This week, we unpack a fascinating essay about the ways in which Philip Roth managed his authorial image and career, and the various questions it raises about what “success” is, how to be a good literary citizen, and what happens when an author’s “brand” becomes a part of their writing itself. It’s a conversation about moving and shaking in the modern literary landscape, how social media changes that thinking, how it all relates to power, and how it connects to the art that gets made in this environment.

Episode 138—Literary Survival

This week we take a look at Laura McGrath’s fascinating paper on how literary agents shape the acquisitions landscape. It’s got a lot of insights we agree with and some things we push back on a bit, but overall the conversation ends up being a close look at what “taste” actually is, how people in our position exist in relation to corporate power, and much more. Join us!

The paper we discuss is here, for your reference: https://academic.oup.com/alh/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/alh/ajab005/6161353?redirectedFrom=fulltext#230638685

Episode 139— Taste and Agency

The hard part of a dream come true.

Recorded and Engineered by Mike Mitch (https://www.mikexmitch.com/book-online)
Written and Performed by by N
Produced via sample by OZ by N

Nabokov

Good electro track.  Lots of influences.  Enjoy...or don't

Out through

Wolves Like Us

This is actually a quick cover song that I figured out.  I was watching an episode of Fraggle Rock that with my son that dealt with dying and losing friends and I just thought this little song was beautiful.

Just a Dream Away

Delfekt

Darlin

simulation

repair

We’re back! In our first episode since going on leave in late 2020, we talk about how our approach and views toward the industry may have shifted since our time of last recording. This transitions into a conversation about the public performance of “working” on social media, and leads to a conversation about the interplay between social media posturing and power in the industry--spoiler alert: that power dynamic needs some fixing. It’s great to be back, and we’re so glad you’re joining us again!

Wolves Like Us

ChronoMattic (Matt Durante)

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