• Introducing The Writers Institute, a Deep-Dive Into the Audio Archives of the New York State Writers Institute

    A New Podcast From Adam Colman and the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany

    Books are written in solitude, but writers do some of their finest work with crowds—in public talks, interviews, and events. The best moments from those strange, dramatic interactions often go missing, however: either they’re never recorded, or nobody will ever find the recordings. Fortunately, the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany has been methodically recording thousands of writers’ events since 1983, when it was founded by the novelist William Kennedy.

    Article continues after advertisement
    Remove Ads

    Now, the writer and radio producer Adam Colman is digging into those audio archives, listening to recordings from the likes of Raymond Carver, Grace Paley, Jamaica Kincaid, Margaret Atwood, and Samuel Delany. On The Writers Institute, you’ll hear them, too, along with writers who joined Adam in listening to the archival recordings. They include Jonathan Franzen, Susan Choi, Jonathan Lethem, Saeed Jones, and Amelia Gray.

    Tune in tomorrow to hear what happens when intensely solitary work finds its way into the public realm and the wider world, and listen to the trailer below:

    Subscribe, listen, and enjoy the engaging interviews as we bring you into The Writers Institute. Episodes will be available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Article continues after advertisement
    Remove Ads


    The Writers Institute
    The Writers Institute
    Books are written in solitude, but writers do some of their finest work with crowds—in public talks, interviews, and events. The best moments from those strange, dramatic interactions often go missing, however: either they’re never recorded, or nobody will ever find the recordings. Fortunately, the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany has been methodically recording thousands of writers’ events since 1983, when it was founded by the novelist William Kennedy. Now, the writer and radio producer Adam Colman is digging into those audio archives, listening to recordings from the likes of Raymond Carver, Grace Paley, Jamaica Kincaid, Margaret Atwood, and Samuel Delany. On The Writers Institute, you’ll hear them, too, along with writers who joined Adam in listening to the archival recordings. They include Jonathan Franzen, Susan Choi, Jonathan Lethem, Saeed Jones, and Amelia Gray.





    Read More

    Attention, phonies: a rare signed edition of The Catcher in the Rye is up for sale.

     Let's be honest: if you have £225,000 to spend on something as frivolous as a signed copy of The Catcher in the Rye instead...

    We Need Your Help:

    Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member

    Lit Hub has always brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for your contribution, you'll get an ad-free site experience, editors' picks, and our Joan Didion tote bag. Most importantly, you'll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving.