Noshing With Richard Curtis – May 28, 2026
Author, Digital Inc.: From Print To E-Book, Inside The Transformation Of The Book Industry
This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel, “Ira sits down with Richard Curtis — literary agent, publishing authority, passionate advocate for writers, and author of Digital Inc.: From Print To E-Book, Inside The Transformation Of The Book Industry.
In this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, Richard shares why he decided to write what may be the first comprehensive book detailing the publishing industry’s dramatic transition from print to digital. After more than 500 years devoted to ink on paper, publishers suddenly faced a technological and cultural revolution that changed not only books, but also writers, readers, agents, and the entire publishing ecosystem.
Richard reflects on being an early visionary for e-books long before they became reality. He recalls a pivotal moment in 1985 while walking down the street listening to music on his Walkman and imagining a future where people could carry entire books on portable devices. That vision would take another 15 years to become mainstream—but it helped spark a revolution that transformed publishing forever.
The conversation also explores the surprising resurgence of physical books, why children’s books continue to thrive in an analog world, and why readers still form a deep emotional connection with what Richard calls the “book-book.” He discusses how printed books express identity in ways digital formats often cannot, and why e-books can sometimes create a more distracted reading experience.
Ira and Richard also tackle some of today’s biggest publishing issues, including AI-generated writing, the importance of preserving authentic human storytelling, digital piracy, and the challenges facing writers in an increasingly automated world. Richard candidly shares both the regrets and joys he feels about the e-book revolution, while revealing how “Digital Inc.” is not only a publishing history, but also a deeply personal memoir and business story.
This episode is a compelling look at creativity, technology, innovation, and the enduring power of books in every format.
ABOUT RICHARD:
Richard Curtis is a leading New York literary agent who has brought over 10,000 books to publication. He is a leading publishing authority, an e-book pioneer, and an authors’ advocate.
While running his eponymous literary agency, he wrote numerous columns, blogs and articles for Publishers Weekly and other writers’ publications, leading to several information-packed books about writing, agenting and the book business. His newest title, Digital Inc., is considered one of the most important chronicles of 21st century publishing.
He was the first president of the Independent Literary Agents Association and subsequently president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives. He is unofficially known as “the poet laureate of book publishing.”
Richard’s fascination with emerging media and technology led to his founding one of the first commercial e-book publishers – seven years prior to the introduction of the Kindle. He developed e-book business and royalty accounting models that are still used today. His popular blog, Publishing in The Twenty-First Century, describing the wonders and challenges of the digital paradigm, was followed by professionals and lay audiences.
Richard is also the author of dozens of works of fiction and nonfiction. His satirical end-of-year verses for Publishers Weekly, published over a span of 45 years, made him the unofficial poet laureate of the book industry. His plays have been performed in a variety of venues in New York. He has written, produced and directed a number of podcasts.
Born in the Bronx, he lived in Queens until he was 13. Richard attended high school on Long Island, got his B.A. in American Studies at Syracuse University, and a Masters in American Studies from University of Wyoming. He is married to author Leslie Tonner and they have a son Charles, a sports writer. They have lived in Manhattan for the past half-century.