This week, Ira is joined by Jackson Howard, Executive Editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, to dive into the wild world of publishing. They discuss everything from Jackson’s gay awakening—the animated Hercules—to who is writing the best sex, gay and otherwise. Tune in to learn what it takes to get published, and what editors like Jackson are looking for... and for all the gay literary gossip and Substack hot takes you’ve ever wanted.

03:01 — Queer awakenings and gay tropes

11:46 — How an editor chooses books

15:59 — Reading, writing, and the publishing industry

18:00 — The "gay lit boom"

20:09 — BookTok and the purpose of reading

22:24 — Toni Morrison and literary influence

25:06 — Queer stories and identity in publishing

27:31 — Solidarity in queer communities

29:00 — The "gay moment" we're in

35:45 — The history of the big, fat, wet kiss

37:39 — Music, criticism, and creativity

42:49 — Taste, book reviews, and literary culture

56:43 — Discovering and editing great fiction

01:00:50 — Sex writing and the next generation of writers

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Debut authors Bobuq Sayed (No God But Us) and Kyle Carrero Lopez (Party Line) sit down with Ira to talk about the myth of "queer utopia," nightlife as never just escapism, and a shared disinterest in writing books about the obvious villain. Kyle and Bobuq also discuss refusing to leave their politics, their work, and everything else consuming their minds at the entrance of the club. Because for Bobuq and Kyle, the dance floor was never a break from reality… but where they go to feel it most intensely, among strangers and familiar faces. Turns out the club was never just for dancing.

00:12 Alix Earle & the Literacy Crisis

03:36 Structuring Poetry Collections

07:19 Gatekeeping in the Publishing World

12:58 Writer Burnout and Self-Care

14:33 Writing Before the Pregame

25:20 Unpacking the Queer Utopia

32:53 Literary Inspirations

37:38 Dream Parties

41:19 Encounter with Assata Shakur

45:03 Book Launches & Nightlife Friendships

51:40 Advice for Debut Authors

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Jessel Taank is here, and she has some things to clear up! She joins Ira to discuss the fan reaction to her on the latest season of The Real Housewives of New York City. They get into her feud with Carole Radziwill, the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy drama, her infamous Dorinda Medley fashion showdown, and her complicated relationship with Erin Lichy. Plus, Jessel reveals her plans to play matchmaker for Ira.

00:00 — Intro

01:43 — Jessel Taank Joins

06:18 — RHONY Fan Backlash

07:40 — Erin & Setting Boundaries

14:17 — Race & RHONY

15:05 — Carole Radziwill & Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

19:47 — Dorinda & the Bubble Dress

24:03 — RHONY Friendships & the New Cast

33:36 — Fashion PR & Personal Style

41:04 — Matchmaking

44:27 — RHONY Zingers & Confessionals

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.