First Draft highlights the voices of writers as they discuss their work, their craft and the literary arts.  This weeks show features an interview with award winning novelist Russell Banks whose latest work is a short story collection called "Permanent Member of the Family."  He talks about his literary influences, how he crafts his stories, what he is seeking to achieve in his work, his youth in Florida and how place influences his work. 

Russell Banks is the author of more than a dozen works, which include poetry, short stories, novels and essays.  His novels Cloudsplitter and Continental Drift were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.  The Sweet Hereafter and Affliction were made into feature films.  His latest work is a short story collection called A Permanent Member of the Family .  Banks is the recipient of numerous literary awards, is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.  He lives in Keene, New York and Miami, Florida.