How many novels have you ever read that actually upset you? Moved you, frustrated you, left you unsure how you felt about the story itself? That’s the way I felt reading Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s first novel, Wench. I read a lot of books—it comes with the territory when they call you Mr. Media. But this novel... Continue Reading →
Cartoonist Gahan Wilson draws picture of 50 years with Playboy! PODCAST INTERVIEW
In my mind, I’ve been associated with Playboy for roughly 40 years—I was roughly 10 when I discovered my dad’s box of old magazines in a cardboard box on top of the standup cedar wardrobe in the attic. Hello, Miss May, 1966! “Discovered” may not be the right word—at 10, I was finally mischievous... Continue Reading →
439 YA author Lisa McMann: Wake, Fade, Gone. And make it snappy! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Lisa McMann, YA novelist, Wake, Fade, Gone, The Unwanteds This is gonna take a minute. It was the last day of our first family vacation in two years and the three of us were unwinding in the enormous Barnes & Noble bookstore in Burlington, Vermont. My 13-year-old son Charlie found two young adult novels... Continue Reading →
YA novelist Sara Zarr finds third time the charm! PODCAST INTERVIEW
The life of young adult novelist Sara Zarr has changed dramatically in the last three years, following publication of her first book, Story of a Girl. That book led her to be a finalist for the 2007 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. She didn’t win, but as I told her in our... Continue Reading →
After Richard Doetsch’s ’13th Hour,’ baby, I want more! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Regular listeners know I’m not prone to breathless hyperbole about my guests or their work. If I like a book I’ve read, I tell you straight out. And if I don’t like a book, you probably won’t hear the author interviewed on Mr. Media Radio because to me, lying isn’t worth the effort. Today, I’m... Continue Reading →
412 YA novelist James Dashner plots course with The Maze Runner! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: James Dashner, novelist, The Maze Runner Recommendations are worth what you pay for them, so I don’t always accept them at face value. But the same literary agent who turned me on to young adult novelist Sara Zarr two years ago thought I’d also enjoy James Dashner’s new YA book, The Maze Runner,... Continue Reading →
Novelist Michele Cameron shares her Moments of Clarity! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Michele Cameron, romance novelist, Never Say Never, Moments of Clarity Romance is the top genre in fiction with more than $1.47 billion dollars in sales for 2007. The average romance reader is voracious and goes through 6-7 books per month. Within the genre, there are many specializations, including tonight’s topic: romance novels... Continue Reading →