|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREVIOUSLY Saturday 21 December 2005  Today's Show: Salon.com and New York Times critic Laura Miller talks about the books that made in on to her best books of 2005 list, and why. Tuesday 20 December 2005 Author Jeremy Mercer, who literally lived in a bookstore, Shakespeare & Company in Paris, talks about the experience with Becky Kraemer. Monday 19 December 2005 A talk with Eric Lorberer, editor of the literary review Rain Taxi, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Plus, in our ongoing series of interviews with indpendent booksellers, we talk with Rachel Whang, of Baltimore's popular indy, Atomic Books. Friday 16 December 2005 We begin a series of interviews with indpendent booksellers with Rick Simonson of Seattle's Eliot Bay Book Company, while Chicago correspondent Jessa Crispin, of Bookslut.com reports on the Windy City's famed indy, Unabridged Books. Plus, the UK report from Mark Thwaite of ReadySteadyBook.com. Thursday 15 December 2005 Novelist Stephen Dixon talks about his craft, publishing 25 books of fiction, and being called an avant–gardist. Plus, the weekly Canada report from George Murray of Bookninja.com. Wednesday 14 December 2005 Author Paul Berman discusses his new book, Power and the Idealists, about what happened to the radicals who took to the streets of Europe in 1968. Tuesday 13 December 2005 The publisher of the great San Francisco independent Manic D Press, Jennifer Joseph, talks about why she doesn't print her books on recycled paper, and Becky Kraemer takes Far Flung Readers to Japan. Monday 12 December 2005 A talk with Laura Miller, book critic for Salon.com and a frequent contributor to The New York Times Book Review, about year–end top ten lists and their place in the world of book reviewing. Friday 9 December 2005 Anarchist librarian Jessamyn West, proprietor of Librarian.net, talks about camel libraries in Kenya and the widening divide between the digital world and rural libraries. Thursday 8 December 2005 A discussion with Lucinda Karter, director of the French Publishers Agency, on the effort to translate and publish French writing in the US. Also, the weekly Canada report from George Murray of Bookninja, and an update on one of the most popular surveys ever to appear on MobyLives: 2002's The Talk of the Rest of the Town, surveying how many bylines by women appear in our leading literary publications. Wednesday 7 December 2005 The former poet laureate of Queens, New York, Hal Sirowitz, discusses the new poetic form he's invented, the Hal–Ku, and Thomas Hardy reveals how he wrote The Return of the Native. Tuesday 6 December 2005 Miami correspondent Emily Schmall talks to Roselyn Pirson about her project to give out thousands of copies of Don Quixote by leaving them in hospital waiting rooms, cafes and busses. Also, Becky Kraemer finds out what they're reading in the Netherlands, in a new episode of Far Flung Readers. Monday 5 December 2005 We begin with breaking news: Publisher Colin Robinson is leaving The New Press. Also, an interview with the executive producer of CSPAN's Book TV, Connie Doebele, and your letters to the editor. Friday 2 December 2005 A report from UK correspondent Mark Thwaite, of ReadySteadyBook, and an interview with the publisher of Agate, Doug Seibold, about the bizarre phenomenon making the book business unique: returns. Thursday 1 December 2005 The launch of the Far Flung Readers series, in which Melville House rights director Becky Kraemer speaks to foreign subagents about what people are reading in their neck of the woods; Canada correspondent George Murray of Bookninja files his weekly report on what's happening in Canada's book scene; and James Marcus, one of the first employees at Amazon.com, discusses what it's like to write a book that criticizes Amazon, then sell that book on . . . Amazon.com. Wednesday 30 November 2005 One of New York's hottest book designers, Deb Wood, discusses how art meets commerce in the look of a book, and former Amazon.com bestseller editor Tim Appello discusses the literary evidence that George Bush is the Antichrist. Tuesday 29 November 2005 A talk with the new head of the Los Angeles Times Book Review, David Ulin, poet David Lehman discusses the art of criticism, and another installment of Literature in Translation. Monday 28 November 2005 Bookseller Robert Gray reports live from the floor of The Northshire on Black Friday, the busiest day of the retail year, and Michael Cader talks about his Publishers' Marketplace empire. Monday 21 November 2005
