Writers at Work

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Catriona McPherson, the author of three crime series, two of historical fiction, and standalone novels of psychological suspense. In 2024, she published thrice: THE WITCHING HOUR, the sixteenth book in her Dandy Gilver murder mystery series set in the 1920s and 30s, DEEP BENEATH US, a novel of suspense set in the Scottish Highlands, and SCOTZILLA, h...

One guiding principle at “Writers at Work” is that good writing is worth savoring wherever one may find it. My guests have included novelists, journalists, playwrights and screenwriters. And I’ve extending invitations to poets and lyricists. All to discuss the joys, heartaches, challenges and satisfaction of the creative writing process. This episode is dedicated to what I consider a model of effe...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Dennis Mahoney, an author and artist with a particular interest in and flair for horror and the occult. His latest novel, OUR WINTER MONSTER, is available now. Dennis’ reputation has been growing since his debut novel, FELLOW MORTALS, was published in 2013. His third novel, 2020's GHOST LOVE, received rave reviews. Publishers Weekly called it a grav...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is writer, producer and showrunner John Wirth. John's current project is DARK WINDS, the series on AMC that draws its inspiration from the novels of Tony Hillerman. Its third season kicks off on March 9 and has already been renewed for a fourth season. John's been involved in well written and well-crafted TV for quite a while. He broke into the busines...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Lisa Unger, the bestselling author whose latest novel is CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10. The tale involves a high concept. Her protagonist, the physically fit Adele Crane, participates in a reality competition program called Extreme Hide and Seek that's held on a remote island. The show's founder and star, the deliciously named Maverick Dylan, is agi...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is author Thomas Perry, whose latest thriller is PRO BONO. Thomas had a long, exemplary career as a mystery and thriller writer. His debut, THE BUTCHER'S BOY, in 1983 won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It was the first in a series in which three subsequent novels appeared three separate decades apart. His VANISH...

Joining me today on Writers at Work is New York Times Enterprise reporter Christopher Maag. Recently, Chris wrote what I consider to be an extraordinary feature about a woman who, at age 17, survived a plane crash. I'll get back to that story in a minute. Chris is a veteran reporter, having written for national and local magazines including USA Today, The Record, and the Seattle Times. Before join...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Henry Alford, whose latest book is I DREAM OF JONI: A PORTRAIT OF JONI MITCHELL IN 53 SNAPSHOTS. You may know Henry's work in the New Yorker, for whom he's written for a good long while, or his contributions to Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and Spy Magazine. You can find a collection of his early essays, in MUNICIPAL BONDAGE, published in 1994. Oft...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is playwright Ken Ludwig. His Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise is running now at New York's 59E59 Theaters. Playbill says Ken Ludwig may be the most-performed playwright of his generation. He's had six productions on Broadway and eight in London's West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged throughout the US and around the world every night of the...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Gail Crowther, whose latest book, DOROTHY PARKER IN HOLLYWOOD, examines the life of Parker in an unexpected context. Not in New York, where she began a career in journalism, was a founding member of the Algonquin Roundtable, and established her reputation as a poet and all-around acerbic wit, but in Southern California, where she lived for three decad...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Brad Meltzer, whose latest book is THE JFK CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL KENNEDY—AND WHY IT FAILED, written with Josh Mensch. It follows their three similar fact-based thrillers about plots to kill George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR, Stalin and Churchill.   Since the publication of his first novel, THE TENTH JUSTICE, in 1997, Brad's wor...

The on this episode of Writers at Work is Rachel New, creator, showrunner, and primary writer of Miss Scarlet, the Victorian era crime drama now in its 5th season. It's streaming here and there and will launch on PBS Masterpiece on January 12. In its four previous seasons, the series was known as Miss Scarlet and the Duke. Miss Scarlet fans know that the Duke is gone. Scotland Yard detective inspe...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Elijah Wald, veteran music journalist, cultural critic and well-traveled blues and folk guitarist. That last attribute is meaningful. If Elijah brings a "been there, done that" feel when writing about the likes of Robert Johnson, Josh White, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, it's because he's been there and done that.   Accordin...

This episode of Writers at Work pays tribute a man who is high on the short list of the best writers in the history of the TV medium. He is Rod Serling and this week marks the centennial of his birth on December 25, 1924.

Today on Writers at Work, I'll be speaking with M.T. Anderson, an author of enormous imagination. His latest novel, NICKED, is his first for adult readers. It's set in 1087, and a gang of misfits is sailing to what's known today as Turkey to recover the 700-year-old bones of St. Nicholas. Yes, that St. Nicholas. But NICKED is not a Christmas story. It is an amazement aptly described as a swashbuck...

It's that time of year when book lovers and critics declare their favorites from the prior 12 months. The latest by today's guest on Writers at Work has been turning up on quite a few of those lists. She is Jessica Anthony, and the book is THE MOST, a, crisp, suspenseful, wonderfully detailed, and altogether remarkable study of a marriage and a woman who has had enough. I count it among my favorit...

This episode of Writers at Work features Tirzah Price , author of the Jane Austen murder mystery series. Her latest novel, IN WANT OF A SUSPECT, a spin off from that series, is subtitled A Lizzie and Darcy Mystery and is available now.   Tirzah set out to be an author of books for young adults. She's in possession of an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts...

This episode of Writers at Work features Robert Hilburn, author of A FEW WORDS IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY, the biography of Randy Newman. Bob is best known for his work for the Los Angeles Times, where during his four decades with the paper, he became the dean of American rock music writers, winning the loyalty of his readers and the trust of the artists he covered.   It would be easier to list the...

This episode of Writers at Work features Ruth D. Nelson, art historian and author of OUR LADY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR: BRINGING MICHELANGELO'S "PIETÀ" TO QUEENS IN 1964.   Make no mistake, Nelson's book is work of serious scholarship, but it is also a tale of intrigue and suspense as mighty forces struggle to bring or to prevent the export of the Pieta to America. With a deft, confident hand, Nelson i...

Conversation with author Robert Plunket

Conversation with writer George Pelecanos

Conversation with author Kate Greathead

Conversation with authors David Morrell and James Grady

Conversation with writer Paul Rousseau

Conversation with writer Eddie Muller