Meet the Author

In her mesmerizing collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You, the multitalented Miranda July portrays a compelling cast of characters who are desperate but unprepared for any kind of human connection.

Author James Frey burst onto the literary scene with A Million Little Pieces, the critically acclaimed and controversial account of addiction and redemption. His latest, Bright Shiny Morning, is a sprawling novel about contemporary Los Angeles and the pursuit of the American Dream.

She's a stand-up comedian, host of E!'s late night show, Chelsea Lately, and with the release of Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea, a bestselling author. Chelsea Handler's collection of irreverent and hilarious essays recalls the highs and lows of her life to date.

Augusten Burroughs' latest memoir, A Wolf at the Table, explores the author's terrifying relationship with his father, as well as the radical pendulum swing between love and hate. Featuring a dramatic reading by Burroughs, the audiobook also includes four original songs by Patti Smith, Tegan Quin, Ingrid Michaelson, and Sea Wolf.

When McSweeney's contributor Dan Kennedy lands himself a job at a major label, he finds himself in way over his head. Kennedy's hilarious memoir, Rock On, is a power ballad to office life and rock 'n' roll.

The authors of Our Dumb World: Atlas of the Planet Earth (and editors of The Onion) give a guided tour of the most important reference work ever written. Note: This episode is presented as a slideshow. Be sure to enjoy the visual component of this enhanced podcast.

Acclaimed suspense writer James Patterson stops by the Apple Store, SoHo in New York City for a discussion of his latest book, some of his most memorable characters, and his life as a writer of popular fiction.

George R.R. Martin, the best-selling author of the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, is also an award-winning writer of short fiction in a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror. In this exclusive interview, Martin discusses Dreamsongs, the author's collection of short stories from the past 30-plus years. He also discusses favorite characters, the influence of Hollywood, the meaning of "the heart in conflict," and more.

Stephen Colbert captivates a standing room only crowd at the Apple Store in SoHo. After he shares choice sections from his new book, I Am America (And So Can You!), Colbert sits down with radio host Jesse Thorn for an insightful conversation.

Alan Alda's new memoir, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself looks at the critical points in his life--his first Broadway show, September 11, a near-death experience on a Chilean mountaintop--and wonders whether there's any one thing that leads to a life of meaning.