly as his publisher, and the debut of a new segment, The Only Good Books!
Apr 25, 2017•49 min
In light of NYC’s new law forbidding employers from asking job candidates their previous salaries, we talk to editor Allyson Rudolph (@allysonrudolph) about the many issues surrounding pay in the publishing industry. Spoiler alert: there are tons, and it ends up hurting people AND the books. Allyson and Erik also tell a couple stories from their time on an editorial staff together and … hoo, boy. It’s a fun, honest, and wide-ranging interview we think you’ll like!
Apr 18, 2017•48 min
This week, we discuss what it means to engage in honest critical discussions about writing, why it’s difficult, and how it’s essential to the advancement of the good-faith publishing conversation. Why do people, especially authors, have such a hard time criticizing other books? What does it mean to read critically, versus reading for enjoyment, and has the digital age changed the way books are reviewed? We also talk about why certain books draw criticism and why others seem immune. We also recap...
Apr 13, 2017•57 min
This week, we take a look at how writing and publishing have become separate conversations, and how this divide isn’t good for anyone in any part of the writing world. Why is there such an oversized emphasis on query formatting, pitch elements, and the “myth of the checklist?” We talk about how to reclaim a more natural place when discussing the writing process, allowing all of us to get back to thinking about what we love in this field: the writing and the books.
Apr 04, 2017•48 min
Description: This week, dear listener, is about regrets. What books did we let go or pass on, that ended up doing well in other hands, and what does that say about the nature of professional and subjective taste? Other than that, the regrets are… Really something. A dude lighting books on fire and burning down his neighborhood. James Patterson blurbing himself, which more fills us with regret, because he’s clearly got life figured out way better than we do. And lots more!
Mar 28, 2017•47 min
This week, we tackle a seemingly simple question that no two people seem to have the same answer to: what does “literary” mean? Is it a genre, or the lack of one? Does it imply sophistication or prestige, or is it shorthand for pretentious or privileged? Does it mean different things to different people in the book world? Does it mean whatever we want it to mean? We try to arrive at a definition. And discuss how the term functions in both art and publishing conversation.
Mar 21, 2017•57 min
This week, we examine the phenomenon of THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas, and break down why exactly it was able to debut at the top of the bestseller lists. Then, in light of Laura being mad at some tweets, we have a spirited discussion about whether or not getting an MFA “matters” for writers. We even fit in some listener questions at the end!
Mar 14, 2017•1 hr 1 min
On the occasion of Erik finishing a manuscript he's been dragging his feet on for five years, we talk about the strange and naive myths we believed about publishing before entering the industry, and the ways expectations have not matched up with reality. What's unexpectedly good about working in publishing, and what unexpectedly sucks? Also, we talk about the novels we wrote as children, including Laura's quest narrative in a fancy notebook, and the fact that Erik didn't understand typesetting a...
Mar 07, 2017•1 hr 1 min
This week we're joined by Carly Silver, an assistant editor at Harlequin Books! We talk about what it's like to work as an editor at a romance publisher, whether any of the meetings get a little awkward, and the ins and outs (um, phrasing) of how romance novels are acquired and discussed in house. Plus, we discuss commissioning books as agents, and how that approach differs from the query process.
Feb 28, 2017•49 min
This week, we take a look at some of the trends and tropes in social media in the book world, from writers, agents, editors, and publishing houses. Why can't anyone on writer Twitter make a good joke? Are hashtags like #ownvoices mostly used for shallow virtue signalling and brand building? We debate this stuff and more. We also respond to the op ed from Milo's agent in Publisher's Weekly. This bit is especially funny in hindsight, since Simon & Schuster cancelled the book about half an hour...
Feb 21, 2017•58 min
In our latest episode, we bring to you the first-ever Print Run interview, a conversation with author and librarian Lily Anderson (@ms_lilyanderson). We talk about her upcoming book, her experience in the publishing process, how her work as a school librarian gives her unique insight into children’s publishing, what she’d change about the industry, and more. The show also has the standard Tom Cruise news and a #pubtip at the end, of course.
Feb 14, 2017•54 min
This week, we look at the strange and often hilarious ways that women's bodies get described in fiction, and talk about how that descriptive tradition weighs on writers even today. Then, Erik decides to apply to be James Patterson's coauthor, and his sample chapter is ... well, it's really something.
Feb 07, 2017•50 min
This week, we talk about some of the sillier allusions to 1984 happening right now in media (in light of the book becoming Amazon's top seller). We break down Roxane Gay pulling her book from Simon & Schuster, and discuss the complications she might face in finding another publisher. Also included: proposed book laws that failed this week, the potential defunding of the NEA, and a listener mailbag!
