B&N Meet the Writers Audio Interviews

In our interview Andrew Vachss talks about how his background as a child protection consultant and attorney representing children influences his crime fiction novels, including Terminal.

In our interview, Junot Diaz discusses his colorful career as an author, including the experience of writing his acclaimed first novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

In our interview, the beloved -- and prolific -- author of bestselling books for both kids and adults reflects upon why she'll never stop writing, despite the challenges and pressures to top herself. “I have so many more stories to tell,” she explains.

Drawing on their own harrowing experience as nannies to New York City's pampered and powerful set, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus penned the breakout New York Times bestseller The Nanny Diaries. In our interview, the authors of Dedication discuss how they were inspired to start writing.

In our interview the author of Dave Barry's History of the Millenium (So Far) talks about his early days as a columnist, what it's like to win the Pulitzer, and how he's honed his humor over time.

Garrison Keillor has become an iconic symbol of the small-town Midwest. His stories set in Lake Wobegon -- like his latest, Pontoon -- evoke nostalgia and laughs from readers living all over the map.

In our interview, the author of the Spiderwick Chronicles series and Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale, reveals "I was very frightened of many, many different things. I still, to this day, am probably more afraid of things than people would think, given my books."

In our interview, the author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, recalls the books he loved as a kid. "My favorites were probably Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl," he reflects. "I remember James and the Giant Peach -- I loved that scene where the peach rolls over the evil ants!"

In our interview, the author of the Hank Zipzer Series, including the latest Barfing in the Backseat, talks about the long process of overcoming the stigma associated with dyslexia. "It took a long time to chisel through the mantel of being 'stupid,'" he explains.

In our interview, the author of New England White talks about how he approaches the different genres. "When I write nonfiction, I'm writing to make an argument," he explains. But if I write fiction, I'm writing mainly to entertain -- I want the readers to have fun."

In our interview, the author of Killer Weekend talks about his many literary influences, including the legendary Robert Ludlum -- whose books Pearson devoured when he began his career as a writer. "Those early Ludlums were just so good," he reflects. "I thought, 'You know, on my best day, maybe I could do this."

In our interview, the author of Waking with Enemies talks about the steamy nature of his page-turners. "There's always more to it than just sex," he explains. "There's something else that's going on deeper inside that character."

In our interview, the author of The Careful Use of Compliments (the latest in the Isabel Dalhousie series) discusses his writing process, inspirations, and how he comes up with adventures for his sassy sleuth.

In our interview, the author of The First Commandment explains how his books provide readers with a unique experience. "You get to face this thing that we're all worried about, especially post 9/11," he explains. "I think it's an exciting chance to step into the world of counter-terrorism."

In our interview, the author of Jinx recalls how growing up in a small town might have inspired her career. "I was always at the library, reading anything I could get my hands on," she recalls. "I think growing up bored had a big impact," she laughs.