Writers at Work

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is C. M. Kushins, author of COOLER THAN COOL: THE LIFE AND WORK OF ELMORE LEONARD, a biography of the master of American crime writing, a journalist whose work appeared in the Daily Beast, among other publications. Chad's previous works include biographies of Warren Zevon and Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. He left the world of rock for COOLER THAN COOL, t...

My guest today on Writers at Work is Dennis Lehane, an exceptional novelist and screenwriter whose body of work reveals the tender heart of his characters as they yearn, even as the world explodes around them. His novels and short fiction and the films adapted from them, MYSTIC RIVER, SHUTTER ISLAND, GONE, BABY GONE, and THE DROP among them, are now part of the American cultural and artistic lands...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Craig Thompson, author and graphic artist. His latest is the epic GINSENG ROOTS: A MEMOIR. Craig's first graphic novel, GOOD-BYE CHUNKY RICE, was published in 1999 and won high honors such as the Harvey and Ignatz Awards. That year he began his first masterwork, the 600-page BLANKETS, described as a memoir of first love and faith lost in rural Wiscons...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Sarah Lampert, writer, executive producer and creative force behind Ginny and Georgia, the smash hit now in its third season on Netflix. Sarah is a bit of a miracle in today's media landscape. As I understand it, Sarah wrote the pilot during a writing class. This is her first program. I'll ask her to tell us how Ginny and Georgia came to be. I said...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is Chris Pavone, author of THE DOORMAN. Described by the New York Times as a state of the city novel, a kaleidoscopic portrait of New York at a singularly strange moment, THE DOORMAN has drawn comparison to Tom Wolfe's THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES. Rightfully so, I'll add, as Chris displays a keen gift for ascetic satire but serves it without drawing at...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Julie Gilbert, author of GIANT LOVE: EDNA FERBER, HER BEST-SELLING NOVEL OF TEXAS, AND THE MAKING OF A CLASSIC AMERICAN FILM. Julie brings a special insight into her latest work. She is the great niece of Edna Ferber, author of the novel that was the Source for the 1956 George Stevens film starring James Dean, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. She is...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Michael Amherst, whose debut novel, THE BOYHOOD OF CAIN is available now. Set in rural England, it's a coming-of-age tale of Daniel, a boy who struggles to understand himself and his place in a small but growing world. Michael's storytelling skills put us inside Daniel's emotional turmoil, a place that isn't always comfortable, but is often all too re...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is John W. Miller, author of THE LAST MANAGER: HOW EARL WEAVER TRICKED, TORMENTED, AND REINVENTED BASEBALL. John is a contributing writer to America magazine and prior to that was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. During his time at the Journal, John reported from more than two dozen countries and wrote stories on the Tour de France, the World Cu...

On this episode of Writers at Work, I speak with Virginia Feito, author of VICTORIAN PSYCHO, a title that is ideal yet only hints at what lies between the book covers. VICTORIAN PSYCHO is Virginia's second novel. Her 2021 debut, MRS. MARCH, straddled the line between psychological thriller and social satire, said Vogue magazine, adding that it's as literary as it is pulpy. It was snapped up by Hol...

My guest today on Writers at Work is Christine Murphy, author of NOTES ON SURVIVING THE FIRE, a novel that's available now. Christine's debut novel, NOTES ON SURVIVING THE FIRE is well published by Knopf and enjoying enviable reviews. The Los Angeles Times wrote Murphy has certainly written a furious, fast paced, emotionally residential, memorable novel, and the New Yorker said the narrative is eq...

Joining me on this episode of Writers at Work is playwright Larissa Fasthorse, whose timely comedy FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT is currently at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Larissa, who is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, was the first Native American woman to have a play produced on Broadway. That satirical comedy, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, has been produced more than 300 times. Her revisi...

My guest on this episode of Writers at Work is Sara Gran, author and screenwriter. Sara is the author of the series featuring Claire DeWitt, self-anointed as the world's greatest private investigator. But Sara isn't confined by theme or tradition. Her feel for urban grit is on abundant display in her novel DOPE, as is her ability to convey psychological terror and come closer and the insidious nat...

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...