Podcasts about pen america

With thanks to “forever” plastics, the earth has reverted to sand and dust. Dylan has been raised by her scientist mother, in a pod under the sea, and longs to escape the loneliness of being confined. The only friend she ever had was a pen pal from Mars, who disappeared. With great effort, she's escorted onto land, to the place of her mother's employment where she becomes the groundskeeper. Unofficially, she begins studying sand. After a few years, the company sends her on a vacation and she meets Melanie, possibly a robot. Love flourishes on the floundering planet, but death is never far, and Dylan's pen pal returns too late in Earth 7 (Graywolf Press 2026), a dystopian novel about the frailty of the planet, the ongoing need for scientific research, and the human struggle for survival. Deb Olin Unferth is the author of seven books, including the novels Barn 8 and Vacation, the memoir Revolution, finalist for the National Book Critics' Circle Award, two story collections, and the graphic novel I, Parrot. Her fiction and essays have appeared in over fifty magazines and journals, including Harper's, the New York Times, The Paris Review, Granta, and McSweeney's. She has received a Guggenheim fellowship, three Pushcart Prizes, a Creative Capital Fellowship for Innovative Literature, fellowships from the MacDowell, Yaddo, and Ucross residencies.  She's a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches for the Michener Center, the New Writers' Project, and she also directs the Pen City Writers, the prison creative-writing program at a south Texas penitentiary. Unferth founded and directs the Pen City Writers, a creative writing program for incarcerated men at a maximum-security prison in south Texas. The program has been running for ten years, and the students regularly win writing awards from Pen America and the Insider Prize. Their work has appeared in many places, including Vice, StoryQuarterly, the Texas Observer, the Stranger's Guide, and the Marshall Project. Deb and her friend, Lucy Corin, have gone on several research and writing trips together, including to the Sahara Desert for the sand; in 2024, they spent a month in the Arctic to see ice, trying to get as close to the North Pole as possible, and reaching the 82nd parallel. Last year, they rented two pods in a scrub desert Dark Sky area of the US to see darkness. Originally from Chicago, Unferth lives in Austin with philosophy professor Matt Evans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

With thanks to “forever” plastics, the earth has reverted to sand and dust. Dylan has been raised by her scientist mother, in a pod under the sea, and longs to escape the loneliness of being confined. The only friend she ever had was a pen pal from Mars, who disappeared. With great effort, she's escorted onto land, to the place of her mother's employment where she becomes the groundskeeper. Unofficially, she begins studying sand. After a few years, the company sends her on a vacation and she meets Melanie, possibly a robot. Love flourishes on the floundering planet, but death is never far, and Dylan's pen pal returns too late in Earth 7 (Graywolf Press 2026), a dystopian novel about the frailty of the planet, the ongoing need for scientific research, and the human struggle for survival. Deb Olin Unferth is the author of seven books, including the novels Barn 8 and Vacation, the memoir Revolution, finalist for the National Book Critics' Circle Award, two story collections, and the graphic novel I, Parrot. Her fiction and essays have appeared in over fifty magazines and journals, including Harper's, the New York Times, The Paris Review, Granta, and McSweeney's. She has received a Guggenheim fellowship, three Pushcart Prizes, a Creative Capital Fellowship for Innovative Literature, fellowships from the MacDowell, Yaddo, and Ucross residencies.  She's a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches for the Michener Center, the New Writers' Project, and she also directs the Pen City Writers, the prison creative-writing program at a south Texas penitentiary. Unferth founded and directs the Pen City Writers, a creative writing program for incarcerated men at a maximum-security prison in south Texas. The program has been running for ten years, and the students regularly win writing awards from Pen America and the Insider Prize. Their work has appeared in many places, including Vice, StoryQuarterly, the Texas Observer, the Stranger's Guide, and the Marshall Project. Deb and her friend, Lucy Corin, have gone on several research and writing trips together, including to the Sahara Desert for the sand; in 2024, they spent a month in the Arctic to see ice, trying to get as close to the North Pole as possible, and reaching the 82nd parallel. Last year, they rented two pods in a scrub desert Dark Sky area of the US to see darkness. Originally from Chicago, Unferth lives in Austin with philosophy professor Matt Evans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-fiction

EP 31 - "On Writing and Life" | Cleyvis Natera | Award-Winning Author of Neruda on the Park & The Grand Paloma Resort (2025)Cleyvis Natera is an award-winning author whose work spans fiction, essays, and cultural criticism. Her debut novel, Neruda on the Park, was a New York Times Editor's Choice, selected by Malala Yousafzai for her book club, and won a Silver Medal for Best First Book of Fiction from the International Latino Book Awards in 2023. The book was also featured by TIME, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, TIME, and The Rumpus. She's received fellowships from PEN America,Bread Loaf, the Vermont Studio Center, and was recently named a Fulbright Associate. She teaches creative writing at Barnard College and Montclair State University, where she's helping launch a new bilingual MFA program. Her second novel, The Grand Paloma Resort, was just published by Ballantine Books.

Justine, who wrote and hosted the Believe Her podcast, returns to the show to discuss her latest work. Justine is an award-winning independent journalist and author. Her latest book, Unreasonable Women, will be published in June 2026 by Ecco. Justine's prior books include We Are Not Such Things, and her features have been published in the New York Review of Books, New York Magazine, Harper's, the Guardian, VQR, and TheNew Republic, among others. Justine is also the host and co-producer of the investigative podcast Believe Her.She has been honored with the James Aronson Award, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Gracie Award, the iHeart Radio Award, the Mike Berger Award, and the Ambie Award. Justine has received grants from the Pulitzer Center, Type Investigations, the International Women's Media Foundation, and the Robert B. Silvers Foundation, and fellowships from New America, the Emerson Collective, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, the Logan Nonfiction Program, Type Media, and PEN America.Unreasonable Women releases on June 2nd. Please consider pre-ordering the book HEREThe majority of the funding of our work comes directly from listeners, through our Patreon community.  To join Patreon, click THIS LINK.  At the $5/month level you'll get access to lots of Patreon Only BONUS EPISODES, Ad Free versions of all episodes, an hour of Patreon Exclusive video content every week, and our new weekly podcast “Pre-Game”, which drops every Wednesday.  Not to mention early access to some episodes and the ability to watch and participate in interviews live.Today's Sponsors:Rula – Head to Rula.com/justice to get startedQuince – Head to Quince.com/Ruff for free shipping and 365 day returns.Factor Meals - Head to Factormeals.com/truth50off and use code "truth50off" to get 50% off and FREE BREAKFAST for one year.Draft Kings – Download the app and sign up with code “Truth” to claim 1500 Flex Spins!

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where for AAPI or AANHPI Month they discuss their Asian American identities and how that's affected their careers. Then they discuss a recent report on book banning from Pen America, and then special guest Alison Morris joins to discuss celebrating birthdays, and then Alison gives some book recommendations! They end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.    Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

00:08  Peter Beinart, editor at large of Jewish Currents, proprietor of the Beinart Notebook newsletter, and author most recently of Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: a reckoning, which recently won the PEN America literary award for nonfiction. The post Peter Beinart on Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza appeared first on KPFA.

SUBSCRIBE HERE FOR GIVEAWAY: https://bookfairepod.riverside.com/The episode covers new book releases, a report from PEN America on book bans, the introduction of a new audience category in publishing, and a heartwarming story of a young advocate for libraries. The themes include new book releases, book bans, new audience category in publishing, and advocacy for libraries.New Releases:Bear for a Day by Corey R. Tabor (Ages 4-8)The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered Pearls by Margi Preus, with illustrations by Junyi Wu (Ages 8-12)A wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory (Ages 8-12)Landing in Place by Sherine Hamday, illustrated by Myra El Mir (Ages 12+)This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall (Ages 12+)Queerleaders by Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk (Ages 14+)TakeawaysBook bans are a significant issue, with a focus on themes of empowerment, self-esteem, and representation of marginalized groups.The introduction of a new audience category in publishing aims to address the evolving themes in young adult literature and separate books written for adults from those targeting teens.Chapters00:00 New Book Releases13:07 Book Bans and Censorship19:20 Advocacy for Libraries

SUBSCRIBE HERE FOR GIVEAWAY: https://bookfairepod.riverside.com/The episode covers new book releases, a report from PEN America on book bans, the introduction of a new audience category in publishing, and a heartwarming story of a young advocate for libraries. The themes include new book releases, book bans, new audience category in publishing, and advocacy for libraries.New Releases:Bear for a Day by Corey R. Tabor (Ages 4-8)The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered Pearls by Margi Preus, with illustrations by Junyi Wu (Ages 8-12)A wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory (Ages 8-12)Landing in Place by Sherine Hamday, illustrated by Myra El Mir (Ages 12+)This Could All Go Bad by Spencer Hall (Ages 12+)Queerleaders by Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk (Ages 14+)TakeawaysBook bans are a significant issue, with a focus on themes of empowerment, self-esteem, and representation of marginalized groups.The introduction of a new audience category in publishing aims to address the evolving themes in young adult literature and separate books written for adults from those targeting teens.Chapters00:00 New Book Releases13:07 Book Bans and Censorship19:20 Advocacy for Libraries

Hafeez Lakhani was born in Hyderabad, India and raised in suburban South Florida. His novel is called Abundance. His fiction and essays have appeared in Crazyhorse, Exposition Review, Salt Hill, Tikkun, The Cortland Review, and The Southern Review, among other places, and have garnered fellowships from PEN America and The Center for Fiction. He was twice recognized with a Notable Essay in Best American Essays and twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize. After publishing his essay, If We Show That We Like They Make More Mainga, he was profiled by the Huffington Post as one of “Eight Fantastic New Writers To Look Out For”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUBSCRIBE HERE FOR GIVEAWAY: https://bookfairepod.riverside.com/The episode covers new release and news related to book bans, library closures, funding for local libraries, and community responses to book bans. It highlights the challenges faced by libraries and the efforts to support and preserve access to literature.New Releases:Dad by Christian Robinson (Ages 3-6)My Papi's Hands by Melissa Seron Richardson, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Ages 6-8)The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris (Debut author, Ages 8-12)Roar by Varsha Bajaj (Ages 8-12)The Unchosen One by AMy Sparkes (Ages 9-12)Queer and How We Got Here: A (Personal) History by Hazel Newlevant (Ages 14+)TakeawaysNonfiction titles banned in the United StatesLocal libraries push for fundingDelivering banned books to peopleChapters00:00 New Releases and Author Interviews13:26 PEN America's Report on Book Bans18:46 Funding for Imagination Library and Local Libraries

SUBSCRIBE HERE FOR GIVEAWAY: https://bookfairepod.riverside.com/The episode covers new release and news related to book bans, library closures, funding for local libraries, and community responses to book bans. It highlights the challenges faced by libraries and the efforts to support and preserve access to literature.New Releases:Dad by Christian Robinson (Ages 3-6)My Papi's Hands by Melissa Seron Richardson, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Ages 6-8)The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris (Debut author, Ages 8-12)Roar by Varsha Bajaj (Ages 8-12)The Unchosen One by AMy Sparkes (Ages 9-12)Queer and How We Got Here: A (Personal) History by Hazel Newlevant (Ages 14+)TakeawaysNonfiction titles banned in the United StatesLocal libraries push for fundingDelivering banned books to peopleChapters00:00 New Releases and Author Interviews13:26 PEN America's Report on Book Bans18:46 Funding for Imagination Library and Local Libraries

 In January this year, PEN America released its most recent annual report, Expanding the Web of Control: America's Censored Campuses 2025. It  provides a meticulous analysis of the threats to free speech and academic freedom on U.S. campuses. Amna spoke with Jonathan Friedman, Director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America and Amy Reid, Program Director for PEN America's Freedom to Learn Program, about why 2025 was such a catastrophic year for higher ed. Show notes* Pen America's report: Expanding the Web of Control: America's Censored Campuses 2025* Trouble Ahead: PEN America's Jeremy Young on What Trump 2.0 Portends for Higher Education This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit banished.substack.com/subscribe

Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive officer of PEN America, and Dinaw Mengestu, novelist and writer and president of PEN America, talk about free expression around the world and the World Voices Festival underway. Photo: A shelf of books. (Credit: Desnathas via Wikimedia Commons BY CC 4.0)

On the radio show this week, we start out talking about the importance of having the freedom to read age-appropriate educational materials and how to push back against harmful book bans across the country. After that, we touch base on the beauty and power of "purple places" in the United States, exploring the unique role these areas play as epicenters of local organizing and democracy. Following that segment, we dive into Black Maternal Health Week, discussing the urgent need for maternal health equity and the specific policy solutions that support Black moms and families. Finally, we close the show talking about the student loan crisis families are facing across America, the impact of new repayment rules, and how to take action to abolish student debt. SPECIAL GUESTS: McKenna Samson, PEN America, @penamerica; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @TinaShermanNC; Julia Barnard, Debt Collective, @StrikeDebt, @debtcollective. On the radio show this week, we start out talking about the importance of having the freedom to read age-appropriate educational materials and how to push back against harmful book bans across the country. After that, we touch base on the beauty and power of "purple places" in the United States, exploring the unique role these areas play as epicenters of local organizing and democracy. Following that segment, we dive into Black Maternal Health Week, discussing the urgent need for maternal health equity and the specific policy solutions that support Black moms and families. Finally, we close the show talking about the student loan crisis families are facing across America, the impact of new repayment rules, and how to take action to abolish student debt. SPECIAL GUESTS: McKenna Samson, PEN America, @penamerica; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @TinaShermanNC; Julia Barnard, Debt Collective, @StrikeDebt, @debtcollective.

The final chapter of Reflector's tour of LGBTQ activism examines some of the controversies currently roiling society—starting with a look at one of the most contentious subjects in American history: sex education. With interviews with some of the minds behind the National Sex Education Standards, reporter Ben Kawaller offers a rare look into the philosophical underpinnings of the new ideas about sex and gender that have taken root throughout American society, what they reveal about the tensions between “gay” and “queer,” and what they might spell for the future of the movement—and for America. THIS EPISODE FEATURES:Dr. Eva Goldfarb – Professor of Public Health at Montclair State University.Madelaine Adelman – Justice Studies professor at Arizona State University and former GLSEN board member.Alison Macklin – Policy and advocacy director at Sex Ed for Social Change (SIECUS).Jennifer Finney Boylan – Transgender author, former president of PEN America and former contributing opinion writer for the New York Times.Ben Appel – Journalist and author of Cis White Gay: The Making of a Gender Heretic.Dana Beyer – Early transgender advocate.Herndon Graddick – Former president of GLAAD.Lorri Jean – Former CEO of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. LINKS:Too Hot to Handle: A Global History of Sex Ed by Jonathan Zimmerman The National Sex Education Standards Rights, Respect, Responsibility: A K–12 Sex Education Curriculum CREDITS:This episode of Reflector was reported and produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Ben Kawaller, Simon Adler, Ethan Mannello, and Seth Temple Andrews. Music for this episode was composed by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cobey Bienert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Peter Lalish⁠⁠⁠ Reflector artwork by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacob Boll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with assistance from ChatGPT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notes and Links to Jordy Rosenberg's Work   Jordy Rosenberg is the author of the novel Confessions of the Fox, a New York Times Editors Choice selection, shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, a Lambda Literary Award, a Publishing Triangle Award, the UK Historical Writers Association Debut Crown Award, longlisted for The Dublin Literary Award, and named one of the best books of the year by The New Yorker, Kirkus Reviews and others. Jordy's work has been supported by MacDowell, The Lannan Foundation, The Banff Centre, and The Ahmanson-Getty Foundation. He is a professor in the Department of English and Associated MFA Faculty in the Program for Poets and Writers at UMass-Amherst. His latest work is Night Night Fawn, published in early 2026. Buy Night Night Fawn   Jordy Rosenberg's Website   Review for Night Night Fawn from The New York Times At about 0:45, Jordy responds to Pete's questions about the feedback Jordy has received since Night Night Fawn has come out At about 2:50, Jordy talks about tour events and purchase info At about 4:15, Jordy talks about his background in reading and writing, especially the influence of the Marxist tradition  At about 6:50, Jordy responds to Pete's questions about what draws him to sci-fi, and Jordy expands on his interesting view of genre as “collective” At about 9:00, Jordan cites contemporary writers whom he appreciates in his "omnivorous" writing, including Lara Sheehi At about 12:30, Jordy reflects on seeds for his novel, which started out as memoir  At about 16:10, the two discuss the narrator, Barbara, and the book's exposition, and connections to Marx At about 18:50, Jordy discusses how he wanted to explore Marxism through the voice of someone with a passing knowledge of it At about 20:45, Part II of the book, a letter from Barbara, is discussed At about 22:45, Jordy reflects on how he satirizes those so obsessed with anti-trans vitriol At about 25:00, Jordy expands on Barbara's antiquated and biased world view and victim mentality  At about 26:45, Jordy discusses a pivotal scene at a funeral and the importance of a photo At about 31:00, Jordy responds to Pete's question about meta-writing and  At about 35:00, Barbara's job and it providing “ammunition” for her homophobia is the basis of discussion  At about 36:00, Neil, a family friend, is discussed as a trope and anti-trope At about 38:00, Pete compares Neil's Marxism to “a la carte Catholicism” At about 38:50, The beginnings of discussions of Israel and 1980s viewpoints and a “public relations nightmare” and a broken friendship are highlighted At about 42:40, Jordy talks about the importance of the “carrot scene” and ideas of Jewish masculinity At about 47:15, Pete cites Deni Avdija's story and Jordy expands on ideas of BDS and narratives of “the most moral army in the world” At about 52:00, Jordy and  Pete posit some ideas about the adult daughter in the novel and talk about Jewish leadership in the BDS movement  At about 54:10, The two discuss the scene in which Barbara reunites with her old friend and how Jordy uses satire in the scene At about 57:15, Jordy reflects on real-life connections to Barbara sending her daughter to Israel for “support work” At about 59:15, Jordy cites the book as adding to conversations that come from “bedside rants”        You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 333 with Keith O'Brien. Keith has written five books, won the PEN America award for best biography, and has contributed to multiple publications over the years.    Keith's work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, and on National Public Radio. His radio stories have aired on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition, as well as Marketplace and This American Life. His latest gem is Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird.    The episode airs on March 29 or thereabouts.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.  

Notes and Links to Keith O'Brien's Work     Keith O'Brien has written five books, won the PEN America award for best biography, and has contributed to multiple publications over the years.    Keith's work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal, and on National Public Radio. His radio stories have aired on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition, as well as Marketplace and This American Life. His latest gem is Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird.   Buy Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird    Keith O'Brien's Website   Review for Heartland from The Wall Street Journal   At about 1:50, Pete shouts out his brother as a huge Larry Bird fan At about 2:30, Keith talks about his book tour for the launch of Heartland and gives a summary of the book at about 4:40, Keith responds to Pete asking about the time period covered in the book and how he figured out his angle for the book at about 7:55, Keith talks about his attempts to talk to Larry Bird for the book at about 10:00, Pete sets the record straight grammatically, and Keith expands on Indiana State University President Dick Landini's persona  at about 11:20, The two discuss the book's opening sequence, and Keith explains why he started the book where he did, with an Indiana State NIT loss and Larry Bird fracas  at about 16:25, Keith talks about Larry Bird's treatment as "The Great White Hope" and the ways in which he was talked about and treated in the late 1970s at about 19:00, Larry Bird's childhood is discussed, including his father's military background, and Larry talks about his research and work to make Joey Bird "three-dimensional"  at about 22:40, Keith gives background on the poverty and hardship in Larry Bird's upbringing at about 23:40, Dave Bliss, Bobby Knight, and Larry Bird's college recruitment are discussed at about 24:20, Keith recounts an amazing story involving Denny Crum and Larry Bird's recruitment  at about 26:45, Larry's short time at Indiana University and Northwood Institute are highlighted at about 29:40, The two discuss important recruits for Indiana State to team up with Larry Bird, including Harry Morgan and his upbringing in a racist town/society at about 33:00, Larry responds to Pete's asking about the college basketball Magic Johnson/Larry Bird dynamic, and the racial dynamics and popularity of the NBA in the late 1970s at about 36:30, Keith gives background on the Celtics drafting Larry Bird after his junior year of college at about 37:10, Pete discusses the "glue guys" that Coach Hodges brought in to ISU for Larry's third year and the novelty of nationally-televised games  at about 39:00, Keith reflects on the fact that while Magic Johnson is crucial to the book's events, he was at the time of the book's action, largely unknown to Larry, and vice versa at about 41:30, Keith responds to Pete's referring to the book's last section, a sort of "Where are they now?" by calling it his favorite section and how the players and connections to ISU were irrevocably-changed    You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 334 with Lisa Lee. She is the recipient of the Marianne Russo Emerging Writer Award from the Key West Literary Seminar, an Emerging Writer Fellowship from the Center for Fiction, and a Pushcart Prize. Her work has appeared in Ploughshares, VIDA: Women in Literary Arts, North American Review, Sycamore Review, and elsewhere. Her essay on racial invisibility and erasure in the writing workshop was featured on Bitch Media's feminism & pop culture podcast Popaganda, on the episode “Writing About Race.”     The episode airs on March 31, Pub Day for her novel American Han.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

You can hear Part 3 of this series right now when you become a Longview subscriber by visiting us ⁠here Part two of Reflector's dive into the LGBTQ+ movement picks up with the arrival of the Qs…and all that came after. Featuring interviews with prominent trans advocates and former leaders of major LGBTQ groups, episode 2 reveals the philosophical differences lurking beneath the surface within this alliance of non-conformists. With his usual immunity from embarrassment, Ben Kawaller explores how a movement for civil rights became a project to shape society's understanding of sex and gender. THIS EPISODE FEATURES:Dana Beyer – Early transgender rights advocate.Dr. Susan Stryker – Professor Emerita of Gender and Women's Studies at Arizona State University.Lorri Jean – Former CEO of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.Herndon Graddick – Former president of GLAAD.Ben Appel – Journalist and author of Cis White Gay: The Making of a Gender Heretic.Jennifer Finney Boylan – Transgender author, former president of PEN America and former contributing opinion writer for the New York Times.Leor Sapir – Journalist and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.Matthew McMurrow – Gay activist and adviser to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York and former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. LINKS:When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson Cis White Gay: The Making of a Gender Heretic by Ben Appel The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism by J. Michael Bailey Cleavage: Men, Woman, and the Space Between Us by Jennifer Finney Boylan Galileo's Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and the Search for Justice in Science by Alice Dreger Crossing: A Memoir by Deirdre Nansen McCloskey The End of the Gay Rights Revolution: How Hubris and Overreach Threaten Gay Freedom by Ronan McCrea Gay Shame: The Rise of Gender Ideology and the New Homophobia by Gareth Roberts TRANS/GRESSIVE: How Transgender Activists Took on Gay Rights, Feminism, the Media & Congress… and Won! by Riki WilchinsGLAAD Media Reference Guide: Glossary of Terms CREDITS:This episode of Reflector was reported and produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Ben Kawaller, Simon Adler, Ethan Mannello, and Seth Temple Andrews. Music for this episode was composed by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cobey Bienert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Peter Lalish⁠⁠⁠ Reflector artwork by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jacob Boll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Those people who shaped the people are often more important than the subject, because they have insight into this young person that they were working with. It's crucial," says Keith O'Brien, bestselling author of Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird.Today we have Keith O'Brien, author of five books, including his latest book Heartland: A forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird. It's published by Atria Books.It's a lean, propulsive biography framed as an origin story of Larry Bird before he went to the NBA to later become one of the ten best players in history.Keith is the New York Times bestselling author of Outside Shot, Fly Girls, Paradise Falls, Charlie Hustle, which won the PEN America award for biography, and now Heartland. You can learn more about Keith at keithob.com and follow him on the ol' IG @obrienstory. This book has been crushing it. His events have been overflowing. In this episode we talk about: The dispiriting change we're seeing in sports journalism Finding the people who shaped the people Sitting under the prism of history Writing an origin story His favorite part of the job And how writing a book is like a miracle every time you finish Lost of great stuff to chew on …Promotional support: The 2026 Power of Narrative Conference. Use narrative20 at checkout for 20% off your tuition. Visit combeyond.bu.edu.Order The Front RunnerWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Rebecca Wolf, author of the book Alive and Beating. Rebecca is a former journalist whose fiction and essays have appeared in many publications, including Apricity and Tablet. She is a volunteer writing tutor for PEN America's Prison Writing Program, and she lived in Jerusalem as a foreign student before attending Barnard College. She lives in New Jersey with her family.   In my book review, I stated Alive and Beating is a beautiful literary fiction novel. Loosely based on the true story of Rebecca's friend, Alisa, this story looks at six individuals linked only by the need for an organ donation to survive. Set in Israel, the six main characters span across the different religions and nationalities. Although this area of the world is steeped in conflict, Rebecca shows us something more - humanity. In fact, when hope for a healthy body is the top priority, we see that so many other things just don't matter.   I was immediately drawn into the characters' lives and hoped they would find their miracle. From the young Hasidic woman to the young teenage boys, I went willingly along on their journeys of both despair and hope. And of course, the thought never left me that for these six to survive, someone had to die. Offering life from tragedy is a noble gift.   This is a story that will stick with you long after you close the pages. The only thing I wish I knew is what the characters did with the great gift bestowed upon them.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Rebecca Wolf Website: https://www.rebeccawolfauthor.com/ IG: @aliveandbeating   Purchase Alive and Beating  on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4bDGV2f Ebook: https://amzn.to/4rCkn6B   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #rebeccawolf #aliveandbeating #literaryfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

As he takes on the presidency of PEN America, Dinaw Mengestu explains why defending a plurality of voices is crucial at a time of censorship and revisionism. He also discusses how the organisation is working to rebuild its credibility after criticism over its failure to condemn the war in Gaza in 2023. The award-winning author's fourth novel, “Someone Like Us”, has just been published in France, and Mengestu tells us about the personal elements he has woven into this story of an Ethiopian-American grappling with his identity. We also discuss the immigrant experience in the United States and why notions of “us” and “them” remain such divisive forces in public debate.

We're living in increasingly brittle times. Ideas that once provoked argument, now provoke outrage – and the art of debate has now shattered. What does it mean to think freely about our world when speech itself is treated as a hazard?   Through his experiences, writer Salman Rushdie speaks about the major themes of his writing, freedom of expression, religion, East-West relations and the role of the artist in the contemporary world.   Salman Rushdie is the best-selling author of twenty-two books, including Midnight's Children, which won both the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker; Shame, The Satanic Verses, The Moor's Last Sigh, and Quichotte, all of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize; East West a collection of stories; Joseph Anton a memoir; The Jaguar Smile a work of reportage; and three collections of essays, including Languages of Truth. His most recent book, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award for nonfiction. Rushdie is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. He is a former president of PEN America and the recipient of the PEN Centenary Courage Award. His books have been translated into over forty languages. In 2023, he was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of the Year, and has received a Queen's knighthood for his 'services to literature'. 

Notes and Links to Yiming Ma's Work      Born in Shanghai, Yiming Ma spent a decade in tech and finance before writing the dystopian novel These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, named a Spotify Editors' Pick, longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award, and featured on Best Book of 2025 lists by Electric Literature, Debutiful, PEN America,and elsewhere.    Yiming attended Stanford for his MBA, and Warren Wilson for his MFA. His stories and essays appear in the New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Florida Review, and elsewhere. His story “Swimmer of Yangtze” won the 2018 Guardian 4th Estate Story Prize. Buy These Memories Do Not Belong to Us   Locus Magazine Review of These Memories Don't Belong to Us     Yiming Ma's Website   Interview with Michael Zapata for Chicago Review of Books: “Mirrors, Memories, Rebellions: An Interview with Yiming Ma” At about 2:10, Yiming shares the feedback he's gotten and the ways in which These Memories Do Not Belong to Us has “resonated” with readers At about 4:20, Yiming talks about his relationship with “home” and reading as a kid At about 5:15, Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go is highlighted as a formative and transformative read for Yiming At about 8:15, Yiming expands on how his immigrant background informed his career choices, agency, and adaptive skills and outlook on capitalism-he connects these to his book's plot and themes  At about 10:25, Pete reflects on the book as science fiction/speculative fiction At about 11:25, Yiming responds to Pete's question about contemporary books that “flipped the switch” At about 12:50, Yiming reflects on the dearth of fiction read by people in his former work life, as well as ideas of empathy and the changing landscape of diversity in authorship At about 15:00, Yiming talks about AI and men reading (or not reading) fiction, and differences between his writer friends and tech friends  At about 18:00, Yiming describes the structure of the book in conjunction with seeds for the book, largely coming from the pandemic and ideas of what is remembered and not remembered and how At about 21:55, Yiming explains how his award-winning story “Swimmer of Yangtze” and the idea of “constellation writing” At about 23:00, Yiming lays out the book's opening/exposition  At about 24:40, Yiming responds to Pete's questions about early connections and memories between Jill and Hao At about 28:00, Yiming recalls the early question about seeds for the book in reflecting on the motif of watches in the novel  At about 30:15, the two discuss “Easter eggs” in the book regarding “Ri-Ben” (China in Japanese), and Pete reflects on geopolitical tragedies that frame the “constellation writing”  At about 32:10, Pete asks Yiming about the book's “Memory Epics” and ideas of art vs. commercialism and censorship in connection to today's similarities  At about 36:40, Yiming expands on the story “Chankonabe” and its connections to real-life and its fit in the novel's “constellation” At about 37:35, Yiming talks about the importance of mantras in his book as guides for his storytelling At about 40:00, Yiming talks about research on sumo wrestling and the resulting questions and reflection that brought out some profound scenes  At about 43:15, The two discuss the book's first-person accounts from the main narrator, and Yiming expands upon ideas of agency and resistance against systems  At about 45:30, Yiming reflects on connections between the Chrysanthemum Virus and the coronavirus At about 51:00, The two discuss the story “Swimmer of Yangtze” At about 52:10, Yiming tells of the beautiful homage to his grandmother in the book At about 53:10, Yiming turns the tables and asks Pete probing questions about the ever-encroaching AI At about 56:40, Yiming talks about the “incredible” students he's spoken with and reflects on a “biased sample” and the “paradigm shift” between disparate groups he speaks with regarding AI and its implementation  At about 1:01:00, Yiming reflects on the “worry” he has over critical thinking skills and employment in a future focused on AI At about 1:02:20, Pete asks about “+86 Shanghai” and its immigration stories  At about 1:03:20, The two discuss the balance between changing the system and ideas of assimilation and Yiming talks about personal connections to “mining [his] own immigration story” and changing immigration narratives At about 1:07:50, The two reflect on Kaveh Akbar's brilliant work that Yiming riffs off in the book; Pete shares a story about Kaveh's profundity in action, and Yiming talks about censorship and the timing of the release of his book      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 327 with Adolfo Guzman-Lopez. Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has been a reporter at LAist 89.3, the Los Angeles NPR affiliate since 2000. He reported and hosted Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary, a true crime podcast looking into the death in 1994 of Chicano college activist Oscar Gomez. He has reported on L.A. politics, education, art, museums and other topics. His stories have also aired and published nationally on NPR, The Washington Post, and other media, and his poetry, especially from time with the Taco Shop Poets, has been awarded and anthologized.     The episode airs later today, March 3.      Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.       You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, the US has seen a significant increase in book censorship. According to PEN America, more than 6,800 book bans have been recorded, with works by Stephen King now topping the list. He holds the unwanted title of the most banned author in the United States. In Texas, public school libraries have become the front line of an unprecedented political battle over free speech. FRANCE 24's Pierrick Leurent and Valérie Defert report.

Notes and Links to Oliver James' Work   Oliver James is a literacy advocate and motivational speaker who has been sharing his journey about learning to read as an adult, through TikTok and Instagram. Through videos and posts, he has been charting the books he's read, and the lessons he's learned and relearned. He has been featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Today Show, NPR, and more.   Buy Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok   Oliver's Website   Oliver on The Jennifer Hudson Show At about 1:25, Oliver talks about feedback he has gotten from early readers of Unread At about 2:35, Oliver responds to Pete's question about vulnerability in writing the book and presenting the book to the world At about 4:00, Oliver talks about his social media availability and upcoming tour stops At about 5:20, Pete asks Oliver about the book's Dedication and important epigraph; Oliver expands upon the connections between reading and exercises At about 7:40, Oliver talks about the emotions at the moment after he shared with his social media followers that he couldn't read, in 2021 At about 10:00, Oliver explains how he would get by when being called on to read in school At about 12:20, Oliver replies to Pete's question about good ways for people to start learning to read/cement their developing reading skills At about 15:00, Oliver talks about his singing and reading and other things that he does on Tik Tok Live and Instagram At about 16:10, Oliver and Pete discuss  At about 18:00, Pete highlights Oliver's great book recommendations throughout his book, and particularly connections between The Giver and Oliver's pains and triumphs in learning and reading At about 21:45, The two discuss missing important learning opportunities and learning cycles in adolescence  At about 23:15, Oliver talks about “creating [his] own identity” based on what teachers and other authority figures sometimes told him, subtly or not At about 24:40, The two discuss how The Phantom Tollbooth connects to Oliver's reading and learning journey At about 26:30, Oliver gives background on how a speech class gave him more confidence and how it led to speech becoming a vocation At about 29:50, Oliver reflects on what might have been different had he been a reader when he was set up in a sting operation At about 31:50, Oliver explains how people in jail gave him hope and how this experience connects to the character of Zero in Holes, particularly with regard to a sense of “duty” and community learning  At about 33:50, Oliver highlights Dirty Laundry and shame and relationships with girls and dependence  At about 37:20, Oliver talks about the importance of a quote book that was his first gifted book and the “helpless[ness]” that came at the beginning of the COVID pandemic  At about 43:20, Oliver makes connections between COVID and “how to carry” on his reading and emotional journey At about 44:20, The Diary of Anne Frank and The Outsiders and ideas of reading and being in community with readers and reading is discussed  At about 45:40, Pete gives a rec for one of his all-time favorites, That Was Then, This is Now At about 46:20, The two discuss the Piiraha people and “living in the moment” based on Oliver's car accident and other traumatic and triumphant moments  At about 51:00, Pete highlights The Alchemist and ideas of how books “unlock” so much, and expands upon the “agreements” featured in Don Ruiz's books, in particular with regards to his father  At about 54:30, Empathy is discussed, as experienced in reading and in life, and love and thanks for his mother At about 56:10, Oliver reflects on children's books and “tap[ping] into emotions” and “be[ing] a kid” At about 1:00:30, Pete highlights ways in which Oliver gave him a different perspective on finishing a book and on the classic The Giving Tree At about 1:02:10, Oliver responds to Pete's questions about his feelings upon meeting famous people for interviews, like Jennifer Hudson    You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 326 with Yiming Ma, who spent a decade in tech and finance before writing the dystopian novel These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, named a Spotify Editors' Pick, longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award, and featured on Best Book of 2025 lists by Electric Literature, Debutiful, PEN America,  and elsewhere.    The episode airs on February 24 or 25.       Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.       You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

What Arts-Based Tool & Tactics are Emerging to Meeting the MAGA Storm?This is the Arts Freedom weather report for February 11, 2026. In this episode you'll hear howArtists across the country are turning public space into sites of creative resistanceWhy local place based cultural responses in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and beyond are becoming frontline laboratories for cultural democratic practiceAnd how innovative artist led networks and cultural organizers are teaching resistance as a craft.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Renee Macklin GoodeMinneapolis poet and community member whose killing sparked mass protest, mourning, and cultural resistance. (Minnesota Public Radio)Nadya TolokonnikovaArtist and founding member of Pussy Riot; creator of Police State, referenced in connection with durational performance responding to ICE raids and militarization. (Museum of Modern Art)Daniel C. WalkerArtist whose work G Is for Genocide appeared in the New York exhibition Don't Look: A Defense of Free Expression.Khan Nguyen Hong GuArtist whose Miami Beach window installation protesting Gaza was removed; cited as an example of censorship pressure. (Artforum)Madeline DrunotDenver-based artist whose Little Saigon project became a flashpoint for debate over representation and censorship.Organizations, Networks & InitiativesCenter for the Study of Art & CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.Fall of Freedom InitiativeGrassroots cultural protest effort coordinating hundreds of creative resistance actions nationwide.NYC Resistance SalonArtist-led network using digital billboards and public installations for political dissent.Banned Book BrigadeActivist effort highlighting censorship through public performance and visual protest. (PEN America contextual resource)New York Public LibrarySite of Banned Book Brigade actions and symbolic defense of intellectual freedom.

Click here for full SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT Welcome to the 17th annual Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour, taking place February 9-12, 2026. I am participating in the Blog Tour by interviewing Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Selina Alko, author and illustrator of The Keeper of Stories, which was a Sydney Taylor Honor Book in the Picture Book category. SHOW NOTES: Here's the schedule for the 2026 Blog Tour Here's the archive of all past blog tours, beginning in 2009 Caroline Kusin Prichard's website and Instagram Selina Alko's website and Instagram Buy The Keeper of Stories, The Day the Books Disappeared, The Remembering Candle, and Otherwise Known as Judy the Great Article in PEN America about censoring censorship, "Don't Mention It" Video by Adam Gidwitz on the value of school visits Geraldine Brooks, The People of the Book, on The Book of Life in 2008 Caroline's podcast, Kidlit Happy Hour CREDITS: Produced by Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Co-sponsored by the Association of Jewish Libraries Sister podcast: Nice Jewish Books Theme Music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Newsletter: bookoflifepodcast.substack.com Facebook Discussion Group: Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook Page: Facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Instagram: @bookoflifepodcast Support the Podcast: Shop or Donate Your feedback is welcome! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 561-206-2473. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License.

In this episode of The Watchung Booksellers Podcast, author Cleyvis Natera and author/photographer/translator Erika Morillo discuss writing in English and Spanish and the process of translation from one to the other. Cleyvis Natera is the author of Neruda on the Park and The Grand Paloma Resort. She was born in the Dominican Republic, migrated to the United States at ten years old, and grew up in New York City. She holds a BA from Skidmore College and a MFA from New York University. Her writing has won awards and fellowships from the International Latino Book Awards, PEN America, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, The Kenyon Review's Writers Workshops, the Vermont Studio Center, the Hermitage Artist Retreat, Rowland Writers Retreat, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is currently a Fulbright Specialist. She lives with her husband and two young children in Montclair, NJ.Erika Morillo is a writer, photographer, and translator born and raised in the Dominican Republic and based in Jersey City. Her work focuses on family narratives, identity, and the possibilities of image-text publications. Her photographs have been published and exhibited nationally and internationally, and her books are in the collections at the Whitney Museum of American Art Library, MoMA Archives and Library, The Met Library, and The International Center of Photography Library, among others. She has taught workshops at the Center for Book Arts, International Center of Photography, Columbia University, CHAVÓN School of Design, and Dominican Writers Association. She holds an MA in sociology from The New School for Social Research and an MFA from Image Text Ithaca (now Image Text M.F.A. at Cornell University). Books:A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events.The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ. The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Art & design and social media by Evelyn Moulton. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids' Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch!Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.comSocial: @watchungbooksellersSign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

PEN America Boycott Ends in Success https://writersagainstthewarongaza.com/statements/pen-america-boycott-lifted https://lithub.com/the-boycott-of-pen-america-led-by-writers-against-the-war-on-gaza-was-a-success/ #peoplearerevolting Peoplearerevolting.com movingtrainradio.com

On October 11, The Eleanor Roosevelt Center in partnership with PEN America presented the 2025 Banned Book Awards at The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, New York. This year's Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement honoree was best-selling author Margaret Atwood and Joe Donahue had the great honor of speaking with her at the event.In her latest work, "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts," Atwood explores her past and reveals connections between real life and art.

Send us a textA book some adults tried to keep off shelves helped a seventh grader make sense of grief, addiction, and forgiveness and shaped the storyteller she became. This episode is a powerful reminder that books can be lifelines and freedom to read matters.In Episode 169 of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Dynahlee Star Padilla-Vasquez for a timely conversation about banned books, empathy, and the transformative power of reading.Dynahlee shares an excerpt from her essay, “Thanks to a Banned Book, I Forgave My Drug Addicted Grandpa and Escaped His Path,” and reflects on how Ellen Hopkins' Crank, a frequently challenged book, helped her understand addiction, humanize a family story, and ultimately choose a path in journalism and storytelling.Together, Dr Diane and Dynahlee unpack why adults fear difficult topics in books, how communication (not censorship) supports kids, and how book challenges often come from organized efforts that pull lines out of context. They close with a hopeful look toward the new year, grounded in the belief that one book can change a life.⏱️ Chapters02:06 Reading from “Thanks to a Banned Book…”07:41 Crank as a transformative tale12:10 What makes a powerful story14:10 Fear, censorship & book challenges19:44 Research, PEN America, EveryLibrary, data, and banning trends26:35 Books vs. the online “wild west”28:23 What brings hope into the new year

Novelist, writer and Macarthur Fellow Dinaw Mengetsu has been tapped to lead PEN America. He discusses his mission for the organization in the midst of attacks on free speech and efforts to reinterpret history.

What do higher education boards need to know about free speech today? In this episode, AGB's Jackie Gardina talks with Jonathan Friedman of PEN America to explore what every governing board should understand about free speech, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy. Together, they explore the First Amendment's role in public vs private institutions, the misconceptions around hate speech, and how governing boards can uphold both inclusion and open inquiry in an increasingly polarized environment. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

There have been 23,000 book bans in public schools since 2021, according to PEN America. Authors discuss this surge in censorship and the fight for the right to read.

We sit down with Karin Deutsch Karlekar of PEN America. The organization's Writers at Risk programs advocate for journalists, advocates, and academics who face threats around the world. A recent crackdown on free speech has affected American writers and their work. We discuss the state of free speech and what organizations like PEN America are doing to help protect it. In studio:Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Ph.D., director of Writers at Risk at PEN America---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

On October 11, The Eleanor Roosevelt Center in partnership with PEN America presented the 2025 Banned Book Awards at The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, New York. This year's Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement honoree was best-selling author Margaret Atwood and Joe Donahue had the great honor of speaking with her at the event.In her latest work, "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts," Atwood explores her past and reveals connections between real life and art.

After today's episode, head on over to @therapybookdspodcast to learn about the latest giveaway. *Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only.   In this episode of 'What Your Therapist is Reading,' host Jessica Fowler chats with Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist, about her book 'Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood.' We dive into the complexities of maternal ambivalence, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and understanding conflicting feelings in motherhood. Dr. Lowy shares personal anecdotes and insights into how these mixed emotions, including the darker ones, can fuel maternal love and growth.  The impact of societal ideals on mothers and the importance of self-compassion and personal reflections in parenting is explored. Highlights: The Concept of Maternal Ambivalence The Good Enough Mother Postpartum Depression vs. Maternal Ambivalence Guilt vs. Shame   About the author: Margo Lowy, PhD, is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press) and holds a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where she researched maternal ambivalence. Dr. Lowy is the author of a previous academic book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love, and has spoken about maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide. She is a member of PEN America and a former advisor to the founder of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN). She is mother to three children and is based with her husband in New York City.

Today's topic centers around a book written by my guest, Dr. Margo Lowy. She has researched and written about maternal ambivalence, including how to understand it and why it remains a taboo subject. We will discuss destigmatizing uncomfortable feelings and normalize the understanding that motherhood is not “all or nothing.” We'll cover the darker emotions of anger, guilt, and resentment, and we'll refute the myth of “the perfect mother” and recognize that motherhood can be viewed in different ways. Join us to learn more! Dr. Margo Lowy is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood and her previous book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love. Dr. Lowy earned her doctorate from the University of South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and she has spoken on maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide. She is a columnist for Psychology Today, a member of PEN America, and a former advisor to the founder of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN). As a mom of three adult children, she makes her home in NYC with her husband.  Show Highlights: Understanding maternal ambivalence and ALL the associated emotions Motherhood, at its essence, involves complicated feelings. Unrealistic expectations of mothers In motherhood, we ONLY learn by making mistakes and repairing them. Mothering means we make mistakes and learn from them. Perfection is an impossible, rigid goal; we need humor and laughter in motherhood. Children seeing us encounter challenges and NOT being perfect Importance of discernment in social media messages Finding your team and community Emulating our mothers vs. finding our own mothering style  When it's hard to give yourself a pat on the back Understanding the value of difficult emotions Indicators of maternal ambivalence An example of advocating for YOUR motherhood journey Dr. Lowy's practical advice to mothers Resources: Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy  Website, Instagram Dr. Lowy's Books  Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773.  There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with Ken Miller, author of High Finance, to dive into the complex world of Wall Street, fiction writing, and social responsibility. They explore how Miller weaves together the interconnected lives of his characters while tackling themes of civil rights, free speech, and the moral cost of ambition. Ken also opens up about his transition from a career in finance to fiction, his creative process, and what's next in his writing journey. This thought-provoking conversation offers listeners an inside look at how personal experience and professional insight can shape powerful storytelling.What We're Talking About...Ken Miller's novel High Finance delivers a powerful and unique perspective on Wall Street and the people behind it.The book's interconnected characters mirror the real-life complexities of the financial world.Fiction writing became Ken's way of giving back to the literary community and exploring deeper human truths.Racism and social responsibility are central themes that Ken addresses with honesty and passion.Ken's friendship with Alan Alda underscores the value of empathy and human connection.The culture of Wall Street often prioritizes short-term gains over long-term consequences—a key moral tension in the story.Characters wrestle with ethical dilemmas tied to ambition, success, and personal integrity.The shoeshine man represents the overlooked voices that keep the financial system running.Ken's future projects promise to explore more complex social and political themes.Through his work with PEN America, Ken champions free speech and the importance of storytelling in protecting democracy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ken Miller and High Finance04:14 The Inspiration Behind Writing Fiction07:22 Exploring Truth in Fiction10:06 Ken's Philanthropic Efforts and Community Involvement13:02 The Culture of Wall Street16:18 Character Development and Themes in High Finance19:15 The Role of Supporting Characters22:08 The Cost of Financial Dreams25:07 Ken's Future Projects and Reflections on Writing28:06 Conclusion and Where to Find High Finance28:44 Empowerment and Importance of Individual Contributions28:45 Understanding High Finance and Its AccessibilityLinks MentionedKen Miller's Website: https://www.kenmillerbooks.com/

WELCOME, MAMAS, TO THE MAMA MOVEMENT PODCAST.In this conversation, Today Dr. Margot Lowy and myself delve into the often overlooked topic of maternal ambivalence, exploring the complex emotional landscape of motherhood.Dr. Lowy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both the loving and bitter feelings that come with being a mother, advocating for open discussions about these emotions to foster genuine connections and understanding. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about ambivalence, clarifying that it is not indifference but rather a rich tapestry of feelings that mothers experience.We cover the following:Maternal ambivalence encompasses all feelings of motherhood.Acknowledging dark feelings is crucial for genuine mothering.Societal expectations make it hard to discuss negative emotions.Finding a safe space to talk about feelings is essential.Ambivalence is often misunderstood as indifference.Mothers experience both love and bitterness simultaneously.Dark feelings can lead to personal transformation.It's important to embrace the full spectrum of emotions.Open discussions about motherhood can reduce shame.Maternal ambivalence is a common experience for all mothers.ABOUT MARGOT Margo Lowy, PhD, is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press) and holds a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where she researched maternal ambivalence. Dr. Lowy is the author of a previous academic book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love, and has spoken about maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide. She is a columnist for Psychology Today, a member of PEN America, and a former advisor to the founder of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN). She is mother to three children and is based with her husband in New York City.CONTACTSIG: https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowyWebsite: https://drmargolowy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmargolowy/Chapters00:00 Understanding Maternal Ambivalence04:57 The Misconceptions of Ambivalence06:01 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Motherhood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In POWER METAL, award-winning journalist Vince Beiser chronicles the destructive side effects that the global hunt for critical metals has on our clean energy transition, from environmental damage to political upheaval to murder. Vince Beiser is an award-winning journalist and author of “The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization.” The book has been translated into five languages, was a finalist for a PEN America award and a California Book Award, and spawned a TEDx talk. Vince is currently at work on a new book, “Power Metal”, about how the materials we need for digital technology and renewable energy are causing environmental havoc, political upheaval, mayhem and murder—and how we can do better.Vince has reported from over 100 countries, states, provinces, kingdoms, occupied territories, no man's lands and disaster zones. He has exposed conditions in California's harshest prisons, trained with troops bound for Iraq, ridden with the first responders to natural disasters, and hunted down other stories from around the world for publications including Wired, The Atlantic, Harper's, Time, The Guardian, Mother Jones, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.Vince's work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Columbia, Medill and Missouri Graduate Schools of Journalism, and many other institutions. He has three times been part of a team that won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence, and shared in an Emmy for his work with the PBS TV series SoCal Connected. He is also a grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.⁠⁠https://vincebeiser.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nexuspmg.com/⁠

What if online harassment isn't random at all—but part of a strategy? In this explosive episode of The Healthier Tech Podcast, host R Blank talks with Viktorya Vilk, Director of Digital Safety and Free Expression at PEN America, about how governments, corporations, and tech platforms are turning the internet into a weapon against free speech. Viktorya reveals how political power, economic pressure, and digital surveillance now intersect to create an ecosystem where journalists, writers, and even librarians are targeted for speaking out. She breaks down how authoritarian tactics, media consolidation, and platform indifference have combined to make the online world hostile to truth—and what each of us can do to push back.   In This Episode: How the U.S. dropped to 57th in global press freedom rankings—and why that's not an accident The chilling new playbook: online harassment as a censorship tool Why Big Tech's business model thrives on surveillance, fear, and silence How Facebook and Google siphoned 70% of online ad revenue, collapsing local journalism Real-life examples of reporters attacked, arrested, and digitally terrorized for telling the truth The practical digital safety steps every person can take—starting today Why Viktorya refuses to give in to “tech nihilism” and insists users have power   Why You Should Listen This isn't just a podcast about harassment or privacy—it's about democracy, power, and your voice. Viktorya explains how the same digital forces that endanger journalists are eroding safety and free expression for everyone. But she also shares concrete tools to rebuild your sense of control online: from password hygiene and privacy audits to collective advocacy that pressures tech platforms to act responsibly. She makes one thing clear: silence is the goal of harassment—and awareness is the antidote.   Connect With Viktorya Vilk: Website: https://pen.org Social Handles: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktorya-v-a65b9235/ X: @VilkViktorya   Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Field Manual Against Online Harrassment: https://onlineharassmentfieldmanual.pen.org/  Online abuse & Digital Safety Programs: https://pen.org/online-abuse-digital-safety/  Treating online abuse like Spam: https://pen.org/report/treating-online-abuse-like-spam/ Shouting into the void: https://pen.org/report/shouting-into-the-void/  No Excuse for abuse: https://pen.org/report/no-excuse-for-abuse/    Connect with R Blank: For more Healthier Tech Podcast episodes, and to download our Healthier Tech Quick Start Guide, visit https://HealthierTech.co and follow https://instagram.com/healthiertech    Additional Links: EMF Superstore: https://ShieldYourBody.com (save 15% with code “pod”) Digital Wellbeing with a Human Soul: https://Bagby.co (save 15% with code “pod”) Youtube: https://youtube.com/shieldyourbody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bagbybrand/  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bagby.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shieldyourbody  This episode is brought to you by Shield Your Body—a global leader in EMF protection and digital wellness. Because real wellness means protecting your body, not just optimizing it. If you found this episode eye-opening, leave a review, share it with someone tech-curious, and don't forget to subscribe to Shield Your Body on YouTube for more insights on living healthier with technology.

According to a new report from PEN America, public schools across the U.S. saw more than 6,800 book bans in the 2024-25 school year. A new documentary, “The Librarians,” examines the experiences of school librarians who’ve found themselves on the front lines of a battle against censorship. Film director Kim Snyder and librarian Audrey Wilson-Youngblood join John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ali dives into his copy of Project 2025 to highlight why this government shutdown is unlike any other in American history; a live report from Tel Aviv hours after Hamas conditionally accepted parts of Trump's 20-point peace plan; PEN America president Jennifer Finney Boylan discusses the organization's new report warning of the ‘disturbing normalization' of book bans in American schools. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We were delighted to have the chance to speak with Adam Szetela about his new book, That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing. Adam shares what he learned from authors, agents, and editors about the effects of cancel culture in the publishing industry. His behind-the-scenes account is fascinating and sobering in equal measure.Show Notes* For more info on Adam Szetela, check out his website * Here is the official MIT Press link to Adam's book * The Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie audio clips come from her 2022 Reith Lecture on Free Speech (listen here; read the transcript here)* Matt Yglesias coined the term “The Great Awokening” in this 2019 Vox essay* “a rapid change in discourse and norms around social justice issues”: That's a quote from Stony Brook sociologist Musa al-Gharbi, one of the nation's foremost chroniclers of “The Great Awokening”* see Musa's 2024 book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite * here are two Banished episodes featuring Musa: You Can't Be an Egalitarian Social Climber & Who Speaks the Language of Social Justice?* The Harper's Letter* Michael Hobbes, “Don't Fall for the ‘Cancel Culture Scam,'” HuffPo, July 10, 2020* This 2019 Zadie Smith essay from the New York Review of Books is the definitive rejoinder to the cultural critics who insist that we “should write only about people who are fundamentally ‘like us': racially, sexually, genetically, nationally, politically, personally”* On the controversy surrounding Amélie Wen Zhao's Blood Heir, see Alexandra Alter, “She Pulled Her Debut Book When Critics Found It Racist. Now She Plans to Publish,” New York Times, April 29, 2019* On the cancelation of Kosoko Jackson's book, A Place for Wolves, see Jennifer Senior, “Teen Fiction and the Perils of Cancel Culture,” New York Times, March 8, 2019* On the cancelation of a romance novel based on “criticism from readers over dialogue that some found racist or that praised Elon Musk,” see Alexandra Alter, “A Publisher Pulled a Romance Novel After Criticism From Early Readers,” New York Times, March 5, 2025* On the demographics of the people who work in the publishing industry, with an emphasis on racial diversity, see this 2022 report from Pen America, “Reading Between the Lines”* For more on literature and the culture wars, see Deborah Appleman's incisive 2022 book, Literature and the New Culture Wars: Triggers, Cancel Culture, and the Teacher's Dilemma * On the perils of teaching literature from a narrow social justice lens, see “Poverty of the Imagination,” an essay we wrote a few years back in Arc Digital* On what we keep getting wrong about the cancel culture debate, see this September 26, 2025 Banished post This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit banished.substack.com/subscribe

This week Elizabeth is joined by librarian and frequent contributor, Pamela Hayes-Bohanan who, in anticipation of Banned Books Week, gives us the latest news on attempts to remove books from our libraries. The majority of book censorship attempts now originate from organized movements, pressure groups, and government entities, including elected officials. While concerns about content or appropriate category for shelving used to come from individuals, book bans are now most commonly initiated by activists who may never have seen the book or patronized the library they've targeted.  The titles most frequently targeted for censorship appear on partisan lists. Websites provide a forum for sharing author names, book titles, and tools to demand censorship of more titles in more libraries.  Pam helps us understand what that means for our public, private, K-12 and college libraries.  We also discuss what it means for education and society more broadly.  Pam encourages us to celebrate the right to read.Podcast notesThe American Library Association sponsors Banned Books Week annually to promote awareness, remind us that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and most of all to celebrate the right to read. More information about Banned Books Week can be found here:  https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned Since our podcast this happened: Texas School Administrators Use A.I. To Ban Books.  Read about it here: https://bookriot.com/leander-sb-13/A couple of reports from PEN America can be found here:Cover to Cover: An analysis of titles banned in the 23-24 school yearhttps://pen.org/report/cover-to-cover/The Blueprint State: Lessons from Parents Left Behind by Parental Rights Policies in Floridahttps://pen.org/report/the-blueprint-state/

With book bans in public schools rising to levels unseen since the McCarthy era Red Scare of the 1950s, the Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards ceremony at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. will be presented jointly with PEN America on Saturday, October 11th. Author Jennifer Finney Boylan, PEN America's president, will be the keynote speaker.Ten honorees include best-selling author Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale), who will receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie on October 11th.

Vince Beiser is an award-winning journalist and author of “The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization.” The book has been translated into five languages, was a finalist for a PEN America award and a California Book Award, and spawned a TEDx talk. Vince is currently at work on a new book, “Power Metal”, about how the materials we need for digital technology and renewable energy are causing environmental havoc, political upheaval, mayhem and murder—and how we can do better.Vince has reported from over 100 countries, states, provinces, kingdoms, occupied territories, no man's lands and disaster zones. He has exposed conditions in California's harshest prisons, trained with troops bound for Iraq, ridden with the first responders to natural disasters, and hunted down other stories from around the world for publications including Wired, The Atlantic, Harper's, Time, The Guardian, Mother Jones, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.Vince's work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Columbia, Medill and Missouri Graduate Schools of Journalism, and many other institutions. He has three times been part of a team that won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence, and shared in an Emmy for his work with the PBS TV series SoCal Connected. He is also a grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.⁠https://vincebeiser.com/⁠⁠https://nexuspmg.com/

The Snowy Day wasn't the first picture book to feature a Black child as its beloved protagonist, but it might be the most visible. When it came out in 1962, it challenged the publishing industry to champion books that depict kids of color. Today, we find ourselves in a moment not so different from the one Ezra Jack Keats was in when he sat down to create The Snowy Day. We are, once again, fighting for the right to let kids read the books they love, and we're still reminding each other that the characters kids see in those books really matters. Read a transcript of this episode on our website and check out these great links:Check out our booklist with titles related to The Snowy DayLearn more about the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, the EJK Award, and the yearly bookmaking competition for kids in NYC public schools.Check out these digitized copies of The Brownies' Book, books by Black creatorsRead about diversity in children's book publishing, from “The All-White World of Children's Books” (1965) to more recent history, like this 2018 graphic that compiles data from the Cooperative Children's Book Center.Learn more about the most frequently banned children's books in schools (PEN America) and, as always, check out our Books Unbanned initiative for ways you can help.Attend an in-person event with Art Spiegelman at BPL's Central Library on September 10th. 

How does American society uphold the First Amendment while restricting books and censoring diverse ideas? Sharon talks with Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, about the surge in book bans, now over 4,000 nationwide. Suzanne explains how vague language about “protecting children” is used to remove books that reflect marginalized voices, often labeling them as “indecent” without justification. The result is classic literature and health-related content being removed from the shelves. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices