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.
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.
October 8, 1980 - As the first part of Walker Art Center's 1980 Literature Series with guest Imamu Amiri Baraka begins, MPR’s Nancy Fushan profiles the author. Program includes a re-broadcast of audio from 1978 North Dakota Writers Conference, in which Baraka, William Burroughs, and Tillie Olson participated.
October 27, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with American writer Marisha Chamberlain about Willa, a play about Willa Cather’s life. The play is presented by the Illusion Theater in Minneapolis.
February 18, 1981 - On this Midday program, author and illustrator Tomie dePaola talks about writing children's books and answers listener questions. He also discusses the stage version of his children's book, Clown of God, being produced by the Children's Theater Company of Minneapolis.
March 7, 1981 - Playwright Corinne Jacker discusses her plays Bits and Pieces, performed by the At Random company at the Hennepin Center for the Arts; and Domestic Issues, which will be read at the Playwrights' Center.
May 29, 1981 - MPR’s Bob Aronson talks with Fred Friendly about his book Near vs. Minnesota - Minnesota Rag: The Dramatic Story of the Landmark Supreme Court Case That Gave New Meaning to Freedom of the Press. Friendly summarizes the history and impact of case.