2008 National Book Festival Podcast

Geraldine Brooks explains why she must first find the voice in her stories and talks about her latest book, "People of the Book."

Crime novelist Peter Robinson talks about how his character Inspector Banks has evolved over 21 years; shares writing tips that he teaches in his classes; and reminiscences about the writers who influenced him, including his tutor who became a world renowned author.

"Credit is evil," says author and financial expert Michelle Singletary. She explains why credit has been abused by individuals, corporations and the federal government; tells how Americans can survive the current economic crisis; and highlights the spending differences between men and women.

Crime novelist Peter Robinson talks about how his character Inspector Banks has evolved over 21 years; shares writing tips that he teaches in his classes; and reminiscences about the writers who influenced him, including his tutor who became a world renowned author. Biography“Friend of the Devil” (HarperCollins/William Morrow, 2008) marks Peter Robinson’s 17th installment of his Inspector Banks series. His best-selling novels have been honored by Publisher’s Weekly and the New York Times. He is also the recipient of many awards, including an Anthony, an Edgar and a Macavity. He divides his time between North America and the United Kingdom. Robinson will appear in the Fiction & Mystery pavilion.

“Credit is evil,” says author and personal finance expert Michelle Singletary. She explains why credit has been abused by individuals, corporations and the federal government; tells how Americans can survive the current economic crisis; and highlights the spending differences between men and women. BiographyMichelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post. Nominated for a Pulitzer, her award-winning column, “The Color of Money,” is carried in about 120 newspapers across the country. She hosts a live online chat on washpost.com and has a widely read electronic newsletter distributed by The Washington Post. She is a regular personal finance contributor for National Public Radio’s afternoon program “Day to Day.” Her books include “Spend Well, Live Rich” and “Your Money and Your Man” (Random House/Ballantine, trade paper, 2007). Singletary will appear in the Home & Family pavilion.

When writing a novel, Geraldine Brooks loves to fill in the gaps in history with her imagination. She illuminates her writing techniques, explaining why she must first find the voice in her stories; talks about her latest book, “People of the Book,” that provides the reader with a vivid lesson in history; and tells how she weaves fact with realistic fiction in her storytelling: “When you run out of facts, that’s when you try to create plausible fiction that engages the reader.” BiographyAs a journalist, best-selling author Geraldine Brooks covered hot spots such as Bosnia, Somalia and the Middle East for the Wall Street Journal. She received the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her second novel, “March,” where she retells the beloved American classic “Little Women” from the father’s perspective. Her latest book is “People of the Book” (Penguin/Viking, 2008). Brooks will appear in the Fiction & Mystery pavilion.

After garnering international fame as a singer, five Grammy Awards and nearly 60 charted hits, music legend Dionne Warwick says she is still reaching for her dream. She reveals why she wrote a children’s book instead of an autobiography of her life; discusses her global humanitarian efforts; and explains the genesis of her mantra: If you can think it, you can do it.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts has become an expert on the nation’s founding mothers. She dispels some of the misconceptions about them and shares insight into her early years spent in the halls of Congress.

"I have always been word obsessed," says Marisa de los Santos. She talks about the music of language; shares little-known details about her third book; and reveals why learning about the human side of Clara Barton, Joan of Arc and Helen Keller inspired her.

After garnering international fame as a singer, five Grammy Awards and nearly 60 charted hits, music legend Dionne Warwick says she is still reaching for her dream. She reveals why she wrote a children’s book instead of an autobiography of her life; discusses her global humanitarian efforts; and explains the genesis of her mantra: If you can think it, you can do it. BiographyInternational music legend Dionne Warwick has added children’s author to her long list of accomplishments. Her status as both a musical icon and humanitarian is legendary. With her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she works tirelessly with various organizations dedicated to empowering and inspiring others. Her book, “Say a Little Prayer” (Running Press, September 2008), is a picture book that encourages kids to find their own talent in life and embrace it. She will appear in the Children’s pavilion.

"Every novel is just a big, fat lie trying to masquerade as the truth," says novelist Brad Meltzer. He talks about the genesis of his new book, the real story behind the creation of the comic book character Superman, and why the biblical interpretation of Cain and Abel is wrong.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts has become an expert on the nation’s founding mothers. She dispels some of the misconceptions about them and shares insight into her early years spent in the halls of Congress. BiographyCokie Roberts is a New York Times best-selling author, a political commentator for ABC News and a senior news analyst for National Public Radio. She was named one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting by the American Women in Radio and Television. A winner of two Emmy Awards, she was also inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Library’s Living Legend Award. Her books include “We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters,” “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation” and “Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation” (HarperCollins, 2008). Roberts will appear in the History & Biography pavilion.

“I have always been word obsessed,” says Marisa de los Santos. She talks about the music of language; shares little-known details about her third book; and reveals why learning about the human side of Clara Barton, Joan of Arc and Helen Keller inspired her. Biography:Poet and author Marisa de los Santos loves words. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she earned a master’s degree in poetry and a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing. She wrote the award-winning poetry collection “From the Bones Out” and tried her hand at fiction in 2005 with her first novel “Love Walked In.” Her second and latest book, “Belong to Me” (HarperCollins/William Morrow, 2008), is a sequel to her New York Times best-seller. She will appear in the Fiction & Mystery pavilion.

Journalist and author Walter Isaacson discusses what made Albert Einstein unique; reveals the lesson that he always includes in his biographies; and explains how the Aspen Institute is helping to create a middle-class in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories.

Broadcast news legend Bob Schieffer shares his extraordinary experience covering John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963; describes how the Web has become the "unfettered Wild West" for news; and explains why some of the best news stories come out of the Pentagon.

Journalist and author Walter Isaacson discusses what made Albert Einstein unique; reveals the lesson that he always includes in his biographies; and explains how the Aspen Institute is helping to create a middle-class in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories. BiographyWalter Isaacson is a successful journalist and biographer. He has been chairman and CEO of CNN and the managing editor of Time magazine. He currently is president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. Isaacson is the author of “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” and “Kissinger: A Biography” as well as co-author of “Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.” His latest book is “Einstein: His Life and Universe” (Simon & Schuster, 2008). He will appear in the History & Biography pavilion.

Broadcast news legend Bob Schieffer shares his extraordinary experience covering John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963; describes how the Web has become the “unfettered Wild West” for news; and explains why some of the best news stories come out of the Pentagon. BiographyBob Schieffer has been with CBS News since 1969. He is CBS’s chief Washington correspondent and the host of its Sunday public affairs broadcast “Face the Nation.” He is the recipient of many awards, including six Emmys and the National Press Foundation’s Broadcaster of the Year in 2002. He was honored by the Library of Congress with a Living Legend Award in April 2008. His latest book is “Bob Schieffer’s America” (Penguin/Putnam, September 2008). Schieffer will appear in the History & Biography pavilion.

Louis Bayard says that writing is its own insanity and feels compelled to do it. He discusses the craft of writing detective fiction and how he rides the line between staying true to facts and allowing his imagination to shape his stories.

Award-winning British author Philippa Gregory talks about her latest book "The Other Queen" (Simon & Schuster, September 2008); weaves a thrilling tale of royal intrigue among the Tudors; and explains why she will confine her passion for history to England.

Injured by a car bomb while covering the war in Iraq, award-winning journalist Kimberly Dozier talks about how she survived the act of terrorism that killed her colleagues; explains her reasons for writing "Breathing the Fire" (Meredith, 2008) about her experiences in Iraq; and shares some advice to budding journalists.