San Francisco Chronicle book columnist Barbara Lane is joined by writers from across the arts spectrum for free-ranging discussions about what they’re reading and writing during this unprecedented sheltering time plus a more global examination of how COVID-19 is changing the book world.

Covid-19 and the Business of Books

How has Covid-19 affected independent bookstores, local book festivals, the publishing industries? How are they responding? How can we support our beloved indies? What does the future look like?


CHERILYN PARSONS, founder and executive director of the Bay Area Book Festival

STEVE WASSERMAN, publisher and executive director of HeyDay Books

PETE MULVAHILL, co-owner Green Apple Books

Stephanie’s special guest Marga Gomez.

As the writer/performer of thirteen solo plays and a stand-up comedian, Marga has been described as “deliciously cheeky and incendiary” by the New York Times, “astonishing” by Armistead Maupin and other accolades. Many of her solo plays have been developed with and staged by renowned New York director David Schweizer. She has also worked with directors, Adrian Alexander Alea, Ellen Sebastian Chang, and David Ford. She is the winner of a GLAAD Award for Theater and a three-time winner of San Francisco Bay Guardian’s “Best Of The Bay Comedian”

Robert Townsend transcends any medium he touches whether he’s performing stand up, acting, writing, directing, producing, or running a television network. A Chicago native, Townsend is often referred to as one of the “Godfathers” of the Independent Film World.” With over 30 years in the business, he has made an indelible mark in Hollywood with an extensive list of credits.

The book that Robert recommended, The Clarity Cleanse, can be found here - https://amzn.to/2xoQilv.

The young jazz musician that asked Robert some questions can be found here - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DrzOZbEnFTUQoY68FEw1U.

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