Bookseller Robert Gray, a buyer at the Northshire Bookstore who is also known for his book blog Fresh Eyes, talks about buying and selling remainders. Friday 18 November 2005 Associated Press book beat reporter Hillel Italie talks about his coverage of the National Book Award ceremony, and your letters to the editor. Thursday 17 November 2005 What, exactly, is the Google Print program? Librarian Christopher Waldrop fills us in, while Bookslut.com's Michael Schaub reports from Texas on Kinky Friedman's race for governor. Wednesday 16 November 2005 UK correspondent Mark Thwaite, managing editor of ReadySteadyBook.com, on the book that's rocking the Blair government, and Chicago correspondent Jessa Crispin reports from Ireland on the search for Irish writers in Dublin's, er, bars . . . Tuesday 15 November 2005 Foetry.com proprietor Alan Cordle discusses his current battle against Amazon.com, and more . . . . Monday 14 November 2005 Literary agent Ted Weinstein of TW Literary Management in San Francisco responds to Steve Almond's comments about whether literary writers need an agent . . . . Friday 11 November 2005
Publishers Weekly editor Sara Nelson discusses whether disgrace will earn Judith Miller a million–dollar book deal, and more . . . Thursday 10 November 2005
MobyLives Canadian correspondent George Murray dishes on this year's Giller Prize, and more . . . Wednesday 9 November 2005
Steve Almond, who's published three books with major publishers, talks about why he doesn't have an agent . . . Tuesday 8 November 2005
Kalamzoo correspondent Susan Ramsey discusses the closure of Kalamazoo's last independent bookstore, and Jessa Crispin reports on SSE, Simon & Schuster's new imprint to sell baked beans . . . Monday 7 November 2005
David Kipen talks about quitting book criticism to become the new director of the literature program at the NEA, and more . . . |
|
||
|
MobyLives towers above all other literary weblogs. — The Complete Review Saturday 2 June 2006 Moby Rests Harder . . . The MobyLives podcast is on one of those long–term hiatuses (hiatusi?) that have typically engendered a wealth of critical raves (for the quality of our silence) and have helped spawn the aura of mystery so enhancing the reputation of the proprietors. We are in the midst of a movie–making and event–organizing spree which will be announced soon at the Melville House and Moby websites, but for now, it's back to bed for thee and we. Saturday 13 May 2006 Moby Rests . . . MobyLives Radio will be on hiatus for the next two weeks while the Melville House staff preps for, and attends, the BookExpo America convention. Then there's the convention itself. Then there's the Memorial Day holiday . . . . We'll be back on 3 June. Saturday 6 May 2006  A conversation with InsideHigherEd columnist Scott Mclemee, who in a recent column addressed a pet peeve of many writers with a suggestion: He said people who use cell phones in research libraries should be shot. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Little, Brown says Opal Metha won't be back (Harvard Crimson • Viswanathan found to have plagiarized from still more books (Harvard Crimson) • Harvard student newspaper calls for Viswanathan investigation (Harvard Crimson) • Raytheon's punishes CEO William Swanson for plaigiarism (NYT) • David Leonhardt column castigating Swanson (NYT) • Valerie Plame Wilson seeks book deal (NYT) • Tim Waterstone angrily gives up bid to buy back Waterstone's (Times of London) • Frankfurt Book Fair declares war on London Book Fair (press release) • Writers who lost Da Vinci Code case don't have money for penalty (BBC) Saturday 29 April 2006 Publishers Weekly editor Sara Nelson discusses the impact of the Kaavya Viswanathan case upon publishers, booksellers, and book packagers, and copyright attorney Richard Danay analyzes the legal implications — what can they do to you, legally, if you commit plagiarism? And who's liable when there's a shared copyright, such as that of Viswanathan and her packager, Alloy Entertainment? Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Raytheon CEO William Swanson's hit book discovered to be largely plagiarized (NYT) • Raytheon CEO Swanson slaps self on wrist, misses (NYT) • Original report on Kaavya Viswanathan plagiarism (The Harvard Crimson) •Some comparisons between Viswanathan's text and McCafferty's (The Crimson) • Insiders point to editor who worked on both McCafferty and Viswanathan books(NYT) • Viswanathan novel pulled from stores (AP) • Amazon's astronomic sales increase matched by dismal profit plunge (NYT) •Tim Waterstone announces bid to buy back Waterstone's (Guardian) • Waterstone's says they have yet to receive bid (Daily Telegraph) • RIP: Douglas C. Minden, who ran international book organization that was CIA front (NYT) • Massachusetts parents sue school for telling children about gay parents (Reuters) Saturday 22 April 2006 Gerard Jones talks about his website Everyonewhosanyone.com, where he posted the rejection letters he got in response to a novel submission, and about the controversy that erupted amongst the agents and editors whose letters and contact info he posted. He tells us he's doing it again, creating another enormous online databse about Hollywood and the media business. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Dan Brown wins another plagiarism case (Reuters) • Brown delays Da Vinci Code follow–up (The Book Standard) • Amazon pays $1.1 million to protect Bezos (Seattle Times) • Australian PM threatens education funds to schools teaching postmodern criticism (The Australian) • McDonald's prepares "truth squad" to counter movie of Fast Food Nation (Cinematical.com) • Hil & Wang to make 9/11 Commission Report a "graphic novel" (NY Post) • Moleskin notebooks too successful (Daily Telegraph) • How to celebrate St. George's Day: Give a book (Times of London) Saturday 15 April 2006 To mark the Easter holiday, we talk with Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam about the fact that Jesus Christ is dominating the bestseller lists — whether it's fiction or nonfiction, paperback or hardcover, Christ is everywhere. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Feds drop PATRIOT Act gag order vs. librarian (AP) • Dan Brown sued again (AFP) • Russian says he came up with phrase "Da Vinci Code" (Pravda) • Reno school blocks student from reading Auden poem in NEA contest (Reno Gazette–Journal) • Judge rules against Reno school (Reno Gazette–Journal) • Canadian government blocks scientist from talking about his global warming novel (CBC) • Hail & Farewell: Germano Facetti, Penguin book designer (Guardian) • Dickens' "Bleak House" damaged in fire (The Scotsman) • Freakonomics co–author sued (Chicago Tribune) Saturday 8 April 2006 A talk with librarian Jenna Freedman about the website she runs with 300 other librarians, Radical Reference, which answers questions about obscure political matters, and Steve Almond, co–author with Julianna Baggott of the new novel Which Brings Me to You, discusses stepping out of the normally solitary role of the writer to write with someone else. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Judge rules Brown responsible for Da Vinci Code (AP) • Discovery of Gospel of Judas revealed (Reuters) • Yahoo helps Chinese government trace emails of dissident poet (Guardian) • Dublin celebrates Beckett centennial (AFP) • Dick Francis overcomes grief to write again (AP) Saturday 1 April 2006 This week marks the 9th anniversary of Allen Ginsberg's death, but rather than mourn, poets are busy celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ginsberg's most celebrated poem, "Howl." We talk with Eliot Katz, a former student and friend of Ginsberg, about the poem's history and importance. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Borders bans magazine containing Muhammad cartoons (AP) • Friedman book cover lawsuit settled (Book Standard) • Python Palin becomes required reading in UK schools (AP) • Hail & Farewell: John McGahern (AFP) • RIP: Stanislaw Lem (Reuters) • V.S. Naipul discusses writers he hates (BBC) Everyone thought John McGahern was going to win the first–ever Irish Book Award in the memoir category. Instead, Brian Dillon won the prize, and he talks to MobyLives reporter Becky Kraemer about the experience and the book behind it all. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Amazon search engine suggests "adoption," not "abortion" (Independent) • Texas school bans Atwood novel because it doesn't promote abstinence (San Antonio Express–News) • Da Vinci Code trial wraps up (Washington Post) • Lord of the Rings, the musical, opens in Toronto (CBC) • UK poet with "no agenda" withdraws from Rice tribute (BBC) Saturday 18 March 2006 Leftist indy publishing notable Anthony Arnove talks about his forthcoming book with the New Press, Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal — a book modeled on one of the seminal anti–war books of the sixties, Howard Zinn's Vietnam: The Logic of Withdrawal. Arnove discusses his book, as well as some other forthcoming anti–war books, and the challenges of publishing such work. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Google proposes book–selling program to publishers (CNET News) • Brown castigates former publisher for not making his last book a mega–selling fluke, too (NY Times) • Brown says his wife did it (Reuters) • Evangelist gets what may be richest book deal ever (NY Times) • Jesus gives woman set of signed, first edition Victor Hugo books (N. O. Times Picayune) • Bancroft Prize for history books awarded (AP) Saturday 11 March 2006 In Italy working on a book about a serial killer known as "the Monster of Florence," New Yorker writer Doug Preston was arrested and charged as an accessory to murder. His Italian co–author, meanwhile, is being accused by a rogue Italian judge of something worse. The writers' phones have been tapped, their offices broken into, accusations of murder and satanism are flying — we talk to Preston about the bizarre and dangerous situation that has developed in the attempt to suppress his book. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Amazon under attack at the London Book Fair (Reuters) • UK Publisher calls for Google boycott (Guardian) • Da Vinci Code trial pits Random House v. Random House (Reuters) • Sales way up for other book in Da Vinci Code case (Times of London) • Blount elected Authors' Guild head (AP) • National Book Critics Circle Awards announced (AP) • Lagardere purchase of Time Warner Books approved (Reuters) Saturday 04 March 2006 Today's show features interviews with the two most trouble–making librarians in the country: "radical" librarian Jessamyn West discusses the revived USA PATRIOT Act — it's supposedly modified, but is it? — and Foetry.com founder Alan Cordle discusses some new guidelines for literary prizes that seem to be a response to his work. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • London Book Fair commences (Daily Telegraph) • Writers protest London Book Fair organizer Reed Elsevier (BBC) • Rushdie, Lévy, others protest "Islamaphobia" (NY Post Page 6) • Hail & Farewell: Frederick Busch (LA Times) • Hail & Farewell: Octavia Butler (Slate) • Da Vinci Code, porno version (Book Standard) • Readers want books to have happy endings (Times of London) Saturday 25 February 2006 Kelly Burdick talks to Punk Planet publisher Ann Elizabeth Moore about a distribution crisis threatening some of the country's leading zines and small book publishers. And Denise Nicholas talks about how she went from starring in TV shows such as The Cosby Show to writing what one reviewer called "the best book of fiction ever written about the civil rights movement." Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Frey book deal dropped (Reuters) • Celebrities who backed J.T. Leroy fraud (NY Post Page 6) • Holocaust denier David Irving sentenced to prison (AP) • What killed Shakespeare (Daily Telegraph) • Legal suit against publisher and bookstore for selling James Frey as nonfiction (Chicago Sun–Times) Saturday 18 February 2006 Moby maintenance shut down . . . The MobyLives / Melville House empire is moving its domain to a new server this weekend. Thus, the appearance that we are observing the President's Day holiday. In actuality we are not, although we do believe this President's day will come. We will celebrate then. Beyond that, Moby Radio will be back next Saturday. Saturday 11 February 2006 New York Times reporter Warren St. John discusses how he got one of the main players in the J.T. Leroy hoax to 'fess up, and Jessa Crispin talks about the passing of Betty Friedan and Wendy Wasserstein and which feminist writers should take their place. Also, the UK report from Mark Thwaite, and some letters–to–the–editor. Links to news stories discussed in this program . . . • Partner in Leroy hoax confesses (NY Times) • Chrichton wins journalism award for novel (NY Times) • Porn novelist Libby says Cheney told him to endanger Plame (AFP) • English approaches one millionth word (Times of London) Saturday 4 February 2006
Sheelah Kolhatkar, the New York Observer's publishing reporter, talks about the impact the James Frey scandal is having on publishing insiders, and about Nan Talese's claim that she was "set up" by Oprah Winfrey. And David Kipen, author of a new book about the screenwriter's place in Hollywood, talks about this week's Oscar nominations for best screenplay, and the fine art of turning a book into a movie. Saturday 28 January 2006
A talk with William Blum, whose book shot up the Amazon.com bestseller list after he got a plug from Osama bin Laden. And Navaho, or Navahoax? LA Weekly reporter Matthew Fleischer discusses his investigation into the supposedly Native American writer calling himself Nasdijj. Also, the latest episode of Men, Men, Men in publishing. Saturday 21 January 2006
James Moore, author of Bush's Brain, a critical profile of Karl Rove, talks about finding out he'd been placed on a no–fly list after the election, and the latest on Google from librarian Christopher Waldrop. Also, the UK Report from Mark Thwaite and a reading from poet Hal Sirowitz. Saturday 14 January 2006
MobyLives Radio returns from the holidays with an all new show, including a report from UK correspondent Mark Thwaite, the managing editor of ReadySteadyBook.com, new episodes of Far Flung Readers and Men, Men, Men in Publishing, an interview with writer and Paris Review editor Philip Gourevitch, and more. |
||
Want to syndicate MobyLives as a Podcast?
click here for the URL
Also available at iTunes (search "moby lives") and aggregators such as . . .
What They're Saying About MobyLives Radio . . .
from The Guardian:
New Jersey calling
from Inside Higher Ed:
Radio Free Moby
by Scott McLemee
NEW FROM MELVILLE HOUSE
What Others Say About Moby
