Crime novelist Peter Robinson talks about how his character Inspector Banks has evolved over 21 years; shares writing tips that he teaches in his classes; and reminiscences about the writers who influenced him, including his tutor who became a world renowned author. Biography “Friend of the Devil” (HarperCollins/William Morrow, 2008) marks Peter Robinson’s 17th installment of his Inspector Banks series. His best-selling novels have been honored by Publisher’s Weekly and the New York Times. He is...
Sep 23, 2008•17 min
“Credit is evil,” says author and personal finance expert Michelle Singletary. She explains why credit has been abused by individuals, corporations and the federal government; tells how Americans can survive the current economic crisis; and highlights the spending differences between men and women. Biography Michelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post. Nominated for a Pulitzer, her award-winning column, “The Color of Money,” is carried in about 120 newspapers...
Sep 23, 2008•24 min
When writing a novel, Geraldine Brooks loves to fill in the gaps in history with her imagination. She illuminates her writing techniques, explaining why she must first find the voice in her stories; talks about her latest book, “People of the Book,” that provides the reader with a vivid lesson in history; and tells how she weaves fact with realistic fiction in her storytelling: “When you run out of facts, that’s when you try to create plausible fiction that engages the reader.” Biography As a jo...
Sep 12, 2008•22 min
After garnering international fame as a singer, five Grammy Awards and nearly 60 charted hits, music legend Dionne Warwick says she is still reaching for her dream. She reveals why she wrote a children’s book instead of an autobiography of her life; discusses her global humanitarian efforts; and explains the genesis of her mantra: If you can think it, you can do it. Biography International music legend Dionne Warwick has added children’s author to her long list of accomplishments. Her status as ...
Sep 04, 2008•18 min
Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts has become an expert on the nation’s founding mothers. She dispels some of the misconceptions about them and shares insight into her early years spent in the halls of Congress. Biography Cokie Roberts is a New York Times best-selling author, a political commentator for ABC News and a senior news analyst for National Public Radio. She was named one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting by the American Women in Radio and Television. A w...
Sep 03, 2008•20 min
“I have always been word obsessed,” says Marisa de los Santos. She talks about the music of language; shares little-known details about her third book; and reveals why learning about the human side of Clara Barton, Joan of Arc and Helen Keller inspired her. Biography: Poet and author Marisa de los Santos loves words. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she earned a master’s degree in poetry and a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing. She wrote the award-winning poetry collection “From ...
Sep 02, 2008•25 min
Journalist and author Walter Isaacson discusses what made Albert Einstein unique; reveals the lesson that he always includes in his biographies; and explains how the Aspen Institute is helping to create a middle-class in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories. Biography Walter Isaacson is a successful journalist and biographer. He has been chairman and CEO of CNN and the managing editor of Time magazine. He currently is president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. Isaacson is the author of “B...
Aug 20, 2008•20 min
Broadcast news legend Bob Schieffer shares his extraordinary experience covering John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963; describes how the Web has become the “unfettered Wild West” for news; and explains why some of the best news stories come out of the Pentagon. Biography Bob Schieffer has been with CBS News since 1969. He is CBS’s chief Washington correspondent and the host of its Sunday public affairs broadcast “Face the Nation.” He is the recipient of many awards, including six Emmys and th...
Aug 19, 2008•34 min
Louis Bayard says that writing is its own insanity and feels compelled to do it. He discusses the craft of writing detective fiction and how he rides the line between staying true to facts and allowing his imagination to shape his stories. Biography A critically acclaimed novelist, reviewer and journalist, Louis Bayard has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nerve.com and Salon.com. Among his five novels are Edgar Award-nominated “The Pale Blue Eye” (2007) a...
Aug 13, 2008•19 min
Award-winning British author Philippa Gregory talks about her latest book “The Other Queen” (Simon & Schuster, September 2008); weaves a thrilling tale of royal intrigue among the Tudors; and explains why she will confine her passion for history to England. Biography While completing her Ph.D. in 18th-century literature, Philippa Gregory wrote her first novel, “Wideacre,” which became an instant international best-seller. She has gone on to publish more than 20 novels, many reflecting her hi...
Aug 12, 2008•25 min
Injured by a car bomb while covering the war in Iraq, award-winning journalist Kimberly Dozier talks about how she survived the act of terrorism that killed her colleagues; explains her reasons for writing “Breathing the Fire” (Meredith, 2008) about her experiences in Iraq; and shares some advice to budding journalists. Biography Kimberly Dozier is an award-winning CBS News correspondent, who reported primarily on the war in Iraq from 2003 until she was seriously injured by a car bomb in 2006. S...
Aug 12, 2008•27 min
“Every novel is just a big, fat lie trying to masquerade as the truth,” says novelist Brad Meltzer. He talks about the genesis of his new book, the real story behind the creation of the comic book character Superman, and why the biblical interpretation of Cain and Abel is wrong. Biography Brad Meltzer has nearly 3 million books in print that have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He earned credit from Columbia Law School for writing his first book, “The Tenth Justice” (1997), whi...
Aug 05, 2008•25 min
R. L. Stine dishes up writing secrets, ghoulish fun and other things that go bump in the night. Biography R. L. Stine started writing joke books at the age of nine. He is the author of more than 100 books, which have sold more than 400 million copies, making him one of the best-selling children’s book authors in history. Among his best known writings are the Goosebumps series, named the world’s best-selling book series of all time in the 2003 Guinness Book of World Records; the Rotten School ser...
Jul 25, 2008•20 min
Sharon M. Draper talks about “Reading Across Continents” and explains why hope and redemption describe her latest book. Biography Sharon M. Draper is an award-winning author, poet, educator and speaker. She was honored as the National Teacher of the Year and received the Excellence in Education Award. As a popular conference speaker, she addresses educational and literary groups both nationally and internationally. She is a five-time winner of the American Library Association/Coretta Scott King ...
Jul 22, 2008•23 min
Joseph Bruchac talks about the genesis of his latest book, the art of storytelling and his dual heritage. Biography Joseph Bruchac draws on the Adirondacks, where he lives, and on his Native American heritage (Abenaki) for storytelling and writing. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in more than 500 publications, from American Poetry Review to Smithsonian magazine. He has written more than 70 books for adults and children, including his latest, “March Toward the Thunder” (Penguin/Dial...
Jul 22, 2008•20 min
Jan Brett discusses how she creates her popular illustrations and gives insight into the symbolism in her artwork. Biography In addition to illustrating classic stories, such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” famed children’s author and illustrator Jan Brett has written and illustrated a long list of her own books including “Berlioz the Bear” and “The Umbrella.” Her latest book is “Gingerbread Friends” (Penguin, September 2008). With more than 33 million books in print, her award-winning New ...
Jul 16, 2008•25 min
Jon Scieszka shares writing tips; tells parents how to inspire their children to read more; and discusses his job as the nation’s ambassador for young readers. Biography Jon Scieszka shares writing tips; tells parents how to inspire their children to read more; and discusses his job as the nation’s ambassador for young readers. Biography: Jon Scieszka, appointed the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress, is the author of some of the best known and fun...
Jul 14, 2008•21 min
Kay Ryan talks about her appointment as the nation’s new Poet Laureate; reads several of her poems; and provides a glimpse into the hidden depths of her poetry. Biography Poet Kay Ryan was recently appointed as the Library of Congress’s 16th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2008-2009. She has written six books of poetry, plus a limited edition artist’s book, along with a number of essays. Her books include: “Dragon Acts to Dragon Ends” (1983), and “The Niagara River” (Grove Press, 2005). R...
Jul 11, 2008•22 min
Warren Brown talks about his latest book, reveals his secrets to making delicious treats and shares some of his most sought-after recipes. Biography Brown gave up his law career to bake cakes. His dream of opening a bakery was realized with the debut of CakeLove in 2002, immediately becoming the most popular dessert shop in the District of Columbia. He has since opened additional stores in neighboring areas and now shares his passion for baking with his book, “CakeLove” (Stewart, Tabori & Ch...
Jul 08, 2008•28 min
Arthur Frommer and his daughter Pauline provide advice on how to beat the high gas prices during summer vacation and the latest travel hot spots. Biography Foremost travel authority Arthur Frommer’s series of guides, published by Wiley, Inc., consists of more than 340 titles reaching more than six million travelers per year covering every major travel destination in the world. He also writes countless magazine articles on a wide variety of travel subjects as well as a twice-weekly column on trav...
Jul 08, 2008•23 min
