{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/689b7bcb290bdec8f9696fb1/6a1424026ee822cbfb78896c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Adventures in Publishing-land: Nobel AI Scandal, Silicon Serpents & The Children's Literacy Crisis","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/689b7bcb290bdec8f9696fb1/1779704371879-215d6ee2-72d9-4382-85c4-cba0eabb4454.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><a href=\"https://youtu.be/rI0g_zOgzUU\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Watch as a full video episode on YouTube</a></p><p><br></p><p>This week, we're expanding on our discussion from the last episode about the depressing HarperCollins report on children's reading habits. Author and teacher Cailean Steed joins us to break down the underlying data and explain exactly how hyper-fixating on rigid literacy metrics is actively destroying the sheer joy of reading for kids. Plus, we talk about - of course - AI, as we talk about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner scandal, and discuss Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk response to the talk of AI involvement in her work. And we find time to talk about the Guardian's \"Best books of all time\" list - and make Tariq talk about football again.</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>01:08 Literacy vs Joy: Let Kids Enjoy Reading: Cailean Steed Interview</p><p>22:15 Snake Oil Award - Prize-winning Pile On</p><p>37:50 Tokarczuk Prize - An Ignoble Use of AI?</p><p>44:02 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory</p><p>52.26 The Final Chapter - Who are books lists for?</p><p><br></p><p>Links:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.thebookseller.com/news/literacy-focus-actively-undermining-childrens-reading-for-pleasure-harpercollins-finds\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Literacy focus ‘actively undermining’ reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/19/commonwealth-short-story-prize-winner-doubts-ai-artificial-intelligence\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">‘Obvious markers of AI’: doubts raised over winner of short story prize</a></p><p><a href=\"https://granta.com/the-serpent-in-the-grove/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Read The Serpent in the Grove and decide for yourself</a></p><p><a href=\"https://lithub.com/olga-tokarczuk-has-responded-to-the-controversy-over-her-reputed-use-of-ai/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Olga Tokarczuk has responded to the controversy over her reputed use of AI</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/may/12/the-100-best-novels-of-all-time\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Guardian 100 Best Books of All Time</a></p><p><br></p><p>Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!</p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/stetpodcasts.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Follow us on Bluesky</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stetpodcasts/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Follow us on Instagram</a></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Nadine Matheson"}