How Books Work

Join hosts Julie Satow and Alice Robb as they talk with Anna Sproul-Latimer, founding partner and president of Neon Literary. A literary agent who has sold multiple New York Times bestsellers, and brokered major book-to-film deals, Anna dishes on recent posts from her popular Substack, “How to Glow in the Dark,” including one controversially titled, “Is Nonfiction Dead?” Julie and Alice also ask Anna about marketing and publicity, what authors need to do to get a book deal today, and ideas for boosting their sales.

Anne Dickerson, CEO of the communications training firm 15 Minutes Group, helps authors like Maggie Haberman and Christine Blasey Ford prepare for high-profile interviews on radio and TV. In this episode, she tells us about the biggest challenges authors face when it comes time to pitching their books. (Distilling years of work into a two-minute soundbite?!) She gives us tips on how to handle an unwanted question, how a podcast differs from a radio interview, and what not to wear on TV.

Take a journey into the world of book marketing as hosts Julie Satow and Alice Robb speak with Anne Jaconette, a senior marketing manager at Doubleday Books. With nearly a decade of experience, Anne shares her expertise in developing ad campaigns, social media strategies, and partnerships for a wide range of nonfiction books. We talk about the difference between publicity and marketing, what sorts of book marketing are working these days, and what authors can do to help promote their work.
Anne has worked with writers including David Grann, Colson Whitehead, and Patrick Radden Keefe. She shares insights into how she tailors ads and messaging for authors, what sorts of pitches and partnerships she finds most effective, and best practices for the all-important social media roll-out. Before joining Doubleday Books, Anne was a title marketer at Galley Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and Abrams Books. 

Publishing veteran Eamon Dolan—currently Vice President and Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster—has edited hundreds of books, including Eric Schlosser's FAST FOOD NATION, Richard Dawkins' THE GOD DELUSION, and Mary L. Trump's TOO MUCH AND NEVER ENOUGH. He makes his debut as an author next year with THE POWER OF PARTING - which draws on his own experience of physical and psychological abuse in childhood, as well as research on trauma and interviews with other survivors. 
In one of Eamon's first interviews about his upcoming book, he discusses the difficult topic and what drew him to it, as well as what it's like to write his own book after thirty years of editing others'; what he looks for in a proposal; and what all the books he acquires have in common. 

Susan Canavan, a literary agent at Waxman Literary Agency, discusses the current state of nonfiction books, the role of AI in publishing, and how the industry is changing. She also shares insights on how important author platforms are for book deals, what makes a successful book launch, and what she looks for when working with clients. Susan also explains why she transitioned from editor to agent and the delicate balance she has to manage when talking to authors and managing their expectations.

In this episode, Julie Satow and Alice Robb welcome five-time author Leigh Stein. From high-school dropout to memoirist, book coach, branding expert and BookTok enthusiast, Stein has experience with virtually every segment of the publishing industry. She talks about how she got hired by the New Yorker without a college degree; what she learned from her first flop; why she decided not to become an agent; and how authors can take control of their book’s trajectory—years after the pub date.

Ashley Alberico is the Sales and Marketing Director for the Crown Publishing Group, a subset of Penguin Random House. In this episode, Ashley discusses what happens behind the scenes in sales and marketing meetings, and how experts boil down your book to pithy marketing jargon that appeals to booksellers and readers. 
Having worked with the likes of Michelle Obama and Ina Garten, Ashley explains how Amazon categorizes books, the difference between Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and what you should tell friends when they ask you "Where should I buy your book?" (The answer: it's complicated!) Ashley also dishes about the role of authors in the marketing and sales process, and the calendar for when important decisions are made. Also, learn practical advice like the difference between announced print runs and actual print runs, and what can of ads or publicity actually sell books. 

Dive deep into the world of agenting with our guest, Cherise Fisher, who shares her unique insights from a 25-year career in publishing.
In this episode, Cherise delves into the relationship between a writer and editor, from page to bookstore shelf, dispelling common misconceptions, like whether an agent “edits” a book proposal, their role in the business side of writing, and sharing her do’s and don’ts for authors. Plus, find out how she became an agent to New York Times bestsellers, like Sadiqa Johnson and Tia Williams, and what attributes she looks for in clients.
She also talks about her career, from graduating college to her first job in publishing, how she became an acquiring editor at Simon & Schuster, and eventually Editor in Chief of Plume, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And what prompted her to change her career trajectory and leave the editorial side of publishing to become a literary agent.
In addition to sharing personal anecdotes and inside stories, Cherise dispels common misconceptions in the non-fiction market and discusses the economics of publishing. Learn the various strategies publishers utilize to maximize profit amidst slim margins, what are 'comp titles', and the calculated exaggeration of print runs, not to mention what it really means to ‘earn out’ your advance. If you're a seasoned author, an aspiring writer, or even just a curious reader, this episode will enrich your perception of the book publishing world.

In this episode of How Books Work, Executive Editor at Crown, Libby Burton joins co-hosts Julie Satow and Alice Robb for an enlightening conversation about gatekeeping in the publishing industry, her passion for poetry, and important ways editors and writers can improve the system.
Libby, who has edited award-winning authors like Stacey Abrams, Katie Porter, Mariah Carey, and others, talks about her personal journey into publishing, and how being a poet influences her editorial role. She also discusses what types of writers appeal to her, and her mission to create a more inclusive industry. The conversation also delves into the importance of authors' platforms, the relevance of publicity, marketing, and sales in corporate publishing, and the influence of public opinion on platforms like Goodreads.
Libby also advises Julie and Alice about how authors need to balance their careers and writing, the importance of choosing the right agent, understanding the market for their work, and the critical role of meeting deadlines in the publishing process. It’s a comprehensive dive into the changing landscape of the publishing industry that will provide invaluable insight for aspiring writers, industry enthusiasts, and avid readers alike.