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Artwork for Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry

Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry

David Naimon, Milkweed Editions
Poetry
Colonialism
Identity
Literature
Grief
Memory
Memoir
Feminism
Language
Death
Ecology
Palestine
The Story Game
Trans Rights
Theory & Practice
Tone
Duet For One
Reincarnation
Family Dynamics
Women's Literature

BOOKS ∙ WORKSHOPS ∙ PODCAST

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes342Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionBooksArts

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Artwork for Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry

Latest Episodes

Martyr Loser King, the debut graphic novel of poet, musician, actor and director Saul Williams, with art by Morgan Sorne, not only exists in the same world as his feature film Neptune Frost, but also that of three of his albums, one of his poetry col... more

YouTube

Today’s classic episode from the archives with Zadie Smith was recorded in 2019 at the studios of KBOO community radio to discuss her story collection Grand Union. The conversation ranges wildly—from the politics of representation, of being “free to ... more

One of the elements that makes Molly Crabapple’s latest book so remarkable is, not only the remarkable stories it unearths and retells, but more specifically how she tells these stories, these erased stories, these stories meant to be forgotten. Not ... more

YouTube

Lily Brooks-Dalton’s Ruins is both a cleverly plotted page-turner, and an emotionally engaging, character-driven novel with an unforgettable protagonist; it’s both erudite and a wild ride, inviting and yet mysterious, only slowly revealing its cards.... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Saul Williams
Writer, poet, musician, director, actor and more
Episode: Saul Williams : Martyr Loser King
Maura Finkelstein
Anthropologist and author of The Archive of Loss, Lively Ruination in Mill Land, Mumbai
Episode: Saul Williams : Martyr Loser King
Danez Smith
Poet and former guest of the show
Episode: Saul Williams : Martyr Loser King
Noor Hindy
Palestinian American poet
Episode: Saul Williams : Martyr Loser King
Zadie Smith
Novelist and essayist, author of Grand Union
Writer
Episode: From the Archives : Zadie Smith : Grand Union
Molly Crabapple
Writer and artist specializing in movement history and graphic journalism
Author of Here Where We Live Is Our Country, The Story of the Jewish Bund
Episode: Molly Crabapple : Here Where We Live Is Our Country : The Story of the Jewish Bund
Lily Brooks-Dalton
Author of Ruins
Author
Episode: Lily Brooks-Dalton : Ruins
Ted Chiang
Writer, author of Exhalation and multiple award-winning science fiction author
Brown University alum, Clarion Writers Workshop alumnus
Episode: From the Archives : Ted Chiang : Exhalation
Jordy Rosenberg
Writer and scholar, professor of literature at UMass Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: Jordy Rosenberg : Night Night Fawn

Host

David Naimon
Host of Between The Covers, known for his thoughtful and in-depth interviewing style that engages guests and elicits rich conversations about their work in the literary field.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 895 ratings
  • So Good

    As others have written this podcast is to be greatly admired. David, the host, has clearly done a huge amount of reading/ research prior to each episode so the explorations with each of the authors interviewed are so rewarding to listen to. I am immensely grateful to be able to listen to this podcast and wholly recommend it to anyone who is / might be interested in literature. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PineGroveCharlie
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • What a gift!

    I decided to go back to the beginning while I wait for a new conversation. I’m so grateful for the expansive archive you’ve built and made accessible. And I’m re-listening, too. I’m going back for another dose of you and Brandon Shimoda. We need a kind of club for these chats. I don’t even know where to start with that. I feel bereft after each podcast. Every last one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jobitek
    Canada2 months ago
  • Thrilling and thought-provoking

    Thank you for the episode with the glorious Robin Coste Lewis

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lisa Blumenfeld
    United States6 months ago
  • Incredibly rich and deep

    Absolutely gorgeous guests, thoughtful preparation and profound conversations. My only request would be for the host to speak about 40% less to let the guests take up more time. While David’s questions are often so rich and steeped in care, sometimes they tend to center him and his thinking instead of the guest. I still found both episodes I listened to deeply moving and transcendent but I did find myself craving more of the guest’s voice. Thank you though that this exists what a gift!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LLaurenne
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best Lit Podcast out there

    One time I thought this podcast was being cancelled and I literally sank to the kitchen floor in tears. David Naimon does so many writers so much justice and you can hear it in their responses

    to his incredibly thoughtful questions. This podcast is a beautiful portal to webs of writers dreaming and writing towards better worlds !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lolalou89
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thorough research and the depth of questions, contributing to meaningful conversations between the host and guests.
The thoughtful nature of discussions is regularly highlighted, with many praising the exploration of complex literary themes and personal narratives.
Some feedback indicates a desire for more airtime for guests, as the host's questioning style can dominate the conversation at times.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#173
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#62
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From the Archives : Zadie Smith : Grand Union
Q: How do you balance autobiography and fiction when you drop autobiographical details into Grand Union, and how does that affect readers' perception of the 'real you' in your stories?
I use myself as a rhetorical device, not as a definitive self-representation. I want readers to feel the emotional truth without assuming the personal is the factual. The self on the page is a performance that can illuminate wider human experiences without binding me to one fixed identity.
From the Archives : Zadie Smith : Grand Union
Q: You've talked about how your writerly sensibilities are formed by early reading experiences rather than deliberate intentions. Could you reflect on what that means for your approach to Grand Union?
I describe a process where early reading, rather than a conscious plan, shapes how I listen to voices in fiction and how I allow multiplicity of selves to emerge in stories. The eye on the page is not fixed; it can shift, which lets me explore different identities and perspectives without being tied to a single voice or truth.
Molly Crabapple : Here Where We Live Is Our Country : The Story of the Jewish Bund
Q: Can you speak to the role of humor in tackling heavy political subjects without diminishing the gravity of the history?
Humor acts as a counterbalance to solemnity, helping readers engage difficult truths while revealing the absurdities and contradictions that many activists navigated, which is essential for sustaining critique and imagination.
Molly Crabapple : Here Where We Live Is Our Country : The Story of the Jewish Bund
Q: What drew you to emphasize Yiddish culture as central to the Bund's modern relevance?
Yiddish represented a pluralistic, multicultural democratic vision that resisted assimilationist pressures and provided a cultural foundation for organizing across differences, which remains a powerful template for cross-cultural solidarity.
Molly Crabapple : Here Where We Live Is Our Country : The Story of the Jewish Bund
Q: How did you approach writing a history that is both a scholarly work and a living, inspirational text for contemporary activism?
I aimed to fuse archival rigor with an intimate, sensory portrayal of movement life, focusing on the body, the labor, the joy and the defeats of activists to make history feel actionable and human today.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engagement with literary exploration and the craft of writing takes center stage, as each episode features deep conversations with authors across genres, including fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Themes of identity, personal narratives, cultural heritage, and the intersection of art and societal issues frequently emerge, reflecting the diverse experiences of the guests. Noteworthy discussions also encompass the role of literature in addressing contemporary issues and the transformative power of storytelling, revealing the myriad ways in which narratives shape individual and collective experiences. This podcast stands out for its deep dive into the motivations and processes behind writing, offering insights that resonate with both readers a... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. The New Yorker: Poetry
3. The Shakespeare and Company Interview
4. Poetry Off the Shelf
5. The New Yorker: Fiction

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 13 years ago and published 342 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Saul Williams
2. Maura Finkelstein
3. Danez Smith
4. Noor Hindy
5. Zadie Smith
6. Molly Crabapple
7. Lily Brooks-Dalton
8. Ted Chiang

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