This week’s episode is one for book lovers, book collectors, aspiring authors, and every kind of writer. It’s always helpful to know what booksellers know—because bookstores do so much more than just provide a place for browsing and buying books. Join us to talk with Josh Cook of  Porter Square Books about his new book, The Art of Libromancy, and why bookselling is political, what authors should think about when speaking to booksellers, and what you need to know about Amazon and Bookshop and the landscape of buying books. Plus, Grant and Brooke swap stories about their time working in bookstores, and Brooke promised to share in the show notes a link to her essay about her months spent working (and bunking) at Shakespeare & Co. in Paris in 1999. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s extra-inspiring show, guest Dhonielle Clayton treats us to a generous conversation about effecting change in the industry and how that inevitable comes with backlash. We talk about representation in publishing, Penguin Random House’s recent firing of two high-profile publishers, and book bans—among other important topics, like packaging and IP and how kids seeing characters that look like them in fiction opens up unimagined possibilities for their futures. We also encourage you to check out the work being done at We Need Diverse Books as supplemental to this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What will other people think? What will be the consequences of sharing my truth? These are among some of the questions that hold memoirists back, and their realities post-publication can cause “vulnerability hangovers.” Exposure, fear of fallout, concern for people we love—memoir doesn’t make it easy. With very recent experience informing her, this week’s guest, Susan Kiyo Ito, generously wades into the territory of these themes. If you’re grappling with exposure pre- or post-publication, you won’t want to miss this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re living through a golden age of memoir, and guest Jennifer Leigh Selig’s Deep Memoir is a new contribution to the “how-to” space for memoirists who want to explore the how and the why of memoir writing. This episode will help listeners consider their own “why” when it comes to that age-old question of why to keep at it, and also to celebrate a genre that’s finally getting its due. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Claire Jiménez discusses the challenges of writing about grief, incorporating humor and historical contexts into her new book about a child's disappearance. The hosts share their own experiences with grief and the importance of authenticity in writing. They explore the evolution of a story from a short piece to a novel and touch on societal pressures around mourning.

Elwin Cotman, an established writer, discusses breaking traditional form boundaries in his new story collection. Grant announces his departure from NaNoWriMo. They explore poetry's influence on prose and fantasy writing, ethical concerns in AI companies using authors' works without permission.

Author Stacey D’Erasmo discusses the various forms of intimacy in writing and literature, exploring emotional connections, aging, and the complexities of portraying intimacy in fiction without sentimentality. The podcast delves into nuanced aspects of intimacy, unexpected connections in personal experiences, and reflections on regrets, offering thought-provoking insights on acts of intimacy in writing and reading.

Former editor of the San Francisco Chronicle’s book review section, John McMurtrie, discusses the transition of book reviews to online outlets like Amazon and Goodreads. He shares insights on breaking into book reviewing, the key elements of a great book, and the impact of the internet on traditional review methods.

Naomi Kanakia, trans author, discusses social responsibility in fiction writing, questioning the impact on readers. The episode explores her experience in YA literature, balancing realism and optimism. Kanakia delves into the challenges of representation in publishing and the importance of empathy in storytelling.

Strap on your seatbelts ’cause we’re going for a ride—into the wild world of book publishing. Guest Kathleen Schmidt is a leading voice in publishing. Her popular Substack, Publishing Confidential, is a go-to source for tell-it-like-it-is realities about the industry and what authors can and should expect. We talk shop this week, touching upon author platform, Barnes & Noble, and why advances make no sense. This is a not-to-be-missed episode for anyone who’s ever published or wants to be published. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices