305. Bethanne Patrick — Book World

<p>A conversation with literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick about the future of books, book publishing, authors and readers.</p> <p>Shermer and Patrick discuss: her memoir <em>Life B</em> • trends in treatment of depression and other mental diseases • why memoirs by authors who have suffered traumas and stresses in their lives sell so well • non-fiction, fiction, and quasi-nonfictional fiction • censorship and cancel culture in publishing • why the <em>New York Times</em> bestseller list is so influential • the trial over the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House over whether it will lead to a monopsony • the future of publishing and book stores • how writing compares to more accessible forms of content such as film or podcasting • what advice she would give to new would-be authors.</p> <p>Bethanne Patrick is the ultimate literary insider. If you read book reviews, you undoubtedly know Bethanne. Her endorsements in venues like the <em>Washington Post</em>, <em>Los Angeles Times</em>, <em>NPR</em>, and the <em>Boston Globe</em> have moved hundreds of thousands of copies. Check your shelves: chances are you own a book (or three) with a Bethanne blurb on the cover. An influencer in the book world, Bethanne (@TheBookMaven) has over 200K Twitter followers and originated the popular #FridayReads hashtag. The author of two books for <em>National Geographic</em> and editor of an anthology for Regan Arts, Patrick’s debut memoir <em>Life B</em> will be published by Counterpoint in May 2023.</p>