Meg Mason’s New Novel Puts Reader-Author Parasocial Bonds in the Spotlight

Meg Mason’s forthcoming novel, *Sophie, Standing There*, arrives on August 27 from Bloomsbury. It follows a woman who rediscovers an author she hasn’t read in years and forms an intense emotional attachment despite never meeting her.

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—was named word of the year in 2025. The concept, first studied in the 1950s with television viewers, now includes readers and authors. An online study a few years ago suggested 51 % of Americans have likely been in parasocial relationships, though only 16 % admit it.

The Guardian

• Meg Mason — Australian author of *Sorrow and Bliss* (2021) and *Sophie, Standing There*.

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• Cathy Rentzenbrink — author of *The Agatha Christie Cure*.

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• Dr Georgia Carroll — sociologist researching reader-author parasocial ties.

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• Jack Edwards — host of the literary podcast *Inklings Book Club*.

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• Trapido — author who notes readers often apologize when approaching them.

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• 51 % of Americans likely experienced a parasocial relationship (online study).

The Guardian

• 16 % of those surveyed admit to such a connection.

The Guardian

Mason emphasizes that the relationship “will never become reciprocal,” but notes a “uniqueness to the reader-author version” because books occupy a special place in readers’ lives.

The Guardian

Jack Edwards observes that podcasts “feel more intimate” because they bring the author’s voice into listeners’ homes, creating a “together-aloneness.”

The Guardian

Trapido remarks that “I’ve always liked readers coming up to say how much they like my books, though, oddly enough, they often apologise for approaching,” highlighting the delicate dynamic between authors and their audience.

The Guardian

The surge of parasocial bonds in literature reflects broader social trends: loneliness often precedes these connections, and the solitary act of reading amplifies the perceived one-to-one dialogue with an author. As Mason’s own experience shows, a book can become a “friend” during isolation, offering solace and companionship. Author-centric podcasts deepen this intimacy and may reshape how readers engage with literary creators.

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Quantifying parasocial relationships remains challenging. The cited online study provides a broad estimate, but the lack of peer-reviewed data and reliance on self-reporting leave the true prevalence uncertain.

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• “Readers, as opposed to watchers, have been trained to fill in the gaps,” — Cathy Rentzenbrink

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• “It feels more intimate, doesn’t it?” — Jack Edwards

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• “I’ve always liked readers coming up to say how much they like my books, though, oddly enough, they often apologise for approaching.” — Trapido

The Guardian

• Sophie, Standing There* is slated for release on August 27. The novel is expected to spark further discussion about the role of parasocial relationships in contemporary reading culture.

The Guardian