Eduardo C. Corral reads from Guillotine (Graywolf Press 2020). We talk about attentiveness, structuring books, audience and interiority. We also talk about expanding possibilities and French pop songs. Playlist: Benjamin Biolay, Comment est ta peine? Julien Doré, Le lac Benjamin Biolay, Padam Christine and the Queens, La marcheuse Juliette Armanet, A la Folie
Kaveh Akbar reads poems from Calling A Wolf A Wolf (Alice James Books 2017) and Pilgrim Bell (Graywolf 2021). We talk about technology of language–its limitations and failures–and ways of working to subvert it. We also talk about addiction, country roads and cats. Playlist: Angel Olsen, Creator, Destroyer T Rex, Cosmic Dancer Frank Ocean, Nights …
Natalie Bakopoulos discusses her novel Scorpionfish (Tin House 2020). We talk about first swims, balconies and growing into your writer self. We also talk about Elena Ferrante, identity, gender, and Greece. Download Audio Bonus: For the last quarter of this episode, you’ll hear songs from Natalie’s playlist for Scorpionfish and Living Writers. For the full …
Elizabeth Wason talks about science writing and her work as managing editor for Resources for the Future, a DC think tank. We talk about getting accessible expert insight and research in front of policymakers. We also talk about writing through editing, about “getting out of the way” in collaboration, and about creating visually compelling composition. …
From the archive 2017 Joy Harjo talks about Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings and Crazy Brave (W.W. Norton). We talk about perceived power, flying, stories and the saxophone, and debut her latest song! Joy Harjo gave the Second Annual Robert F. Berkhofer, Jr. Lecture in Native American Studies. https://umich.box.com/shared/static/l44wh28xn4s67iyi3j7qgj3vnai9jhvp.mp3 Download Audio Original airdate: March 15, 2017
From the archive: 2007 Phillip Crymble reads from Wide Boy (Lapwing Publications 2007). We talk about pop culture, humor, Simon Armitage, and Shaman Drum. Download Audio
From the archive: 2012 In a special live Living Writers evening event celebrating WCBN FM’s 40th Anniversary, Naomi Shihab Nye reads from Transfer (BOA Editions Ltd 2011) and also There is No Long Distance Now: Very Short Stories (Greenwillow Books 2011). We talk about fathers, elementary school poets and fig trees. Download Audio Original airdate: …
From the archive: 2013 Farnoosh Fathi reads from Great Gus (Canarium Books 2013). We talk about Brazil, translation, Emily Dickinson, art and interviewing. Download Audio Original airdate: March 13, 2013 Photo credit: Alan Bernheimer
From the archive: 2012 Emma Straub reads from her debut novel Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures (Riverhead Books 2012). We talk about research in Hollywood, the Herrick Library, New York City, Twitter, and working as a bookseller. We also talk about short stories and her collection Other People We Married (Riverhead Books) also out this …
From the archive: 2010 Twesigye Jackson Kaguri reads from his book The Price of Stones: Building A School For My Village (Penguin Group USA 2010). We talk about how he founded a school in rural Uganda for children who had been orphaned by AIDS. We talk about his calling and his reasons for making this inspiring …
