Why do we have this world of books and not any other? Why are these the books topping Amazon’s lists or sitting prominently on the shelves at Barnes & Noble and our local independent bookstores? In this talk, Dan Sinykin (Emory University) will discuss how the conglomeration of the publishing industry led to the dominance of romantasy, how publishers and prizes shape the kinds of stories that nonwhite writers get to tell, and how independent and nonprofit publishing offers alternatives.

This event is part of the Denbo Center for Humanities & the Arts' 2024-25 Distinguished Lecture Series.