Print Run Podcast · Erik Hane and Laura Zats

Episode 167—Dread, But Make It Fashion

January 24, 2024·53 min·5 clips
Eric Hain reveals his dread about publishing trends and how he plans to turn it into a fashion statement.
This episode of the Print Run Podcast features hosts Eric Hain and Laura Zatz, both publishing industry professionals, analyzing their sense of foreboding about the year ahead in books. They frame their conversation as a dissection of Eric's personal feeling of dread regarding impending industry shifts. The hosts aim to explore this anxiety in a structured yet conversational manner, titling the episode "Dread, But Make It Fashion." The discussion centers on the specific unease following the 2023 holiday season as the publishing industry returns to work. Eric expresses a general aversion to disruptive "things happening" that interrupt routine. Laura notes the return to work involves navigating ongoing industry disruptions and logistical challenges. The conversation pivots to anticipated pressures and consolidations within the publishing business landscape for 2024. A key insight is the hosts' shared perception that numerous unresolved industry tensions are "coming to a head" this year. They characterize their dread not as pure pessimism, but as an anticipation of consequential events and decisions. Eric humorously frames his ideal state as one of quiet routine, disrupted by the necessity of active industry engagement. The episode's premise treats a personal emotional state as a valid lens for professional analysis. The tone is casual, introspective, and laced with self-deprecating humor about their own anxieties. The style is a free-flowing dialogue between two colleagues with deep insider knowledge, blending personal reflection with industry speculation. Listeners who enjoy candid, behind-the-scenes conversations about publishing's business pressures and future trends would appreciate this episode. Those seeking highly structured news, data-heavy reports, or optimistic forecasts might find it less aligned with their interests.
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