The merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster

There is a discussion about the merger happening between Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. This merger would result in the number of major publishing houses decreasing from six to four. It is being investigated by the Department of Justice to determine if it would violate anti-trust laws. Stephen King testified against the merger, expressing concerns about the impact it would have on authors' options. While the short-term effects on readers may not be noticeable, there is a possibility that authors may face challenges with fewer places to sell their books.