We're riding the high of something going right in the world (see: NYC's mayoral primary) and leaning mostly into hijinks and happiness this week—but not before we remind you all of the very real stakes facing artists of all stripes right now, the frankly-existential threat that is generative AI.First up, Brittany Cavallaro drops by to introduce the "Against AI" open letter that Lit Hub just published. Then, Calvin Kasulke hosts a rollicking conversation with Cat Fitzpatrick and Casey Plett about LittlePuss Press, trans publishing, and what it's like to run a small press. Finally, Drew chats with McKayla Coyle and Oliver Scialdone about fan-fiction in a conversation with perhaps more giggles-per-minute than any we've yet aired on the show. Maybe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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50:39
June 20, 2025
Community. Community, community, community, now more than ever. We kick things off this week with a special guest: Leila Green Little, lead plaintiff in the ongoing Little v. Llano County book-banning case, chats with both Drew and Anthony Aycock, whose piece about the case ran this week on the site. Then, Drew talks to Benjamin Davis of Chill Subs about their Lit Mag Incubator Program that's going to give away $1000 a piece to five lit mags who need it. And finally, a little suggestion to read Diana Oh's My H8 Letter to the Great American Theater and to hug the people you love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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38:38
June 13, 2025
Oh another bad week in the world, and what's a book podcast to do but... talk about Hamlet! Seriously, though: theater belongs in the literary conversation and there's something about the confluence of text and audio that we obviously take very seriously here at Literary Hub or else we wouldn't be doing this podcast!So, this episode is primarily Make Believe Association's Jeremy McCarter sitting down with Drew for a warm reunion (they've known each other for a long, long time) and a discussion of MB's new production of Hamlet—which takes place entirely from the point of view of the prince. Yeah, it's very cool and you can listen to the whole thing now wherever you get your podcasts. Will it build empathy? Maybe. Will it teach you how to understand character and motivation and direction differently? Absolutely.Then, as a little treat, James Folta explains the difference between his book recommendations... and your book recommendations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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36:31
June 6, 2025
Do you have one of the ~iconic~ Joan Didion Lit Hub totes? (You can still get one, ps.) Were you also interested, and then maybe confused, by the 'new' Joan Didion book? Don't worry, we've got you covered this week. We've also got some writer-beware tips for those hoping to get their work out into the world while avoiding a mess like the one at Unbound/Boundless—and also there's a bit of meta/twee fun! A true summer jawn!First: Evelyn McDonnell (The World According to Joan—coming in paperback this summer!) talks about her essay "Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? On Notes to John and the Selling of Didion's Privacy"Then: Kate McKean (Write Through It—out next week!) offers some agent-level advice to writers about what to watch out for when looking at agents and publishers.Finally: Brittany Allen drops in to mutually adore Wes Anderson with Drew, inspired by her "All the Fake Books in Wes Anderson's multiverse, ranked" list before we all (and I do mean we all) go see The Phoenician Scheme this weekend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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44:11
May 30, 2025
How do you solve a problem like romantasy? What is it like to have written the most banned book in the country? Jenny Hamilton chats about her Reactor essay "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Romantasy?" and George M. Johnson talks banned books, being banned, and their new podcast Fighting Words. * "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Romantasy?"* "Natalie's Theory of Urban Fantasy" * Fighting Words* All Boys Aren't Blue* The ALA's Top Ten Banned Books ListSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A weekly behind-the-scenes dive into everything interesting, dynamic, strange, and wonderful happening in literary culture—featuring Lit Hub staff, columnists, and special guests! Hosted by Drew Broussard.The Lit Hub Podcast is a production of Lit Hub RadioMusic by Dani Lencioni of EvelynEngineering and production by Stardust House
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