Repeatedly 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. This curation presents broadcasts over the decades of writer’s voices in form of speech, interview, and discussion.
October 24, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with writer William Burroughs, whose credited by some as the father of the beat generation. Segment also includes Burroughs reading his work.
November 3, 1979 - A Midday broadcast of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author and widow of Charles Lindbergh, speaking at the Minnesota Historical Society's 130th annual meeting on fitting memorials for great persons. Lindbergh talked about fitting memorials for great persons and discusses heroism, what it meant when her husband flew across the Atlantic and what it means today.
November 21, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews writer Meridel Le Sueur and choreographer Margaret Fargnoli about dance interpretation of Le Sueur’s poetry.
December 12, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews Grace Paley, writer and activist, who reads from her short stories and talks about her life, writing, and political involvement. Segment also includes her speaking to an audience.
March 7, 1980 - As part of the Walker Arts Center series on Modernism, literary critic Hugh Kenner discusses the meanings of modernism. The speech presents challenges faced by the writer, the reader, and the critic.
April 9, 1980 - While on a tour of the upper Midwest, Twelve Moons Storytellers Gayle Ross and Liz Ollis, join MPR's Rich Dietman in studio in St. Paul to tell several Appalachian, Native American, and other stories. The duo talk about different kinds of stories, how to tell them, and answer listener questions about stories.
April 22, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews poet Faye Kicknosway, an attendee at the Midwest Writers Festival. Segment also includes reading form Kicknosway.
April 23, 1980 - Nancy Fushan profiles poet Jerald Bullis. Segment includes an interview and reading with writer. Bullis’ poetry are literary portraits of his intrinsic relationship with nature.
April 29, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with playwright Erik Krogger about his play Northern Lights, as he prepares for staging work at Cricket Theatre.
August 28, 1980 - MPR's Tom Meersman talks with Irish American author J. P. Donleavy, who discusses living in Ireland, his novel Schults, and other matters.