Chat for Three: Guest Alexander 'ENOT IZDAYET' Lazarev, Executive Director of the Publishing House 'Polyn'

In the new episode, we talk about our love for podcasts, why audiobooks sometimes “don’t hit,” and professional deformation in the world of literature. We revisit the school curriculum and that very book everything started with, and we also share the story of how a trip to a children’s camp changed Sasha’s life. We look at how guilty pleasures, covers on the edge of cringe, and fantasy erotica intertwine—and what does tarot have to do with all this?

We’re nostalgic about 2016: how Sasha got into blogging and how routine and communication with the audience changed after the appearance of “Polyn’.” We discuss how dangerous the romanticization of working in publishing can be, and how to handle routine when a hobby becomes a profession. We walk through the “difficult” and “unloved” sides of publishing processes and talk about a challenging start—and about what the reader can do in 2026 to support their favorite publisher.

In a quick round, we make Sasha choose the most eye-catching book of “Polyn’,” come up with a title for a book about their own life, and name three mandatory books to read. We also remember the cycle “Beautiful Creatures,” discuss the exhibition hype, and count how many times Sasha said “Lord.”

Listen on: Telegram, Yandex Music, VK, LitRes, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Useful links: Sasha’s TG channel “ЕНОТ ИЗДАЕТ,” the publisher’s TG channel “Полынь,” the “Polyn’” website, an episode by Olga Ptitseva “Where Artemisia Blooms.” Give likes, write comments, and subscribe to our Telegram and VK channels—this helps promote the podcast. You can support us with a repost or a donation; for cooperation and advertising questions—send us a message.