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Novelist, essayist, and publishing coach Leigh Stein returns to the podcast to talk about her new novel If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant for You. Inspired by the Gothic tradition and set inside a Los Angeles “hype house,” the book follows a 39-year-old woman who has aged out of digital media (what a geriatric!) and finds herself managing a mansion full of TikTok influencers. In this conversation, Leigh explains how a Frank Lloyd Wright house, parasocial relationships, and even the controversies around Joan Didion’s private papers shaped the story. We also explore bigger questions about the creator economy, Substack’s uncertain future, fandom as a cultural force, and the thin line between art and content. Along the way, we touch on Coldplay-Gate, public shaming as a kind of modern scarlet letter, and what young writers should know about making a living while making art.
Guest Bio:
Leigh Stein is the author of six books, including the critically acclaimed satirical novel Self Care and a gothic novel titled If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant for You. She has written culture pieces and personal essays for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker online, Airmail, Allure, ELLE, BuzzFeed, The Cut, Salon, and Slate.
Leigh’s previous visits to the podcast.
Leigh Stein on the rise and fall of the #GirlBoss and her new novel, Self Care
"It feels so good to feel like you're on the right side of history." In this episode of the podcast, Meghan talks with novelist Leigh Stein, whose wickedly satirical new novel Self Care sends up internet influencers and Goop-flavored millennial startup culture while also slyly poking fun at the commodification of social justice activism. Leigh discusses…
Are MFA Programs Multi-Level Marketing Schemes? Leigh Stein Thinks So!
Leigh Stein first came on the show in the summer of 2020 to talk about her novel, Self-Care, which spoofs corporate feminism and the cult of the girl boss. Now she’s back to share her observations about the publishing industry and what she’s learned as a book coach, independent editor and consultant for other writers. She thinks that authors (and aspiri…
Leigh Stein on Writing in the Era of #BookTok
Although the podcast is on hiatus this month, I thought I would drop in an episode just for my paying subscribers.
Housekeeping
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