Book Riot - The Podcast: Celebrity Book Clubs GO IRL, Literary Grudges, and More Book News
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into a variety of hot topics in the literary world. From controversies surrounding prestigious awards to the economics of audiobook narration, and the evolving landscape of book festivals, this episode is a treasure trove for book enthusiasts. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by Jeff and Rebecca.

Pulitzer Prize Controversy: No Winner in 2012

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, which notably did not award a winner despite recommendations from the jury. Rebecca expresses her frustration over the matter:

“We power ranked the Pulitzer Prize winners of the last several years of the century so far, and I got really angry. We need a term for how they didn't award the prize in 2012. So your girl went googling this morning.”
(02:25) – Rebecca Schinsky

Jeff adds context to the situation, highlighting the role of the Pulitzer board:

“The three-person jury reads a bajillion books and recommends three finalists to the Pulitzer board. The Pulitzer board is supposed to pick one of those three to be the winner. They have done it every year except for like four times. There's an escape hatch where the board can go back and ask for a fourth option. And they didn't.”
(01:50) – David Harbour (Jeff O’Neill)

The hosts speculate on potential candidates that year, such as Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones, and lament the missed opportunity to honor exceptional literary works:

“Lev Grossman is newly on my hit list because he defended the Pulitzers’ decision saying that there's not a masterpiece published in every year.”
(03:30) – Rebecca Schinsky

Patreon Project: Ranking "Exit Zero" by Marie Helene Bertino

Jeff and Rebecca share insights into their upcoming Patreon-exclusive project, where they will rank the short stories in "Exit Zero" by Marie Helene Bertino based on how "Marine Helene Bertino" they are. Jeff introduces a unique metric:

“I have a good reason. ... introduced the basic unit of strangeness, literary strangeness. And it is the Bertino. That is one unit, one Bertino.”
(04:32) – David Harbour

Rebecca commends the project and adds that they will elaborate on their ranking methodology during the Patreon recording session:

“It was a fun project.”
(04:44) – Rebecca Schinsky

The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman

The conversation then shifts to Jane Friedman’s new book, The Business of Being a Writer. Jeff underscores its importance for aspiring writers:

“If you want to be a writer, if you want to be a creative person and make some money from it, frankly kind of indispensable.”
(06:45) – David Harbour

Rebecca echoes the sentiment, highlighting Friedman's long-standing expertise in the publishing industry:

“When I started blogging approximately 1 million years ago, Jane Friedman was one of the first resources that folks in publishing told me you need to read her to understand the landscape here.”
(07:21) – Rebecca Schinsky

Celebrity Book Clubs and High-Priced Book Festivals

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes the burgeoning trend of celebrity-led book festivals, specifically the Read with Jenna Book Festival hosted by Jenna Bush Hager. Jeff and Rebecca critique the high ticket prices, questioning the value proposition:

“$399 to go to [the Read with Jenna Book Festival]. It’s basically a one-day convention.”
(33:47) – Rebecca Schinsky

Jeff considers the possibility of why such high prices are justified:

“If someone will buy a ticket for it, buy a ticket for it. Like, I don't begrudge the cost of front row seats at whatever concert you're going to.”
(38:41) – David Harbour

Rebecca counters by comparing it to other accessible book festivals that offer free admission, pondering the exclusivity and financial barriers imposed by high-ticket events:

“The National Book Festival happens in Washington D.C. every summer and draws the same caliber of authors, like big names. And you can go see them for free.”
(33:57) – Rebecca Schinsky

Audiobook Narration Economics: Celebrity Voices

The hosts explore the financial dynamics behind celebrity-narrated audiobooks, spotlighting Cynthia Erivo’s recent narration of Wicked. Jeff expresses curiosity about her compensation and the broader implications for the audiobook industry:

“I’m more interested voyeuristically in the economics of this. Why didn’t this happen before the first movie came out?”
(22:27) – David Harbour

Rebecca delves into the standard payment model for audiobook narrators, noting that traditional narrators are typically paid per finished hour, and raises questions about whether celebrity narrators receive different compensations:

