Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing Industry

In episode 1 of this series, we looked at the history of banned books in America. Today, we look at its current state. Is there more nuance to book censorship than is at the surface? We speak with two people on opposite sides of the spectrum: A parent, who seeks to explain why she wants more control over the stories her children are exposed to, and best selling author Jodi Picoult, who has written many books that have been banned across the country. We also speak with a librarian and a parent in Texas to round out the conversation.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick.Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the history and impact of book banning in America, from the religious beliefs of Anthony Comstock to the influence of the Ku Klux Klan. Discover specific incidents of book bans, such as the Howell trial and the Kanaw County dispute. Delve into the ongoing controversy over literature in American schools and the struggle to define what should be taught and stocked in libraries.

With Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House barred from merging, are publishers losing substantial power as gatekeepers to the industry? What is the current state of publishers, and did this decision take into account the readers or the authors?Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-doj-v-prh-the-hidden-peaks-of-a-flat-industry/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick.Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Riggs, author of Slaying the Dragon, joins us to discuss Dungeons and Dragons' rocky relationship with fans. We explore the game's origins, financial struggles, and the impact of acquisitions. We also delve into the transition to Pathfinder and the controversy surrounding the open gaming license.

Are fanfiction communities becoming stronger than traditional publishers? In this episode, we’ll look at how fans, publishers, and creators are (or aren’t) working together, examining a fanfiction lawsuit between former fanfic writers Zoey Ellis and Addison Cain. We speak with Elizabeth Minkel, co-host of the Fansplaining podcast. Did we mention the fanfiction is about the highly specific subgenre of... wolfkink?Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUukoTranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-copyright-fanfiction-who-owns-what/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colleen Hoover created a book empire through self-publishing, in part due to the power of social media. Is her career a sign of a changing landscape where publishing gatekeepers are losing power while readers are gaining power? We speak with Laura Miller, Books and Culture columnist at Slate, Jim Milliot, Co-Editorial Director at Publishers Weekly, and Jennie Young, an Associate Professor of Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to find out.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUukoTranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-the-colleen-hoover-story/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick.Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book bans are on the rise across America. With the rise of social media, book publishers are losing their power as the industry gatekeepers. More and more celebrities and influencers are publishing books with ghostwriters. Writing communities are splintering because members are at cross purposes about their mission. An all-new season of the investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Season 2 of Missing Pages premieres on October 23rd.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To get a better sense of the book world Caroline Calloway found herself in, we talked to Constance Grady, a senior correspondent and culture critic for Vox, who covers film, TV, and of course, book publishing. In this bonus episode, previously only available in our premium feed on Apple Podcasts, "Missing Pages Unabridged," Constance shares her wisdom about books, the publishing industry, and how she wound up writing the most-referenced explainer there is on Caroline Calloway.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Kaavya Viswanathan: The Full Package, we looked back into "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life," and the plagiarism scandal that brought everything down. As we unearthed new details about the fiasco, we thought it was important to talk to Viswanathan herself to find out what really happened. In this extended interview, previously only available in our premium feed on Apple Podcasts, "Missing Pages Unabridged," and Viswanathan's first about the YA novel in 15 years, we talk about everything from her experience on the Today Show, what it was like writing for a book packager, and what she's been up to in the years since. If you haven't listened to Kaavya Viswanathan: The Full Package yet, we recommend you listen to that first.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He enlightened millions with his writings and built dozens of schools in the Middle East. But despite his praiseworthy deeds, author-philanthropist Greg Mortenson suffered an immense fall from grace. Was Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, a manipulative scammer or an idealist in over his head? Bethanne delves into a story of good intentions and very bad bookkeeping.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices