Prolific genre author Joe R. Lansdale, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded November 12, 2025, discussing his latest Hap & Leonard book, “Hatchet Girls,” his recent collections, and his life as a writer.
Bookwaves/Artwaves
1:00 PM: Thursdays
Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Bookwaves/Artwaves – December 11, 2025: Fund Drive Special: Stephen Greenblatt on Shakespeare’s World
Stephen Greenblatt, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky about his book Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius o Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival, recorded September 11, 2025. Plus a review of “Sunday in the Park with George” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through January 31, 2026.
Playwright Lauren Gunderson discusses her latest work and their productions, including plays at TheatreWorks and the Pear Theatre on the SF Peninsula, along with a look at her forthcoming play, Muse of Fire, which will be at the Magic Theatre next fall. Also, excerpts from a 2002 interview with spy novelist Alan Furst. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Two interviews: Malcolm Margolin (1940-2025) legendary Berkeley-based publisher of Heyday books, in a 2014 interview about his career. Azar Nafisi, author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran” discusses the tyranny of the Islamic regime and her love for literature in an interview from 2009. Also: A tribute to KPFA’s late master of poetry, Jack Foley. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Francine Prose discusses her latest book, “1974: A Personal History” and her relationship with Anthony Russo of the Pentagon Papers, now in trade paperback. From the Cover to Cover Archive, an interview with the late horror director Wes Craven, recorded in 1999, co-interviewed by Richard A. Lupoff. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Two from the Bookwaves Archive 2007: 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.” 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. Plus reviews of “A Driving Beat” at TheatreWorks and “Sally and Tom” at Marin Theatre. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Tanith Lee (1947-2015) and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (1942-2025). This programhonors two master practitioners of horror, fantasy and science fiction, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and Tanith Lee, with two interviews back to back. In the first, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro joins Richard A. Lupoff to speak with Tanith Lee, recorded in San Jose in 1983. In the second, Richard Wolinsky speaks with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro about her historical horror fiction, recorded in late 1978 or early 1979. Also: Review of “Stereophonic” at the Curran Theatre through November 23, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues Susan Hill: Master of Ghost Stories and Noir Susan Hill, author of “The Woman in Black” and other novels, in conversation by phone with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded November 29, 2021. The Woman in Black, a play by … Continued
Richard Powers discusses his latest novel, “Playground,” which focuses on Big Tech and AI and has just come out in trade paperback. Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006) in a newly digitized interview recorded in 2001 discusses racism and minority mental health and her novel, “What You Owe Me.” Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
From the Archive: Mystery writer Thomas Perry (1947-2025), who died on September 15, 2025, discusses his career in this 2006 interview, which has not aired in eighteen years; Gay icon, novelist and memoirist Edmund White (1940-2025) who died on June 3, 2025, recorded during the tour for his best-selling novel, “The Farewell Symphony.” This interview was recently digitized and not heard for over a quarter century. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.