Terry Gross

Writer Wallace Stegner. His novels and essays were often based in the West where he grew up and lived for many years. Stegner started the creative writing program at Stanford University in California, which he ran for 26 years. In 1971 he won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel Angle of Repose. One of his most popular books was 1943’s semi-autobiographical Big Rock Candy Mountain. Terry talked with him at the time of the publication of his book of essays, Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs. He died in 1993. (REBROADCAST from 4/15/92)

Poet Jane Kenyon. She was married to poet Donald Hall who was also her former teacher. She died in 1995. Kenyon's books of poetry include Boat of Quiet Hours and Let Evening Come. Her collection of poems, Otherwise was published shortly after her death in 1995 of leukemia. The new book A Hundred White Daffodils (Consortium Books) is a posthumous collection of her prose and poetry. (REBROADCAST from 9/1/93)

Novelist Richard Price is the author of “Freedomland” and “Clockers” which was made into a movie. He’s also the screenwriter for the films "Sea of Love," "Ransom," and "The Color of Money." (REBROADCAST from 1986)

Performance poet Sekou Sundiata. A Village Voice critic once wrote of Sundiata, ". . . like Billie Holiday, Sundiata surprises with images and tumbling phrases that blend with subtle rhythmic variations." We feature an excerpt from an archive interview. (4/16/97)

Writer Tobias Wolff. Terry talked with him in 1989 after the release of his acclaimed memoir, "This Boy's Life" about his unhappy upbringing in a working-class town in Washington State in the late 1950s. The book was adapted for screen starring, Robert DeNiro, and Ellen Barkin. Wolff, who served in Vietnam, later worked as a reporter for The Washington Post, and has also written two highly regarded collections of short stories. (REBROADCAST. Originally aired 1/31/89).

Canadian author Jane Rule, one of the best known and most widely read lesbian writers. Rule is best known for her 1985 novel Desert of the Heart, which was later adapted into the movie "Desert Hearts." Her new book is titled Memory Board. (REBROADCAST from 1/29/88)

Our special week of writers begins with Norman Mailer. Mailer's books, like "The Naked and the Dead," "Armies of the Night," and "The Executioner's Song," have established him as one of America's most important authors. We'll talk about his career, and his work. (REBROADCAST FROM 10/08/91)

Composer and musician Don Byron in a concert featuring music from his cd, "Bug Music." It includes music by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, The John Kirby band, and even some cartoon music by Raymond Scott, who composed for Warner Brothers. Byron plays the clarinet, and is joined by his band. Byron's new CD is called Romance with the Unseen.