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Burned By Books

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Brandon Taylor
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A podcast for writers and readers who are obsessive about their books. Interviews with established and up-and-coming writers, and recommendations for the best in contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama. Chris Holmes. Chris is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. He is the co-director of The New Voices Fes... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes201Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionArtsBooks

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Latest Episodes

Well, that’s about it for the story of planet Earth, poor Earth, reduced to not much more than a piece of burnt coal. But, as Deb Olin Unferth shows in her latest electrifying novel, life and love persist, even in the most unexpected, inhospitable pl... more

From Pulitzer and National Book Award finalist Anand Gopal, an epic and enthralling account of six Syrians fighting for a better world, in the tradition of classic works by Philip Gourevitch and Katherine Boo.

In 2011, in a northern Syrian city, a sm... more

In Canon (Viking, 2026), two unlikely heroes embark on quests to win God’s favor in this outrageously entertaining, profoundly heartfelt novel that announces an ingenious new voice in the tradition of Chain-Gang All-Stars, No One Is Talking About Th... more

Sarah Jean Grimm is the author of Soft Focus (Metatron, 2017) and the chapbook Hog Lagoon (blush, 2023). She was a founding editor of Powder Keg Magazine (2014-2019) and currently edits the small poetry press After Hours Editions. She lives in upstat... more

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Recent Guests

Deb Olin Unferth
Author of Earth 7 (Graywolf Press, 2026)
Author, Earth 7
Episode: Deb Olin Unferth, "Earth 7: A Novel" (Graywolf Press 2026)
Anand Gopal
Author of Days of Love and Rage, correspondent on democracy, inequality and conflict
The New Yorker
Episode: Anand Gopal, "Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution" (Viking, 2026)
Paige Lewis
Author of Canon; poet and educator
Author, Canon; teaches creative writing at the University of Iowa
Episode: Paige Lewis, "Canon" (Viking, 2026)
Sarah Jean Grimm
Poet; author of Hog Lagoon and Soft Focus; founding editor of Powder Keg Magazine; editor at Broadside PR
Powder Keg Magazine; After Hours Editions; Broadside PR
Episode: Sarah Jean Grimm, "Hog Lagoon" (blush, 2023) and "Soft Focus" (Metatron, 2017)
Lisa Lee
Author of American Han
Algonquin Books (publisher)
Episode: Lisa Lee, "American Han" (Algonquin Books, 2026)
Namwali Serpell
Award-winning novelist and critic; author of On Morrison
Harvard University (Professor of English)
Episode: Namwali Serpell, "On Morrison" (Hogarth, 2026)
Daniel Poppick
Author of The Copywriter; poet and novelist
Author, The Copywriter
Episode: Daniel Poppick, "The Copywriter" (Scribner, 2026)
Alice Martin
Author of Westward Women
St. Martin's Press (publisher of the book discussed)
Episode: Alice Martin, "Westward Women" (St. Martins Press, 2026)
Joe Mungo Reed
Author of Terrestrial History
Author, Terrestrial History
Episode: Joe Mungo Reed, "Terrestrial History" (Norton, 2025)

Host

Chris Holmes
Host of Burned By Books; Chair of Literatures in English at Ithaca College; writes criticism on contemporary global literatures; co-director of The New Voices Festival.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • The sound of gushing praise

    I have come to contemporary fiction a bit late in my reading life. Now that I have plenty of time on my hands (having taken early retirement five years ago) and determined to avoid the destructive addiction of today’s online political discourse, I turned to literature as a balm. Chris Holmes’ podcast seemed a nice way to hear about new writing, especially novels, which I find more satisfying than short stories. There are a few things to be said in praise of this podcast. Unlike the Book Review p... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sidneyhart
    United States2 years ago
  • Eclectic

    I am impressed by the variety of books reviewed here. The host’s enthusiasm and thoughtful preparation for these discussions makes this a great listen. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Se. Valpolicella
    United States2 years ago
  • It is indeed

    ...the best podcast about literature that exists. Generous and penetrating. I've been listening for years; how come I haven't left a review until now? A real personal failure!

    Every episode is a gift.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    young4552
    United States4 years ago
  • Refreshing ♥️👍🏽

    I listened to the conversation Chris had with Xochitl Gonzalez and loved to hear questions based on his knowledge of writing and literature! That definitely makes for a better conversation with the authors and when they get excited, the audience gets even more excited about their books.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luz-y-Traducciones
    United States4 years ago
  • A rare treat

    It’s a pleasure to listen to such rich, compelling interviews with exciting contemporary writers. Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    oregonbookworm
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the thoughtful, respectful interview style and the breadth of contemporary fiction and poetry discussed.
A few reviews mention strong editorial selections and consistent quality across episodes.
Listeners praise deep, author-focused interviews that explore craft in depth and provide reading recommendations.
Some listeners note an enthusiastic interviewing approach that enhances the conversation and may lean toward book-centric discussions over broader media topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#54
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#105
Hong Kong/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Anand Gopal, "Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution" (Viking, 2026)
Q: What was the research process like for you? How did you locate these people and bring those narratives together into something that feels novelistic?
Anand describes starting in 2016, building a network of Syrian researchers and assistants, collecting thousands of interviews over eight years, and triangulating with contemporary newspaper records to craft a rich, multi-voiced narrative that reads like a novel.
Paige Lewis, "Canon" (Viking, 2026)
Q: Why non-binary Yara and how does that shape the form of Canon?
Yara's non-binary identity opens the narrative to a broader epic form, challenging traditional heroism and allowing the novel to blend genres without being forced into one label, creating a non-binary epic.
Paige Lewis, "Canon" (Viking, 2026)
Q: What was the challenge of weaving together epic, religious, and contemporary tones, and how did you balance blasphemy with humor?
I wanted to create a balance that acknowledges sacred weight while letting humor deflate pretensions, using the narrator's wry voice to both honor and question the gods and the violence at the story's center.
Paige Lewis, "Canon" (Viking, 2026)
Q: How do you see the narrator as a character, a god voice, something in between?
The narrator is like a god, more in control than others, yet still unable to control everything, serving as a self-aware force that comments on the action while guiding the reader through the epic.
Daniel Poppick, "The Copywriter" (Scribner, 2026)
Q: Did you coin the term permalancer for Dee, the protagonist?
Daniel confirms he did not coin the term; it was already circulating and used to describe the character's situation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Burned By Books

What is Burned By Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers contemporary fiction, poetry, and literary criticism through in-depth author interviews and craft-focused conversations. Episodes frequently explore how form, language, and intertextuality shape new works, often correlating with publishing contexts, editorial processes, and an author's broader influences. A notable pattern is the host's emphasis on craft details, thematic motifs (identity, memory, power, and culture), and the publishing ecosystem, including indie presses and the larger book industry. The format tends to be long-form, thoughtful, and author-centric, making it well-suited for listeners who love close reading, literary culture, and practical insights for writing and publishing. A standout aspect is the blend ... more

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1. Poured Over
2. Otherppl with Brad Listi
3. The Daily
4. The Interview
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Burned By Books are there?

Burned By Books launched 6 years ago and published 201 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 Burned By Books?

Recent guests on Burned By Books include:

1. Deb Olin Unferth
2. Anand Gopal
3. Paige Lewis
4. Sarah Jean Grimm
5. Lisa Lee
6. Namwali Serpell
7. Daniel Poppick
8. Alice Martin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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