Jan 31, 2017•1 hr 5 min
This episode features a crazy publishing story from Erik, along with a discussion on the apparently booming industry of dumbing down literary classics for toddlers. We also talk about our best bookstore ideas (spoiler alert: the best idea is cinnamon rolls, as is always the case). Basically, we were Very Serious the last couple weeks and wanted a fun episode this time. Enjoy!
Jan 24, 2017•57 min
This week, we tackle a pretty big, speculative question: if you were to start a publishing company, what would it look like? We discuss a wide range of facets to this, from editorial vision, publishing models, acquisitions strategies, building a brand, how to cut costs, and more. It's a fun episode; our hope is that more than just making some hypotheticals, we also do some spotlighting of where we feel publishing is really working, where it isn't, and what we would change. Tell us what you think...
Jan 18, 2017•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, we discuss ways that modern publishing should address the literary canon's diversity problem. We also fight about whether or not audiobooks count as reading, because frankly we're both petty as hell. At one point we end up talking at length about mice in apartments, which Erik tries pretty hard to make relevant to books but he'll tell you, dear listener, he may not have succeeded. Anyway, it's a fun episode. Join us!
Jan 10, 2017•54 min
Happy new year! In the first Print Run of 2017, we talk about our holiday break and Milo Yiannopoulos's controversial book deal with Simon & Schuster. We break down the backlash, the backlash to the backlash, and discuss what this deal reveals about most free-speech arguments as well as what we can expect to see from mainstream commercial publishers moving forward.
Jan 03, 2017•58 min
In addition to spending way too long breaking down Sara Gruen's Hatchimals scheme, we discuss the supposed "censorship" argument made by Abrams Books in light of their controversial release of Bad Little Children's Books. We also analyze the movie Elf, because it has publishing in it and it's the holidays. Stop judging us, I can see you judging us.
Dec 13, 2016•49 min
In the latest episode of Print Run, we talk about the horrors of recommending books to others, because giving gifts with subtext is what the holidays are all about. Also, we offer some alternative author theme parks to try, rather than the planned Harper Lee tourist spot in Alabama. There's a listener mailbag, a chat about the various dictionaries' words of the year, and Erik reads the winning passage of the 2016 Bad Sex Award. I'm sorry, mom.
Dec 06, 2016•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of Print Run, we talk about Penguin Random House's decision to start helping its employees pay off student loans, and what the could mean for the candidate pool for publishing jobs. Then Laura tries to get verified on Twitter while Erik gets nostalgic about star-bellied sneetches. Also discussed are the results of National Book Awards and an update on Erik's flailing #NaNoWriMo campaign.
Nov 22, 2016•57 min
In the November First Pages episode of Print Run, we take a look at three different novel openings and talk about the best ways to get your story started right from the opening page. We discuss establishing narrative perspective and creating an inciting conflict, as well as deciding which details you should include and leave out as you get your story started.
Nov 17, 2016•42 min
In this episode of Print Run, we discuss what a Trump presidency could mean for the publishing industry, and how publishing might affect Trump. How will Trump interact with the free press, and what role will book publishing play in the normalization of such an extreme political movement? Also discussed: conservative publishing, what constitutes counterculture, and more.
Nov 15, 2016•1 hr 7 min
In the latest episode of Print Run, Laura and Erik talk about the national nightmare facing America this November: NaNoWriMo. Also discussed are all the books George R.R. Martin isn't currently writing, and a chat about coming changes to BEA, which are good in that they make BEA closer to nonexistence. Plus, a savage argument over the #writetip!
Nov 08, 2016•59 min
In their first dedicated query show, Laura and Erik read three real queries and break down what's working and not working in each. The conversation focuses on things like using a strong lede, showcasing the essential details of your story as efficiently as possible, and finding the right voice for your pitch.
Nov 03, 2016•51 min
In this week's Print Run, Laura and Erik use the current election cycle—No politics, we promise!—to discuss how book publishing fits within a fast-paced reading world geared toward shorter articles and thinkpieces. What will books on the 2016 election look like, and will they have an impact? Then, Laura pays off losing the Man Booker bet with a dramatic reading of her favorite author, artist, and style icon, Jonathan Franzen. It's—well, it happened, we'll say that. Enjoy!
Nov 01, 2016•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, Laura lets Erik sit near the gong and immediately regrets it. We discuss climbing the book-podcast charts and declare war on the NYTBR podcast, which surely has them shaking in their fine designer boots. In honor of Halloween we break down what scares us in books, as well as our favorite scary books of all time, and also litigate whether or not Laura is crazy for wanting her obituary to appear in Publisher's Lunch (spoiler alert: she is).
Oct 25, 2016•49 min
