Craft: Exploring Creativity

Novelist and screenwriter Amy Talkington's book Liv Forever debuts this week. We talk about how she got started on the book, what kinds of supernatural experiences led (or didn't lead) to this paranormal thriller, and how she feels about doing an elevator pitch for a novel.

JA Jance will be in Columbus with the Thurber House on March 10. We talked about how she got started, why she doesn't like the word "prolific," and why you shouldn't plan even fictional murders in restaurants.

Pulitzer-prize finalist Chang-Rae Lee tells me about his latest novel, working with students, and the potential for going into writing as a money-making career (his advice: don't).

The Ohio premiere of composer Aaron Jay Kernis's trumpet concerto, "A Voice, a Messenger" will be February 25 by the Ohio State University Wind Symphony, featuring Michael Sachs, principal trumpet player for the Cleveland Orchestra. Commissioned by the NY Philharmonic and  Big Ten Band Directors Association, the work reflects Kernis's interest in biblical references to the sound of the trumpet or horn. Listen to composer Aaron Jay Kernis on Craft First person to comment below wins The Road from Gap Creek by Robert Morgan and The Scent of Pine by Lara Vapnyar.

How a play about a pastor of a dying church who is losing his religion led to an upbeat gospel song: Listen to The Steel Wheels on Craft Six String Concerts hosts The Steel Wheels on Saturday, February 15 at 8:00 PM at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave, Columbus First person to comment gets two tickets to The Steel Wheels concert.

This week's show features guest host Mitra Johari talking to Jack O’Brien, the Cracked.com's editor  in chief on their new book, Cracked: The Detextbook. Listen to the show First person to comment below wins two books: one novel of your choice and The Ballad of Barnabas Pierkel.

Iconic broadcaster Jane Pauley will be in Columbus on January 9 with the Thurber House, and we talked about her career, her latest book, Your Life Calling, and how I'm "adorable." This may be the high point of my career. Jane Pauley on Craft