74:14 minutes (67.96 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

On this week's Writers' Voices, Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with children's book author, Rebecca Janni. Despite having four young children at home, Rebecca recently sold four books.  Dutton Children’s Books released her first picture book, "Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse", in 2010 and has purchased two sequels, including "Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots", slated for publication in June 2011.  Also slated for publication is Rebecca’s book "Jammy Dance", which was purchased by Farrar Straus & Giroux.  Rebecca currently lives in Des Moines.

Make sure to tune in for this delightful interview!

62:05 minutes (56.84 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Improving relationships and expanding love is at the heart of this week's Writers' Voices.

Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with husband and wife writing team, Robert and Connie Boyer, about their new book, "Heart & Mind: A Perfect Union." Their book focuses on the uniting of the heart's pull of love and the mind's push of duty. According to the Boyers, this uniting is the only way to fully experience life's perfect love and bliss. Using classic movies, from Casablanca to It's A Wonderful Life to Groundhog Day, for examples, they explore ways people can untangle conflicts and enjoy the perfect union of heart and mind.

Robert Boyer is a retired clinical psychologist, teacher, and has written three previous books. Connie is a banker, former city councilwoman, mother, and grandmother. They own and operate a Fairfield bed and breakfast, Seven Roses Inn.

59:55 minutes (82.29 MB) Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

This week's Writers' Voices features Cheryl Fusco Johnson talking with children's book author Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Jacqueline's most recent book is "The Chiru of High Tibet". Her book tells the true story of how a scientist and four mountain men set out to save the antelope-like creature called the chiru. Chirus are sought after for their soft wool, however they cannot survive being sheared. Taking their wool means taking their life. This practice has caused the chirus to be on the brink of extinction.

Jacqueline Briggs Martin has written many children's books, including the Caldecott Award-winning "Snowflake Bentley", "Good Times on Grandfather Mountain", "Banjo Granny" and many more. She currently lives in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

59:05 minutes (54.1 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

On this week's Writers' Voices, Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with author Wendy Delsol.

Wendy started writing novels at age forty. After studying at UCLA Writers' Extension Program and at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, she sold a young adult novel, "Stork", to Candlewick Press. That book was released last October. "Stork" tells the story of Kat Leblanc, a fashion conscious 16-year-old who moves from L.A. to a small town in Minnesota. In her new surroundings, she becomes a member of an ancient order of bird women who have the extraordinary task of soul delivery.

The sequel to "Stork", "Frost", will be published in 2012. Wendy's also sold an adult novel, "The McCloud Home for Wayward Girls", which is slated for publication August 2011.

59:29 minutes (81.7 MB) Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

On this Writers' Voices, Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with children's book illustrator, Jeni Reeves. Since 1998, Jeni has been illustrating children’s picture books, range from American biography and history to world culture and folklore, for the Lerner Publishing Group. She recently began illustrating for a new series for them, ‘History Speaks’ which dramatizes important events in U. S. history. Jeni has worked in the fields of photography, film-making, television, graphic design and illustration both in the States and in England. 

Tune in to hear a fascinating conversation!

56:26 minutes (77.51 MB) Mono 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

New author Wendy Henrichs had two children’s books released in 2011.  With pictures by award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi, "I Am Tama, Lucky Cat" (Peachtree) retells the 17^th-century Japanese legend behind the beckoning cat figurines commonly displayed in Japanese shops and restaurants.  Illustrated by accomplished artist John Butler, "When Anju Loved Being an Elephant" (Sleeping Bear Press) reveals how a lonely elephant no longer young enough to work in a circus or reside in a zoo finds friendship at last.  Always an animal lover, Wendy lives in Iowa City with her husband, two sons, two cats, one dog, and whatever stray wildlife manages to slip into their 88-year-old home.

59:51 minutes (54.8 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

This week's Writers' Voices guest is author and activist, Diane Wilson. Diane will speaking at the Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc. annual meeting giving a talk entitled “Corporate Accountability: One Woman’s Struggle and Triumph.” Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 pm at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. 

Diane is a fourth-generation shrimper who made a living along the Texas Gulf Coast. She was driven to activism when she discovered her area was number one in the nation for toxic waste disposal. Through hard work and determination, Diane finally convinced local plastic manufacturers to sign a zero-discharge agreement. Since then, she has become a strong and vocal determined activist who has taken on a number of other environmental and human rights causes. In 2002, she helped co-found, Code Pink, a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement.

59:30 minutes (81.72 MB) Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

Writers' Voices gets into the Halloween mood with a conversation with Young Adult book author, Delia Ray. Her most recent book, "Here Lies Linc", a Junior Library Guild Selection, tells what happens when young Lincoln Crenshaw Jr. investigates a mysterious curse connected with an ominous statue in a nearby cemetary. Along the way, Linc discovers another haunting mystery lurking in his own family’s past.

52:48 minutes (48.34 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

We're very happy to present a special Writers' Voices interview with author and activist, Frances Moore Lappé. Her first book, "Diet For A Small Planet" , has sold millions of copies and has received praise from around the world. She has since authored many more books, including her newest "EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World We Want". She is also the co-founder of Small Planet Institute and Food First. Gourmet Magazine named her one of 25 people (including Thomas Jefferson, Upton Sinclair, and Julia Child), who have changed the way America eats.