“Audiobook narrators, at least the traditional ones, are paid by the finished recorded hour. I wonder if that model applies to celebrity narrators?”
(25:32) – Rebecca Schinsky

Neil Gaiman Lawsuit and NDAs

A contentious topic arises with the discussion of Neil Gaiman’s lawsuit against an accuser for violating an NDA. Rebecca outlines the case details and the broader implications for reputation and legal practices:

“Neil Gaiman is suing one of his accusers for $500,000 because she broke an NDA that she had signed.”
(13:24) – Rebecca Schinsky

Jeff critiques this move, suggesting it may backfire and further tarnish Gaiman’s reputation:

“We need a term for... the careless people effect, frankly, because Meta outdid Streisand in a lot of different ways.”
(12:10) – David Harbour

Rebecca reflects on the strategic motivations behind the lawsuit, pondering whether it serves as a deterrent for other accusers:

“He might win in court... but he is absolutely acting like the bad guy right now.”
(17:57) – Rebecca Schinsky

Innovations in E-Readers: Foldable E-Ink Technology

Jeff introduces a novel product, the Moo Ink 5, an 8-inch folding E-Ink screen reader. He engages in a playful debate with Rebecca about its practicality:

“It's an 8-inch touchscreen and it folds into sort of half that. It's really interesting... but I just don't see the marginal difference between folding this and just reading on my phone.”
(20:45) – David Harbour

Rebecca remains skeptical about the market demand for such a device, questioning its necessity compared to existing technology:

“I just kind of just don't know who the customer is for a foldable E reader... does it not seem to be catching on with smartphones, at least not yet.”
(21:33) – Rebecca Schinsky

Recommended Reads: "Exit Zero" and "Searches"

The hosts recommend "Exit Zero" by Marie Helene Bertino, praising its exploration of loss, connection, and unique storytelling:

“A lot of these are concerned with loss, with connection or the failure to connect or a connection that's like broken relationships.”
(46:02) – Rebecca Schinsky

Additionally, Rebecca endorses "Searches" by Vahini Vara, highlighting its innovative dialogue with AI and its exploration of selfhood in the digital age:

“She has this ongoing conversation throughout the book with... ChatGPT... asking questions about what does being a person mean when we have technology.”
(46:37) – Rebecca Schinsky

Jeff shares his admiration for the book’s creative approach:

“This is the book I wanted to read. It's not dry, it's not academic. It gets to the questions of like, personhood and art through a really creative lens.”
(47:58) – Rebecca Schinsky

Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Jeff and Rebecca reflect on the diverse topics covered, reiterating their commitment to providing insightful and thought-provoking content for their listeners. They encourage audience engagement through their Patreon and various channels, ensuring that Book Riot continues to be a vibrant hub for diverse readers and literary discussions.

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Schinsky on the Pulitzer Controversy:
  “We need a term for how they didn't award the prize in 2012.”
  (02:25)

• Jeff O’Neill on the Business of Being a Writer:
  “If you want to be a writer... it's kind of indispensable.”
  (06:45)

• Rebecca Schinsky on High-Priced Book Festivals:
  “$399 to go to [the Read with Jenna Book Festival]. It’s basically a one-day convention.”
  (33:47)

• Rebecca Schinsky on Neil Gaiman’s Lawsuit:
  “He is absolutely acting like the bad guy right now.”
  (17:57)

• Jeff O’Neill on Foldable E-Ink Readers:
  “I just don't see the marginal difference between folding this and just reading on my phone.”
  (20:45)

Conclusion

This episode of Book Riot - The Podcast offers a rich tapestry of discussions that span from literary award controversies to the intricacies of the book festival economy. Jeff and Rebecca's dynamic conversation provides listeners with both critical insights and thoughtful reflections on the current state of the literary world. Whether you're a seasoned bibliophile or a casual reader, this episode is packed with content that will inform and engage you.

For more details, episode notes, and to join the conversation, visit bookriot.com or reach out via email at podcast@bookriot.com.