Book Fight

This week we read Elizabeth Gilbert's debut story, "Pilgrims." It was originally published in Esquire. We did not care for it.

For more, visit us online at bookfightpod.com

Direct download: Ep129_Spring16_ElizabethGilbert.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

We welcome special guest Josh Fruhlinger, proprietor of the popular and long-running blog The Comics Cumudgeon, as well as the author of a recent novel, The Enthusiast, to discuss Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Goon Squad.

We also talk to Josh about the successful Kickstarter he ran to fund his own book, building an online audience, his enthusiasm for trains, and Mary Worth's love life.

For more, visit us online at bookfightpod.com

Direct download: Ep128_Egan_GoonSquad.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

An unconventional literary success story this week, as we talk about Donald Ray Pollock's 2008 debut story collection, KNOCKEMSTIFF, which he wrote after quitting his job at a paper mill and giving himself five years to "make it" as a writer.

We also talk about the proliferation of "20 under 40"-style listicles in the literary world, and why we're so obsessed with youth.

For more, visit us online at bookfightpod.com.  

Direct download: Ep127_Spring17_Pollock.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

A special mid-week treat for you, Book Fight fans. Tom was recently in Blacksburg, Virginia, for a conference at Virginia Tech, and sat down with Matthew Vollmer, author of Inscriptions for Headstones and Future Missionaries of America. They talked about publishing, teaching, and how to make time for your own work while leading a busy life.

Direct download: Extra_Vollmer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:51pm EDT

We welcome guest Jen A. Miller (Running: A Love Story) who helps us unpack the 1981 novel that served as inspiration for the famous film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The book is quite different than the movie: darker, for one thing, and also featuring both a magical genie and some questionable opinions about Persians.

In the second half of the show, we talk to Jen about street harassment, peeing while running, MySpace, and "whore pants."

For more, visit us online at bookfightpod.com

 

Direct download: Ep126_RogerRabbit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Amy Hempel's first published story was a breakout success, and has gone on to be one of the most anthologized stories of the last few decades. We talk about her path to success, and why this story has resonated. We also discuss some of the mid-to-late 80s backlash to minimalist fiction, which Hempel got caught up in.

In the second half of the show we talk about people who had early career success in writing and the arts, and how (or whether) they followed it up.

For more, visit us online at bookfightpod.com.  

Direct download: Spring16_Hempel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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