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.
June 23, 1988 - On this Soundprint program, a profile of August Wilson, one of the most celebrated writers in contemporary American theater. In this portrait of the playwright, August Wilson shows how the rhythms and patterns from the 'sacred book of blues' are transformed into words and movement in his plays.
August 20, 1988 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews author Thomas Vennum about his book "Wild Rice and the Ojibway People." Vennum discusses the experience of harvesting wild rice and its importance to the Ojibwe People.
September 19, 1988 - An interview with novelists and partners Louise Erdrich and Michael Doris about their writing process, novels, and nonfiction.
October 1, 1988 - Susan Williams reviews the book "Tracks" by Louise Erdrich.
October 8, 1988 - A review of James Lileks' novel "Falling Up the Stairs."
November 2, 1988 -
November 26, 1988 -
December 12, 1988 - An interview with Chuck Dewey, a writer of children's stories. He wrote a story about Santa Claus's younger brother in "Subordinate Claus".
December 12, 1988 -
December 17, 1988 - Author Paul Gruchow answers listener questions about his new book, "The Necessity of Empty Places".