Caption: Debra Brenegan
Debra Brenegan 

Novelist Debra Brenegan

From: New Letters on the Air
Series: New Letters on the Air
Length: 29:01

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. Brenegan reads from her book and discusses how Fanny Fern overcame poverty and an abusive marriage to become the Oprah of her generation. Read the full description.

Brenegan-prx_small Women's History Month continues with Debra Brenegan, whose debut novel, SHAME THE DEVIL, explores the fascinating true story of Sara Payson Willis, a novelist, journalist, and feminist who wrote under the pseudonym "Fanny Fern" during the 1800s. She describes Fern as a 19th century Oprah, who boasted thousands of fans, outsold Harriet Beecher Stowe and served as literary mentor to Walt Whitman. Brenegan reads from the novel and discusses why she felt compelled to rescue the writer from obscurity and how Fanny Fern overcame poverty and an abusive marriage.

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Piece Description

Women's History Month continues with Debra Brenegan, whose debut novel, SHAME THE DEVIL, explores the fascinating true story of Sara Payson Willis, a novelist, journalist, and feminist who wrote under the pseudonym "Fanny Fern" during the 1800s. She describes Fern as a 19th century Oprah, who boasted thousands of fans, outsold Harriet Beecher Stowe and served as literary mentor to Walt Whitman. Brenegan reads from the novel and discusses why she felt compelled to rescue the writer from obscurity and how Fanny Fern overcame poverty and an abusive marriage.

Broadcast History

This program originally uplinked to PRSS' Content Depot on March 9, 2012 for delivery to member stations.

Timing and Cues

PROMO: Next time on NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR, we continue our celebration of Women's History Month with Debra Brenegan, whose debut novel, SHAME THE DEVIL, explores the fascinating true story of Sara Payson Willis. Brenegan describes how Willis, who wrote under the pseudonym "Fanny Fern" during the 1800s for newspapers in Boston and New York City, overcame poverty and an abusive marriage to become the Oprah of her generation. Debra Brenegan reads from SHAME THE DEVIL - on the next NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR...
UPLINK DATE: 03/09/2012
PROGRAM LENGTH: 29:00 minutes
INCUE: (music) "Debra Brenegan's debut novel, SHAME THE DEVIL..."
OUTCUE:"...(music) I'm Angela Elam for NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR."

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Peace and Understanding Gene Michael Productions Piano Reflections. GMP Music Library 2012 00:00
Skyward Glance Studio Cutz Light & Bright 03. Studio Cutz Music Library 2012 00:00

Additional Credits

New Letters on the Air is a production of the quarterly literary magazine, New Letters, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Partial financial support comes from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Related Website

http://www.newletters.org/ontheair.asp