WHY ARE BOYS AND MEN TURNING AWAY FROM BOOKS? PERHAPS PUBLISHING SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR. A provocative new @Quillette article by Adam Szetela, “How to Suppress Men’s Writing”, exposes a remarkable transformation in the publishing industry. And it raises uncomfortable questions about ideological conformity, institutional bias and the neglect of male readers. quillette.com/2026/10/23/why… Consider the figures Szetela cites: • Over 70% of employees at America's Big Five publishers are women. • Over 70% of editors and interns are women. • Over 60% of publishing executives are women. • The industry disproportionately recruits graduates from elite universities. Yet these same institutions frequently proclaim their commitment to diversity, inclusion and representing marginalised voices. The hypocrisy is blatant and extreme. Their diversity doesn't include men. Szetela argues that contemporary publishing increasingly privileges leftist ideological narratives, identity politics and particular conceptions of female experience, while marginalising traditionally masculine storytelling, interests and perspectives. His most provocative contention? “Young men don’t hate reading—they hate the books these women publish.” Consider David Goggins' Can't Hurt Me: an unapologetically masculine account of adversity, discipline, resilience and extraordinary achievement. Goggins self-published it, subsequently selling millions of copies. Meanwhile, boys' reading engagement and literacy outcomes remain deeply concerning... Of course, smartphones, gaming, educational practices and other factors also contribute. Nor does female representation itself establish discrimination. But Szetela raises an important question: Why do institutions routinely examine their own biases when minority groups are underrepresented, yet so rarely apply the same scrutiny when boys and men disengage? Having personally reviewed more than 300 books during the last seven years, and also having recently published 100 of the Best Books for Men, I know there’s an extraordinary wealth of literature capable of inspiring, challenging and enriching male readers… Read my book for free at the National Library of Australia: nla.gov.au/nla.obj-423988221… We should celebrate books about courage, adventure, fatherhood, competition, sacrifice, responsibility, achievement and the distinctive experiences of men and boys. The answer isn't fewer books for women. It's more great books for everyone, especially including men and boys. Publishing should embrace genuine intellectual diversity, rather than ideological gatekeeping… Men and boys deserve literature that speaks to their interests, aspirations and potential. #MensIssues #BoysEducation #MaleLiteracy #Publishing #Masculinity #Reading #Quillette @Adam_Szetela