How Books Work
Claim This Podcastby Julie Satow & Alice Robb
Podcast Overview
<p>SEASON 2 is officially live! Join award-winning non-fiction writers Julie Satow and Alice Robb as they interview editors, literary agents, marketing executives, and other publishing insiders, shedding light on the opaque book industry and revealing what experienced and aspiring authors need to know Tune in for more brand-new episodes!</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/12/2024
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Recent Episodes
September 25, 2025
From Bantam Books to Bestsellers: Literary Agent Jane Dystel on Paperbacks, Proposals, and Publishing Trends
Jane Dystel, has been a literary agent since 1986, and, as the president of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, represents bestselling writers like Colleen Hoover and Samantha Young. Jane spoke to us about what she looks for in a new writer; why she sometimes advises her clients not to take the biggest advance; and what she reads for fun.
September 18, 2025
From Ghostwriting to Fiction: A Conversation with Ada Calhoun, Bestselling Author
Ada Calhoun is the bestselling author of several nonfiction books and now her first novel, Crush. She told us about what she’s learned about structure from writing- ghostwriting- over 30 books; how she avoids the “fallow field mode” that some writers (e.g. Alice and Julie) experience between books; and the feedback that helped her make Also a Poet such a success.
September 10, 2025
Gatekeepers to Goldmines: Inside the World of Literary Agents
Julie Satow and Alice Robb sit down with Laura McGrath, the author of Middlemen to tell the surprising story of how literary agents went from magazine brokers to the most powerful figures in American publishing. Through archival sleuthing, vivid fieldwork, and data that brings catalogs and auction-room drama to life, this episode traces pivotal moments — from the first auctions to the birth of the super agent — and the intimate, sometimes fraught relationships that shape what readers get to see on shelves. Listen as they weave anecdotes about deals, loyalty, and gatekeeping with sharp reporting on today’s shifts: agents as editors, agents on Substack, and the ways technology and consolidation are rewriting old rules. It’s a fast-moving, character-driven narrative that reveals not just how books get made, but who gets to decide.
14 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is How Books Work?
<p>SEASON 2 is officially live! Join award-winning non-fiction writers Julie Satow and Alice Robb as they interview editors, literary agents, marketing executives, and other publishing insiders, shedding light on the opaque book industry and revealing what experienced and aspiring authors need to know Tune in for more brand-new episodes!</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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