128 Sterling

In “Vancouver Biotech Startup Launches World’s First Book Pill,” the eighth and final podcast in the debut series of 128 Sterling, host Noah Richler reveals details of the development and testing of a revolutionary new platform for literature, the edible book pill. He speaks to the writer-scientists behind the book pill’s invention, to Inuit claiming cultural appropriation, to novelists anxious about the unprecedented disruptive bio-technology, and to others keen not to be excluded. With Gary Barwin, Laakkuluk Bathory, Irina Kovalyova, Vincent Lam, Lisa Moore, Russell Smith and others.

Noah Richler talks to Walter Kirn about Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter (a.k.a. Clark Rockefeller), imposter and convicted murder, and subject of Walt’s book Blood Will Out. Noah also speaks to Katherena Vermette about the people, places, and stores that make up her Governor General's Literary Awards shortlisted debut novel, The Break. Actress Janet Green (a.k.a. Janet Porter) reads Lynn Crosby’s new poem, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget,” written exclusively for 128 Sterling.

In “School’s In,” host Noah Richler talks to publisher Sarah MacLachlan; Sunday Times columnist Lynn Barber, author of the acclaimed memoir (and movie), An Education; Russian-American graphic illustrator Dasha Tolstikova about her memoir, A Year Without Mom; Newfoundland author Lisa Moore about her first young adult novel, Flannery; and Métis writer Patti Laboucane-Benson about the simmering cauldron that is school.

In this month of the American elections and literary contests, Noah Richler presents an anthology of lost things from fights to old ways and mystery itself, with original contributions by Gary Barwin, Craig Davidson, Andray Domise, Kevin Patterson, Stephen Rodrick, Russell Smith, Kathleen Winter (who also provides the music), Cybèle Young and singer Patricia O’Callaghan.

Authors Guy Vanderhaeghe, David Frum, and Walter Kirn discuss the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election with Noah Richler by examining the two candidates as they relate to Jack London's "The Iron Heel," Robert Penn Warren’s "All the King's Men," and Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here.” Actress Janet Green (a.k.a. Janet Porter) reads Lynn Crosby’s new poem, “Here Pussy,” written exclusively for 128 Sterling. Alix Ohlin, author of “Inside” and “Signs and Wonders,” reads original prose.

Noah Richler talks to Anosh Irani, whose novel The Parcel has been nominated for the Governor-General's and Writers' Trust Awards; to Teva Harrison, author of In-Between Days, a memoir of her cancer in words and pictures; and to Patti Laboucane-Benson at the Edmonton centre for the rehabilitation of indigenous offenders that was the inspiration of her prize-winning graphic novel (with Kelly Mellings), The Outside Circle, winner of this year's CODE Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Literature. The writer is an artist with "A Foot in Two Worlds."

Noah Richler and Christy Ann Conlin discuss the challenges and pleasures of being a writer in rural Canada — away from the city and cosmopolitan centres. How many people, really, does a writer have to know? Christy Ann Conlin also reads from her latest novel, "The Memento," published by Doubleday Canada.

In the premiere of 128 Sterling, host Noah Richler asks film producer Nicholas Rose and authors Marina Endicott and Alain Farah, "what is the Great Canadian Book or Novel that will make a great and distinctively Canadian TV miniseries or film?" Noah’s introductory editorial and musing discusses the late Austin Clarke and makes his case for Austin’s "Toronto Trilogy" of novels to be made into an "instant classic Canadian television miniseries."

In 128 Sterling, author and broadcaster Noah Richler looks to fellow writers in Canada and abroad to explain not themselves, but the world as it is — the circus of the American election, the perils and punishments of school, the appeal of impostors, the state of being in between, CanLit, and more. This trailer provides a quick glimpse of what to expect from weekly episodes of 128 Sterling.