New Letters on the Air

Series produced by New Letters on the Air

Series image

Listening to New Letters on the Air is like eavesdropping on intimate conversations with favorite writers who reveal secrets about their creative methods, read a few favorite passages, and inspire the listener's imagination.

NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR is a weekly half-hour show that has been entertaining and informing audiences about contemporary writers and literature since 1977. Each week, the program focuses on a writer of poetry, fiction or essays, either in an intimate interview or in a public reading before an audience. Post-produced with narrative and music, NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR gives insight into the creative writing process and the universal stories that writers tell.

Each show is self-contained and undated, except for the occasional holiday or theme related program. 30- and 60-second produced promos are provided weekly on the PRSS promo satellite feeds and on Content Depot. Written promos are posted weekly on the DACS along with the timings and cues. Other distribution methods are available.

Though educational, NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR is not pedantic, and the conversation is often filled with laughter as authors discuss and read from their books. Our archive programs contain many Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners, along with recipients of other major literary awards. Recent guests include poets Sherman Alexie, Naomi Shihab Nye, Billy Collins, and Alicia Ostriker; dramatists August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Tony Kushner; essayists Meghan Daum, Susan Orlean, and David Sedaris; fiction writers Richard Russo, Jane Smiley, and Ha Jin. The program also features less-familiar but remarkable writers whose work and contributions are equally engaging.

"Most people have a creative streak, whether they're interested in writing or not," says Angela Elam, host of NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR. "I hope by exploring the writer's process and hearing work that captures the essence of our lives, the program will inspire listeners to do something creative in their own way." Hide full description

NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR is a weekly half-hour show that has been entertaining and informing audiences about contemporary writers and literature since 1977. Each week, the program focuses on a writer of poetry, fiction or essays, either in an intimate interview or in a public reading before an audience. Post-produced with narrative and music, NEW LETTERS ON THE AIR gives insight into the creative writing process and the universal stories that writers tell. Each show is self-contained and undated, except for the occasional holiday or theme related program. 30- and 60-second produced promos are provided weekly on the PRSS promo satellite feeds and on Content Depot. Written promos are posted weekly on the DACS along with the timings and cues. Other distribution methods are available. ... Show full description


143 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Beth Ann Fennelly
Raised in the Chicago suburbs, poet Beth Ann Fennelly talks about her adopted home of Oxford, Mississippi, which she shares with novelist Tom Frank...

  • Added: Apr 28, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Robert Dana
Robert Dana, former poet laureate of Iowa, died in Feb., 2010. Interviewed on his last birthday, Dana read poems from his 2008 book, THE OTHER, an...

  • Added: Apr 21, 2010
  • Length: 33:50
Caption: Robert Pinsky
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky reads poetry from his new collection GULF MUSIC, and talks about the role the sound of words plays in his w...

Bought by Marfa Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 15, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Ten poets reflect on love in all its forms in THE CRUELEST MONTH, a National Poetry Month special featuring Billy Collins, Charles Simic, Debra Mar...

Bought by Moab Public Radio, Spokane Public Radio, and Moab Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 07, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Jeannette Walls
Former celebrity journalist Jeannette Walls discusses her hardscrabble childhood which she depicted in her memoir THE GLASS CASTLE, as well as her ...

Bought by WFIU


  • Added: Mar 24, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Phyllis Becker
Kansas City-based poet Phyllis Becker reads poems her collection, How I Came to Love Jazz, and discusses her artistic impulses and her collaboratio...

  • Added: Feb 25, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Natasha Trethewey
Natasha Trethewey is currently serving as both the Poet Laureate of the United States and of her home state of Mississippi. Trethewey discusses he...

Bought by WJCU


  • Added: Apr 03, 2013
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
This show features the work of younger poets whose first books were published as a result of winning the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, including Natasha...

  • Added: Feb 11, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Steve Lopez and Angela Elam at the Kansas City Public Library, Credit: Tyler Allen, U News
L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez became immortalized on the silver screen when Robert Downey, Jr., portrayed him in the 2009 movie THE SOLOIST, bas...

  • Added: Feb 03, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Joseph O'Neill
NETHERLAND, the 2009 novel by Joseph O'Neill, won the PEN/Faulkner award. He discusses the arduous process of writing the book, which is set in hi...

  • Added: Jan 13, 2010
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Mitch Albom
Writer Mitch Albom's rabbi asked him to deliver his eulogy when he died. The ensuing eight years of meeting with the rabbi as well as working with ...

  • Added: Dec 17, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
Piece image
Poet Heid E. Erdrich comes from a family of writers, including sisters Louise AND Lise. She talks about her talented family, as well as issues of ...

Bought by KRZA


  • Added: Dec 09, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Novelist Laura Moriarty was a practicing social worker, when she began indulging in the "hobby" of writing. Then she sold her novel and she became...

  • Added: Dec 03, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
Piece image
Historical novel writer Sarah Dunant talks about she applies her background writing thrillers to write more literary books. The author of the best...

  • Added: Nov 19, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
Caption: Debra Marquart
Debra Marquart talks about her life growing up in rural North Dakota, her rebellious departure, and how she’s returned in her imagination. She rea...

  • Added: Nov 04, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
Piece image
No other sport has inspired as much poetry as baseball. Today's anthology features works by former U.S. Poet Laureates and other lovers of the sport.

Bought by KZYX


  • Added: Oct 28, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
The 16th U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan talks about what led her to become a poet at 19, how she justifies and legitimizes being a poet to herself and...

  • Added: Oct 21, 2009
  • Length: 28:56
Caption: Alberto Rios
Alberto Rios, who grew up in a mixed family on the Arizona-Mexico border, recounts his experiences living between languages and cultures in his mem...

  • Added: Oct 14, 2009
  • Length: 28:56
Caption: Linda Rodriguez, Credit: Mike Ransdell
We continue our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with Linda Rodriguez, author of the debut poetry collection HEART'S MIGRATION from ...

Bought by WGBH Radio Boston


  • Added: Sep 30, 2009
  • Length: 28:56
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Sandra Cisneros
Sandra Cisneros, author of the now-classic novel THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET, reflects on the 25th anniversary of the book's publication, as well as ...

Bought by KHNS, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, and KRZA


  • Added: Sep 23, 2009
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3