Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature (Literature Now)

Name: Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature (Literature Now)
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Book Synopsis: In the late 1950s, Random House editor Jason Epstein would talk jazz with Ralph Ellison or chat with Andy Warhol while pouring drinks in his office. By the 1970s, editors were poring over profit-and-loss statements. The electronics company RCA bought Random House in 1965, and then other large corporations purchased other formerly independent publishers. As multinational conglomerates consolidated the industry, the business of literature—and literature itself—transformed.

Dan Sinykin explores how changes in the publishing industry have affected fiction, literary form, and what it means to be an author. Giving an inside look at the industry’s daily routines, personal dramas, and institutional crises, he reveals how conglomeration has shaped what kinds of books and writers are published. Sinykin examines four different sectors of the publishing industry: mass-market books by brand-name authors like Danielle Steel; trade publishers that encouraged genre elements in literary fiction; nonprofits such as Graywolf that aspired to protect literature from market pressures; and the distinctive niche of employee-owned W. W. Norton. He emphasizes how women and people of color navigated shifts in publishing, arguing that writers such as Toni Morrison allegorized their experiences in their fiction.

Big Fiction features dazzling readings of a vast range of novelists—including E. L. Doctorow, Judith Krantz, Renata Adler, Stephen King, Joan Didion, Cormac McCarthy, Chuck Palahniuk, Patrick O’Brian, and Walter Mosley—as well as vivid portraits of industry figures. Written in gripping and lively prose, this deeply original book recasts the past six decades of American fiction.

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Looking to dive into the fascinating world of American literature and the publishing industry? Look no further than "Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature" by Dan Sinykin. This thought-provoking book explores the transformative impact of conglomerates on the business of literature and the art of storytelling.

Join Sinykin on a captivating journey through the late 1950s to the present day as he uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the publishing industry. Discover how multinational conglomerates have reshaped fiction, literary form, and the very essence of being an author.

Sinykin delves into the inner workings of four different sectors of the publishing industry, showcasing the various forces that have shaped modern literature. From mass-market books by renowned authors like Danielle Steel to trade publishers that blend genre elements with literary fiction, you'll gain valuable insights into the diverse landscape of contemporary publishing.

Furthermore, Sinykin sheds light on the crucial role of nonprofits like Graywolf, which strive to protect literature from market pressures, and the unique niche of employee-owned W. W. Norton. Throughout the book, he highlights the experiences of women and people of color in navigating the shifts and challenges within the industry, demonstrating how their stories are allegorized within their fictional works.

Prepare to be captivated by Sinykin's dazzling readings of a vast range of acclaimed novelists, including E. L. Doctorow, Joan Didion, Stephen King, and many more. Through vivid descriptions and engaging narratives, he brings to life the influential figures who have shaped the world of literature and transformed the American fiction landscape.

Don't miss out on this deeply original and gripping book that recasts the past six decades of American fiction. Click here to order "Big Fiction" and embark on an enlightening exploration of the publishing industry and its profound impact on literature.

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