Radio Wolinsky

12.07.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Malcolm Margolin (1940-2025), the long-time publisher of Heyday Books in Berkeley, who died on August 20, 2025 at the age of 84, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky in the KPFA Studios on November 21, 2014. He was the founder and publisher of Heyday Books, the renownedy non-profit publishing house located in Berkeley, in 1974 and stayed until he retired in 2015. He was the author and editor of several books, most notably The Ohlone Way: Indian Life in the San Francisco – Monterey Bay Area, along with magazines and other periodicals.

11.30.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Lauren Gunderson, recognized as the most produced contemporary playwright in America four of the last five years, including 2025, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Lauren Gunderson is a prolific playwright whose plays are produced all over North America and in Britain and Europe. She is best known for such plays as “The Book of Will” and the “Christmas at Pemberley” series of three plays (co-written by Margot Malcon). She also worked on the script for the Pixar film “Lightyear,” and her book for the musical version of “The Time Traveler’s Wife” recently played in London. 

11.23.25

By Richard Wolinsky

John Banville, Booker Prize winning novelist, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky in the KPFA studios, on March 19, 2007 while on tour for the novel, “Christine Falls,” written under the pseudonym Benjamin Black. This is the first posting of this interview, which never aired in its entirety.

11.16.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Amy Bloom, award-winning novelist and short-story writer, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky in the KPFA studios, on October 4, 2007 while on tour for her second novel, “Away.” This is the first posting of this interview, which never aired in its entirety.

11.09.25

By Richard Wolinsky

From the Probabilities Archive: Joe R. Lansdale, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded August 2, 1994 during the author tour for the Hap and Leonard novel, “Mucho Mojo,” recorded in the KPFA Studios. Today, there are over two dozen Hap and Leonard books, plus a TV series that ran for three seasons starring James Purefoy and Michael K. Williams.

11.02.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Legendary horror and fantasy master Clive Barker in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, Richard A. Lupoff and Lawrence Davidson, recorded at Dark Carnival Bookstore in Berkeley October 21, 1988 while promoting the film “Hellbound: Hellraiser II.” Digitized, remastered and lightly edited October 25-26, 2025 and not heard for over thirty-five years.

10.26.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded August 23, 2001 while on tour for her novel, “What You Owe Me.” Her novels focused on racism, and on its toll on minority mental health. Bebe Moore Campbell died of brain cancer on November 27, 2006 at the age of 56,  and was on the verge of recognition as a major African American novelist and journalist at the time of her death.

10.19.25

By Richard Wolinsky

With the World Series coming up, a look back at baseball with one of the great baseball writers of the Twentieth Century. Roger Kahn, who died on February 6, 2020 at the age of 92, was one of the icons in the world of baseball writing. In this 70-minute interview recorded on October 13, 1993, he discusses racism in baseball, his friendship with Jackie Robinson, the glory days of baseball in New York in the 1950s, and several other topics, and reads excerpts from his writing. He is interviewed by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff.

10.12.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Edmund White (1940-2025), who died on June 3, 2025, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded while on tour for “The Farewell Symphony,” the third volume of his autobiographical trilogy, recorded September 15, 1997. Digitized, remastered and edited on October 10, 2025 and heard for the first time in over a quarter century. Photo: David Shankbone.

10.05.25

By Richard Wolinsky

Acclaimed mysery author Thomas Perry (1947-2025), who died on September 15, 2025, had a long and vibrant career beginning with the Edgar Award winning first novel, “The Butcher’s Boy” in 1982. In this interview recorded in June, 2006, he talks about writing mysteries and his techniques with host Richard Wolinsky. Thomas Perry’s novel, “The Old Man,” published in 2017, became a two-season television series starring Jeff Bridges.