Today, Explained: All the Sad Young Literary Men
Released on May 23, 2025 | Hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King | Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network

Introduction

In the episode titled "All the Sad Young Literary Men," hosts Noel King and Ross Barkin delve into the evolving landscape of literary fiction, particularly focusing on the apparent decline of young white male authors in highbrow literature. This discussion is sparked by British writer and critic Jude Cook's recent announcement of launching an independent press dedicated to publishing literary fiction and memoirs by young men. The episode examines whether young white straight men are indeed being marginalized in the literary world and explores broader gender dynamics within the publishing industry.

Jude Cook’s Initiative and the Literary Landscape

The episode opens with Noel King introducing Jude Cook's initiative to establish a small independent press aimed at amplifying voices of young male authors. Cook, who spoke to The Guardian, expressed concern that the literary fiction sphere has become predominantly female, leading to male stories being overlooked amid perceptions of a problematic male voice. [00:00]

Noel King states, "Today Explained loves nothing more than out of hand discourse. And so we're going to examine the claim that young white straight men are being shut out of high end fiction." [00:44]

Gender Trends in Publishing

Professor Joel Waldfogle from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management provides a historical perspective on gender dynamics in publishing. He outlines a significant shift over the past two centuries, highlighting that:

• Early 19th Century: Women comprised approximately 5% of published authors.
• 1900: This share marginally increased to around 10%.
• 1970 Onwards: A dramatic rise where female authorship surged, surpassing 50% just five years ago. [03:02 - 04:35]

Waldfogle attributes this transformation to increased female participation in higher education and broader societal changes that liberated women to engage in economic activities, including writing. He notes, "It's not just fiction, it's all kinds of nonfiction. So women are really becoming more involved in the production of all kinds of books." [07:59]

The Rise of Female Authorship

Joel Waldfogle emphasizes that the increase in female authorship spans all genres, breaking traditional stereotypes where specific genres were dominated by one gender. He also clarifies that this growth does not come at the expense of male authors. "There's been a big increase by men and a bigger increase by women." [08:38]

The discussion also touches upon the democratization of publishing through self-publishing platforms, which has lowered barriers for aspiring authors irrespective of gender. Waldfogle states, "Writing is literally solitary. I just have to coordinate with myself. I can do it maybe in spare time... it is available to people regardless of the constraints on their time." [07:11]

The Vanishing Young Male Literary Author

Ross Barkin introduces his essay, "From Misogyny to No Man's: The Vanishing Male in Contemporary Literature," highlighting the dwindling presence of young male authors in the literary scene. He reflects on the rich history of prominent young male writers like Norman Mailer, John Updike, Saul Bellow, and Philip Roth, and contrasts it with the current trend where prestigious contemporary novelists under 40 are predominantly women, citing examples like Sally Rooney and Emma Cline. [13:54 - 16:07]

Barkin discusses the potential reasons behind this shift, questioning whether it's due to changing publisher interests or evolving market forces. He asserts, "In the 2010s, the literary world was less interested in what straight men were publishing." [17:13]

The Impact of Declining Male Authorship

The hosts explore the implications of reduced male perspectives in literature. Barkin argues that literature suffers when significant segments of the population, such as young men who may be academically falling behind or feeling alienated, are not adequately represented. He notes, "It's a large part of the country. I think you have a lot going on with young men today... And fiction, in my view, is not grappling with all of that." [19:58]

Furthermore, Barkin critiques the current literary trends for often portraying men in limited or negative roles, such as "incels" or one-dimensional characters, rather than exploring the nuanced experiences of straight men. [20:25]

Balancing the Literary Scales

Noel King brings up the historical dominance of male authors and the current elevation of female voices, questioning whether this represents a leveling of the playing field. In response, Barkin acknowledges the positive aspects of increased diversity but points out the zero-sum nature of this shift, where gains for one group may inadvertently lead to losses for another. He remarks, "Women were losing, now men are losing. But there’s no solace offered to the 26-year-old male who must pay for the sins of the past, right?" [23:10]

Barkin concludes by emphasizing the emotional and professional challenges faced by young male writers who feel sidelined in the current literary environment. He advocates for a more inclusive approach that values diverse perspectives without diminishing the importance of male voices. [25:21]

Notable Quotes

• Noel King [00:44]: "Today Explained loves nothing more than out of hand discourse. And so we're going to examine the claim that young white straight men are being shut out of high end fiction."

• Joel Waldfogle [03:02]: "The female share just quickly rose from something like 15 to something like, well, by 2000, 20, 15 or so, over 50%."

• Ross Barkin [17:13]: "In the 2010s, the literary world was less interested in what straight men were publishing."

• Ross Barkin [20:25]: "It's a large part of the country. I think you have a lot going on with young men today... And fiction, in my view, is not grappling with all of that."

• Ross Barkin [23:10]: "Women were losing, now men are losing. But there’s no solace offered to the 26-year-old male who must pay for the sins of the past, right?"

Conclusion

"All the Sad Young Literary Men" offers a thought-provoking exploration of gender dynamics in the literary world. Through insights from Professor Joel Waldfogle and author Ross Barkin, the episode highlights the historical progress of female authorship and the current challenges faced by young male writers. The discussion underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in literature while addressing the emotional and professional hurdles that arise when certain voices become underrepresented. As the publishing industry continues to evolve, this episode invites listeners to consider how to balance inclusivity with maintaining a rich tapestry of varied narratives.