Real Fiction Radio

Poet and translator Katherine E. Young discusses the English translation of Azerbaijani author Akram Aylisli's novel People and Trees and political and cultural challenges of translating works of poetry and fiction.

Real Fiction Host Lori Messing McGarry in conversation with Debut Novelist Kristin Vukovic

Former FBI Director James Comey discusses his new novel WESTPORT and current events. In conversation with Lori Messing McGarry, editor Real Fiction Forum. www.realfictionforum.com

In his new book The Dark Cloud, investigative Journalist Guillaume Pitron discusses the myth of dematerialization in the digital world.

In her memoir "Taking Sides", former Al Jazerra journalist Sherine Tadros discusses her shift from broadcast journalism to human rights advocacy. For Transcript: www.realfictionforum.com

James Comey by Lori Messing McGarry

Founder of Craft Magazine and Editor, "Voices of Freedom" discusses efforts to promote Ukrainian writers amidst ongoing war.

Dr. Justin Mallett discusses his approach to Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Northwest Missouri State University.

Bestselling author David Baldacci discusses his new thriller SIMPLY LIES

Valerie Fridland discusses her new book: "Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English".

Wall Street Journal contributor Peter Funt discusses the state of comedy and satire in the U.S. and the future of AM Radio.

Real Fiction re-airs a conversation with Azar Nafisi during Women's History Month. Her most recent book READING DANGEROUSLY: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times. (With expanded content for the KXCV and podcast audience)

First Lady of Iceland discusses her book "Secrets of the Sprakkar-Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World"

Author and Journalist Rebecca Boggs Roberts discusses her new book UNTOLD POWER-The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson.

A climate journalist learns she will inherit potentially valuable mineral rights in North Dakota's Bakken oil fields. Journalist Erika Bolstad discusses her new book WINDFALL.

Professor Emerita of Linguistics (American University) Dr. Naomi S. Baron discusses the implications for ChatGPT in educational settings. Dr. Baron encourages us to think about what it means to create a writing assignment as AI Technology becomes more widely available.

Author Pico Iyer discusses his book "The Half-Known Life"

French journalists Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud discuss their new book PEGASUS, a detailed account of the global investigation -"The Pegasus Project" which exposed how democratic governments have used Israel-based NSO software to spy on journalists and private citizens.

Drawing from Peace Corps experiences in Kazakhstan, Fearnside looks at water resources from a local and global perspective. Urgent and poetic. "In Ships in the Desert, Jeff Fearnside has written world-class essays. They bring to mind Octavio Paz and Ruszard Kapuściński" - Lori Messing McGarry (Real Fiction Radio) ​

Acclaimed novelist Louisa Treger discusses her latest novel MADWOMAN, an account of trailblazing American journalist Nellie Bly.

Journalist Juan Gonzalez discusses his landmark book HARVEST OF EMPIRE: A HISTORY OF LATINOS IN AMERICA in a newly released 3rd edition. Widely read in classrooms, this book is also the subject of a documentary film. HARVEST OF EMPIRE's new edition includes 120 new pages taking into account 2020 census data.

Bestseller author of "Reading Lolita in Tehran" discusses her new book "Read Dangerously-The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times".

The war in UKRAINE has galvanized support across the world for writers and poets from Ukraine and Russia who risk their lives to speak out about Vladimir Putin's invasion. Poet Katherine E. Young returns to Real Fiction to discuss her work as a translator of poetry from the Russian language. In this episode, we focus on the poetry of Ukrainian poet Iya Kiva, whose poems are finding a wider audience in translation.

Bestselling author A.J. Baime discusses his latest book WHITE LIES: The Double Life of Walter F. White and America's Darkest Secret.

Founder of We Need Diverse books author, Stacey Lee discusses her bestselling novel THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL

An unrivaled portrait of rural and urban mindsets by one of the world's finest novelists. With a journalistic lens, this novel succeeds on every level.

Notre Dame University Philosophy professors Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko discuss THE GOOD LIFE METHOD - a book based on their wildly popular class "God and the Good Life". Ancient wisdom for the modern world. An action based framework for living a meaningful life.

Spotlight: ETHIOPIA This Real Fiction episode focuses on the under-reported story of the Ethiopian-American mobilization in the nationally watched Virginia Governor's Race in November 2021. Traditionally, Democratic voters, Ethiopian-American voters turned out in large numbers for Governor-elect (Republican) Glenn Youngkin. Mesfin Tegenu, Chair of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), explains how the protest vote against the Biden Administration's foreign policy during the Ethiopian crisis marks the beginning of long-term electoral strategy.

Wendy Fox discusses her new story collection- WHAT IF WE WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE (Santa Fe Writer's Project)

Journalist Noy Thrupkaew discusses her Washington Post cover article - "Sri Yatun's Escape", shining a light on the A-3 Visas issued by the U.S. State Department for employees of diplomatic families. In conversation with Lori Messing McGarry

Real Fiction Host Lori Messing McGarry in conversation with Scholar and Journalist Michael Kwet (Information Society Project - Yale University Law School) discusses his recent article in The Intercept - "ShadowDragon - Inside the Social Media Surveillance Software That Can Watch Your Every Move". More Information: https://www.realfictionradio.com/post/michael-kwet

Dr. Justin Mallett of Northwest Missouri State University discusses Diversity and Inclusion and his visionary Bearcat Bookclub

Dr. Paul Miller- Professor of Foreign Policy at Georgetown University offers observations on the U.S. exit from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Rwandan born Namibian writer Rémy Ngamije discusses his debut novel THE ETERNAL AUDIENCE OF ONE set in Windhoek, Namibia. Shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing. More information about this author: www.realfictionradio.com

Finnish author Cristina Sandu discusses her U.S. debut book "THE UNION OF SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMERS" on Real Fiction Radio with Lori Messing McGarry.

Elias Rodriques discusses his debut novel- ALL THE WATER I'VE SEEN IS RUNNING. (W.W. NORTON)

Media Critic and Journalism Professor Dan Kennedy weighs in on reportage "Wuhan Lab Leak Theory" and the state of journalism in the United States.

Bestselling novelist Chanel Cleeton discusses her novel- THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN CUBA - historical account of US Newspaper's influence in the the battle for Cuba's independence from Spain.

Dr. Shareen Joshi, (Associate Professor, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) discusses the COVID Crisis in India.

America's original criminal couple Richard and Margaret Whittemore, known as Tiger Girl and Candy Kid, fueled 1920’s tabloid industry that became known as Jazz Journalism. Bestselling author Glenn Stout’s new book TIGER GIRL AND THE CANDY KID brings to life America’s original gangster couple whose wild crime sprees during Roaring Twenties and Prohibition might otherwise have been lost to history. www.realfictionradio.com https://glennstout.com/

A "most anticipated novel of 2021" by Kirstin Valdez Quade "With stunning insight into the human psyche, THE FIVE WOUNDS shows us how supporting others in need is the path to steadying our own fractured lives." (Lori Messing McGarry Host: Real Fiction Radio)

Former Baghdad Bureau Chief for the New York Times, Margaret Coker has written- THE SPYMASTER OF BAGHDAD. This book is a true account of an elite top-secret team of unlikely spies who triumphed over ISIS. Margaret Coker is an investigative journalist who for the last nineteen years has covered stories from thirty-two countries. Since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Coker has largely focused on the Middle East. She is now Editor-in-Chief of THE CURRENT, an investigative startup in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.

Te-Ping Chen discusses her debut story collection LAND OF BIG NUMBERS. Drawing inspiration from news headlines, Chen's stories reveal intimate stories behind the scenes.

Biden's First 100 Days- Distinguished Professor of History at American University Allan J. Lichtman forecasts the critical early days of President Biden's early days through the lens of history. Lichtman has authored twelve books including THE CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT in 2017 which was a national independent bookstore bestseller. Lichtman's prediction system, the Keys to the White House, has correctly predicted the outcomes of all US presidential elections since 1984. Twitter: @allanlichtman

Australian Journalist Sarah Wilson discusses her new book- THIS ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE. Sarah Wilson is the author of the New York Times bestsellers First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety, which redefined the mental health genre, and I Quit Sugar, along with eleven cookbooks that have been published in fifty-two countries. Previously, she was editor of Cosmopolitan Australia, host of MasterChef Australia and founder of iquitsugar.com, an 8-week program that has seen millions worldwide break their sugar addiction. Sarah lives in Sydney, Australia, is an obsessive hiker and spent eight years traveling the world, carrying one bag.

Debut novelist Mateo Askaripour challenges assumptions about race and opportunity and what it means to see people and value their potential when they don’t follow a typical path up the ladder. Black Buck is a highly anticipated novel released this week. www.realfictionradio.com

Real Fiction 2020 Highlights: Andrew Gifford Alexandra Fuller Andreas Elpidorou Brian Platzer Pico Iyer

Real Fiction RE-AIR. President-elect Biden's Cabinet nomination of Tom Vilsack prompts a question: Why do former Iowa Governors become Secretary of Agriculture (& Ambassador to China)? Mara Hvistendahl's book -"The Scientist and the Spy"explains the connection between food supply and national security.

Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker Guillaume Pitron discusses his international bestselling book -Rare Metals War: The Dark Side of Clean Energy and Digital Technologies

Poet Laureate Emerita of Arlington, VA -Katherine Young discusses a new anthology of poems from eighty-seven poets. This collection speaks poetry's role in community, social justice, protest and nature. Katherine Young discusses her love of Russian poetry and its influence in her life's work.

First in a Three-Part series on Affordable Housing and Homelessness. Fernando Santos discusses her recent article in NYT Magazine - "Without a Net" - addressing the complicated issue of elderly homeless. Santos is a Southwest Borderlands Initiative professor of practice at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which she joined in 2017 after a long career in newspapers, including 12 years at The New York Times. Her first book, “The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots,” received the Western Writers of America 2017 Spur Award for Best First Nonfiction Book. She is currently at work on a memoir. Fernanda is a board member of the Arizona Latino Media Association; a member of the advisory board for Migratory Notes, an immigration newsletter; a creative consultant in the musical “¡Americano!”, based on the life of an Arizona Dreamer; and vice president of The Sauce Foundation, created in memory of her husband to raise money for pancreatic cancer research and journalism scholarships at Cronkite.