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Author
Joe Hill
Sunday,
March 14, 2010 - Listen 
Rick Kleffel speaks with Joe Hill (who is Stephen King's son) about the Devil in American literature and in Hill's new novel, Horns, in which a man wakes up after a bad night of drinking with a pair of horns on his head and some strange and unpleasant abilities. The Devil is in the details.
Author Adam Haslatt
Sunday,
March 7, 2010 - Listen
A conversation with Pulitzer Prize nominee and National Book Award Finalist Adam Haslett about his new novel, Union Atlantic, which looks at the internal lives of the men and women who run America's finances; Alan Cheuse reviews Thrillers with host RIck Kleffel, plus a conversation with Paul McHugh about newspapers, mystery fiction, the Asilomar Park scandal, which he exposed with his reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle and his new novel, Deadlines.
Bedside Book of Birds and Bedside Book of Beasts
Sunday, February 28, 2010 - Listen
Rick Kleffel speaks with Graeme Gibson about his Bedside Book of Birds and Bedside Book of Beasts, which explore the cultural, literary, ecological and artistic relationships between humans and the animal world. Plus, hear Laurie R. King talk about a surprising twist ahead for Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russel, and Huffington Post contributor and novelist Ketih Thomson talk about combat drones and his novel Once a Spy.
Author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Sunday, February 21, 2010 - Listen
RIck interviews the author of "One Amazing Thing."
David Drake, Author of "Hammers and Slammers"
Sunday, February 14, 2010 - Listen
RIck interviews David Drake, author of "Hammers Slammers".
Josh Sundquist, Paralympic Champion
Sunday, February 7, 2010 - Listen
RIck Kleffel speaks with Josh Sundquist, Paralympic Champion skier and author of 'Just Don't Fall'. Thomas Frank talks about Populism then and now, his latest column for the Wall Street Journal, and re-launching The Baffler, a literary magazine of political theory. And Alan Cheuse talks about the latest books from Dominick Dunne, Adam Haslett, T. C. Boyle and Elif Shafak.
Charlie Huston, Author of 'Sleepless'
Sunday, January 31, 2010 - Listen
Rick Kleffel speaks with Charlie Huston about his novel 'Sleepless', a noir detective story set in Los Angeles beset by a prion disease plague based on Fatal Familial Insomnia. Plus Jeff Brown, the author of Soulshaping, talks about finding your spiritual purpose.
Life in a Dystopian Colortocracy
Sunday, January 24, 2010 - Listen
Rick Kleffel speaks with author Jasper Fforde about his new novel Shades of Grey, and life in a dystopian Colortocracy; plus the latest from Thomas Frank who has a modest proposal concerning America's gold reserves.
How to Make Friends with Demons
Sunday, January 17, 2010 - Listen
Learn from author Graham Joyce "How to Make Friends with Demons" - the title of his new book, and hear a conversation with NPR's Alan Cheuse about the latest books from Don Delillo, Robert Stone and Douglas Preston.
Sunday, January 10, 2010 - Listen on computer.
Interview with S.T. Joshi, a leading literary critic who has shared his studies of the works of H.P. Lovecraft and now H.L. Menchen.
Religion, Noir and Reading
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - Listen on computer.
Rick is joined by authors
Brian K. Evenson and Jasper Fforde.
Using Grammer to Create a Sense of the Uncanny
Sunday, December 27 - Listen on computer.
Rick speak with Jeffrey Ford, his latest works "The Drowned Life". Also on the show, Thomas Frank from the Wall Street Journal as well as Ann and Jeff Vandermeer.
Magic, Magic and Hoaxs
Sunday, December 20 - Listen on computer.
Rick speaks with Garth Nix and Claire Light.
On Writing Historical Science Fiction and More
Sunday, December 13 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel interviews Connie Willis, writer of "Black Out" about time travellers stranded in London. Also on the show are reports from Thomas Frank and NPR's Alan Cheuse.
Making Your Own Good & Healthy Bread - Fast
Sunday, December 6 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel interviews writers of two books on making healthy, artisan bread.
Fantasy Fiction Writers Facing Reality
Sunday, November 29 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel speaks with Jeff and Ann VanderMeer about how their work in the field of fantasy fiction helps them face reality. And author Thomas Frank takes on Glen Beck, and brings him face to face with the life of Paine -- Thomas Paine.
How Library of America Has Embraced Fantastic Literature
Sunday, November 22 - Listen on computer.
Peter Straub, author of Ghost Story, talking about canonizing the fantastic; authors of fantastic literature including H. P. Lovecraft and Philip K. Dick. Plus, hear the poetry of the fantastic, with readings by Rain Graves, Donald Sidney-Fryer, Michael Lunde and Michael Allen Shea.
Creating Realistic Law Enforcement Characters
Sunday, November 15 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel spweaks with active FBI agent George Fong about creating law enforcement characters for mystery novels. Also on the show is San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.
Interview with E.L. Doctorow
Sunday, November 8 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel discusses the book "Homer and Langley" with author E.L Doctorow. Also Alan Cheuse reports on three books and Rick also talks to Kisten Menger-Anderson, author of "Dr. Olaf Van Sculer's Brain".
Darwin, Zombies And More Zombies
Sunday, November 1 - Listen on computer.
Rick Kleffel interviews authors writing about Zombies and Darwin.
My Rotten Life
Sunday, October 25 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with David Lubar, author or "My Rotten Life" and then with Thomas French on this weeks politics.
Beware the Pigoons and Wolvogs
Sunday, October 18 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with Margaret Atwood about her latest science fiction novel, The Year of the Flood. It's the story of God's Gardeners, a vegan Christian sect that barely survives after a waterless flood of disease kills most of humanity.
A Bomb In Everything
Sunday, October 11 - Listen on computer.
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Interview with Peter Richardson about Ramparts Magazine, and then Alan Cheuse reports on three books; Thomas Frank checks in about the weeks politcal events; and Jewell Gomez reports on San Francisco's Litquake.
Twitter Wit, Carmel Poetry and more
Sunday, October 4 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel talks to Nick Douglas about his collection of Twitter wit, then hear about Robinson Jeffers and the Tor House and then author Thomas Frank.
Interview with Author Karen Armstrong
Sunday, September 27 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Karen Armstrongs is interviewed by Rick Kleffel. They discuss her latest book entitled "The Case for God".
Zombie Romance and Artistic Inspiration
Sunday, September 20 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with Scott Browne about his novel Breathers, a love story about two zombies in Soquel, being made into a feature film for Disney; and with Erin Lee Gafill about her book "Drinking From a Cold Spring," prose poems as a to-do list for artistic inspiration from Nepenthe.
A Conversation with Kage Barker, author of the Novels of the Company
Sunday, September 13 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel interview with the authour of the Company Novels, Kage Baker.
Writer Jacqueline Winspear - and NPR's Alan Cheuse
Sunday, September 6 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with the writer of The Masey Dogs series, Jacqueline Winspear. Then, NPR commentator and author Alan Cheuse joins Rick for a fall review of books.
Writers of Science-Fiction and about Olive Oil
Sunday, August 30 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with Time Magazine's book critic, Lev Grossman about his novel The Magicians; and gets the low-down on Olive Oil from Fran Gage her book, The New American Olive Oil.
Guns, Gangs and Grant
Sunday, August 23 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
David Corbett discusses his mystery novel Blood of Paradise, set in bloody post-war El Salvador. Then, Max Byrd, whose historical novels explore the lives of U.S. Presidents.
Splatterpunk & Hardboiled Jane Austen
Sunday, August 16 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A gruesome conversation with splatterpunk novelist Ray Garton; plus Madeleine Robins discusses her hardboiled detective novels set in Jane Austen-era England.
Tony Broadbent, Lisa Alvarez, Kage Baker
Sunday, August 9 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
This week's guests: Tony Broadbent, whose mystery novels evoke the shadowy streets of postwar London; Lisa Alvarez, a director of the fiction track for Squaw Valley Writers Conference; and Kage Baker, master of the steampunk genre.
Douglas Carlton Abrams
Sunday, August 2 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Host Alice Vecchiola presents a previously recorded conversation between Rick Kleffel and Douglas Carlton Abrams, whose latest novel is the ecological thriller Eye of the Whale.
Alan Cheuse
Sunday, July 26 - Listen on computer.
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A conversation with book critic, novelist and essayist Alan Cheuse, whose latest work, A Trance After Breakfast, is a collection of lyrical travel writings.
