The Untold Story of Books: A Writer's History of Publishing

"The Untold Story of Books is full of fascinating and entertaining history, most of which was new to me, plus a comprehensive and realistic (if sometimes discouraging) picture of what is happening in book publishing today. Past and present--all informative and enjoyable!" --Gillian Roberts, author of the Amanda Pepper mysteries
"The Untold Story of Books is a real page-turner. I loved Castleman's analysis of book sales in terms of units sold and the money authors earn. And I loved the hilarious anecdotes about book piracy, publisher mergers, and other elements of the book business. As soon as I finished The Untold Story of Books, I started recommending it to writer friends." --Chris Carlsson, former bookseller and author of Hidden San Francisco: A Guide to Lost Landscapes, Unsung Heroes and Radical Histories, and When Shells Crumble
"Fascinating, incredibly informative, and humorous, a must read for every writer. Castleman knows the book business like no other author--and explains it to the rest of us. I came away with a new understanding of publishing, the present state of the industry, and the gritty realities that writers have always faced--and still do... Castleman's writing is riveting! While The Untold Story dissolves delusions of grandeur for most authors, Castleman helps us accept without shame the reality that we should keep our day jobs knowing we're writing and publishing for the pleasure of the process--and for any readers who discover and enjoy our books." --Jane Sloven, author of the novel Termination of Benefits and Compassionate Journey: Honoring Our Mothers' Stories
"Castleman is frank, personable, and likable. He conveys his experiences as an author directly and convincingly, without sounding either preachy or aggrieved." --Larry Gonick, author of The Cartoon History of the Universe
"Authors everywhere believe that if they just write well enough, or have the right agent, or burn incense while writing, they can produce bestsellers. The Untold Story of Books splashes cold water on their faces, while presenting refreshing, important, much-needed perspectives on the evolution of present-day publishing." --Laura Fraser, author of An Italian Affair
"I loved--and hated--The Untold Story of Books. Loved it for its wonderful insights. Castleman celebrates books' historic journey as humankind's most beloved form of documentation. But hated it because he shows how in every era, most authors have been schmucks who let others control publishing and deny them the financial fruits of their labors." --Josie Brown, author of The Housewife Assassin's Handbook series
"Every author, every aspiring author, and everyone who cares deeply about books and reading should read The Untold Story of Books. It's deeply researched yet a fast, fun read. It takes a serious look at a serious subject, yet it's remarkably amusing." --David Steinberg, author of Erotic by Nature: A Celebration of Life, of Love, and Our Wonderful Bodies
"The Untold Story of Books combines a fascinating history of publishing with Castleman's personal tale of fifty years as an author. I loved Castleman's honesty about his writing income, and his prognostications about the likely future of publishing. I especially enjoyed his explanation of the origin of the term 'blurb.'' --John Boe, Ph.D., author of Living the Shakespearean Life
"Whether you're a reader or a published or aspiring writer, you'll love this witty guide to the mysterious, important, aggravating, and endlessly surprising business of publishing." --Marty Klein, Ph.D., author of His Porn, Her Pain: Confronting America's Porn Panic with Honest Talk About Sex
"This book should be required reading for anyone with the pluck to undertake book writing today. It's lucid, witty, comprehensive, and sometimes frightening. I wish I'd had the benefit of Castleman's analysis years ago." --Frank Viviano, author of Blood Washes Blood
"Reading The Untold Story of Books was like having my ear pressed against forbidden walls. It's super informative about how the bittersweet book business evolved and packed with straightforward tips on navigating its stormy waters. This book is a must-read for everyone who loves books and all those interested in writing them." --Virginia London, editor and creative writing teacher
"The Untold Story of Books is compelling and beautifully written. Castleman does a masterful job conveying how publishing evolved from Gutenberg to today. Authors both published and aspiring will definitely benefit from his keen insights into the industry, but all book lovers will gain a deeper understanding of the book business, and what they need to do to keep books and reading thriving." --Marc Mauer, author of The Race to Incarcerate
"Castleman opened my eyes to the crapshoot that writing books and publishing and selling them has always been." --Ron Lichty, co-author of Managing the Unmanageable: Rules, Tools, and Insights for Managing Software People and Teams
"I'm a first-time author, therefore confused. I learned so much from The Untold Story of Books! Castleman's delightful, insightful history of publishing provides great perspective. Completing the book, I felt liberated, like I'd just been untied from playing Isaac on Abraham's altar." --Eugene Larkin, author of Seeking Soteria
