Literacy Lows, TikTok Highs, & the £100 Canceled Book

Nobel AI Scandal, Silicon Serpents & The Children's Literacy Crisis

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/rI0g_zOgzUU] This week, we're expanding on our discussion from the last episode about the depressing HarperCollins report on children's reading habits. Author and teacher Cailean Steed joins us to break down the underlying data and explain exactly how hyper-fixating on rigid literacy metrics is actively destroying the sheer joy of reading for kids. Plus, we talk about - of course - AI, as we talk about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner scandal, and discuss Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk response to the talk of AI involvement in her work. And we find time to talk about the Guardian's "Best books of all time" list - and make Tariq talk about football again. 00:00 Intro 01:08 Literacy vs Joy: Let Kids Enjoy Reading: Cailean Steed Interview 22:15 Snake Oil Award - Prize-winning Pile On 37:50 Tokarczuk Prize - An Ignoble Use of AI? 44:02 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory 52.26 The Final Chapter - Who are books lists for? Links: Literacy focus ‘actively undermining’ reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/literacy-focus-actively-undermining-childrens-reading-for-pleasure-harpercollins-finds] ‘Obvious markers of AI’: doubts raised over winner of short story prize [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/19/commonwealth-short-story-prize-winner-doubts-ai-artificial-intelligence] Read The Serpent in the Grove and decide for yourself [https://granta.com/the-serpent-in-the-grove/] Olga Tokarczuk has responded to the controversy over her reputed use of AI [https://lithub.com/olga-tokarczuk-has-responded-to-the-controversy-over-her-reputed-use-of-ai/] The Guardian 100 Best Books of All Time [https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/may/12/the-100-best-novels-of-all-time] Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Literacy Lows, TikTok Highs, & the £100 Canceled Book

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/slNy8IfzjDc] On today's episode of Adventures in Publishing-land, we congratulate Tariq on not one but two new Longlistings, and struggle to understand a story about new research that suggests a heavy focus on literacy skills in schools is actively undermining the motivation to read for fun. Plus, the TikTok books charts have launched! What effect will they have on the industry? And as copies of Shy Girl sell for more than £100 on ebay, Tariq wonders if he should buy up as many copies as he can to fund his retirement (spoiler: he shouldn't!) 00:00 Intro 05:00 The Reading Paradox - Literacy Skills v Joy 16:52 Top of the Toks - TikTok Book Charts Launch 31:31 From Shy Girl to Prom Queen? Cancelled Book Sales Soar 41:49 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory Links: Literacy focus 'actively undermining' reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/literacy-focus-actively-undermining-childrens-reading-for-pleasure-harpercollins-finds] TikTok releases first monthly BookTok Bestseller List [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/tiktok-releases-first-monthly-booktok-bestseller-list] Copies of Mia Ballard's Shy Girl listed online for over £100 [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/copies-of-mia-ballards-shy-girl-being-listed-online-for-over-100] Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

McFadden Unmasked, Fake Editor Scams & Are Editors "Reading" with AI?

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/3QNoEVHdSCk] This week, we’re diving into the unmasking of one of the world’s most successful authors. Freida McFadden, the bestselling author behind The Housemaid, has officially revealed her true identity as Dr. Sara Cohen. We wonder 'why now', talk about imposter syndrome, and discuss why authors use pseudonyms. Plus, we of course chat about some AI-related stories: we go over some of your comments about our last episode on the Shy Girl scandal, talk about the allegation that editors are using LLMs to help them decide which books to pick up, and talk about scam emails again - this people pretending to be editors. 00:00 Intro 00:46 Shy Girl Fallout - Audience Comments 14:17 Chat G-P-Cheat? - Are Editors Using LLMs? 25:05 Something Phishy - Fake Editor Emails Spike 33:58 Not Just The Housemaid - McFadden's Secret Revealed 45:10 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory 50:57 Final Chapter - Stellar Adaptations Links: Some editors 'uploading confidential manuscripts to Chat GPT' [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/some-editors-uploading-confidential-manuscripts-to-chatgpt-to-read-quickly-agent-claims] Scam emails impersonating editors on the rise [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/scam-emails-impersonating-editors-on-the-rise-as-author-vigilance-urged] The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals real identity [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/the-housemaid-author-freida-mcfadden-reveals-real-identity] Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Did AI Kill This Book? Plus: UK Authors Win AI Battle & BookTok Charts Go Official

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/ijjzS2T40uA] This week, we lead with the scandal that has the industry in a frenzy, with Hachette pulling the release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel Shy Girl after viral claims that the prose was generated by AI. We discuss the YouTube video with 1.2 million views that started the fire, the author’s defense involving an "acquaintance," and what this means for the future of "human" storytelling. Staying on AI (when don't we talk about AI?), we discuss the UK government's decision to axe plans for a broad AI copyright exception, and ask if this is a victory for authors. Plus, we chat about the announcement that NielsenIQ and TikTok are launching a monthly Top 20 chart in the UK that combines real sales data with social media engagement. 00:00 Intro 01:24 Victory for Authors - UK Scraps AI Exception 10:36 Not Shy of Shortcuts - Hachette Ditches AI Novel 22:46 Tok of the Pops - Official UK Chart launched 30:06 Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction 36:42 Final Chapter - Pitt-Perfect Drama Links: Axed AI Copyright Exemption Welcomed By Book Trade [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/axed-ai-copyright-exemption-welcomed-by-book-trade-but-it-warns-damaging-avenues-remain-open] Hachette Horror Novel Shy Girl Suspended [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/20/hachette-horror-novel-shy-girl-suspected-ai-use-mia-ballard] Official BookTok Chart Set to Launch in the UK [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/12/official-booktok-chart-set-to-launch-in-the-uk] Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The "Human Authored" Badge: Can a Logo Save Publishing? Plus - Grammarly Sued

Watch as a full video on YouTube [https://youtu.be/4oXdVrov7hk] This episode of Adventures in Publishing-land dives deep into the battle for the "human soul" of the industry, featuring a frontline interview on the newest weapons in the author’s arsenal. We sit down with Anna Ganley and Sam Blake from the Society of Authors to discuss their new "Human Authored" scheme which launched at the London Book Fair. We explore the strategy behind the new logo and the message behind "Don't Steal This Book," the empty protest volume signed by thousands of authors including Kazuo Ishiguro and Richard Osman. Speaking of the London Book Fair, we also tackle the "Six-Figure Fever" that grips the industry every spring. If the headlines about massive advances are making you feel disheartened, we discuss why you need to ignore the hype and focus on your own journey. Plus, we look into the class-action lawsuit facing Grammarly and Superhuman, and discuss the latest legal action by publishers against a pirate books site. 00:00 Intro 00:53 The LBF Hype Cycle - Run Your Own Race 07:24 Human Authored - Our interview with the Society of Authors 36:12 Walk the Plank - Suing Anna's Archive 44:20 Grammarly's Gamble - Not So Superhuman 51:57 Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction Links: Human Authored - learn more about the scheme and how to sign up [https://humanauthored.co.uk/] Thirteen US Publishers Bring Suit Against Anna's Archive [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/thirteen-us-publishers-bring-suit-against-pirate-site-annas-archive#gallery] Grammarly Superhuman Expert Review Article [https://www.theverge.com/tech/891822/grammarly-superhuman-expert-review-names-without-permission-opt-out-email] And why they are being sued [https://www.wired.com/story/grammarly-is-facing-a-class-action-lawsuit-over-its-ai-expert-review-feature/] Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Follow us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.