What informs your decision to buy a book vs just borrowing it? Does it matter how successful an author is as to whether or not you purchase? This week we are diving into what it means to be a good literary citizen based on a clip from the Pen Pals podcast with hosts Kelton Wright and Krisserin Canary. How should we profile our buying choices? Is it important to purchase books? How do sales impact authors, book deals, and what remains in print? Can we support the publishing industry and our local library at the same time? Angela and Sarah give their thoughts on all of this and more.

Disclaimer: the thoughts expressed in this episode are based on a clip from the aforementioned podcast and not the entire episode. The clip was used as a thought-provoking conversation starter and not meant to be a critique on the Pen Pals podcast itself or full content from their show.

What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear form you! Finf us on the socials: Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Or send us an email to thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Have you listened to the Pen Pals podcast?? Find them on Spotify and show them some love as well. https://open.spotify.com/show/4dfnjo9y1crwxLsACOiqEC?si=0ae989e694a84a05

Ever wondered how books get assigned to the shelves at your favorite bookstore? In this week's episode Angela gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Reading Rock Books and how they curate the titles on their shelves. Is it a simple task? How much influence do employees and community members have? Can the same book sit on multiple shelves? Angela and Sarah discuss all of this and more. Do you have a favorite bookshop? Let us know!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads or send an email to thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Have you heard the buzz about Sarah Wynn-Williams' new memoir Careless People? This week we are taking a look at the case that's making headlines. To print or not to print? That's the question being posed in this high-profile case. Sarah Wynn-Williams is the former director of public policy for Facebook. In her new memoir Careless People, published by Flatiron Books, Wynn-Williams exposes what she claims are policies that promote growth and personal agendas at the expense of safety. In an earlier interview with NPR, Wynn-Williams said, "Mark Zuckerberg looks at the world as if it's a board game, like a game of Risk. And it's about occupying every territory, building an empire. Those are the things that concern him, not the sort of real-world impact of what that means." There is even an allegation of sexual assualt among many other alarming concerns.

Since the release of this bestseller, Meta has filed an injunction against Wynn-Williams claiming a violation of her severence agreement. She is currently banned from speaking about her book, but that isn't stopping Flatiron and Macmillan from continuing their publication of this whistleblowing memoir. Angela and Sarah dive into all of this and the implications it has on future books and authors, and whether there is ever an appropriate time to silence the written word.

NPR Interview:

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/nx-s1-5318854/former-meta-executive-barred-from-discussing-criticism-of-the-company

Let us know your thoughts! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com