This Is the Author

S5 E20: In this episode, meet Jerry Saltz, Sarah Urist Green, and Adrienne Raphel. Each of these authors is passionate about art, artists, and how the creative impulse can permeate the every day. Go behind the mic as they talk about recording their audiobooks, and the unique challenges and joys of translating the visual medium of their books into the spoken word. Plus, find out who became a dedica...

In this second installment of our National Library Week special on This is the Author, we asked even more of our authors to share their fondest library memories. Listen to Glennon Doyle, John Von Sothen, Lee Hartley Carter, Emilie Pine, Ali Wong, Richard Russo, Terry McMillan, and Pablo Cartaya as they share anecdotes about their experiences as children within the library space, as well as stories...

In this special episode of This is the Author, we’re celebrating National Library Week by asking authors to share some of their favorite library memories. Listen to Rebecca Solnit, Sarah Urist Green, Samantha Irby, Erin Lee Carr, Deepak Chopra, Janice Kaplan, Wendelin Van Draanen, Carolina de Robertis, and David Levithan highlight the wonderful opportunities that both libraries and librarians prov...

S5 Ep 21: In this episode, meet Samantha Irby, Glennon Doyle, and Mike McHargue. Go behind the mic with these dynamic, charismatic authors and hear what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. You may also learn a thing or two about mispronouncing words in a sweaty recording booth, listening to audiobooks in the shower, and more. Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby: https://www.penguinran...

S5 E18: In this episode, meet Bess Kalb, Fanny Singer, and Terry McMillan. These authors have written remarkable new books about the complex, restorative, and joyous power of female relationships. Go behind the mic to hear what it was like for them to narrate their own audiobooks. Plus, find out which author recommends an audiobook that she says was like “the greatest lunch I ever had.” Nobody Wil...

S5 E19: In this episode, meet Alex Halberstadt, Esther Safran Foer, and Carolyn Forche. Each of these authors has written about their search for hidden family histories in the context of world-altering historical events. Listen in and hear what it was like for them to read their audiobooks. Plus, find out whose recording session required them to pronounce words in (at least!) 8 languages. Young He...

S5 E15 - Welcome to another episode of This is the Author in Conversation, a more intimate behind the mic chat with our authors in the audiobooks studio. Today you’ll meet beloved, award-winning author George Saunders, and Sr. Executive Producer at Penguin Random House Audio, Kelly Gildea, who also produced and directed George’s many audiobook productions. Recording an audiobook can be a singular...

S5 E16: In this episode, meet Mara Hvistendahl, Robert Reich, and Charlotte Alter. These authors are each deeply knowledgeable about the urgent economic and political landscapes that are affecting our everyday lives. Listen to their fascinating behind-the-mic insights and hear what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. The Scientist and the Spy by Mara Hvistendahl: https://www.penguinra...

S5 E17: In this episode, meet Jim McKelvey, Hope Jahren, and Courtney Carver. Step into the audio studio with these authors as they talk about both innovation and how we can all do more with less, and what it means to incorporate that new thinking into our daily lives. The Innovation Stack by Jim McKelvey: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/617493/the-innovation-stack/ The Story of More...

S5 E14: In this episode, meet Rebecca Solnit, Celeste Headlee, and Sarah Ramey. These authors have written and narrated audiobooks about what it takes to come up against entrenched systems and create the space needed to live the fullest life possible. Go behind the mic and hear what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. Plus, find out who was told that she pronounces some words “like an...

S5 E13: In this episode, meet Phil Stamper, Ariana Margulis, and Jessica Lanyadoo. Go behind the mic with these authors as they talk about love: first love, misguided love, true love, and even love from an astrological point of view. Plus, find out whose dream audiobook narrator is a toss-up between Bart Simpson and…Scarlett Johansson. The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper: https://www.penguinrandomho...

S5 E12: In this episode, meet co-authors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, Emily Balcetis, and Janice Kaplan. When making a change, sometimes it’s the little things that matter, sometimes it’s the big ones. Step into the recording studio and hear what motivated each of these authors to write and record their audiobooks. Designing Your Work Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: https://www.penguinrandomh...

