This week we will not be discussing the seismic impact on the cultural world of the re-election of Donald Trump to the Presidency. That's for next week. We already recorded this amazing episode, and are discussing other issues of huge important in the literary world.

First-time guest and first-time BFG contributor Shana Burg joins Neal Pollack to discuss her new book Poof! The Disappearance of a Writer in the Age of AI. Shana has had a fascinating journey through her writer's life. She worked in publishing in her 20s, put out three young-adult historical novels, and then, when that market dried up, transitioned into being a content creator who wrote about her lifelong love...of taking baths. But then, just as it looked like she was going to be able to make a permanent living, AI reared its head, making her type of content creation obsolete. She and Neal discuss if it's possible to still make a living as a writer in this day and age, and what the path might be going forward.

Sharyn Vane comes by the pod dome to talk to Neal about the growing trend of "literary" writers speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza. Unfortunately, that trend has expanded to the cancellation of literary events, and now, a petition boycotting "Israeli cultural institutions." Neal Pollack, himself a writer of extreme renown, has signed a counter petition, and is firmly against canceling any Jewish writer for any reason, even if those doing the canceling are also Jewish. Look, it's a huge mess, but we will continue to try to clean it up on Book and Film Globe.

Tune in this week, and next week, when we will be the only people on Earth talking about the aftermath of the United States Presidential election. Thanks, all, for listening!

BFG Podcast #172: Writers in the age of AI, and writers at war over Israel

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