Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing Industry

This week we're excited to share an episode from Nerdette, a fun weekly interview show produced by our friends at WBEZ. In this episode, fellow professional book lovers Miwa Messer and Andrew Limbong joined Nerdette host Greta Johnsen to discuss their top picks for the year. Here are the books mentioned in the episode. For pictures, links and more details, head to their website! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re looking at audiobooks. While the explosive growth of podcasting has dominated headlines in the audio world, the audiobooks market has slowly and steadily grown alongside it. Today, the international audiobook industry can claim $5 billion in revenue, while podcasting boasts around $2 billion. So how did this happen? What can we in podcastland learn from our colleagues in audiobooks? And how will the two industries blend and collaborate in the future? To cover all this today we have a panel from all levels of the audiobook industry:  Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine, a publication which reviews audiobooks. She’s also the Executive Director of the Audio Publishers Association (APA).  Landon Beach, an independent author who’s worked with narrators Scott Brick and Suzanne Elise Freeman to adapt his novels into audiobooks. His most recent titles are Blue Hour Sanction and Narrator. Sean McManus, President of Dreamscape Media, an independent audiobook publisher. He’s also the president of the APA. The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.  To find more about The Podglomerate: Show Page: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives/ Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods Email: listen@thepodglomerate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An all-new investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Across its eight-episode debut season, Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the start of 2006, 19-year-old Kaavya Viswanathan seemed to have it all. From a high profile six-figure book deal to good standing at Harvard University, the world was at her feet. But by the end of the year, her name was only brought up in conversations about "cautionary tales." How did she end up on a national television apology tour? Bethanne speaks to experts to set the story straight— and conducts a revelatory and exclusive interview with Kaavya herself. You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.J. Finn — also known as Dan Mallory, former Executive Editor at William Morrow and Co. — overcame tragedy and illness to publish "The Woman in the Window", a huge bestseller and the inspiration for a Netflix film. But the story of the talented Mr. Mallory has more twists and turns than the book that made his reputation. Bestelling Pulitzer finalist Luis Alberto Urrea is a featured guest. You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raw, transgressive, and true: Praise for hard-hitting books like Sarah and The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things made Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy the talk of the town. But was J.T. who he said he was? Follow our winding journey as we parse good intentions and messy outcomes in one of the book world’s most complicated stories and biggest hoaxes. Find the full transcript of this episode here. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say that being too online will mess with your head, and no one was more online than Caroline Calloway, the mega-influencer who is known for botching not one but two books deals. Bethanne follows her trail of obsessed superfans, betrayed friends, and abandoned book deals across Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and even OnlyFans. Find a full transcript of this episode here. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some stories are too big, or at least too entertaining, to fit into a single episode. In part two, Bethanne speaks to authors, publishers, and NYC night life reporters to find out what Caroline Calloway might have up her sleeve next. Make sure to listen to part one if you haven't yet. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this short bonus episode, Bethanne chats with Missing Pages Executive Producer Jeff Umbro about a new Apple Books collection of books and authors featured in the podcast. You can explore the collection at apple.co/booksmissingpages. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bethanne doesn’t just talk about scandals after the fact: Sometimes she’s embroiled in them as they happen. In this episode, Bethanne spills the tea on the story of “Anna March,” a notorious figure who racked up big bills in the service of literature — and left others to pay them. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podcast on Apple Books at this link: https://apple.co/booksmissingpages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In writers’ dreams, every published author is a millionaire, every title sells at auction, every editor is brilliant and attentive, and every book hits the bestseller list. Alas, writers’ dreams and the publishing industry’s reality don’t always mesh. Bethanne breaks down the lifespan of a book and the overworked and underpaid workers who make the industry (barely) run. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He enlightened millions with his writings and built dozens of schools in the Middle East. But despite his praiseworthy deeds, author-philanthropist Greg Mortenson suffered an immense fall from grace. Was Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, a manipulative scammer or an idealist in over his head? Bethanne delves into a story of good intentions and very bad bookkeeping. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Kaavya Viswanathan: The Full Package, we looked back into "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life," and the plagiarism scandal that brought everything down. As we unearthed new details about the fiasco, we thought it was important to talk to Viswanathan herself to find out what really happened. In this extended interview, previously only available in our premium feed on Apple Podcasts, "Missing Pages Unabridged," and Viswanathan's first about the YA novel in 15 years, we talk about everything from her experience on the Today Show, what it was like writing for a book packager, and what she's been up to in the years since. If you haven't listened to Kaavya Viswanathan: The Full Package yet, we recommend you listen to that first. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To get a better sense of the book world Caroline Calloway found herself in, we talked to Constance Grady, a senior correspondent and culture critic for Vox, who covers film, TV, and of course, book publishing. In this bonus episode, previously only available in our premium feed on Apple Podcasts, "Missing Pages Unabridged," Constance shares her wisdom about books, the publishing industry, and how she wound up writing the most-referenced explainer there is on Caroline Calloway. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book bans are on the rise across America. With the rise of social media, book publishers are losing their power as the industry gatekeepers. More and more celebrities and influencers are publishing books with ghostwriters. Writing communities are splintering because members are at cross purposes about their mission. An all-new season of the investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Season 2 of Missing Pages premieres on October 23rd. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colleen Hoover created a book empire through self-publishing, in part due to the power of social media. Is her career a sign of a changing landscape where publishing gatekeepers are losing power while readers are gaining power? We speak with Laura Miller, Books and Culture columnist at Slate, Jim Milliot, Co-Editorial Director at Publishers Weekly, and Jennie Young, an Associate Professor of Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to find out. Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUuko Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-the-colleen-hoover-story/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/ X: https://twitter.com/misspagespod Hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are fanfiction communities becoming stronger than traditional publishers? In this episode, we’ll look at how fans, publishers, and creators are (or aren’t) working together, examining a fanfiction lawsuit between former fanfic writers Zoey Ellis and Addison Cain. We speak with Elizabeth Minkel, co-host of the Fansplaining podcast. Did we mention the fanfiction is about the highly specific subgenre of... wolfkink? Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUuko Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-copyright-fanfiction-who-owns-what/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/ X: https://twitter.com/misspagespod Hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an extension of our last episode on the paradigm shifts in the fanfiction community, we take a look at the complicated history of Dungeons and Dragons and how the game’s creators have had a rocky relationship with the game’s fans. We talk to Ben Riggs, author of Slaying the Dragon, about Dungeons and Dragons’ sordid fan history. Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUuko Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-botched-initiative-the-dungeons-and-dragons-story/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/ X: https://twitter.com/misspagespod Hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House barred from merging, are publishers losing substantial power as gatekeepers to the industry? What is the current state of publishers, and did this decision take into account the readers or the authors? Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvI Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-doj-v-prh-the-hidden-peaks-of-a-flat-industry/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/ X: https://twitter.com/misspagespod Hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to books, America has had the same cultural arguments since its founding. One group perpetually focused on the moral ramifications and societal threats a story poses, while another group argues that questioning morals and societal norms makes for a healthier individual, and democracy. Today, however, local has become national. Historically, what's taught in public schools has been by and large a local issue, not a crusade. But our current moment is impacting people at a grand scale. We talk to SUNY Binghamton professor Adam Laats and historian Gillian Frank to get the full perspective on America’s history of banning books. Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvI Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/book-banning-part-i-the-history-of-banned-books/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/ X: https://twitter.com/misspagespod Hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick. Produced by the Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices