Episode 186—Middlemen, featuring Laura B. McGrath

Episode 186—Middlemen, featuring Laura B. McGrath

From Print Run Podcast by Erik Hane and Laura Zats

May 6, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Laura B. McGrath discussing her book on literary agents and the publishing industry.

This week we are thrilled to bring you an interview with Laura B. McGrath, whose new book MIDDLEMEN offers the largest-scale historical look at the field of literary agenting that we’ve ever seen. We talked to Laura about her experience talking to agents for the book, how being a debut writer herself has changed her view of publishing, and how what she has her eye on as publishing heads toward an uncertain future. This is one of our best conversations in the history of the show and we think you’ll love it. And be sure to buy MIDDLEMEN, available here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/middlemen-literary-agents-and-the-making-of-american-fiction-laura-b-mcgrath/df5cb73be04facb1?ean=9780691256160&next=t

People in this episode

Hosts: Erik Hane, Laura Zats

Guest: Laura B. McGrath

Topics covered

  • literary agenting
  • publishing
  • debut writers
  • historical perspective
  • future of publishing

Keywords

  • literary agents
  • publishing industry
  • MIDDLEMEN
  • debut authors
  • historical look

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: MIDDLEMEN

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