Ross Barkan

Most of the classic examples of prestige white male authors are now middle aged or senior citizens. Jonathan Franzen is 65 years old.

Most of the classic examples of prestige white male authors are now middle aged or senior citizens. Jonathan Franzen is 65 years old.

Most of the classic examples of prestige white male authors are now middle aged or senior citizens. Jonathan Franzen is 65 years old.

Certainly the elephant in the room is that there were once a lot of young white male authors, and now there aren't.

Certainly the elephant in the room is that there were once a lot of young white male authors, and now there aren't.

Certainly the elephant in the room is that there were once a lot of young white male authors, and now there aren't.

Anyone who went to Action Park understood you could get really messed up going there. Not only did we know that, it was a huge part of the appeal.

Anyone who went to Action Park understood you could get really messed up going there. Not only did we know that, it was a huge part of the appeal.

Anyone who went to Action Park understood you could get really messed up going there. Not only did we know that, it was a huge part of the appeal.

So for many decades, there were prominent young male authors in the literary world, whether it was Norman Mailer, Updike, Bellow, Roth.

So for many decades, there were prominent young male authors in the literary world, whether it was Norman Mailer, Updike, Bellow, Roth.

So for many decades, there were prominent young male authors in the literary world, whether it was Norman Mailer, Updike, Bellow, Roth.

Through the end of the 20th century, you know, with the emergence of Jonathan Franzen and Jonathan Leatham and Jonathan Safran Foer.

Through the end of the 20th century, you know, with the emergence of Jonathan Franzen and Jonathan Leatham and Jonathan Safran Foer.

Through the end of the 20th century, you know, with the emergence of Jonathan Franzen and Jonathan Leatham and Jonathan Safran Foer.

Jonathan Franzen is here.

Jonathan Franzen is here.

Jonathan Franzen is here.

Into the beginning of the 2010s, Chad Harbach with The Art of Fielding. And then there was a shift. The young male author started to disappear. The male author under the age of 40 in particular and under 30 even more so. And

Into the beginning of the 2010s, Chad Harbach with The Art of Fielding. And then there was a shift. The young male author started to disappear. The male author under the age of 40 in particular and under 30 even more so. And