Why Literary Agents Matter with Laura McGrath
Book Riot - The Podcast
04/29/26
•47m
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Prof. Laura McGrath joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Middlemen: Literary Agents and the Making of American Fiction. Literary agents try to stay out of the spotlight, but they shape what you read. We talk about why agents came into being, how they have developed over time, and how American fiction wouldn't be the same without them.
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Previous Episode
Vanessa Diaz sits in for Rebecca to talk with Jeff about The Women's Prize shortlist, Practical Magic 2, the most banned books of 2025, how human it is for people to know that reading is good for them and still not do it, recent reading, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening.
Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.
The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.
Discussed in this episode:
World Book Day Study aka nothing means anything
top 11 banned books of 2025 (ALA)
The Crystal Light collab, because sure, why not (wider trend of ‘interesting’ collabs - Hellmans’ Mayo, Yankee Candle, Prego - see block in flagship )
Practical Magic 2 trailer (vanessa hyperventilating)
The Pitt’s Dr Abbott (Shawn Hatosy) voicing audio erotica on Quinn app
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Use code THEBOOKS for 20% off at Cozy Earth.
Go to quince.com/bookriot for free shipping and 365-day returns.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Part 1 of our Spring 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads recommendations extravaganza.
Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening.
Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.
The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.
Discussed in this episode:
Emma Straub
Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Marie Helene Bertino
Abby Jimenez
Sarah McLean
Claire Lombardo
The Fraud by Zadie Smith
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Percival Everett. Maybe also
Matrix by Lauren Groff.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
Small World by Jonathan Evison,
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Larry Woiwode
Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol
Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom
This Land is Your Land by Beverly Gage
The Women I Think About at Night by Mia Kankimaki
Han Kang
Katie Kitamura
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
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