Inkwell Insights

In this episode of INL Insights, host Blake discusses the recent hiatus from podcasting and the challenges faced in balancing work, life, and creative pursuits. He delves into the complexities of the book buying, selling, creating, and distributing processes, specifically highlighting the logistical hurdles with book distribution partners like Ingram. Blake shares personal stories about maintaining an online bookstore, unexpected inventory issues, and the substantial effort required to manage and curate book selections. He also extends an invitation for potential co-hosts and updates listeners on changes to his Howdy Curiosity bookstore model. The episode covers broader industry insights, critiques inefficiencies, and calls for modernization in the publishing industry.

00:00 Welcome to INL Insights
00:57 Housekeeping and Updates
02:24 The Challenges of Podcasting
05:32 The Ideal Podcast Vision
06:39 Changes to Howdy Curiosity
17:41 The Book Distribution Dilemma
28:12 Ingram: The Giant in Book Distribution
31:22 The Frustrations of Using Ingram
46:01 The Need for Modernization in Publishing
53:31 Conclusion and Call to Action
00:57 Housekeeping and Apologies
02:06 Podcasting Challenges and Aspirations
06:39 Bookstore Inventory Issues
17:41 The Struggles of Book Fulfillment
28:12 Ingram's Complicated Processes
46:01 The Future of Publishing
53:31 Conclusion and Call to Action

Blake explores two stories that reveal where literature stands in 2025: industry leaders at the U.S. Book Show choosing "human neighborhoods" over algorithmic efficiency, and the announcement of the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize shortlist celebrating books that imagine genuine alternatives to how we live now. While AI makes content creation cheaper, it also makes that content worthless—but human creativity becomes more precious than ever. This episode examines why authentic community building trumps viral reach, what publishers are learning about reader preferences, and how literature's capacity to imagine new possibilities remains irreplaceable. 

For further reading, checkout: 
- https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/trade-shows-events/article/97945-u-s-book-show-2025-ai-looms-large-across-publishing-sectors.html
- https://lithub.com/heres-the-shortlist-for-the-2025-ursula-k-le-guin-prize-for-fiction/
- https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/index.html

Blake dives into the explosive revelation that tech giants like Meta have been training AI models on millions of pirated books from shadow libraries like LibGen—all without author consent or compensation. From Ta-Nehisi Coates to Sarah Silverman, major authors are fighting back with lawsuits. But this isn't just about copyright law; it's about the fundamental nature of human creativity and what we lose when machines try to replicate the irreplaceable human process of storytelling.

In this episode of Inkwell Insights, host Blake Reichenbach explores how internet writing practices have evolved and impacted the craft of writing itself.
Key Takeaways for Writers:

Recognizing Manipulation in Digital Marketing: The episode begins by exposing the "test email" clickbait strategy, serving as a reminder for writers to maintain authenticity rather than resorting to manipulative tactics for audience engagement.
Understanding the Evolution of Digital Writing: Tracing the journey from early hypertext to modern content creation provides context for why writing standards have shifted, helping writers understand the forces that shape current expectations.
The Impact of Monetization: The discussion of ad networks reveals how economic incentives fundamentally altered writing priorities—from quality to quantity, depth to clickability—a crucial insight for writers navigating today's publishing landscape.
Resisting Harmful "Rules" for Web Writing: Blake challenges prevailing wisdom about writing for the internet (6th-grade reading level, excessive simplification, constant skimmability), encouraging writers to reject these constraints when they diminish quality.
Recognizing How Reading Habits Have Changed: Understanding how shortened attention spans affect both readers and writers helps content creators develop more effective strategies while remaining true to their craft.
A Call for Intentional Literary Cultivation: The episode concludes with an invitation for writers to deliberately nurture deeper thinking and reading practices, positioning thoughtful writing as resistance against the "dumbing down" of literary culture.

This episode offers writers valuable perspective on how economic and technological forces have shaped writing practices, while providing encouragement to maintain artistic integrity in an environment that often prioritizes metrics over meaning.

Cecilia (“CeCe”) Lyra is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and non-fiction. She is drawn to books with strong hooks and smooth writing, told with originality, nuance, and authenticity. A long-term strategic thinker, CeCe prioritizes the creative reach and sustainable longevity of her authors’ careers, and she is especially looking for clients with whom she can build fruitful, lasting relationships.

Both a storyteller and a storyseller, CeCe believes that stories are empathy-generating machines capable of healing, connecting, and enacting true change. As a mixed race Latinx immigrant, CeCe understands the power of seeing oneself reflected in books, hence her passion for championing under or misrepresented voices and narratives that contribute to a larger cultural conversation. CeCe is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). The popular podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, for which CeCe is a co-host, has over three million downloads. CeCe is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her. 

In this episode, Blake discusses some exciting upcoming podcast guests, a foray into a postmodern (in)famous classic, as well as his current fiction project and its most recent updates. 

