In 2015, I was honored to be asked to help continue John Seigenthaler's literary legacy by co-hosting A WORD ON WORDS, his long-running literary television series on Nashville Public Television.
It has been an incredible ride alongside my fabulous co-host, fellow Nashville author Mary Laura Philpott, talking with authors from all kinds of genres and walks of life. And in 2017, we were over the moon to win an EMMY for our first season!
Take a second, pop up your feet, and hear from some of your favorite authors. You can learn more about the show here, and follow along online at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. #keepreading
Season 1
David Arnold & Adam Silvera
David Arnold, author of MOSQUITOLAND, and Adam Silvera, author of MORE HAPPY THAN NOT, discuss the rising popularity of young adult fiction with adult readers.
Patti Callahan Henry
Patti Callahan Henry, author of THE IDEA OF LOVE and THE STORIES WE TELL discusses her writing process.
Emily Waltenbaugh
Emily Waltenbaugh uncovers many of the unknown things you can do at your local library.
David Bell
David Bell, author of SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW and THE FORGOTTEN GIRL discusses his experience as a writing teacher and his writing process.
Greg Iles
Greg Iles, author of THE BONE TREE and NATCHEZ BURNING talks about writing in the deep south.
Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux, author of DEEP SOUTH, talks about the role of the novel.
Lauren Groff
Lauren Groff, author of FATES AND FURIES, talks about writing from two different character's points of view.
William Finnegan
William Finnegan, author of BARBARIAN DAYS, talks about his memoir as a surfer.
Geraldine Brooks
Author Geraldine Brooks talks about THE SECRET CHORD
Maile Meloy
Author Maile Meloy talks to Mary Laura Philpott how BOTH WAYS IS THE ONLY WAY I WANT IT is not only the title of her book of short stories, but an appropriate way to describe her life. More episodes of A WORD ON WORDS: http://awordonwords.org/
Deborah Harkness
Author Deborah Harkness talks alchemy, witches and wine with A Word on Words host J. T. Ellison.
Jane Smiley
A Word on Words host Mary Laura Philpott talks to Pulitzer Prize author Jane Smiley about the unconventional structure of THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS trilogy and the appeal of farms as a setting.
Margaret Atwood
Why are books about extreme situations so popular? Margaret Atwood talks about her book THE HEART GOES LAST with host J. T. Ellison on this episode of A WORD ON WORDS. Want more episodes? http://awordonwords.org
Ed Tarkington & Will Hoge
Whether you're writing a novel or writing a song, it really all comes down to telling a good story. Author Ed Tarkington talks to host Mary Laura Philpott about his debut novel, ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART, along with his good friend, singer/songwriter Will Hoge.
Alice Randall
Alice Randall talks to host J. T. Ellison about *real* soul food and mixing genres. For more about A Word on Words: http://www.awordonwords.org
Lagnajita Mukhopadhyay
Lagnajita Mukhopadhyay, Nashville's 2015 and first Youth Poet Laureate, talks to host Mary Laura Philpott about poetry and being the voice of youth in her city. For more about A Word on Words: http://www.awordonwords.org
Louise Erdrich
National Book Award winning author Louise Erdrich has been credited with helping to create a "Native American Renaissance" in American literature. In this episode, she talks to host Mary Laura Philpott about her latest novel -- LaRose -- and how the settings and characters reflect much of what matters to her most.
Ariel Lawhon
Author Ariel Lawhon talks to J. T. Ellison about how she explores the final flight of The Hindenburg in FLIGHT OF DREAMS. For more about A Word on Words: http://www.awordonwords.org