"Castleman's tone is very friendly. His research is impressive. I learned a great deal I didn't know... the origins of publishing terms--pulp fiction, copyright, upper/lower case--and the long, sad history of book piracy, which is especially fascinating since we see so many complaints about piracy today. I also appreciated Castleman's perspective on self-publishing vs. the misnomer called 'traditional' publishing. Every writer should read this book. Anyone who loves books should also find it fascinating and entertaining." --Ann Buscho, Ph.D., author of The Parent's Guide to Birdnesting: A Child-Centered Solution to Co-Parenting During Separation or Divorce
"The Untold Story of Books is fantastic. Castleman is a fine researcher who writes with crystal clarity... I can't imagine a better analysis of today's book business." --Jeffrey James Higgins, author of Unseen Evil Lurks Among Us and Furious: Sailing Into Terror
"Absolutely essential for both veteran and aspiring authors, The Untold Story of Books is a goldmine of publishing history and current trends in the complex, often inscrutable world of books. Highly recommended!" --Jean Burgess, Ph.D., author of Collaborative Stage Directing: A Guide to Creating and Managing a Positive Theatre Environment
"The Untold Story of Books is actually multiple untold stories about publishing, each more informative and entertaining than the last. Castleman's concept of the three publishing businesses is brilliant, and serves as a very helpful frame to understand the past, present, and future of the industry. I recommend it to every author, aspiring author, and book lover." --Bernard Ohanian, author of Baseball in America and A Day in the Life of Italy
"The Untold Story of Books is quite valuable to anyone interested in books. Very eye-opening, especially about the long sad history of book piracy, and the grim realities of publishing today. I learned a lot. I imagine every writer would." --Martha Miller, author of Me Inside
"The Untold Story of Books is a clear, forceful account of publishing that writers and many others should enjoy. The biggest revelation for me: what we consider 'traditional' or 'conventional' publishing was simply an 80-year aberration over six centuries when almost all authors self-published." --Laird Harrison, author of Fallen Lake
"If only I could have read The Untold Story of Books before writing mine. It provides invaluable insights into the often-confusing, often-frustrating, sometimes-infuriating business of books. And if you're a book lover, The Untold Story of Books tells the fascinating, entertaining story of how book publishing evolved into what it is today. Two thumbs up!" --Robin Wolaner, author of Naked in the Boardroom
"The Untold Story of Books is a stunning exploration of the history of book writing, printing, publishing, and reading from ancient times to the present day. It gives authors centuries of context for the challenges they face in today's Digital Age. And it provides book lovers with new understanding that the books they read are the product of a tortuous journey through the evolution of printing. I recommend it to authors, readers, publishers, and everyone who loves books." --Chris Dickon, author of The Foreign Burial of American War Dead and Dutch Children of African American Liberator
"The Untold Story of Books presents a realistic and comprehensive picture of publishing today. I had never heard anyone divide publishing into three separate book businesses as Castleman has. That was quite illuminating. I wish I'd had the benefit of this book before I began writing mine. I commend Castleman for having the courage to write this book." --Ellen Mason, author of No Space for Love
"The Untold Story of Books is outstanding! Exhaustively researched and vital for all authors, Castleman's history of the industry and his tales of his own travails are fascinating. What a valuable resource! The Untold Story of Books is a stark reminder of the many challenges of publishing." --Deborah Gray, author of How to Import Wine: An Insider's Guide
"Castleman's explanations of the economics driving the industry are eye-opening and often amusing. A wonderful book, and a great gift for every author, aspiring author, and book lover you know." --David Fenton, author of The Activist's Media Handbook: Lessons from Fifty Years as a Progressive Agitator
"The Untold Story of Books so captured my attention that I read every word. I appreciated Castleman's straight-forward analysis of the publishing industry's checkered history from Gutenberg to today. The Untold Story is both discouraging AND encouraging. The bad news: More than 7,000 books are released every day with most selling fewer than 100 copies. The good: Millions of authors are still writing good books, and many millions of book lovers are still reading them." --Susan Meller, author of Labels of Empire
"The Untold Story of Books takes us through centuries of epic changes in the world of books and publishing, and explains publishing today better than anything else I've read. It reflects Castleman's tremendous amount of research. His book has helped me understand why book publishing today is so frustratingly different from what I encountered when I published my first trade book in 1990." --Diane Dreher, author of The Tao of Inner Peace
