Due to technical problems with my recording system, I can not provide a new episode of Critical Wit this week. However, I have stitched together two excerpts of earlier episodes that either you may have not heard, or would appreciate a recap of some of the more interesting parts of the interviews. The first excerpt is from episode 3 and is a discussion of author Matt Bell’s book How They Were Found, and the second excerpt is from episode 14 and is an interview with author Steve Hamilton and his book The Lock Artist. You can find reference links that are discussed in this episode, in the show notes of the original episodes.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter; @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Amy Sisson is a librarian, book reviewer, writer, and science fiction fan. She is also a personal friend of guest host Julia Jenkins. In this episode, Amy and Julia talk about several sci fi and fantasy books of which Amy recommends, especially to mainstream (or non-sci-fi) readers. Learn more about Amy, her book reviews, and her own writings at amysreviews.blogspot.com.
Julia Jenkins is a librarian and book blogger at pagesofjulia.com, where she reviews a diverse collection of fiction and nonfiction, including audiobooks and occasional other miscellany.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Madeline Miller is the author of “The Songs of Achilles“, released in March of 2012, which retells the events leading up, to and throughout the Trojan War through the eyes of Patroclus, a minor character in Homer’s Iliad. We follow Patroclus from childhood as he develops a close friendship with the Greek hero Achilles and they eventually become lovers. This is Madeline’s first novel and has had a great reader response. In this episode, guest host Julia Jenkins talks with Miller about her new book and the ancient Greek myths that inspired it. Also listen for a hint as to her next work! Learn more about Madeline and her work at www.madelinemiller.com. (update: Miller has just won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction with “The Song of Achilles)
Julia Jenkins is a librarian and book blogger at pagesofjulia.com, where she reviews a diverse collection of fiction and nonfiction, including audiobooks and occasional other miscellany.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Critical Wit #56 – The Price of Gold: The Toll and Triumph of One Man's Olympic Dream (Ian Dille)[ 20:15 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Ian Dille is a freelance journalist and co-author of “The Price of Gold: The Toll and Triumph of One Man’s Olympic Dream.” In this episode, guest host Julia Jenkins chats with Dille about the subject of this book, many-time track cycler champion Marty Nothstein. Nothstein is an Olympic Gold and Silver medalist in Match Sprint bicycle racing, a sport where contestants compete on a banked oval track called a velodrome. You can find out more about Ian Dille by visiting his website www.iandille.com.
Julia Jenkins is a librarian and blogger at the website, “pagesofjulia”, which reviews books, audiobooks, and other pop culture literary works. You can subscribe to her website at http://pagesofjulia.com/.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Erin Blakemore is the author of “The Heroine’s Bookshelf“, a non-fiction story about twelve classic, literary heroines and the authors who created them. In this episode, guest host Julia Jenkins talks with Blakemore about the book which explores how contemporary audiences can relate to the classic writers, and what life lessons can be appreciated even now by the actions of these fantastic women characters. And there’s even an interesting discussion near the end of the conversation about literary fans who debate about which book is superior; “Jane Eyre” vs. “Wuthering Heights.” You can find out more about Erin and her book by visiting theheroinesbookshelf.com.
Julia Jenkins is a librarian and blogger at the website “pagesofjulia”, which reviews books, audiobooks, and other pop culture literary works. You can subscribe to her website at http://pagesofjulia.com/.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Author Matt Bell, returns to discuss his new book “Cataclysm Baby” – a novella consisting of distinct stories set in a world devastated by an environmental disaster that cause children to be born with mutations that make them animal-like, and these childrens’ fathers’ struggling with how to raise them.
“Cataclysm Baby” is published by Mud Luscious Press, and it comes out this Sunday, on April 15th. You can find out more about Matt and his stories by visiting his website at http://www.mdbell.com/.
Episode 51 - Lab Lit: Literature About Science and Scientists in the Laboratory[ 20:37 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Dr. Jennifer Rohn is a cell biologist, novelist, and founder of LabLit.com. In this episode, Jennifer and I talk about why there are not many stories that involve scientists as main characters. And so, LabLit.com was created to be a resource for storytelling and art that involve science, whether it’s characters or laboratory settings. Jennifer is also the writer of two novels, Experimental Heart, and The Honest Look…both of which are available online or can be obtained through your local bookstore. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @JennyRohn. And you can also follow LabLit on Twitter @LabLit.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Bonnie Jo Campbell is the author of critically-acclaimed books, such as her short story collections “Women And Other Animals,” and the 2009 National Book Award finalist, “American Salvage.” In this episode, we talk about her recent novel, “Once Upon A River.” A story about a young girl’s journey up the river in search of her mother. You can find out more about Bonnie Jo by visiting her website: bonniejocampbell.com. And you can follow her on twitter @bonniejocampbel.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
You can read and subscribe to MittenLit.com to keep track of literature news regarding Michigan authors. And you can also get news by following Bill on Twitter @MittenLit1.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. You can also follow Critical Wit on Twitter @TheCriticalWit. Thanks!
Bill Castanier is a literary journalist for the Lansing City Pulse, and blogger at MittenLit.com. In this episode, Bill reviews four excellent novels written by Michigan authors. The first is a mystery called “Very Bad Men“ written by Harry Dolan. The second is “Things We Didn’t Say” by Kristina Riggle. The third is “Once Upon A River” by Bonnie Jo Campbell. And the last book is “The Raising” written by Laura Kasischke. Bill also talks about the Kerrytown BookFest occuring in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 11. You can read and subscribe to MittenLit.com to keep track of literature news regarding Michigan authors. And you can also get news by following MittenLit on Twitter @MittenLit1.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider ‘liking’ the Critical Wit page on Facebook and/or give it a rating in iTunes. Thanks!
Steve Hamilton is a two-time Edgar Award winning author. Steve discusses his second stand-alone novel, The Lock Artist, which won both an Edgar Award for best mystery, and also the Alex Award for best young-adult novel (which as you hear in the interview came as a total surprise to him). The Lock Artist is now available in paperback, and his newest book, Misery Bay is the eighth installment of his popular Alex McKnight books. You can find out more about Steve Hamilton and his books by visiting his website at authorstevehamilton.com. And you can follow him on Twitter @authorsteve.
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider giving it a rating on iTunes or “liking” the Critical Wit page on Facebook.
Author Matt Bell discusses his book, How They Were Found, a collection of short stories published by Keyhole Press. We talk about the writing process, as well as the ideas and inspirations behind a few of his stories, in particular the compelling and surreal “The Receiving Tower” and “His Last Great Gift.” You can find out more about Matt by visiting his website, www.mdbell.com (episode 3)
Due to technical problems with my recording system, I can not provide a new episode of Critical Wit this week. However, I have stitched together two excerpts of earlier episodes that either you may have not heard, or would appreciate a recap of some of the more interesting parts of the interviews. The first excerpt is from episode 3 and is a discussion of author Matt Bell’s book How They Were Found, and the second excerpt is from episode 14 and is an interview with author Steve Hamilton and his book The Lock Artist. You can find reference links that are discussed in this episode, in the show notes of the original episodes.
Amy Sisson is a librarian, book reviewer, writer, and science fiction fan. She is also a personal friend of guest host Julia Jenkins. In this episode, Amy and Julia talk about several sci fi and fantasy books of which Amy recommends, especially to mainstream (or non-sci-fi) readers. Learn more about Amy, her book reviews, and her own writings at 
