books | Words With Writers

Interview With Writer Christopher Aslan Alexander

In books, memoir, nonfiction, writing on October 25, 2010 at 12:43 pm

Christopher Aslan Alexander. Photo courtesy of CA Alexander.

An introduction to the author of A Carpet Ride To Khiva: Seven Years on the Silk Road (Totem Books, 2010). Christopher Aslan Alexander originally traveled to the walled city of Khiva, Uzbekistan to write a guidebook. He fell in love with the city, and stayed to work with UNESCO to develop a traditional, fair trade carpet-weaving workshop. In this interview Alexander mentions, “I had no prior experience with carpet weaving or carpet history before I went to Khiva, and yet, somewhere along the line, I became an expert.” A Carpet Ride to Khiva chronicles his adventure.

Interview With Writer Brian Switek

In books, essays, nonfiction, writing on October 18, 2010 at 6:11 pm

Brian Switek. Photo by Tracey Switek (2010).

An introduction to the author of Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature (Bellevue Literary Press), which releases this November. Brian Switek is also the author of the science blog Laelaps and Smithsonian magazine’s Dinosaur Tracking.

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Interview With Writer E E King

In books, fiction, writing on October 12, 2010 at 8:46 am

E E King. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of Dirk Quigby’s Guide to the Afterlife: All You Need to Know to Choose the Right Heaven Plus A Five-Star Rating System for Music, Food, Drink, & Accommodations (Exterminating Angel Press, 2010). E E King has published a number of short stories, but this is her first novel. As her author bio at the back of the book explains, “She was raised in a household that doesn’t force religion on kids. This book is the result.” Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Danbert Nobacon

In books, fairy tales, fiction, writing, young adult (YA) on October 4, 2010 at 1:12 pm

Danbert Nobacon. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of 3 Dead Princes: An Anarchist Fairy Tale (Exterminating Angel Press, 2010). Danbert Nobacon is perhaps more widely known as a musician, but that won’t be true once this first novel of his gets around. A founding member of the anarchist punk band Chumbawamba, Nobacon has also released a few solo albums. His new album Woebegone will be available in a couple of weeks, closely following publication of 3 Dead Princes. The novel also features illustrations by Alex Cox, who is perhaps more widely known as a filmmaker.

Interview With Writer Shahriar Mandanipour

In books, fiction, translation, writing on September 20, 2010 at 10:00 am

Shahriar Mandanipour. Photo courtesy of Mandanipour (2010).

An introduction to Shahriar Mandanipour, author of Censoring an Iranian Love Story (Vintage, 2010). Mandanipour is the author of eleven books; this most recent one is the first to be translated into English. He expressed “deep gratitude to [his] translator, Sara Khalili.” Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Peg Kingman

In books, fiction, writing on September 10, 2010 at 10:40 pm

Peg Kingman. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of Original Sins (WW Norton, 2010). Peg Kingman’s first book, Not Yet Drown’d, was set in Scotland and India. Original Sins: A Novel of Slavery and Freedom, set in nineteenth-century America, tells of a young woman’s journey into the slave-holding South. These first two novels will become part of a trilogy, connected but independent, Kingman explained, so the books may be read on their own in any order. Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Mary Roach

In books, nonfiction, writing on September 3, 2010 at 6:32 pm

Mary Roach. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of Stiff, Spook, Bonk, and most recently, Packing for Mars. Mary Roach began her career as a freelance copy editor, and went on to research and write articles for magazines and journals. While writing is her business, she admitted it can be a lonely one: “Writing can be such a solitary pursuit. Sometimes I go to writing conferences just because I think it would be fun to spend time with other writers.”

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Interview With Writer & Pulitzer Prize Winner Paul Harding

In books, fiction, pulitzer prize, writing on August 16, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Paul Harding. Photo by Gary Ottley.

An introduction to Paul Harding, whose debut novel Tinkers (Bellevue Literary Press) won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Harding is at work on a new novel, Enon, which is titled after the village in Massachusetts where the story is set. Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Oren Harman

In biography, books, nonfiction, writing on July 25, 2010 at 7:49 pm

Oren Harman. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of the new book The Price of Altruism: George Price and the Search for the Origins of Kindness (WW Norton & Company). Harman is also the chair of the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at Bar Ilan University in Israel. Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Larry Doyle

In books, fiction, film, writing on July 20, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Larry Doyle. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of Go Mutants! and I Love You, Beth Cooper. Go Mutants! (Ecco) is the latest novel from Larry Doyle, a former writer and producer for The Simpsons. Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer & Filmmaker Robert Philipson

In books, film, poetry, writing on June 13, 2010 at 7:51 pm

Robert Philipson. Photo by Bob Fischer.

An introduction to the author of the poetry book Very Good-Looking Seeks Same. Read the full interview with Robert Philipson on Suite101.com. (First published on Suite101.com in June 2010.)

Interview With Writer Brady Udall

In books, fiction, writing on May 27, 2010 at 7:43 pm

Brady Udall. Photo by Hector Udall.

An introduction to the author of The Lonely Polygamist, The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint, and Letting Loose the Hounds. Brady Udall talks about himself and the writing life. The Lonely Polygamist (WW Norton & Company) is Udall’s most recent novel.

Interview With Writer Ann Hood

In books, fiction, writing on May 16, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Ann Hood. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of The Red Thread. Read the full interview with Ann Hood on Suite101.com. (First published on Suite101.com in May 2010.) Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer, Translator, & Editor Zack Rogow

In books, editors, poetry, translation on May 11, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Zack Rogow. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the author of the poetry book The Number Before Infinity, translator of Colette and George Sand, and editor of The Face of Poetry anthology. Rogow is the author, editor, or translator of eighteen books and plays, including six collections of poetry, a novel, three anthologies, four volumes of translation, and a children’s book. The Number Before Infinity (Scarlet Tanager Books, 2008) is his most recent poetry book.
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Interview With Writer & Translator Denise Newman

In books, poetry, translation, writing on April 27, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Denise Newman. Photo by Eva Whitney.

An introduction to the author of the poetry books The New Make Believe, Wild Goods, and Human Forest, and translator of Danish writer Inger Christensen’s novels. Newman’s third book of poems, The New Make Believe, is forthcoming from The Post-Apollo Press.

Interview With Writers & Indie Filmmakers Logan & Noah Miller

In books, directors, editors, film, memoir, nonfiction, writing on April 14, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Logan & Noah Miller. Photo by Marissa Bell Toffoli (2010).

An introduction to the brothers who wrote the book Either You’re In Or You’re In the Way about writing, directing, editing, and starring in the independent film Touching Home. Read the full interview with Logan & Noah Miller on Suite101.com. (First published on Suite101.com in April 2010.) Read the rest of this entry »

Interview With Writer Josh Weil

In books, fiction, novellas, short stories, writing on April 11, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Josh Weil. Photo by Ben Weil.

An introduction to the author of The New Valley. Josh Weil shares a bit about himself, and his thoughts on writing. Weil’s book The New Valley, a trio of novellas, was a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and winner of the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction from The American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has stories forthcoming in Glimmer Train and Appalachian Heritage, and an essay in The New York Times. Read the rest of this entry »