Book Riot - The Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Dark Horse Drops Gaiman, Ebooks Come to Bookshop, ONYX STORM is the Fastest-Selling Book in 20 Years, and More
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

1. Dark Horse Discontinues Neil Gaiman’s Works

In this episode, Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the significant news that Dark Horse Comics has ceased publishing new works by Neil Gaiman. Jeff opens the discussion by stating, “Dark Horse decided to drop the upcoming works from Neil Gaiman” (00:59), highlighting the complexity behind the decision due to Gaiman's extensive back catalog.

Rebecca adds, “I wish that all of the companies and entities involved had acknowledged it right up front,” (13:20) emphasizing the importance of transparency in such matters. The hosts discuss the broader implications for publishers and the literary community, reflecting on the balance between supporting authors and addressing serious allegations.

2. Launch of Ebooks on Bookshop.org

A major focus of the episode is Bookshop.org’s recent launch of their ebook platform. Jeff remarks, “You can now buy ebooks through Bookshop and read them in the Bookshop app” (21:24), explaining that the app is available on both Android and iOS devices. However, he notes the limitation that ebooks cannot be directly purchased through the app due to Apple's 30% cut, similar to Amazon’s Kindle restrictions.

Rebecca adds, “It looks good and is easy to use,” (22:52) acknowledging the user-friendly interface while also discussing technical challenges such as DRM restrictions that prevent ebooks from being read on Kindle devices. The hosts explore the potential impact of this launch on independent bookstores and the ebook market, considering whether it might shift consumer behavior away from Amazon.

3. ONYX STORM Sets Sales Records

Jeff and Rebecca celebrate the unprecedented success of ONYX STORM, which Jeff describes as “the fastest-selling book in 20 years” (48:05). According to data from Pango Books, the deluxe editions initially sold for around $250 but have recently decreased to $80, suggesting a rapid turnover in the secondary market.

Rebecca observes, “I was in a Barnes and Noble last week and then a local bookstore... both of them only had the deluxe edition displayed” (48:55), indicating retailers’ preference for higher-margin formats. They discuss the sustainability of such high sales and ponder whether this marks the peak of its popularity or if it will continue to hold its record-breaking status.

4. The Role of AI in Publishing and Beyond

The hosts engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the influence of AI in various sectors, including publishing. Jeff shares his mixed experiences with AI tools, stating, “The book recommendations were spot on... but the academic titles were complete fabrications” (40:01). This underscores the current limitations and reliability issues with AI-generated content.

Rebecca discusses the Authors Guild’s initiative to introduce a “Human Authored” certification to differentiate human-written work from AI-generated content (43:28). She critiques this move, suggesting it may serve more to appease authors than to inform consumers effectively. Jeff echoes the sentiment, describing the effort as “building a sandcastle with the tide coming in” (44:19), indicating skepticism about its long-term efficacy.

5. Community Support: Heroes of the Week

Highlighting positive community actions, Rebecca spotlights Octavia's Bookshelf in Pasadena, California, which transformed into a resource center during recent wildfires. “They packed up all the books... and people who needed those things were able to show up at Octavia's Bookshelf and get those items and get some shelter” (59:42). This act of mutual aid demonstrates the powerful role of bookstores beyond their traditional functions, serving as vital community hubs in times of crisis.

6. Upcoming Releases and Recommendations

Jeff and Rebecca share their latest book reads and anticipate upcoming releases:

• We Do Not Part by Hong Kong: Scheduled for discussion in an upcoming episode.
• Heroes of the Week: Featuring Octavia's Bookshelf.
• Defy by Sunita Shah: Jeff praises its exploration of consent and defiance, although he felt it lacked an energizing impact (62:54).
• Y2K by Colette Shade: Rebecca critiques its uneven blending of personal memoir and social history, yet finds the inclusion of cultural anecdotes, like the origin of Google Image Search, intriguing (63:15).
• The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown: An exciting new release expected on September 9th, prompting anticipation for its global adventure and Robert Langdon's return (55:28).

7. Listener Engagement and Personal Stories

The podcast features listener interactions, with Jeff recounting personal experiences using AI tools, highlighting both their potential and pitfalls. “It feels like a chimera of utility and complete... it felt like articulations of things that made sense to me” (41:38) Jeff shares his mixed feelings about AI's role in research and daily tasks.

Rebecca also touches on the human aspects of reading and personal growth through books, emphasizing the diverse reasons people engage with different genres and formats.

8. Sponsors and Excerpts

The episode includes sponsorship messages from Intuit TurboTax, Allison Holker’s memoir My Story of Love, Loss and Embracing the Light, Peachtree Teen’s Among Serpents by Mark J. Gregson, Flatiron Books’ Ambition by Natalie Keller Reinert, Underlined’s The Party by Natasha Preston, and Ladarian Williams’ Blood at the Root. An excerpt from Allison Holker’s memoir is shared, providing a poignant reflection on love, loss, and resilience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jeff O'Neill (00:59): “Dark Horse decided to drop the upcoming works from Neil Gaiman.”
• Rebecca Schinsky (13:20): “I wish that all of the companies and entities involved had acknowledged it right up front.”
• Jeff O'Neill (21:24): “You can now buy ebooks through Bookshop and read them in the Bookshop app.”
• Rebecca Schinsky (22:52): “It looks good and is easy to use.”
• Jeff O'Neill (48:05): “ONYX STORM is the fastest-selling book in 20 years.”
• Rebecca Schinsky (59:42): “This is really beautiful community mutual aid action and a really like gorgeous example of bookstores thinking outside of what can a bookstore do.”
• Jeff O'Neill (40:01): “The book recommendations were spot on… but the academic titles were complete fabrications.”
• Rebecca Schinsky (43:28): “It's about author feelings more than consumer protection.”
• Jeff O'Neill (44:19): “It's like building a sandcastle with the tide coming in.”
• Rebecca Schinsky (63:15): “I would have liked one or the other, but to me they didn't mesh.”

Conclusion

Jeff and Rebecca navigate a dynamic landscape of the publishing world, addressing significant industry shifts, technological advancements, and community resilience. Their insightful discussions on topics like the discontinuation of Neil Gaiman’s works by Dark Horse, the launch of Bookshop's ebook platform, the soaring sales of ONYX STORM, and the complex role of AI in publishing provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of current trends and challenges. Additionally, their spotlight on community heroes exemplifies the enduring spirit of collaboration and support within the literary world.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the essence of the conversation, offering valuable insights into the evolving domains of books and reading.

For more detailed discussions and episode-specific content, visit bookriot.com/podcast.