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 11, 1993 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Louise King and a Maud Hart Lovelace expert about the beloved Betsy-Tacy children’s book series, written by the Mankato native.
June 11, 1993 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on a first canoe ride remembrance, titled Dream Canoe.
June 18, 1993 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Maxene Andrews about her recollections of Andrew Sisters fame. Andrews is co-author of the book, Over Here, Over There-the Andrews Sister.
June 19, 1993 - A Weekend Edition interview with Minnesota writer Jim Heynen, author of The One-Room Schoolhouse: Stories About the Boys. Segment includes a discussion on imagery and reading of "The Hike,” a story from the book.
June 22, 1993 - An interview with Marlin Bree, who decided to sail Lake Superior on a sailboat that he built. The journey is chronicled in the book, In the Teeth of the Northeaster.
June 25, 1993 - Voices from the Heartland segment presents local educator and author Judith Hougen reading her poem, Coming of Age.
July 2, 1993 - On this First Friday segment, local writer Andrea Matthews reads her essay, Paris By Email.
July 5, 1993 - Midday broadcasts an MPR documentary called The Voice of Meridel Le Sueur, which includes various interviews and readings of Le Sueur’s work.
July 9, 1993 - Native author Jim Northrup reads from his book, Walking the Rez Road.
July 9, 1993 - MPR’s Liz Hannon interviews author Jim Northrup about his book, Walking the Rez Road. Northup also speaks about oral tradition and the Vietnam War.