59:17 minutes (81.42 MB) Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

Cheryl Fusco Johnson speaks with three Iowan children's books creators on this week's Writers' Voices.

First up conversations with the writer and illustrator of "The Juggler"(published by Ice Cube Press). "The Juggler" follows the wiry and tan young farmer, who desperately wants to be a great juggler. Through rhythm, rhymes, and vibrant colors, the book follows the young farmer's quest. Children's author and educator, Jeanette Hopkins provided the words, with artist Stormy Mochal providing the illustrations. Mochal also co-owns Outside the Lines Art Gallery in Dubuque.

59:35 minutes (81.83 MB) Stereo 44kHz 192Kbps (CBR)

Writers' Voices welcomes environmental educator, writer and historian Dr. Bruce Hopkins to the show this week. Dr. Hopkins has written the book "When Foxes Wore Red Vests", a collection of essays, poetry, drawings and photographs that demonstrate how sense-of-place can serve as a role-model for future generations, as well as helping us learn how we can best live in our communities and with the natural world around us.

Dr. Hopkins career has included teaching in Nebraska, New York, and Iowa, and serving as chief administrator of an Iowa area education agency. Bruce’s life now centers on helping people of all ages connect with nature, a greater sense of community, and the literature of place.

59:55 minutes (54.86 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Long-time educator, Sharron McElmeel is the guest this week. Sharron is an an award-winning literacy advocate, author of educational materials, and publicist for many Iowa authors.

She has written extensively on integrating literature into every part of curriculum. She has been awarded with Iowa Reading Teacher of the Year and nominated as Iowa's Teacher of the Year.

62:11 minutes (56.93 MB) Mono 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

 

Cheryl Fusco Johnson discusses storytelling this week with Larry Brooks. Larry, a critically acclaimed best-selling author of six psychological thrillers, has written "Story Engineering". The book presents readers with six core competencies that any writer should master. He is also the creator and editor of Storyfix.com, an award winning instructional writing site.

Don't miss this fantastic informational conversation!

60:34 minutes (55.45 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Author, speaker, and teacher, Melissa Tosetti is our Writers' Voices guest this week. Melissa founded the online magazine, The Savvy Life, and, with coauthor Kevin Gibbons, wrote the book "Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living" (Morgan James Publishing 2011).

At businesswomen’s conferences in San Francisco and Sacramento, Melissa’s chaired panel discussions on balanced spending and financial security. She teaches courses on savvy living in the San Francisco Bay area and also at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Melissa also teaches Kung Fu and Fearless Fitness classes. Her hobbies include traveling with husband Paul and son Dante, horseback riding, gardening, and cooking. 

58:43 minutes (53.76 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

This week Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with Dan Buettner. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Zones and the author of "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest".  In 2004, Dan worked with National Geographic and some of the world’s top longevity researchers to identify places around the world where people lived measurably better. His research proved the basis for "The Blue Zones" book. Dan has also written "Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way" and used a similar approach to find the areas with the happiest people.

60:43 minutes (55.59 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Cheryl Fusco Johnson is back this week with a conversation with award-winning author and editor, Deborah Halverson. For 10 years, Deborah edited children's books before starting to write herself. She is the author of teen novels "Honk If You Hate Me" and "Big Mouth". She has also written three books in a forthcoming series for struggling readers and a picture book about Santa Claus to be released. Deborah has a master's degree in American literature and a fascination with pop culture. She is also the founder of the writers' advice website DearEditor.com.  Deborah currently lives with her husband and triplet sons in San Diego.

59:30 minutes (54.48 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Cheryl Fusco Johnson hosts Writers' Voices this week with guest author, editor, blogger, and humorist, Wendy McClure.  She is the author of "The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie"; and a recently released e-book, "Don’t Trade the Baby for a Horse and Other Ways to Make Your Life a Little More Laura Ingalls Wilder", that explores her obsession with all things Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Her published works also include essays in The New York Times Magazine; columns for Bust magazine; and the weblog Poundy, which she launched in 2000 to explore body image issues and to make fun of aerobics instructors. She’s written children’s picture books, such as "The Princess and the Peanut Allergy"and a memoir, "I’m Not the New Me".

59:15 minutes (54.25 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Caroline Preston, our Writers' Voices guest this week, has created the first ever scrapbook novel, "The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures". Pulling from her collection of vintage ephemera, including vintage postcards, magazine ads, ticket stubs, catalog pages, fabric swatches, fashion spreads, menus, and more, Caroline captures the spirit of the 1920s as seen through the eyes of the lovely, spirited, and ambitious Frankie Pratt.

Caroline Preston, who started collecting antique scrapbooks while still in High School, is the author of three previous novels, including "Jackie By Josie", a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and "Gatsby's Girl". She currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.

58:58 minutes (53.99 MB) Stereo 44kHz 128Kbps (CBR)

Humorist, Polly Frost has been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and many other magazines. Her humorous essays have also been anthologized, including in two of The New Yorker’s “best of” collections. Her 2010 humor collection, "With One Eye Open", inspired Elle columnist, E. Jean Carroll, to call Polly Frost “the Edith Wharton of her generation."

Polly will be performing her one-person show, "How To Survive Your Adult Relationship with Your Family", Saturday, May 19 at The Englert Theatre, in Iowa City. Combining storytelling, anecdotes and humorous tips, Polly presents a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the journey families take as they grow and change in often unexpected ways.