Writer Simon Rich and Agent Kimberly Cameron
Sunday, July 19 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Host Rick Kleffel interviews comedy writer Simon Rich, author of "Free Range Chicken", and literary agent Kimberly Cameron about how to find a publisher.
Novella Carpenter
Sunday, July 12 - Listen on computer.
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The author Novella Carpenter talk about her book Farm City, the education of an urban farmer.
David Sedaris
Sunday, July 5 - Listen on computer.
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Humorist and frequent NPR contributor David Sedaris speaks about his latest book When You Are Engulfed in Flames.
Mieville's Mystery and Short Science Fiction
Sunday, June 28 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A conversation with China Mieville about his most recent headstrong mystery. In part two, Michaela Roessner reads the short story "The Fishes Speak."
Botanical Atrocities
Sunday, June 21 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants, reveals the murderous tendencies lurking beneath the surface of a garden. Plus, Alice Vecchiola talks to the cast and crew of Cabrillo Stage's upcoming performance of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."
Jedediah Berry
Sunday, June 14 - Listen on computer.
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Jedediah Berry discusses his hardboiled detective novel The Manual of Detection. Then, the art of the short story with Alan Cheuse.
Guillermo del Toro
Sunday, June 7 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Acclaimed film director Guillermo del Toro speaks about his debut novel, The Strain, the first of a planned vampire trilogy. Plus, three books worth reading this week with Alan Cheuse.
West of the West
Sunday, May 31 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick speaks with journalist Mark Arax, whose latest book is a collection of essays capturing the essence of California through history and myth. Also, Alan Cheuse shares his thoughts on three books worth reading.
Film Making and Novel Writing
Sunday, May 24 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
An interview with Logan and Noah Miller about film making and their most recent premier, You’re In or You're In The Way. Also a discussion with NPR Author Alan Cheuse, author of To Catch the Lightning.
Colson Whitehead
Sunday, May 17 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
New York writer Colson Whitehead
speaks about his autobiographical novel Sag Harbor, which tells the story of a group of affluent African-American teenagers spending the summer at their Hamptons beach houses.
Mother's Day Special
Sunday, May 10 - Listen on computer.
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Because I Love Her is a collection of essays exploring the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. Editor Andrea Richesin and contributors Karen Joy Fowler and Anne Marie Feld join Rick for this Mother's Day show. Then, a tribute to the late Santa Cruz writer Jim Houston, with NPR's Alan Cheuse.
Conversation & Interview with Mark Rudd
Sunday, May 3 - Listen on computer.
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Mark Rudd is a political organizer, mathematics instructor, and anti-war activist, best known for his involvement with the Weather Underground.
The Philosophy of Dumpster Diving
Sunday, April 26 - Listen on computer.
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A lesson on the economic benefits - as well as the joys! - of dumpster diving, reusing and recycling, with Anneli Rufus and Kristan Lawson, authors of The Scavengers' Manifesto. Then, NPR's Alan Cheuse returns to reveal three thrillers worth reading.
The Firesign Theater, Books Worth Reading, James D. Houston
Sunday, April 19 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
First, a conversation with Phil Austin of the comedy group the Firesign Theater, plus excerpts from the group's finest works. Next, a KUSP exclusive: three books worth your time and money, with NPR commentator Alan Cheuse. Finally, in honor of the recent passing of local author James D. Houston, Rick shares an interview in which Houston describes his relationship with Santa Cruz, his home.
A Homemade Life, The Superferry Chronicles
Sunday, April 5 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
First, Molly Wizenberg, author of A Homemade Life and the popular food blog Orangette, talks about her lifetime love affair with food and cooking. Next, Rick speaks with Jerry Mander, whose book The Superferry Chronicles tells how a surfer uprising against an inter-island ferry in Hawaii turned into a fight against globalization, militarism and the erosion of local sovereignty.
The Lost City of Z
Sunday, March 29 - Listen on computer.
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David Grann's research into the legendary life of doomed explorer Percy Fawcett lured him into his own obsession with Fawcett's destination, the lost city of El Dorado in the depths of the Amazon jungle. Rick Kleffel speaks with Grann about his latest book The Lost City of Z.
Humorous Horror and Good Grammar
Sunday, March 1 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Interviews and readings from SF in SF. Rick Kleffel speaks with authors Michael Boatman and Deborah Grabien, as well as writing and grammar expert Janis Bell.
