Adventures in Publishing-land

STET Podcasts
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Podcasts unite as Marco Rinaldi and Tariq Ashkanani from Page One - The Writer's Podcast and Nadine Matheson from The Conversation get together to chat about the latest news from the publishing world and give their honest and irreverent takes on the stories! New episodes every second Monday Brought to you by STET Podcasts - your one-stop shop for all your writing podcast needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Agents Rail Against AI, Influencer Imprints & Genre Snobbery

    Watch as a full video on YouTube This week on Adventures in Publishing-land, we’re heading to San Francisco to look at Bindery Books. This startup is turning "bookfluencers" into acquiring editors, letting communities choose their own bestsellers. Is this the "Taylor’s Version" of publishing, or a risky bet on "tastemakers"? Plus, we discuss top literary agencies sounding the alarm on "formulaic" and "flattened" AI-generated queries, and also return to the topic of genre snobbery, and why fantasy is making everyone think again about it. 00:00 Intro 01:17 Facile & Formulaic - Agents Ban AI Queries 12:21 The Tastemaker Model - BookTok Becomes The Editor 21.39 Myth-understandings - Fighting Genre Snobbery 34:35 - Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction 39:53 Final Chapter - A Wonderful New Take on Superheroes Links: Literary agents urge writers to avoid AI as they see ‘change in nature of submissions’ Bindery Books Influencer-led Publishing Model Myth, monsters and making sense of a disenchanted world: why everyone is reading fantasy Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  2. FEB 16

    How AI 'Wrote' 200 'Books' a Year and The Wuthering Heights Adaptation Debate

    Watch as a full video on YouTube This week, we’re unpacking the controversy surrounding Emerald Fennell’s "Wuthering Heights" adaptation. From historically inaccurate corsets to Margot Robbie’s "raunchy" take on Cathy, we debate how far a retelling can stray before it loses the source material entirely. Plus, we look at how one writer used AI to publish 200 novels in a single year, allegedly earning six figures. But is she a writer? And after a century of dominance, are paperbacks shuffling toward extinction? 00:00 Intro 01:25 200 'Books' A Year - The AI Romance Gold Rush? 12:48 Pulp Fiction No More - The Death of Paperbacks? 23.35 Raunchy Brontë - Straying Too Far From the Source? 37:38 - Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction 43:15 Final Chapter - Best RomComs Links: Can AI Chatbots Write Romance? NY Times Article The Death of the Mass Market Paperback? How Different Is Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” Compared to Emily Brontë’s Book? Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  3. FEB 2

    Gen AI’s impact on creatives, Editing old books for modern readers, and Gen Z’s Literacy Crisis

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube In this week's episode of Adventures in Publishing-land, we dive into the heated debate surrounding Val McDermid and the use of sensitivity readers to revise backlist titles. Should books be treated as historical artifacts, or is updating them a necessary step for modern audiences? Plus, we’re tackling two massive shifts in the industry: We break down the Society of Authors' "Brave New World" report, which reveals a staggering 86% of creators are already seeing their earnings hit by Gen AI. And the Literacy Crisis: Are we losing a generation of readers? We discuss the alarming reports of Gen Z arriving at college unable to read full sentences and what "scanning" culture means for the future of the book. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Brave New World? AI Already Impacting Creatives 16:23 Editing the Past - Should Old Books Be Revised? 27:52 Can't Read or Won't Read? Is There a Gen Z Literacy Crisis? 39:33 Stranger Than Fiction 44:40 Final Chapter Links: All 2.4m of Britain’s creative workers are at risk — and we know why Brave New World? Justice for Creators in the age of Gen AI Val McDermid was assigned ‘sensitivity reader’ to cut offensive language from old books Gen Z are arriving to college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  4. JAN 19

    Killer Publicity with The Traitors, Romantasy Takeovers, and Scam AI Marketing Emails

    Watch as a full video on YouTube We're back! On this week's episode, we discuss the show everyone is talking about - The Traitors! With crime author Harriet Tyce's appearance, we chat about the impact it has had on her book sales, and also wonder which reality show we would choose to go on to boost our publicity (there is also some spoiler discussion about this season of the UK Traitors, so be careful if you are not up-to-date!) Plus, we talk about big money's interest in Romantasy, and whether that will crowd out the market for other genres, and also discuss the rapid rise of scam marketing emails that are being sent to authors thanks to AI... 00:00 Intro 01:34 Dollars & Dragons - Is Big Money Skewing Fiction? 16:52 The Flattery Trap - Predatory Promo Offers 27:30 Killer Marketing? - The Traitors Effect 44:14 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration 49:33 Off Script - Final Chapter: What we've been watching and reading Links: Chernin Group invests in Romantasy publisher Entangled Authors hit with deluge of scam emails from fake marketers Why crime writers make good Traitors contestants Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min

  5. 10/20/2025

    Ireland’s UBI Experiment, Garlic Mayo Marketing & Indie Press Panic

    Watch as a full video on YouTube On this week's episode, we discuss Ireland's UBI experiment for artists and writers, and why we would love to see other countries follow suit (but aren't holding our breath). Plus, we look at why indie presses are pressing the panic button, and discuss the latest BookTok marketing scheme - theme-scented books (a topic Tariq gets very excited about!) 00:00 Intro 01:10 Luck of the Irish - UBI for writers 13:45 Indie Presses - Time for trade support? 24:34 Smell of Success? TikTok, Trends and Garlic Mayo 39:56 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration 46:18 Off Script - Horror Movie updates and True Crime chat Links: Ireland's Basic income for the Arts Scheme made permanent Indie Presses in existential crisis call for support Garlic Mayo Book Marketing Nadine's Stranger than Fiction story Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  6. 10/06/2025

    Is Publishing Playing It Too Safe? The Booker, Fanfic & the Future of Fiction

    Watch as a full video on YouTube On this week's episode, we are talking about a scarcity of books for the Booker Prize and wondering if that is due to poor books or too narrow a category for prizes. Plus, we join the Alchemised train and wonder if fanfic turned to publishing gold shows publishers are unwilling to gamble on new stories, and more generally discuss how risk-averse the industry can be and why that narrows the chances for new authors. 00:00 Intro 01:04 Anthropic Settlement Update 03:22 Booker Prize in crisis? 17:46 Alchemised success - Turning FanFic into Gold 24.20 Betting on Bestsellers - Do Publishers Play the Odds? 36:56 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration 43:14 Off Script - Our Favourite Horror Movies Links: Sign up for Anthropic settlement Doyle says Booker Prize struggled to find good novels Alchemised - Fan fiction turned into a bestseller Why Romance Readers can't quit Dramione The Publishing Industry has a Gambling Problem Nadine's Stranger than Fiction story Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. 09/22/2025

    AI Settlement in Trouble, Cosy Crime Debate & Publishing Gimmicks

    Watch as a full video on YouTube On this week's episode we share some exciting awards news involving Tariq and Marco (both winners at the recent Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival!), Nadine reveals a new cover (check her instagram to see it!), plus we discuss the latest in the Anthropic settlement, wonder about whether cosy crime is a reductive term, and in the wake of the Evelyn Clark author reveal, wonder whether marketing gimmicks work for the general public. Plus, Nadine finds another strange story to inspire some fiction, and we pay tribute to Robert Redford with a discussion of our favourite movies featuring him. 00:00 Intro 00:26 Bloody Scotland Prize Winners! 05:26 Is the Anthropic AI settlement in trouble? 17:38 Richard Osman says "cosy crime" is a reductive term - is he right? 28:01 Evelyn Clark reveal - are hidden author reveals marketing genius or gimmicks? 38:22 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration 44:56 Off Script - Robert Redford - Our Favourite Movies Links: Judge stalls Anthropic settlement Sign up for Anthropic settlement Richard Osman says cosy crime is reductive Evelyn Clark reveal Nadine's Stranger Than Fiction story Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  8. 09/08/2025

    AI Victory for Authors? Plus, US Import Chaos & James Patterson’s Giveaway for Authors

    Watch as a full video episode In this episode of Adventures in Publishing-land, we dive into three big stories shaking up the book world: Anthropic’s historic AI settlement with authors; the new US import rules that could hurt UK publishers and authors; and James Patterson’s latest initiative to help aspiring writers finish their books. Plus, in our Off Script section, we ask: how closely should TV and film adaptations stick to their source material? 00:00 Intro 02:40 Anthropic's AI settlement with authors - A victory for authors? 17:21 US Import Changes - not so Tariffic for Authors 25:46 James Patterson Giveaway - A Gift for Aspiring Authors 38:13 Off Script - Nadine finds another stranger than fiction story for inspiration 44:03 Off Script - Moore's Law - Is Prior Knowledge Vital for Adaptations? Links: Anthropic agree settlement Details of settlement Search the Libgen library for your book Publishers worried about US tariffs James Patterson's $50k giveaway Nadine's dark inspiration story Ron Moore on God of War Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  9. 08/25/2025

    Are fans too entitled when it comes to expectations on creators? Plus - is AI writing a real threat?

    Watch as a full video episode On this episode, we discuss the George RR Martin Worldcon incident, and wonder if fans are growing too entitled when it comes to expectations from authors. Plus, we look at Mark Lawrence's AI vs human authors experiment and discuss the results and what it means for authors, plus as a book with admitted AI content wins a prestigious award, we wonder what it means for the future of writing. 00:00 Intro 01:25 AI v human authors - Mark Lawrence's test has surprising results 11:16 AI-written award winning books - A Slippery Slope? 24:18 Game of Groans - Has Fan Entitlement Gone Too Far? 37:15 Off Script - Nadine finds another grisly real story for inspiration, plus Marco seeks sartorial advice Links: Mark Lawrence AI survey Rei Qudan novel story GRRM gets rude question from fan at Worldcon Nadine's Stranger than fiction story Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  10. 08/11/2025

    AI Slop: Will it drown out real writers? Plus: are male novelists really being forced out of publishing?

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube Will AI slop writing flood the market and drown out real authors? It's a legitimate concern that we discuss on this week's show. Plus, we ask if book awards need celebrity judges, and take a look at a story that has raised its head once again: the death of the male novelist. Is it greatly exaggerated? Then in Off Script, Nadine finds another "stranger than fiction" story for us, while we also have a quick chat about the latest movies we've seen. 00:00 Intro 01:38 The Final Chapter of Unbound? 09:05 The Salt Path Scandal continues 14:38 AI Slop writing drowning out real books? 26:54 And Just Like That... Do Book Awards need celebrity judges? 34:34 Chronicle of a Death Foretold? Are Male Novelists Really Being Forced Out? 41:37 Off Script - Nadine finds another grisly real story for inspiration, plus movie chat Links: Unbound goes into administration New Publisher appears for Unbound authors AI slop books risk harming consumer confidence Sarah Jessica Parker and the Booker Awards Is the Male Novelist dying out? Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  11. 07/14/2025

    Fake Memoir? What's going on with The Salt Path? Plus: Author deals and AI comes for translators

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube We discuss the scandal surrounding The Salt Path, the bestselling book that was turned into a movie - but was it all too good to be true? Plus, as Sarah J. Maas pens a huge rights deal, we ask whether normal authors can ever dream of things like that, and we also discuss the launch of Globescribe.ai and whether AI translation could ever match humans. Plus, Nadine offers a grisly answer to the question "where do you get your ideas?" 00:00 Intro 01:11 McIlvanney Award Longlist 01:53 New CWA Chair 04:37 Sarah J. Maas Licensing Deal 14:17 The Salt Path Scandal 26:17 Lost in Translation: Can AI really replace translators 35:51 Off Script - Nadine reveals a grisly answer to the question "where do you get your ideas?" 47:17 Margin Notes - Listener Mail Links: Sarah J. Maas Deal in the Hollywood Reporter The Salt Path scandal - The Observer Story Penguin publishing responds Globescribe.ai story Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

  12. 06/23/2025

    The Unbound Saga; Authors and Social Media; Literary Estates & Copyright - and Superman

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube! Welcome to the very first episode of Adventures in Publishing-land! Join us as we discuss some of the biggest (and strangest) stories in publishing over the past few weeks. This week: 00:17 Intro 01:32 The Unbound Saga continues 15:19 Authors hounded off social media - is it worth it? 24: 41 Literary Estates and copyright - how long should it last? 38:05 James Frey - the self-proclaimed literary bad boy is back, but should anyone care? 44:55 Off Script - Nadine and Marco argue over the latest cinematic iteration of Superman Unbound https://www.thebookseller.com/news/unbound-authors-will-not-receive-unpaid-royalty-payments-until-new-publisher-boundless-is-cash-stable https://www.thebookseller.com/news/boundless-position-morally-and-financially-unacceptable-says-unbound-co-founder-john-mitchinson Social media bullying https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/ali-hazelwood-leaves-instagram-after-bullying-over-hunger-games-joke-controversy-explained-article-152076401 Conan Doyle Literary Estate Deal James Frey https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/pompidou-plus/magazine/article/james-frey-i-use-artificial-intelligence-because-i-want-to-write-the-best-book-possible https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/next-to-heaven-james-frey-review-zvg5mnftt https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/james-freys-new-cancelled-guy-sex-novel-is-as-bad-as-it-sounds Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  • 12 Episodes

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Podcasts unite as Marco Rinaldi and Tariq Ashkanani from Page One - The Writer's Podcast and Nadine Matheson from The Conversation get together to chat about the latest news from the publishing world and give their honest and irreverent takes on the stories! New episodes every second Monday Brought to you by STET Podcasts - your one-stop shop for all your writing podcast needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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