Visit: www.charlottewood.com.au 
To learn more, visit:

https://www.blakereichenbach.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/blake-reichenbach/

In this episode, Charlotte Wood delves into the inspirations behind her novel "Stone Yard Devotional," exploring themes of faith, nature, and personal upheaval. She discusses the challenges and revelations of writing a deeply personal story set in her Australian hometown during a time of global and personal crisis. Charlotte shares insights into her creative process, the influence of external events like wildfires and the pandemic, and the delicate balance between autobiography and fiction.

Charlotte Wood is the author of seven novels and three books of non-fiction. Her new book Stone Yard Devotional was described by the UK Guardian as ‘a quiet novel of immense power’ and has been praised by authors Anne Enright, Tim Winton, Karen Joy Fowler, Hannah Kent and Paula Hawkins among others. It was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, among other awards. 

Visit: www.charlottewood.com.au 

Rachel Kitch is a mixed-race Thai American speculative horror author with a love of writing unsettling, creepy books that still have a spark of light.
Rachel has her Masters in Design from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelors from West Virginia University. As a generation 1.5 immigrant, Rachel loves to blend her heritage and incorporate Thai and Appalachian folklore into her projects. When not writing, she can be found cuddling with her bulldog-chihuahua mix, Danny, or reading books on her Kindle that would kill a Victorian child.
She is represented by Rose Ferrao of PS. Literary Agency.

In thisepisode, we sit down with Rachel Kitsch, a speculative horror author who uniquely blends Thai and Appalachian folklore into her work. We explore the olfactory world of the Omegaverse and discuss the influences of folklore on Rachel's writing. Rachel shares insights into her writing process, the importance of community in writing, and offers advice for aspiring authors. We also touch on her journey of connecting with her heritage and the challenges of representing diverse cultures in literature. 

Follow Rachel on Twitter and Blue Sky at @RachelKitsch (https://x.com/rachelkitch), and on Instagram and TikTok at @RachelKitschWrites. Stay tuned for exciting updates about her upcoming book, "The Forest Bleeds." 

https://rachelkitch.com/

Join host Blake Reichenbach in this thought-provoking episode of the Inkwell Insights podcast, where he delves into the evolving landscape of media literacy and its impact on writers and readers in the digital age. Departing from his usual guest interviews, Blake takes center stage to discuss the significant themes from his recent blog post titled "If It Enrages, It Engages: Escape the Digital Wasteland Before Your Brain Rots."

In this episode, Blake explores how social media platforms have transformed from spaces of genuine connection to engagement-driven environments, often prioritizing low-quality content and superficial interactions. He examines the implications of this shift for both media literacy and the writing community, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and challenging oneself with complex literature.

Listeners are invited to rethink their approach to reading and writing, encouraged to embrace discomfort, and to view themselves as writers rather than content creators. Blake also shares personal strategies for reducing screen time and fostering creativity, including journaling and reading challenging fiction, like Alan Moore's "The Great Win."

Before diving into the main discussion, Blake reminds listeners about the podcast's newsletter, which offers exclusive content and the opportunity to submit questions for upcoming guests. To stay connected and participate in the conversation, visit [inkwellpodcast.com](https://inkwellpodcast.com) and subscribe to the newsletter.

Tune in for a candid exploration of the digital landscape's impact on creativity, literacy, and the art of writing. Whether you're a writer, reader, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and storytelling, this episode promises insights and inspiration.

**Links:**

- Inkwell Podcast Newsletter: [inkwellpodcast.com](https://inkwellpodcast.com)

Lara Tupper is the author of three books: Amphibians, a short story collection (Leapfrog Global Fiction Award winner; Leapfrog Press, 2021), Off Island, a fictional re-imagining of Paul Gauguin's travels (finalist, Housatonic Book Award; Encircle, 2020) and A Thousand and One Nights (Harcourt and Untreed Reads, 2015), an autobiographical novel about singers at sea. She co-wrote the screenplay adaptation for A Thousand and One Nights with filmmaker Greg Eismin. Her forthcoming book, At the Center, is a speculative novel in which Paper Bans make printed matter taboo. (It will be published by Regal House in 2027.) Her work has appeared in The Believer, Epiphany, Zone 3, Ghost Story, etc. and been anthologized in many collections. A graduate of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, she taught at Rutgers University for nine years and now presents workshops and manuscript development via Swift Ink Stories, her writing platform. She is also a jazz/folk singer who has traveled the world; her latest album is This Dance. 

Lara Tupper's upcoming novel, AT THE CENTER, is a fresh take on the topics of banned books and literary taboos. While it won't be available for readers until 2027, she has a wealth of work and wisdom to tide us over until then. In this delightful interview, Tupper's sensitive spirit and nurturing insights shine through. As a writer and writing coach with a teaching background, she has worked with writers at all stages of the process and experience levels, and it has all worked to solidify her love of story and the value it brings to the world.