Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #97: Return of the Agents!

by

Mur

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:07 — 36.2MB)

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Mur and Matt come to you live from the guest room of the Ditch Diggers Manor House separated by shadow performance partitions and welcome their very own agents Jen Udden and DongWon Song back onto the show for the first time in over two years.

  • Much like Pepperidge Farm, Skype remembers (and is a receipt-keeping bastard).
  • DongWon and Jen are back to help the Ditch Diggers tackle the very important and difficult topic of abuse and harassment in publishing, particularly how authors and others can share information and their stories safely with each other and the community.
  • The panel discusses “grooming” behavior, what it is/can be, and how it’s pervasive in fiction and publishing communities.
  • Trusting your instincts when it comes to recognizing and processing abusive behavior directed towards you and others.
  • How to broach the subject of inappropriate behavior and “missing stairs” with others in your circles, communities, and industry, and the lack of structures in place to help.
  • What structural changes need to be made/put in place to supplement whisper networks about abuse and abusers, especially in situations like conventions and live events.
  • What individuals in positions of privilege and/or authority can do to be better allies to marginalized groups and people dealing with abusive behavior.
  • Twitter Q&A! The Agents offer their takes on freelancing in the time of COVID questions about publishing trends and marketing.
  • The Agents end the episode by shilling their clients’ forthcoming books, like pros (including Matt’s SAVAGE LEGION, preorder now).