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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, Beth and Lisa discuss one of the most active conversations happening among writers: the growing concern about how the publishing industry treats debut and midlist authors. They share personal experiences, hard-won insights, and reflections from the larger writing community. The result is an honest, validating look at how traditional publishing functions today—and what writers can do to protect themselves.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
• When Saying “No” to a Book Deal Is the Right Choice
Lisa shares the full story behind a recent offer, why she passed, and what writers should consider before signing anything.
• Debut Pressure and the “Bad Track” Problem
How unrealistic expectations are shaping careers and why many authors feel set up to fail.
• The Industry-Wide Debate About Publishing’s Risk Model
A deeper look at the ongoing discussion about whether the system prioritizes gambles over careers.
• Orphaned Books, Vanishing Support, and Internal Realities
Beth and Lisa unpack how books lose champions and what that means for authors.
• The Rise of Indie, Hybrid, and Small Press Publishing
Why alternative publishing paths are more viable—and more respected—than ever.
• What Might Fix the System (If Anything)
A candid conversation about realistic change and what authors can control right now.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR WRITERS
• Trust your instincts—if a deal feels wrong, walking away is valid and healthy.
• Debut performance follows you, even when the outcome is out of your control.
• Many great writers are shifting into indie and hybrid spaces for more agency.
• A long-term writing career rarely looks linear, and that’s okay.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
• Recent industry essays and think pieces addressing systemic publishing issues
• Ongoing discussions across social media and the writing community
• Indie and hybrid publishing options for midlist authors
CONNECT + BONUS MATERIAL
• Please leave a review—it truly helps!
• Subscribe to the Writers With Wrinkles newsletter: WritersWithWrinkles.net
• Check out new bonus episodes, including first-pages critiques and craft extras.
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Chapters
1. Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know (00:00:00)
2. [Ad] Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer... (00:20:32)
3. (Cont.) Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know (00:21:22)
139 episodes