"Michael Castleman's The Untold Story of Books is a bible for writers. This uniquely informative publishing history balances the bad news with--yes!--some good. An indispensable toolkit for authors as they navigate publishing today." --Sarah McGinty, author of Power Talk
"I didn't realize how badly I needed The Untold Story of Books until I read it. Castleman's seminal work provides valuable insights into the evolution of publishing for anyone involved in today's brave new world of books--readers, writers, booksellers, publishers, agents, and editors. If you're involved in books as a reader or writer, read this one!" --DeAnne Musolf, co-author (with Eric Heiden M.D. and Massimo Testa M.D.) of Faster, Better, Stronger: 10 Proven Secrets to a Healthier Body
"The Untold Story of Books is comprehensive and intriguing. Castleman documents how words have been copied without permission since Gutenberg, as well as why publishers are transferring more responsibility to today's authors--but less money. Only after reading Castleman did I understand why I had such different experiences between my first book and my most recent." --Jo Freeman, author of We Will Be Heard: Women's Struggles for Political Power in the United States
"Impeccably researched and engagingly written, The Untold Story of Books is] filled with invaluable advice and perspective for authors and aspiring authors alike. Best of all, it offers reassurance that this alluring business has always been tough on most writers." --Dawn McIntyre, author of The Paper Pirate
"For almost 50 years I've been writing books and witnessing changes, shifts, and upsets in the world of publishing. I had no idea why everything kept changing--for writers and publishers alike. Then I read Michael Castleman's The Untold Story of Books. Brilliantly researched and engagingly written, it traces the long arc of book publishing from Gutenberg to Amazon and spells out how the industry evolved and what it all means. Whether you're a grizzled publishing vet or a fresh-faced newbie drawn to long-form writing, Castleman's fine book provides insight into the world of publishing, the world we love." --Robert Aquinas McNally, author of The Modoc War and the forthcoming Cast out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, and the American Wilderness
"Michael Castleman has compiled a uniquely valuable, well-written examination of book publishing and what it means for authors. The Untold Story of Books is filled with history, insight, and even hope. If you love books, it's definitely worth reading." --Betty Bolté, author of Hometown Heroines: True Stories of Bravery, Daring, and Adventure
"Now that I understand how the business of books has treated authors for centuries, I have a context for my own bumpy experiences and a slew of tools for future decision-making. The Untold Story of Books should be immensely helpful to authors both new and established, and to anyone who wants to understand today's multiple publishing options." --Nicola Ranson, author of A Slice of Orange and Plant Talk
"Castleman presents a sweeping 600-year chronicle of the book business... a rousing account... [with] fascinating detours... Bibliophiles will be enthralled." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"Castleman has created a unique, highly readable title geared toward libraries, authors, book groups, and dedicated, curious readers. It's delightful the way he relates the history of the technological innovations that have propelled book publishing. Castleman's concept of the three epochs of publishing works very well. One of my favorite elements is the way he explains the economics of publishing from a writer's point of view. It's very clear and you don't have to be a math whiz to follow it. I'll be telling many people about this book. It's a tremendous contribution." --Laura Lent, retired Chief of Collections, San Francisco Public Library
"VERDICT: Immensely readable; will appeal to bibliophiles, fans of microhistories, and armchair sociologists." --Library Journal
"Entertaining, fascinating, deeply researched, and crisply written, The Untold Story of Books is full of surprises. I worked in publishing for thirty years and was amazed how much I learned about the industry. No other book provides such a comprehensive and witty overview. The publishing industry is often shrouded in mystery. This book lifts the veil and provides a fresh, new, compelling perspective. A must-read for authors, aspiring authors, and anyone who loves books." --Mark Chimsky, former editorial director of Harper San Francisco, former director of trade paperbacks at Little Brown, and former editor-in-chief of the trade paperback division at Macmillan.
"Quirky, comprehensive, opinionated, and massively entertaining, The Untold Story of Books combines Castleman's fifty years of bittersweet experience as an author with his vivid, amusing history of book publishing. Castleman beautifully conveys the essence of writing--of creating--today." --Daniel Ben-Horin, author of Substantial Justice
"The Untold Story is excellent: fun, amazingly comprehensive, surprisingly informative, and often amusing. A great read." --Jeffrey Klein, author of The Black Hole Affair, and former editor-in-chief of Mother Jones magazine