Michael Interviewed...

Frank Conroy
Author and Director of the Iowa Writers Workshop
September 23, 2000

You can't really teach writing, and they don't pay Frank to teach writing, he's mastered more of a zen approach. The Workshop is about criticism of the text and support of the writer. Authors who've come out of the workshop include Flannery O'Connor, John Irving, Tracy Kidder, Jane Ann Phillips, and Kirsten Bakis. Check out Frank's memoir titled "Stop Time."

Listen in for Frank's reflections on authors, writing, and the knapsack the reader needs to carry up the mountain.

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Frank Conroy's book, Stop-Time is available from Amazon.com.

Michael Interviewed...

Robert Forsythe
Economics Professor and Manager of the Iowa Electronic Markets
September 23, 2000

Taking inspiration from pork bellies, Robert Forsythe and his colleagues are trading on the outcome of elections, especially the U.S. Presidential race. These are real money markets, where you could make a buck if your candidate is elected. Buy and hold; buy low, sell high; it's up to you. If you've got $500 to don't care about losing, maybe the markets are for you--Gore is running about 60-40.

Listen in.

Need more info? Check out their web site at: www.biz.uiowa.edu/iem.

Michael Interviewed...

Marvin Bell
Poet Laureate for the State of Iowa
September 23, 2000

Because poetry is good for the corn, poet Marvin Bell writes and reads his works across the state of Iowa. Prose is like walking while poetry is like dancing (especially the poets from another galaxy). Of course Poet Laureate doesn't pay the best......Bell's latest book was "Harry Pottered," but will be available soon, look for "Night Works" on Copper Canyon Press.

Listen in for some eloquent words in "For Dorothy" and one of the "Dead Man" poems.

Marvin Bell's book, Ardor: The Book of the Dead Man is available from Amazon.com.

Michael Interviewed...

Evelyn Birkby
The Radio Homemaker
September 23, 2000

Since 1950 Evelyn has been sharing recipes, stories about daily life, and household hints in the newspaper and on the airways across southwest Iowa. She started out with two recipes--meat loaf and red Jell-O--but she's added to her repertoire.

Listen in for insights on homemaking in Iowa and some very tasty Hayhand rolls, or check out Evelyn's books "Up A Country Lane" and "Neighboring on the Air."

Evelyn Birkby's books, Neighboring on the Air and Up A Country Lane are available from Amazon.com.

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