The Shadow Revolution by Clay and Susan Griffith (broadcast June 1, 2015) — Raleigh authors Clay and Susan Griffith are the husband-and-wife authors of the Vampire Empire trilogy from Pyr Books (The Greyfriar, The Rift Walker, and The Kingmakers) and are now set to see four more books published this year, starting with Del Rey’s publication of their new Crown & Key trilogy this summer. Co-hosts Samuel Montgomery-Blinn and Mur Lafferty host this “focus on speculative fiction” episode.
if words could save us by Anthony S. Abbott (broadcast 10-24-2011) Both personal and universal Abbott’s stunning use of language and poetic form reaches deep into the reader’s psyche and heart. He shares with us the rich, moving thrust of life, filled with a consideration of pleasure, puzzlement and pain that captures the emotions. The effect is that of sitting with a thoughtful friend who quietly, and with grace, opens a world of experience to you. A generous addition to the collection is a CD with the poet’s own rendition of his words.
This conversation also introduces a very freshly printed volume, What Writer’s Do, volume editor Anthony Abbott and Series Editor Rand Brandes. “Anyone who loves to read will want to own this collection documenting Lenoir-Rhyne University’s remarkable Visiting Writers Series. From Julia Alvarez’s explanation about why her haiku-a-month project failed to Abigail DeWitt’s confession that all her characters are versions of herself, this book is a treasure trove.” Shannon Ravenal Find out more about both of these works at http://www.thegirlintheyellowraincoat.com/
My Business Is To Create (Blake’s Infinite Writing) My Business Is To Create (Blake’s Infinite Writing) by Eric G. Wilson (broadcast 10-17-2011) Based on and celebrating William Blake’s personification of creativity in action, Wilson provides an indispensable writer’s handbook that is a call to consider life itself as a creative act. A small book of just some 85 pages, not including notes, it manages to offer an exquisitely written distillation of Blake’s approach to imagining the world and the effect it has had on so many of those who followed him, from Yeats to Ginsberg, from Emily Dickinson to Phillip K. Dick. Included along the way are wise words for all who write or want to write. A book to excite the way the reader, and the writer, looks at life. Find out more at http://www.wfu.edu/~wilsoneg/
In the Arms of a Marquess by Katharine Ashe (broadcast 9-26-2011) Ashe has written a perfect example of the historical romance novel. This third installment of the “Rogues of the Sea” trilogy takes us to Regency England and the romance and danger of the West Indies. Supported by thorough historical research her story of passion blends seamlessly into the cultural mores, adventure and political intrigues of the time. For lovers of historical romance this is a definite winner. Find out more at http://www.katharineashe.com/
Kingdom in the Balance/The Source by Debra Killeen/Diana Bastine (broadcast 9-19-2011) Sister authors, Killeen and Bastine, have each come up with good reading fantasy novels that fit into the young adult category. Kingdom in the Balance, by Killeen, is the final and very satisfying installment in The Myrridian Cycle. This series of five books takes place in a medieval kingdom discovered by accidental visitors from our time who become actively involved, as does the reader, in a world where Magic works and who controls it intensifies the intrigue. The Source, by Bastine, also takes us into another world but this is one hidden in ancient caves deep below the magic terrain of Ireland. The story begins when a young girl discovers a strange-looking man who she first suspect is a vampire but soon learns something about him even more fantastic. This is Bastine’s first novel and gives promise of a lot more enjoyable reading to come. Find out more at http://www.myrridia.net/ and http://www.fairycatmother.net/
Poetry and Social Media address by Keith Flynn at the NC Poetry Society Annual Meeting, Sept. 17 (broadcast 10-10-2011) Keith, with four collections of poetry published, is the author of The Rhythm Method, Razzmatazz and Memory: How to Make Your Poetry Swing, founder-editor of The Asheville Poetry Review and a highly respected touring musician/composer. An engaging speaker he offers valuable tips for making social media an effective marketing tool for the poet’s art. Find out more about the NC Poetry Society at ncpoetrysociety.org and about Keith Flynn at keithflynn.net.
The Magician King by Lev Grossman (broadcast 9-5-11) Here is an invitation to enter another world, a world of magic, challenging, oft times dangerous, but always offering the possibility of achieving all one might wish for. The Magician King continues the story of very human individuals who happen to have rare and special gifts. How these gifts effect their lives, their humanity and the worlds they live in forms the basis of the literary fantasy series that began with the bestselling The Magicians. Listen in as Grossman talks about the difference between Fantasy and Science Fiction, writing and why we need the printed page. Find out more at The Magician King.
Tarot Books reviews by Paul Nagy (broadcast 8-15-2011) Paul introduces us to some new and some not so new top of the line books about Tarot by authors Rachel Pollack, Marcus Katz, Alejandro Jodorowsky andJane Rades. To find out more about the individual authors and their work click on their names.
Carolina Book Beat 