Tag

Coming of Age

Fiction, Writers on Writing

Aug 23: Joel Johnson with Never

August 23, 2023

Debut Novelist at age 68 Tells Coming of Age Story in the Segregated South

Podcast – Never with author Joel F. Johnson

It took Joel Johnson seven years to write his first novel, Never, and he couldn’t have done it a day sooner he says.

Today we discuss why, despite growing up in Georgia, Joel created a fictional town for Never. He shares some of the research he used to weave historical events into his story, narrated by a young boy named Little. We look at how Joel – a white middle-class, professional male – approached the challenge of writing about the life of a black maid called Bit, working on the white side of Jim Crow’s South. And why Bit quickly became his favorite character.

About Joel F. Johnson

A graduate of Harvard, Joel made stops in Alta, Utah, Boulder, and Manhattan before settling in Concord, MA. His collection of poems Where Inches Seem Miles, was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best independent books of 2014. Never is Joel F. Johnson’s first novel.

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Fiction

SEP 15: Robert Dugoni with The World Played Chess

September 15, 2021

A story of hope, breaking away, shaping a life, finding one’s place in the world

Robert Dugoni returns to talk about his latest novel The World Played Chess, a coming of age story told from three different perspectives and timelines.

We explore the story behind the story, and what drove Robert to tell it. He shares why it’s his most personal work to date. Where he gathered inspiration for his characters and research on Vietnam. And what Robert means by “life’s not a straight line”.

About Robert Dugoni

Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite series. He also wrote The David Sloane series, Charles Jenkins series, and several stand-alone novels including The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell (listen to podcast). More about Dugoni’s books and The World Played Chess.

 

 

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Fiction, Travel & Adventure, Writers on Writing

APR 23: Georgeanne Brennan’s Windows on Provence & Robert Dugoni’s The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

April 12, 2018

Bonjour!  Whether you’re a dreamer, have a trip planned, or just love all things France, Georgeanne Brennan brings you along on her journey in Windows on Provence: Musings on the Food, Wine, and Culture of the South of France.  You’ll get an insider’s look at the unique markets, landscapes, and even literature of the region.

Georgeanne  is the winner of a James Beard award and an International
Association of Culinary Professionals award. An accomplished author of 30 cookbooks, she is also a  culinary journalist and entrepreneur.

New York Times and Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Robert Dugoni joins us next to discuss his latest book, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a deeply personal story about family, friendship, and finding your place in the world.

A longtime Seattle resident, Robert is the critically acclaimed author of The Tracy Crosswhite series and the David Sloane series. His works have sold millions of copies around the world and garnered multiple awards.  He will be appearing in person at a book launch event on April 25th in Burien.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

APR 02: Jamey Bradbury’s The Wild Inside, Veera Hiranandani’s The Night Diary, &

March 22, 2018

Jamey Bradbury, winner of the Estelle Campbell Memorial Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, debuts her electrifying novel set in the Alaskan wilderness.  The Wild Inside is a fusion of psychological horror and coming-of-age tale, based in the world of dog-sled racing.  John Irving praises it as an ” … unusual love story and a creepy horror novel … think of the Brontë sisters and Stephen King.”

Based in Anchorage, AK, Jamey’s work has appeared in Black Warrior Review (winner of the annual fiction contest), Sou’wester, and Zone 3.   The Wild Inside is her first novel.

Next, Veera Hiranandani calls upon her father and his family’s journey for inspiration in The Night Diary.  The partition of India in 1947 spawned vicious xenophobia and caused the upheaval of more than 14 million lives overnight in what is known to be the single largest human migration in history.

Veera is a former book editor at Simon & Schuster, she now teaches creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College’s Writing Institute.

And we’ll also be joined by Matt Killeen to discuss Orphan Monster Spy, a tale of a blonde, blue-eyed Jewish girl in 1939 Germany, whose act of resistance is about to change the world.

Hailing from Vicki’s home town of Birmingham, England, Matt attempted to make a living as an advertising copywriter and music and sports journalist, and now writes for the world’s best loved toy company.

 

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Biography, Fiction, Writers on Writing

Sep 04: Her Again: Becoming Meryl Steep & This is the Part Where You Laugh

August 25, 2017

Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep is the first thoroughly researched biography of the actress, providing an intimate look into the years that shaped her into the icon she is today.

Michael Schulman paints an indelible portrait of the artist as a young actress, leaving no stone unturned.  Michael has contributed to The New Yorker since 2006, currently serving as the arts editor.

From returning guest Peter Brown Hoffmeister comes an unforgettable account of growing up, making mistakes, and growing out of the shadow of drug abuse.  

This is the Part Where You Laugh chronicles his expulsion from three high schools, being homeless for parts of his sophomore and senior year,  and even living in a Greyhound Bus Station for a short while.  Peter is an author, rock climber, public speaker, outdoor expert, and athlete gear-tester for Ridgemont Outfitters.

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