Summary
Overview
This Planet Money episode follows the intricate journey of creating the Planet Money book, from initial contract to physical production. Host Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi takes listeners inside the publishing industrial complex, exploring the countless decisions, global supply chains, and economic forces that transform an idea into a physical book sitting on bookstore shelves.
Inside the Book Factory: A Million-Square-Foot Wonder
Alexi visits the Lakeside Book Company in Crawfordsville, Indiana, one of the world's largest bookmaking facilities. Chris Mude, a nearly 40-year veteran of the plant, guides him through the sprawling million-square-foot operation that produces up to 750,000 books daily. The tour reveals the hidden global economic web behind every book, from paper sourced from distant forests to ink ingredients that have crossed oceans, illustrating how each book represents a small economic miracle.
- The Lakeside Book Company plant is one million square feet and produces 600,000-750,000 books daily
- The facility is America's biggest Bible producer and also prints steamy romance novels
- High-security books under embargo are kept in a special cage to prevent leaks
- Paper comes from forests in faraway lands, with ink ingredients crossing oceans to reach the facility
" Every book is actually a tiny economic miracle. "
From Book Deal to Book Plan: The Writing Marriage Begins
Three years ago, editor Tom Mayer from W.W. Norton proposed a deal worth over a million dollars to make a Planet Money book. After the contract was signed, the real work began: figuring out how to write, design, and manufacture the book. Tom had to navigate two major challenges—determining the content and structure of the book, and deciding its physical form and design.
- Norton offered over a million dollars for the Planet Money book rights
- Tom Mayer transitions from collector mode to director mode when editing books
- The team initially considered organizing the book from birth to death but changed course because ending on death was too depressing
- They restructured to include sections on market forces and big life decisions like work, family, and investing
📚 12 more sections below
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