Victoria and Soman stake out different positions on the question of whether authors are too sensitive to survive in today’s industry. They also explain how libraries factor into book sales and dive into the ways to dilute the loneliness of an author’s job. Soman is drowning in AI slop, and Victoria wants that slop to be legislated by the US government.

Theme of the Week (08:55)

Goals of the Week (13:12)

Industry Nonsense (28:13)

Reader Mailbag(49:28)

Plot Twists in Real Life (54:08)

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Soman and Victoria lay out a clear path for how new – and established – authors need to approach their work to survive a future of AI and slop. They also discuss the importance of voice and how to develop it, as well as the qualities of a great retelling. Victoria is trying to avoid a meltdown, and Soman has some belated advice for Ilia Malinin.

Theme of the Week (09:14)

Goals of the Week (16:48)

Industry Nonsense (33:07)

Reader Mailbag(53:18)

Plot Twists in Real Life (57:20)

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A new New York Times article about AI-powered authors has set off a firestorm – Victoria and Soman are here to cover the fall out. They also discuss how audiobooks are made and try to pin down their desired daily word count. Soman has some hazardous Young World swag, and Victoria wants to vicariously live in the Olympic village.

Theme of the Week (08:09)

Goals of the Week (17:45)

Industry Nonsense (30:07)

Reader Mailbag(52:36)

Plot Twists in Real Life (57:47)

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Soman and Victoria tackle the tricky question of how artists respond to our current political moment. They also reveal how to deal with taxes as authors and how far ahead they knew the ending of their book series. Victoria needs to find out if her car is totaled, and Soman thinks he would make a pretty good eighth-string Elphaba.

Theme of the Week (04;24)

Goals of the Week (13:13)

Industry Nonsense (27:34)

Reader Mailbag(52:46)

Plot Twists in Real Life (57:17

SPONSORS

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Soman and Victoria discuss the nuances of supporting yourself as an artist — and how to structure your advances and royalties to work for you. They also reveal what makes an idea “flawed at conception” and whether they get control over their book covers. Soman has a billion dollar business idea (think monkeys!) and Victoria is contemplating writing on a walking pad.

Theme of the Week (05:50)

Goals of the Week (15:10)

Industry Nonsense (27:56)

Reader Mailbag (47:28

Plot Twists in Real Life (54:02)

Pup Twist (56:51)

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Soman and Victoria debate what it takes to date an artist – and whether or not artists can successfully date other artists. They also reveal their approaches to quelling online embarrassment, as well as commissioning illustrators for their books. Victoria is gearing up for a season of travel and Soman thinks there’s going to be a renaissance in young people reading.

Theme of the Week (06:47)

Goals of the Week (12:41

Industry Nonsense (24:16)

Reader Mailbag(44:45)

Plot Twists in Real Life (51:11)

Pup Twist (55:05)

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Soman and Victoria are in their pub year for their new books and debate how to make their books succeed – while also considering what “success” actually is. Also they dive into the Amazon monopoly over book sales and distinguish between the different kinds of edits. Soman went into hermit mode over the holidays, and Victoria is ready to go into the bunker to finish her copyedits.

Theme of the Week (06:40)

Goals of the Week (12:42)

Industry Nonsense (30:15)

Reader Mailbag(52:06)

Plot Twists in Real Life (57:30)

Pup Twist (01:02:50)

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