I agree somewhat on your 'Succession' theory. Ken and Roman were riding high on power and turned out to be the idiots I'd hoped they'd moved beyond. No question in my mind they'll be out. Shiv may come out ahead, but I'm not ruling out either Greg or Connor, as well. Marcia will no doubt play a bigger role and Gerri deserves something!
Tom needs to go. Forever.
But beyond that, I've just subscribed and I can't wait to dig into this post and the others before and after.
Yes, I think so. Marcia and her son? But I don't think Ewan is out of the picture, either. He may be the wild card.
But Tom... He's the creepy enigma. Trying to remember if we know anything about him at all. So HE may be the wild card. All I can say is that's some damn good writing to keep us guessing right up until the end.
This line of comments has me both reading and scrolling quickly, as I am really scared to predict the next Succession implosion!
Main reason for my comment is to thank you for this collection of links, it's terrific! so much food for thought! I never knew why I disliked "upmarket" fiction so much and fretted about what I could do about my own writing so that I didn't similarly annoy people. And I love the Internet Archive, even though I'm a writer. Thanks for all the interesting thoughts!
Second, Succession: I didn't think about Roman dying. I think he's going to end up having to walk away or one of his siblings will fire him. Things are too calm for Kendall, and he is not smart enough to outsmart Shiv and Tom. Shiv is a killer. She is most like her father, and her alliance with Tom is a good one. She is playing her brothers and Mattson. Ken reminds me so much of Adam Neumann (ex-CEO of WeWork, and bonkers), which makes me think it all crashes down. I think it is Shiv's time to shine.
About the Grove influencer program: Tin House has been doing this for years with their Tin House Galley Club. They do these fun surveys and make cool infographics of the results: https://tinhouse.com/tin-house-galley-club-pretend-lovely/. It's briefly mentioned in this interview: https://lithub.com/interview-with-an-indie-press-tin-house/ . It's about engagement with readers, but also about social media posts. Not unlike authors who have a "street team" of early readers who help get word out about a book in exchange for galleys, swag, meetups, etc.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Romantic Comedy, spoilers included. I have never been able to get into one of Sittenfeld's books, and I don't think the "romcom" is something that really needs to be Upmarketed. It feels like that would suck all the joy out, somehow.
I agree that Roman is spiraling, making very unwise moves. I also see him as a likely buy-out — with Logan gone, who is he trying to impress now? If the work gets too messy I can see him walking away from it all, unlike Kendall who sees it as his birthright and Shiv who is desperate to be respected. There are shades of WeWork in the Life+ pitch that make me suspicious of Ken's ultimate success; the investor pitch day triumph could all come crashing down with one careful look at the numbers.
Roman is also taking some pills.....Maybe Ken, finally free, is the one who can walk away after proving to himself he can be a success? Living + won't happen b/c Mattson will kill it anyway.
Mattson is playing Shiv but she kinda knows that. But Erin--what will happen on election night??
Mencken wins, Mattson decides to run with angry news for old people for 4 more years, Tom is happy to run that operation, Shiv has to decide if she wants power or principles.
I still think something about ATN/Mencken/Connor that we aren't predicting will happen. I'm so mad I don't have a theory now so I can brag later that I was right! But I am leaving "Roman will die"--and by his own hand-- out there.
I agree somewhat on your 'Succession' theory. Ken and Roman were riding high on power and turned out to be the idiots I'd hoped they'd moved beyond. No question in my mind they'll be out. Shiv may come out ahead, but I'm not ruling out either Greg or Connor, as well. Marcia will no doubt play a bigger role and Gerri deserves something!
Tom needs to go. Forever.
But beyond that, I've just subscribed and I can't wait to dig into this post and the others before and after.
Sorry but I will always root for Matthew Macfayden!
Doesn't Marcia have two votes? Hmmmm
Yes, I think so. Marcia and her son? But I don't think Ewan is out of the picture, either. He may be the wild card.
But Tom... He's the creepy enigma. Trying to remember if we know anything about him at all. So HE may be the wild card. All I can say is that's some damn good writing to keep us guessing right up until the end.
This line of comments has me both reading and scrolling quickly, as I am really scared to predict the next Succession implosion!
Main reason for my comment is to thank you for this collection of links, it's terrific! so much food for thought! I never knew why I disliked "upmarket" fiction so much and fretted about what I could do about my own writing so that I didn't similarly annoy people. And I love the Internet Archive, even though I'm a writer. Thanks for all the interesting thoughts!
so happy to hear this!
First, thank you for mentioning me!
Second, Succession: I didn't think about Roman dying. I think he's going to end up having to walk away or one of his siblings will fire him. Things are too calm for Kendall, and he is not smart enough to outsmart Shiv and Tom. Shiv is a killer. She is most like her father, and her alliance with Tom is a good one. She is playing her brothers and Mattson. Ken reminds me so much of Adam Neumann (ex-CEO of WeWork, and bonkers), which makes me think it all crashes down. I think it is Shiv's time to shine.
You are welcome!
Something Big is gonna happen yet. And imo Shiv is more of a killer in her head than in reality. Part of the reason I love her so.
About the Grove influencer program: Tin House has been doing this for years with their Tin House Galley Club. They do these fun surveys and make cool infographics of the results: https://tinhouse.com/tin-house-galley-club-pretend-lovely/. It's briefly mentioned in this interview: https://lithub.com/interview-with-an-indie-press-tin-house/ . It's about engagement with readers, but also about social media posts. Not unlike authors who have a "street team" of early readers who help get word out about a book in exchange for galleys, swag, meetups, etc.
Oh thanks for alerting me to this! This is interesting.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Romantic Comedy, spoilers included. I have never been able to get into one of Sittenfeld's books, and I don't think the "romcom" is something that really needs to be Upmarketed. It feels like that would suck all the joy out, somehow.
Well I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, but I found the heroine's fate at the end extremely rearguard...
I agree that Roman is spiraling, making very unwise moves. I also see him as a likely buy-out — with Logan gone, who is he trying to impress now? If the work gets too messy I can see him walking away from it all, unlike Kendall who sees it as his birthright and Shiv who is desperate to be respected. There are shades of WeWork in the Life+ pitch that make me suspicious of Ken's ultimate success; the investor pitch day triumph could all come crashing down with one careful look at the numbers.
Roman is also taking some pills.....Maybe Ken, finally free, is the one who can walk away after proving to himself he can be a success? Living + won't happen b/c Mattson will kill it anyway.
Mattson is playing Shiv but she kinda knows that. But Erin--what will happen on election night??
Mencken wins, Mattson decides to run with angry news for old people for 4 more years, Tom is happy to run that operation, Shiv has to decide if she wants power or principles.
Poor Connor :(
Nobody will ever rig an election for the First Pancake.
I still think something about ATN/Mencken/Connor that we aren't predicting will happen. I'm so mad I don't have a theory now so I can brag later that I was right! But I am leaving "Roman will die"--and by his own hand-- out there.
Wow, I'm not seeing that. If it happens I'll be the first to congratulate you!
Mencken wins the election because Connor's 1% proves a spoiler. Calling that now.
I will start that one next!
Actual happiness???? That's the most surprising prediction I've heard yet.