The Untold Story Of Books
A Writer’s History Of Book Publishing
(click link to read the complete review)
“Book lovers will be enthralled.” —Publishers Weekly
“Groudbreaking… delightful… a must-read.”—Independent Pubisher
“Castleman has created a unique, highly readable title… It’s delightful the way he relates the history of the technological innovations that have propelled book publishing…” —Laura Lent, former chief of collections, San Francisco Public Library (retired).
“Now that I understand how the business of books has treated authors for centuries, I have a context for my own bumpy experiences and a slew of tools for future decision-making…”—Nicola Ranson, author of A Slice of Orange and Plant Talk
From Gutenberg to Amazon, Michael Castleman’s The Untold Story of Books is the first and only history of publishing told from a veteran author’s point of view. Witty, entertaining, and full of remarkable new insights, it’s a deeply researched, fascinating history of the idiosyncratic book business—aimed at authors, aspiring authors, booksellers, industry professionals, and everyone who loves to read books.
The Untold Story of Books organizes the 600-year saga of publishing into three distinct book businesses, all defined by the evolution of printing: Gutenberg-style hand presses (1450-1870), industrial printing (1870-2000), and digital publishing (2000-?). Castleman explores how each new book business upended its predecessor, forcing authors, publishers, and booksellers to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. It’s a story full of surprises. Why did books become favored Christmas presents? Because of a poem written in 1823. Why is New York the nation’s publishing capital? Because of the Erie Canal. Why are book endorsements are called “blurbs”? Because of a satirist’s joke in 1907. And why is copyright often an illusion? Because publishing was founded on book piracy, which today is easier and more rampant than ever.
Arriving at the present day, Castleman paints a compelling portrait of an evolving book business full of new promise and peril. He unpacks the many myths surrounding the writer’s relationship to publishers. As tensions in an increasingly disrupted industry mount, Castleman offers a refreshing perspective, grounded in a truth that few would care to admit: writing and publishing have always been incredibly difficult professions— callings more than livings. Ultimately, The Untold Story of Books equips today’s authors with the understanding they need to survive— and maybe even thrive.
Here’s what some early readers are saying
“Entertaining, fascinating, deeply researched, and crisply written, The Untold Story of Books is full of surprises. I worked in publishing for thirty years and was amazed how much I learned about the industry. No other book provides such a comprehensive and witty overview. The Untold Story of Books is a must-read for authors, aspiring authors, and anyone who loves books. The publishing industry is often shrouded in mystery. This booklifts the veil and provides a fresh, new, compelling perspective.”—Mark Chimsky, former editorial director of Harper San Francisco, former director of trade paperbacks at Little Brown, and former editor-in-chief of the trade paperback division at Macmillan.
“Quirky, comprehensive, opinionated, and massively entertaining, The Untold Story of Books combines Castleman’s fifty years of bittersweet experience as an author, and his vivid history of book publishing for anyone interested in books or publishing. Castleman beautifully conveys the essence of writing—of creating—today. I wish he’d written the Untold Story of Books a long time ago.” —Daniel Ben-Horin, author of the novel, Substantial Justice.
“Whether you’re an author who’s been turned down by publishers, or one whose publisher has been swallowed up by one of the Big Five, or a reader who mistakenly thought he knew something about the publishing industry (and I’ve been all three), you’ll find a feast of information in The Untold Story of Books. And it’s served up nicely spiced with wit, irony, and a dash of hope.” —Adam Hochschild, author of American Midnight, King Leopold’s Ghost, and other books.
“The untold story of book publishing has now been told. This book should be required reading for anyone with the pluck to undertake book writing today. It’s lucid, witty, comprehensive, and sometimes frightening. I wish I’d had the benefit of Castleman’s analysis years ago.” —Frank Viviano, author of Blood Washes Blood.
“What a pleasure to read The Untold Story of Books! It’s fascinating, incredibly informative, and humorous, a must-read for every writer. Castleman knows the book business like no other author—and explains it to the rest of us. I came away with a new understanding of publishing, the present state of the industry, and the gritty realities that writers have always faced—and still do. I had no idea the industry was founded on book piracy. Castleman’s writing is riveting! While The Untold Story dissolves delusions of grandeur for most authors, Castleman helps us accept without shame the reality that we should keep our day jobs knowing we’re writing and publishing for the pleasure of the process—and for any readers who discover and enjoy our books.” —Jane Sloven, author of the novel Termination of Benefits and Compassionate Journey: Honoring Our Mothers’ Stories”