Don Winslow. He announced that he is retiring from writing books. We did many interviews over the years. He’s a great novelist and he is so supportive of other writers. One of the good guys. I’ll miss him.
Jahmal Mayfield. He published his first novel this year. It is superb. I think it will win some awards. I love talking to writers who are just starting out on what I anticipate will be amazing careers.
Stephanie Clare Smith. She wrote the most intense, powerful memoir. Talking to her about it was an incredible experience.
Rene Denfeld. Her novels are impossible to categorize. They are mysterious-they always have characters who are children who have suffered abuse. For her it is personal.
Anne Pierson Wiese and Ben Miller. In separate interviews I spoke to two writers who are married so I am putting them together here. She is an amazing poet. He is the greatest writer that you have never heard of.
Steve Cavanagh. This novelist from Northern Ireland had been on my bucket list. I knew he was going to be in the U.S. for a few days so I tracked him down. But first I had to figure out his actual name. He was not registered at his hotel under what is his pen name, so I got to play the detective.
James Lee Burke. I have done more interviews with him than anybody else. He’s in his mid eighties and every time I talk to him I savor his words. He had two books out this year-we talked twice.
George Pelecanos. He’s so busy writing for TV that he rarely publishes books these days. His current story collection is very autobiographical. Talking to him is an event.
Jordan Harper. Another writer crossed off my bucket list. He’s going to become very well known. Maybe as famous as, say, Michael Connelly?
Eli Cranor. Yet another bucket filled. This brilliant novelist was once a high school football coach. Astonishing talent.
Ian Rankin. One of my favorite writers ever. The first time I talked to him he came out to Yellow Springs. He rarely tours the U.S. now. He called in from Scotland. Over the course of our conversation he told me he’s taking a break from writing novels. Will this be the final book in his beloved John Rebus series? I hope not. But if it was, I shall treasure this interview even more.
These interviews are archived as podcasts at wyso.org.
Vick Mickunas of Yellow Springs interviews authors every Saturday at 7a.m. and on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WYSO-FM (91.3). For more information, visit wyso.org/programs/book-nook. Contact him at vick@vickmickunas.com.
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