Off The Page

Episode 45 | Collecting the stories of climate change with Devi Lockwood by Crystal Sarakas

In 1944, a B-24 Liberator bomber known as Getaway Gertie vanished during a snowstorm over upstate New York. The plane and its crew have never been recovered. In his book, Vanishing Point, journalist Tom Wilber takes us back to the night the Gertie - and her crew of eight - was lost. He also takes us into the complicated world of searching for lost wrecks like this one. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Award-winning science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer joins us to talk about his latest book, The Oppenheimer Alternative, where the group of scientists who created the atom bomb must now work together to save the world. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Author Azzedine T Downes is the president of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and also spent many years working with the Peace Corps in places like Morocco, Yemen, Bulgaria and more. In his delightful memoir, The Couscous Chronicles, he shares stories from his time abroad. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Sierra DeMulder is a two-time National Poetry Slam champion, a five-time published author, and the co-host of Just Break Up, a globally popular advice podcast that has been downloaded more than 4 million times. She talks about how poetry helps her move through loss, and reads from her new collection, EPHEMERA. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Marjorie Hudson's new book is Indigo Field. Set in a small town in North Carolina, it's a sweeping southern epic of family, betrayals, death and ghosts - both literal and metaphorical. The writing is lush, with almost poem-like descriptions of the natural world, and a host of characters that are drawn to each other through forces they don't understand. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Science fiction grandmaster Connie Willis talks about her new book, THE ROAD TO ROSWELL. Plus, her favorite conspiracy theories, the mysteriously vagrant Monument Valley, and the Titanic. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

On the next episode of Off the Page, we visit the Elephants of Thula Thula. Francoise Malby-Anthony's new book takes us on a journey to the Thula Thula Game Reserve in Zululand, South Africa. She talks about the emotional language of elephants, the challenges of running a game reserve, and the ongoing fight against poachers. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

Author Erica Bauermeister talks about her latest novel, NO TWO PERSONS. It's the story of how one book can change lives and bring strangers together. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

The effects of climate change go far beyond the weather. On the next Off the Page, we talk about how climate change already affects housing prices and mental health. Journalist Jake Bittle joins us to talk about his book, THE GREAT DISPLACEMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEXT AMERICAN MIGRATION. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas, produced by WSKG Public Media.

Jennifer Savran Kelly's new book is Endpapers, set in 2003 in post 9/11 New York. It's a story about a bookbinder who is struggling to understand her own queer identity when she comes across a love letter hidden in the endpapers of a book she's restoring. What follows is an exploration of what it means to love both yourself and others, complex relationships, and about what it's like to find connections and acceptance within your own community.

Ruthanna Emrys is the author of several short story collections and novels, including the award-nominated book Winter Tide. Her latest book, A HALF-BUILT GARDEN, is a delightful and hopeful story of first contact with aliens, living in a post-climate change world, motherhood and family, and the role that individuals play in repairing the world around them.

FOR LAMB is the story of one Black family living in the Jim Crow south, and the injustices and horrors they face every day. Author Lesa Cline-Ransome talks about what that story means to her, how the truth can be dangerous, but also sets us free.

Episode 32 - Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden by Crystal Sarakas

Author Jasmine Brown talks about the challenges that Black women physicians have faced over the past 100 years. Produced by WSKG Public Media.

On the next Off the Page, we talk with science writer Leila Philip about her new book, BEAVERLAND: HOW ONE WEIRD RODENT MADE AMERICA. It's a fascinating look at the role the beaver has played in American history, and how it may play an even bigger role in climate change mitigation.

Author Kate Heartfield talks about her book, THE EMBROIDERED BOOK, a historical fantasy that tells the story of Marie Antoinette and her sister, Maria Caroline, Queen of Naples.

Ithaca, NY poet Mary Gilliland's new collection, THE DEVIL'S FOOLS, is an exploration of myths and nature, and of the ways that mundane life becomes holy. On this episode, she talks about her process and shares some of her work with us.

Rossie Anastopoulo's new book, SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN IN 11 PIES, is a delicious and sometimes bittersweet look at eleven different pies and how they connect to different parts of our history. Plus, there are recipes!

Cuban-American author Jose Pablo Iriarte talks about writing about complicated relationships, finding the emotion in storytelling, and about his recent nomination for the Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

In 1963, Carole Denise McNair was one of four girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. The event shook the nation and was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. A year after that bombing, Lisa McNair was born. Her new book is called Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew. In it, she writes letters to her sister about her life, about growing up in the shadow of the bombing, about missing her, about her family and more. It's a beautiful and vulnerable look at one family's legacy and about growing up black in the South during the Civil Rights era.

After Rachel Dickinson's son committed suicide, she found herself both unable to leave home, and running away from home, unable to face the aftermath of his death. She talks with host Crystal Sarakas about her collection of essays that came from that time.

Laura Anne Gilman's new novel, UNCANNY TIMES, takes place in upstate New York in 1913. She talks about the challenges of writing historical fantasy, especially women, and the creation of her new series, The Huntsmen.

On the next Off the Page, we're unearthing the secret history of cemeteries. Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Greg Melville about his new book, OVER MY DEAD BODY. It's a conversation about the things you learn when you look at where the bodies are buried.

On this episode, host Crystal Sarakas talks with romance author Jennifer D. Bokal. She's been writing romance for a number of years and is a member of the Romance Writers of America. Her latest book is Colton's Rogue Investigation, part of the Coltons of Colorado series.

Host Crystal Sarakas talks with horror author Mercedes M. Yardley about her new book, DARLING. It's a southern gothic story about a mother fighting to protect her children against monsters both seen and unseen.

Ithaca author Megan Shull talks about her new book, BILLION DOLLAR GIRL. It's a story about a girl who is on a journey to find out who - and what - really matters in life. It's the perfect book for anyone who craves deeper, more meaningful connections in life. Hosted by Crystal Sarakas.

Novelist Yuvi Zalkow talks with host Crystal Sarakas about his latest book, I ONLY CRY WITH EMOTICONS. It's a quirky comedy about family, disconnection and the ways technology brings us together but also keeps us apart.

Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Keri Blakinger, the author of CORRECTIONS IN INK, a memoir that details her life from being a figure skating competitor with an eating disorder, to her life as an addict, her arrest and time spent in prison, and her life after prison. Piper Kerman, author of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK says that CORRECTIONS IN INK is "a groundbreaking debut from an extraordinary writer." Keri Blakinger wrote for the Ithaca Voice, the Houston Chronicle, and she's now a reporter covering prisons and jails for The Marshall Project. As a content note, this interview does touch on addiction and suicidal ideation. It contains details that may be upsetting to some listeners.

Therese Walsh is the author of The Moon Sisters and The Last Will of Moira Leahy. She's also the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, an online community for writers. She talks with host Crystal Sarakas about developing a community of writers, and tips on writing your next book!

On the next Off the Page, Ithaca poet Jillian Barnett. Her new collection of work explores loss, identity, family and the way experiences can reverberate for generations.

On this episode of Crystal Sarakas talks with Mark Follman about his book TRIGGER POINTS: INSIDE THE MISSION TO STOP MASS SHOOTINGS IN AMERICA. It's a look at the new field of behavioral threat assessment, which aims to intervene long before someone picks up a gun.

Host Crystal Sarakas talks with CSE Cooney about her latest collection, DARK BREAKERS.

Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Ithaca author Bree Barton about her newest book ZIA ERASES THE WORLD. It's a powerful and funny coming-of-age story about a magical dictionary, family, and dealing with depression. Listen now!

Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Elsa Sjunneson about her book Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman's Fight to End Ableism. They talk about the different ways ableism harms the disabled community and more.

Author Julie Zickefoose is the author of several books, including Saving Jemima: The Life and Love of a Hard Luck Jay. She chats with host Crystal Sarakas about the intelligence of birds, of connecting with people through her blog, and about how Jemima was not only saved, but did some saving herself.

Host Crystal Sarakas chats with Tom Morgan, author of A TRIAL IN COOPERSTOWN. It's his account of a small-town murder trial, from beginning to end. and gives us a glimpse into the ins and outs of the American trial process.

The largest slave auction in American history took place in 1859 but it's been largely forgotten by history. Professor Anne Bailey is working to change that. She's the author of The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History. She joins host Crystal Sarakas for a conversation about race, the erasure of slave auctions, and the healing that families are doing as they trace their history back to the auction block.

Merrill Douglas is a freelance editor and a poet. Her poems are 'beautifully gritty,' and explore the realities of life in ways that are both just a little bit icky, but also capture the life in the smallest detail. Her poems have appeared in the Baltimore Review, Tar River Poetry, Stone Canoe and more. Her chapbook, published by Finishing Line Press, is called Parking Meters Into Mermaids.

If you're a fan of true-crime - but without all the murder - then check out the latest episode of Off the Page. Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Ithaca author Railey Jane Savage about her book "A Century of Swindles: Ponzi Schemes, Con Men, and Fraudsters." The book takes us deep into seven infamous schemes, complete with intrigue, deception, and thievery.

Vernon Gibbs and Steve Gray are the co-authors of "I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas" a beautifully illustrated kids book that shares the story of Christmas traditions and family as seen through the eyes of a young black boy. Host Crystal Sarakas talks with Vernon and Steve about the book and how it's resonating with kids.

Jennifer Crow has been writing poetry since she was a little girl. Her poems explore the edges of time and space, and myth and lore. Her poems have appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Uncanny Magazine, and more. She joins host Crystal Sarakas to talk about her poems - and to share a few with us. Find out more at yourpublicradio.org.

Mary Gauthier is a critically-acclaimed songwriter. Now she's written a book, Saved By A Song. It's an exploration of the redemptive power of song, told through her story of addiction and recovery, and of choosing to live a life full of deep honesty. Join host Crystal Sarakas for a conversation with Mary Gauthier on Off the Page. Find the latest episode at yourpublicradio.org.

When an eccentric billionaire loses control of his island resort-slash-theme park, literature professor Addie Cox is an unlikely choice to help fix the situation. But it's no ordinary theme park: this is pure wizardry come to life, with unicorns, talking rabbits - and murder. The book is called Questland, a mad mashup of Jurassic Park and Dungeons and Dragons. Bestselling author Carrie Vaughn nerds out with host Crystal Sarakas about all things geek on the latest episode of Off the Page.

Kari Stuart's life was going nowhere - until she unexpectedly won the lottery. Now an instant millionaire, she's trying to decide what to do next when an orphan cat, a failing animal rescue and a murder mystery all fall into her lap. Join host Crystal Sarakas for a conversation with author Deborah Blake, on Off the Page.