
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler on "Hell"
Series: New Letters on the Air
From: New Letters on the Air
Length: 00:28:56
Pulitzer Prize-winning short story writer, Robert Olen Butler follows his recent story collections, Intercourse and Severance, with his novel, Hell. Making humorous bows to Dante and Virgil, Butler follows a TV newsman on his pursuit of a breaking story about Satan through this underworld inhabited with characters ranging from Henry the VIII’s Anne Boleyn to Humphrey Bogart. He reads from the book and also talks about his views on the creative process, which are included in his non-fiction book, From Where You Dream.
Also in the New Letters on the Air series
American Book Award-winning Navajo poet Sherwin Bitsui
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
Sherwin Bitsui reads from FLOOD SONG, his poetry collection that won the 2010 American Book Award and the PEN Open Book Award. Raised in a border town on the Fort Defiance ...
Man Booker Prize-winning author Anne Enright
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
At the Kansas City Public Library, Irish author Anne Enright discusses her dark but humorous approach to writing about love, desire, death and family, and explains how having ...
American Book Award-winner Luis Alberto Urrea
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
Known for his book THE DEVIL'S HIGHWAY, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction, and his American Book Award-winning memoir, NOBODY'S SON, Luis Alberto Urrea is also the ...
Missouri Poets of the Midwest Poets Series
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
Discover the poetic variety of Missouri in this National Poetry Month special featuring readings from the Midwest Poets Series by three very different Missouri poets: Walter ...
Renowned poet, playwright, and activist Sonia Sanchez
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
One of the most important writers of the Black Arts Movement, Sonia Sanchez, reads from her 2010 books, a collection of poetry called MORNING HAIKU, and I'M BLACK WHEN I'M ...
Women Writers and Community
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
In this special anthology, we explore how women writers foster community across boundaries. Novelist Lisa See shares stories about Chinese women writers of the 19th century; ...
Novelist Debra Brenegan
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
Debra Brenegan's debut novel, SHAME THE DEVIL, explores the fascinating true story of Sara Payson Willis, who wrote under the pseudonym "Fanny Fern" during the 1800s. ...
Poet Jeanne Marie Beaumont
(00:29:01)
From: New Letters on the Air
Poet Jeanne Marie Beaumont's books include CURIOUS CONDUCT and PLACEBO EFFECTS, and her 2010 collection, BURNING OF THE THREE FIRES. She assembles everyday objects, fairy ...
Poet and aphorist James Richardson
(00:29:00)
From: New Letters on the Air
Poet James Richardson has called himself an "accidental aphorist," but his well-crafted works are no accident. He reads from his 2010 book, BY THE NUMBERS: POEMS AND ...
Alaska's State Writer Laureate, 2010-2012, Peggy Shumaker
(00:29:00)
From: New Letters on the Air
Peggy Shumaker, Alaska's State Writer Laureate, 2010-2012, is adept at capturing the beauty of landscapes, both internal and external. She reads from her poetry collection ...
Piece Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning short story writer, Robert Olen Butler follows his recent story collections, Intercourse and Severance, with his novel, Hell. Making humorous bows to Dante and Virgil, Butler follows a TV newsman on his pursuit of a breaking story about Satan through this underworld inhabited with characters ranging from Henry the VIII’s Anne Boleyn to Humphrey Bogart. He reads from the book and also talks about his views on the creative process, which are included in his non-fiction book, From Where You Dream.
Broadcast History
Uplinked to PRSS' Content Depot on 9/4/2009 for broadcast on public radio stations.
Timing and Cues
UPLINK DATE: 09/04/2009
PROGRAM LENGTH: 29:00 minutes
INCUE: (music) "Robert Olen Butler began his literary career..."
OUTCUE: "...Thanks for listening to New Letters on the Air."
Spoken promo: Next time on New Letters on the Air... Fiction writer Robert Olen Butler talks about the dangers of approaching writing as an intellectual pursuit rather than finding inspiration “from where you dream.” He reads from his own dream-like works that take on serious situations with deadly comedy. Robert Olen Butler, next time on New Letters on the Air...
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishikari Lore | Kevin MacLeod | Royalty Free Music. | incompetech.com | 00:00 | |
| Skye Cuillan | Kevin MacLeod | Royalty Free Music. | incompetech.com | 00:00 | |
| Some Amount of Evil | Kevin MacLeod | Royalty Free Music. | incompetech.com | 00:00 | |
| Feels Like Home | Studio Cutz | Acoustic Brew. | Studio Cutz Production Library | 00:30 | |
| Passing Time | Studio Cutz | Light & Bright II. | Studio Cutz Production Library | 00:00 |
Additional Credits
New Letters on the Air is a production of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the quarterly literary magazine NEW LETTERS. Partial financial support also comes from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.