Maris Kreizman on Publishing and Pop Culture
The lauded essayist talks indie and corporate publishing, Melrose Place, Gilmore Girls, and 90210
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A couple years ago, I went on a hunt to look for people who would talk to me about the classic 90s television show Beverly Hills, 90210. Most of the podcasts I found were defunct, but one name that stuck out was
. As the creator of Slaughterhouse 90210—a Tumblr blog and book that marries photos from television and celebrity culture with quotes from classic literature—her literary side was a perfect fit for Talking Writing and her pop culture side was right up my alley. In May of this year, we got the chance to sit down for a virtual chat.
In addition to the book and blog, Maris has also shared her passion for pop television via such high-profile avenues as The New York Times, The Cut, and Vulture. And for these same publications and others she’s written essays that focus on more important topics such as the right wing platforming in the publishing industry and insulin prices skyrocketing.
In 2019, Maris started the podcast The Maris Review in which she interviewed authors who had new books coming out, and earlier this year she relaunched it as a Substack newsletter, chronicling the new releases that she’s been reading. In our interview, we briefly talk about two of the books that she reviewed in the fourth volume of her newsletter: All Fours by Miranda July and Victim by Andrew Boryga.
Her forthcoming book, I Want to Burn This Place Down, is a series of essays that takes on the myths of the American system from the personal standpoint of a disillusioned adult. From HarperCollins’ website description: “With Kreizman’s signature wit and blunt self-reflection, and more than a little transformative rage, I Want to Burn This Place Down is a book for anyone who wishes they could go back in time to give their younger selves the real truth about the fractured country they have inherited—and the encouragement to rebuild something better in its place.” The book is set to release in July 2025 and, considering the milieu we find ourselves in today, could not come at a better time.
Keep up with Maris Kreizman on Instagram and via her website.
For more about John’s 90210 obsession and the time that Jennie Garth left him a voicemail, check out this post on his personal Substack.