This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists, and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
April 11, 1979 - Midday presents a Poets-in-Residence Series profile of Minnesota poet and writer Paul Grukow. Program examines his work The Tramp. It also includes commentary and music elements.
April 24, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews Minnesota author Tim O’Brien, winner of the National Book Award for his book Going After Cacciato.
May 14, 1979 - Southwest Minnesota author Frederick Manfred talks about his life as a novelist and reads from many of his works. His novels include Scarlett Plume, Conquering Horse, Milk of Wolves, and The Green Earth.
May 15, 1979 - This MPR Special Coverage presents acclaimed poet Robert Bly reading at Southwest State University in Marshall. This appearance includes occasional dulcimer accompaniment as Bly performs and dissects his own works as well as the works of others. This is an edited excerpt from his Marshall appearance.
June 18, 1979 - Minnesota poet Joe Paddock reads Frogs, a raucous small-town happening in a narrative poem style. Frogs was written by a native of Southwest Minnesota.
June 19, 1979 - ‘Polka Power,’ a report and poetic response to the polka festival subculture in the Upper Midwest with local poets Joe and Nancy Paddock.
June 20, 1979 - Southwest Minnesota poet Phil Dacey reads several of his poems, with musical accompaniment by his wife.
June 21, 1979 - Nancy Paddock shows her attempts to strike a balance with nature in poem It's a Pity. Segment includes musical elements.
June 22, 1979 - Minnesota poet Joe Paddock shows his perceptions of the migration of wild geese across the Minnesota prairie in poem The Geese. Segment includes musical elements.
August 8, 1979 - Michael Fedo, author, talks with Claudia Hampsten, talks with author Michael Fedo about his book They Was Just Niggers about the the Duluth lynching of three Black men in 1920. Fedo describes how it affected the community and attitudes long after the murders of the young men. [Content Warning: some content, language, and statements used in this story may be triggering to listeners]