Adam Carolla Show - Episode: Barry Eisler + Brian Dietzen (Carolla Classics) Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this special edition of Carolla Classics, host Adam Carolla revisits a memorable episode featuring acclaimed author Barry Eisler and Brian Dietzen, known for his role in the hit TV series NCIS. The episode delves into the intricacies of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, interspersed with Adam's signature humor and engaging conversations.

Main Interview: Barry Eisler on Self-Publishing

[59:44] Adam Carolla: "So the summary should... but it's always everyone who's in the book business complains about it and it's not what it was, you know, 10 years or 20 years ago."

Adam initiates the conversation by expressing his own budding interest in the book publishing industry, prompting Barry Eisler to share his experiences and insights.

Barry Eisler: "It's as easy as uploading a photo to Facebook once the book is done. I mean, getting the book done itself, writing it, getting it edited, line edited, copy edited."

Barry outlines the steps involved in self-publishing, emphasizing the accessibility of digital platforms that have leveled the playing field for authors. He contrasts this with traditional publishing models dominated by major conglomerates.

[60:05] Adam Carolla: "But they give you an advance and then you have to make their money back."

Barry elaborates on the drawbacks of traditional publishing, highlighting the hefty advances that authors must repay through book sales, often limiting creative control and financial returns.

Barry Eisler: "In digital, an author, a lone author can distribute his or her book every bit as effectively as any multinational multi-billion-dollar publishing conglomerate."

He underscores the autonomy and potential profitability of self-publishing in the digital age, advocating for authors to retain a larger share of their earnings.

Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

Adam and Barry engage in a deep dive into the pros and cons of self-publishing compared to the traditional route.

Barry Eisler: "Suddenly you look at this and you're like, I don't know about giving you this 85%. I could keep 70% for myself if I publish it myself or through... You can hire someone. New York publishing houses are letting people go, and many of them are becoming freelancers."

Barry discusses how the decline of traditional publishing houses has opened avenues for authors to manage every aspect of their book's production and distribution, often at a lower cost and with higher profit margins.

[60:40] Adam Carolla: "I've Had a lot of conversations in my life where it went something like this... And they said... but they don't want to say, set a precedent."

Adam shares his frustrations with how traditional publishers resist innovative ideas that could benefit authors, likening it to inflexible business practices that hinder growth and creativity.

Barry Eisler: "Especially these days where digital is becoming the primary method of distribution. I mean, Amazon now sells more digital books than they sell paper books."

He emphasizes the shift towards digital consumption, arguing that traditional publishers are struggling to adapt to the new market dynamics dominated by platforms like Amazon.

[61:07] Adam Carolla: "He thinks it's a great thing that he can make so many of these."

Adam questions the sustainability and fairness of traditional publishing deals, pondering whether the substantial cuts taken by publishers are justified in the modern digital landscape.

Listener Calls: Personal Stories and Anecdotes

The episode features heartfelt and often humorous calls from listeners sharing their personal holiday disasters.

[42:07] Caller: "...my dad's recovering alcoholic, and the night before Thanksgiving, got completely hammered..."

A listener recounts a traumatic experience involving her father's relapse and subsequent violent behavior, highlighting the show's blend of serious topics with comedic relief.

Adam Carolla: "Shutting your mouth when you're talking about me, okay?"

Adam responds with his characteristic bluntness, offering both sympathy and humor to ease the tension of the story.

Another caller shares a story about a family Christmas dinner escalating into chaos, providing Adam and his guests with material for both empathy and laughter.

Comedy Banter and Humorous Segments

Interspersed throughout the episode, Adam, Allison Rosen, and Brian Dietzen engage in light-hearted banter, touching on topics like Thanksgiving traditions, music preferences, and quirky personal habits.

[05:26] Allison Rosen: "That's not how you do it. But, yeah."

The trio discusses the frustrations of dealing with canned cranberry sauce during holidays, blending observational comedy with relatable experiences.

[23:01] Allison Rosen: "So this though, the dolphins are dead."

Their humorous takes on unrelated news stories, like dolphin deaths caused by techno music at raves, showcase their ability to pivot from serious discussions to absurd humor seamlessly.

Further Discussion: Success in Self-Publishing

Returning to the topic of publishing, Barry Eisler shares his pivotal decision to self-publish despite lucrative offers from traditional publishers.

[59:44] Barry Eisler: "I had a nice half million dollar two book offer from St. Martin's Press and I gave it a lot of thought and decided that I would be happier and ultimately make more money if I self published it."

Barry's decision serves as a case study for successful authors who choose independence over traditional contracts, reinforcing the earlier points about the benefits of self-publishing.

He reveals that after considering self-publishing, he was approached by Amazon Publishing for a hybrid deal, combining the best of both worlds by retaining higher profits while leveraging Amazon's extensive marketing resources.

Barry Eisler: "They have blown the book out. It came out on September 15th in digital, October 18th in paper. And I mean, I was a New York Times bestseller before the Detachment, but my sales for the Detachment are far beyond anything else I've ever had published."

Barry's success underscores the potential of self-publishing as a viable and profitable alternative to traditional methods.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts continue their humorous exchanges while subtly promoting sponsors and upcoming events.

Adam Carolla: "So until next time, this is Adam Carolla for bribe bride with a Y. Brian Dietzen and Allison saying mahalo. I'm spanking it to Playgirl because I dig other dudes."

The blend of insightful interview content with comedic elements and listener interactions makes this episode of The Adam Carolla Show both informative and entertaining, exemplifying why it remains a favorite among millions of listeners worldwide.

Notable Quotes:

• Barry Eisler [59:58]: "But in digital, an author, a lone author can distribute his or her book every bit as effectively as any multinational multi-billion-dollar publishing conglomerate."

• Adam Carolla [60:05]: "But they give you an advance and then you have to make their money back."

• Barry Eisler [60:23]: "Especially these days where digital is becoming the primary method of distribution."

• Allison Rosen [162:41]: "So I thought I would read them and get your input on whether you think these are good topics."

• Caller [42:07]: "...road rage and stabbed some dude."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, blending the serious discussion on publishing with the show's trademark humor and listener engagement.