Michael Katakis, Xinran
Sunday, February 22 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
First, Rick speaks with Michael Katakis, whose book Traveller is composed of journal entries, letters and photographs from the road. Next, a phone interview with oral historian Xinran, author of China Witness: Voices From a Silent Generation.
How to Save the Independent Bookstore
Sunday, February 15 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A conversation among local booksellers and publishers about the challenges facing independent bookstores and the strategies that have helped them survive and thrive in a perilous business climate.
Happiness, Fruit and Words
Sunday, February 1 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
First, a conversation about how to achieve happiness without psychotherapy, with psychiatrist Dr. Mardi Horowitz, author of A Course in Happiness. Then, from SF in SF, Aimee Bender reads a story from her collection Willful Creatures.
Kirsten Menger-Anderson, Sean Stewart, Aimee Bender
Sunday, January 25 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Today's show reports on the medical-themed short stories of
Kirsten Menger-Anderson; the cinematic and video-game worlds created by science fiction writer Sean Stewart; and the surreal short stories of Aimee Bender.
Hard Times for the Arts
Sunday, January 18 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A live roundtable conversation about the fate of literary arts in difficult economic times. Featuring an array of local literary figures, including two directors of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, a former book reviewer for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, a local author, an independent book publisher, and the director of the Salinas Library.
Too Good to Tell
Sunday, January 11 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Author Chris Cleave will read from his latest novel, "Little Bee", which is straightforwardly too delicate to expose anymore than to say, ‘you have to listen to find out!’
The Sweet Smell of Yesteryear
Sunday, January 4 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A further exploration of the little-known history of Batmania in Japan. With guests Saul Ferris, whose vast collection of Batman toys and comics sparked the publication of Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan, and Anne Ishi, who served as translator for the project.
Brian Yaeger, Jimmy Santiago Baca
Sunday,
December 28 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
First, Brian Yaeger, author of Red, White and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey, talks about how and why beer is being made in America. Then, a conversation with novelist, screenwriter, poet and activist Jimmy Santiago Baca.
The Art of Translation
Sunday,
December 14 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
An examination of the process of literary translation, including a recent report by Rick Kleffel aired on All Things Considered;
an interview with a local dramaturg and translator; and an interview with an author who has recently completed a translation of The Canterbury Tales.
Jonathan Carroll, Nina Matsumoto
Sunday,
December 7 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
A conversation with author Jonathan Carroll about his novel The Ghost in Love, followed by an interview with manga artist Nina Matsumoto.
Stewart O'Nan, Ian D'Agata
Sunday,
November 30 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel
speaks with Stewart O'Nan about his novel Songs of the Missing, the tale of a family dealing with the sudden disappearance of an 18-year-old daughter. For "Life Under the Lights," Alice Vecchiola has a oenological conversation with Ian D'Agata, author of The Ecco Guide to the Best Wines of Italy.
Chip Kidd
Sunday,
November 23 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
An interview with Chip Kidd, author of Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan.
Ken Silverstein
Sunday,
November 16 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with Ken Silverstein about his book Turkmeniscam : How Washington Lobbyists Fought to Flack for a Stalinist Dictatorship, an undercover expose of lobbyists. Then, each month, the Variety Children's Charity hosts SF in SF ; From the Science Fiction in San Francisco event of November 15, 2008, award-winning author Nalo Hopkinson reads an original story, "Snow Day". Dentist dictators, desperate lobbyists and a day off from reality as we know it – all up on The Agony Column.
Danny Goldberg
Sunday,
November 9 - Listen on computer.
Mobile Listen (currently only on some phones)
Rick Kleffel speaks with Danny Goldberg, whose book Bumping into Geniuses looks back at his life in the rock music industry. On "Life Under the Lights," Alice Vecchiola speaks with the director of Kids on Broadway's production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Nathaniel Rich, Andrew Davidson
Sunday,
November 2 - Listen on computer.
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Excerpts from the long-form interviews with Nathaniel Rich, whose First Book is The Mayor's Tongue, and Andrew Davidson, whose first book is The Gargoyle; both were the subject of First Book pieces aired on NPR. And a conversation with Amity Shlaes, recently seen on The Newshour With Jim Lehrer. Her book is The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression. On "Life Under the Lights," Alice Vecchiola speaks with the director and cast of Suessical.
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