S5 E11: In this episode meet Eilene Zimmerman, Conor Dougherty, and Sierra Crane Murdoch. Go behind the mic with these authors and hear what it was like for them to bring their intensely researched, timely, and thought-provoking works to their audiobooks. Smacked by Eilene Zimmerman: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/574587/smacked/ Golden Gates by Conor Dougherty: https://www.penguinra...

S5 E10: Welcome to another episode of This Is the Author - In Conversation, a more intimate behind the mic chat with our authors in the audiobook studio. Today you’ll meet author Lance Rubin and narrator Katie Schorr. This husband and wife team collaborated in more ways than one to bring the humor and heartbreak of CRYING LAUGHING to life. The main character of Winnie is actually inspired by Katie...

S5 E9: In this episode, meet Wendelin Van Draanen, Kristina Kuzmic, and Tara Schuster. Each of these authors has written a memoir full of insight, humor, and warmth. Now it’s time to go behind the mic and hear the unvarnished truth about what it was like for them to record their own work. Plus, find out who likes to listen to audiobooks while cooking a famously epic rice dish. Hope in the Mail by...

S5 E8: In this episode, meet Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Beth Newell and Jackie Ann Ruiz, and Dr. Cara Natterson. These authors have written illuminating parenting books that will change the way you think about raising children – and actually decrease your stress about it at the same time. Go behind the mic and find out what inspired them to write and read their audiobooks. The Po...

S5 E6: In this episode, meet Steve Inskeep, Kate Winkler Dawson, and William Wheeler. Go behind the mic with these experienced documentarians and hear what it was like to record their audiobooks. Plus, find out who has learned a lot about story structure from listening to children’s audiobooks in the car. Imperfect Union by Steve Inskeep: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/555136/imperfe...

S5 E5: In this episode, meet authors David Levithan, R. Eric Thomas, and John Kenney, and get ready to laugh as you hear each of these witty writers describe what it was like to narrate their own audiobooks. Plus, find out who listens to audiobooks right before bed, who mispronounced the word “mistake” and had to do re-takes, and who can’t seem to find his clothes right now. 19 Love Songs by David...

S5 E5: In this episode meet authors Jennie Allen, Robin Meyers, and Dr. Lee Warren. These authors have written poignant books about faith and life; now hear what it was like for them to share their journeys from the recording studio. Plus, find out one author’s secret recipe for a great story. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/540868/get-out-of-your...

S5 E4: In this episode meet Holly Whitaker, Romi Neustadt, and Laura Huang. Go behind the mic with these authors and hear what it was like to record their audiobooks—and what they discovered in the process! Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/605025/quit-like-a-woman/ You Can Have It All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time by Romi Neustadt: https://www.pen...

S5 E3: In this episode, meet Wayne Baker, Robin Dreeke, and Rick Wilson. Go behind the mic with these experts in human behavior and hear what it was like to record their audiobooks. Plus, find out who listens to audiobooks while riding a tractor! All You Have to Do Is Ask by Wayne Baker: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/607570/all-you-have-to-do-is-ask/ Sizing People Up by Robin Dreeke...

S5 E2: Welcome to our first episode of This is the Author in Conversation, a more intimate behind the mic chat with our authors in the audiobook studio. This is Jennifer Rubins from Penguin Random House Audio and I’m thrilled to invite you into my conversation with Rachel Friedman, the author of AND THEN WE GREW UP: On Creativity, Potential, and the Imperfect Art of Adulthood. Publishers Weekly na...

S5 E1: In this episode, meet Adam Davidson, co-authors David Meerman Scott and Reiko Scott, and Jordan Raynor. Step into the audio booth with these authors and hear their unique perspectives on the economy, innovation, and work. Plus, find out who has attended 75 Grateful Dead concerts! The Passion Economy by Adam Davidson: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/239718/the-passion-economy/ F...

S4 E70: In this episode meet Kelly McGonigal, John Mark Comer, and model and dietitian Maye Musk. Join each of these authors behind the mic as they talk about writing and narrating their audiobook, and hear what they are most excited to share with listeners. Plus, find out which of these authors “decorated” the studio while recording—and with what! The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal: https://w...

S4 E69: In this episode meet Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, Buster Benson, and Jeff Lindsay. Step into the studio with these careful observers of human nature, and learn what inspired them to write and narrate their audiobooks. Plus, find out whose background in performance helped him polish his narrator chops! Bedlam by Kenneth Paul Rosenberg: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/602602/bedlam/...