NPR Topics: Author Interviews https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1033 NPR interviews with top authors and the NPR Book Tour, a weekly feature and podcast where leading authors read and discuss their writing. Subscribe to the RSS feed. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:40:56 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Author Interviews https://www.npr.org/sections/author-interviews/ Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most Annie Lowrey explores the administrative burdens people face applying for government benefits. It's not just about wasted time: "When the government treats us like this, we don't trust it," she says. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:06:39 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/31/nx-s1-5946449/time-tax-annie-lowrey-government-assistance-unemployment https://www.npr.org/2026/08/31/nx-s1-5946449/time-tax-annie-lowrey-government-assistance-unemployment

Annie Lowrey explores the administrative burdens people face applying for government benefits. It's not just about wasted time: "When the government treats us like this, we don't trust it," she says.

(Image credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez)

]]> Tonya Mosley Robert Harris discusses his novel, 'Agrippa,' a historical thriller set in ancient Rome A soldier becomes the right hand man of the ambitious heir to Julias Caesar in Robert Harris' new novel, "Agrippa." NPR's Scott Simon talks with Harris about returning to ancient Rome. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 07:40:40 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/29/nx-s1-5823898/robert-harris-discusses-his-novel-agrippa-a-historical-thriller-set-in-ancient-rome https://www.npr.org/2026/08/29/nx-s1-5823898/robert-harris-discusses-his-novel-agrippa-a-historical-thriller-set-in-ancient-rome A soldier becomes the right hand man of the ambitious heir to Julias Caesar in Robert Harris' new novel, "Agrippa." NPR's Scott Simon talks with Harris about returning to ancient Rome.

]]> Scott Simon Tayari Jones and Ann Patchett on the books they quit writing The National Book Festival brought together two greats — Ann Patchett and Tayari Jones — listen in on part of their conversation about writing! Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:41:24 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5935535/tayari-jones-and-ann-patchett-on-the-books-they-quit-writing https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5935535/tayari-jones-and-ann-patchett-on-the-books-they-quit-writing The National Book Festival brought together two greats — Ann Patchett and Tayari Jones — listen in on part of their conversation about writing!

]]> Elena Burnett How Carlos the Jackal became the world's most wanted terrorist of the '70s and '80s In <em>The Jackal</em>, national security writer Joby Warrick writes about the playboy terrorist who killed and kidnapped for years, eluding law enforcement while frequenting nightclubs and luxury hotels. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:26:47 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5944280/how-carlos-the-jackal-became-the-worlds-most-infamous-terrorist-of-the-70s-and-80s https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5944280/how-carlos-the-jackal-became-the-worlds-most-infamous-terrorist-of-the-70s-and-80s In The Jackal, national security writer Joby Warrick writes about the playboy terrorist who killed and kidnapped for years, eluding law enforcement while frequenting nightclubs and luxury hotels.

]]> Dave Davies Author Jill Lepore discusses new book, 'The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State' NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Harvard professor and writer at the New Yorker Jill Lepore about her new book, "The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State." Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:44:30 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5768185/author-jill-lepore-discusses-new-book-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-artificial-state https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5768185/author-jill-lepore-discusses-new-book-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-artificial-state NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Harvard professor and writer at the New Yorker Jill Lepore about her new book, "The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State."

]]> Michel Martin Novelist Jade Chang on the point of our existence To help us hang on to summer vibes, we invited author Jade Chang to share a couple of the books she's reading and to talk about he own novel, <em>What a Time to be Alive</em>. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:19:43 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/24/nx-s1-5300014/novelist-jade-chang-on-the-point-of-our-existence https://www.npr.org/2026/08/24/nx-s1-5300014/novelist-jade-chang-on-the-point-of-our-existence To help us hang on to summer vibes, we invited author Jade Chang to share a couple of the books she's reading and to talk about he own novel, What a Time to be Alive.

]]> Justine Kenin Graphic novel 'Raise the Bar' illustrates a Chilean girl's pursuit to achieve weighlifting dreams Ayesha Rascoe speaks with author and illustrator Fernanda Frick about her new graphic novel, "Raise the Bar," about a Chilean girl who pursues a passion for weightlifting. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 08:02:40 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/23/nx-s1-5862033/graphic-novel-raise-the-bar-illustrates-a-chilean-girls-pursuit-to-achieve-weighlifting-dreams https://www.npr.org/2026/08/23/nx-s1-5862033/graphic-novel-raise-the-bar-illustrates-a-chilean-girls-pursuit-to-achieve-weighlifting-dreams Ayesha Rascoe speaks with author and illustrator Fernanda Frick about her new graphic novel, "Raise the Bar," about a Chilean girl who pursues a passion for weightlifting.

]]> Ayesha Rascoe In which 'Winnie-the-Pooh' turns 100 In 1926, author A.A. Milne and illustrator Ernest H. Shepard published <em>Winnie-the-Pooh</em>. Now, a new kids' book — <em>How a Bear Became a Book — </em>celebrates their collaboration. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/22/nx-s1-5697049/how-a-bear-became-a-book-annette-bay-pimentel-faith-pray https://www.npr.org/2026/08/22/nx-s1-5697049/how-a-bear-became-a-book-annette-bay-pimentel-faith-pray How a Bear Became a Book, written by Annette Bay Pimentel and illustrated by Faith Pray'/>

In 1926, author A.A. Milne and illustrator Ernest H. Shepard published Winnie-the-Pooh. Now, a new kids' book — How a Bear Became a Book — celebrates their collaboration.

]]> Samantha Balaban 'The Dog Stars' novelist Peter Heller drew on real-life survival skills Heller's 2012 novel about a man who survives a super flu that kills most of humanity is now being adapted to film. Adventure writer Heller drew from his own life. <em>Originally broadcast in 2012.</em> Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:51:19 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5940646/the-dog-stars-novelist-peter-heller-drew-on-real-life-survival-skills https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5940646/the-dog-stars-novelist-peter-heller-drew-on-real-life-survival-skills Heller's 2012 novel about a man who survives a super flu that kills most of humanity is now being adapted to film. Adventure writer Heller drew from his own life. Originally broadcast in 2012.

]]> Dave Davies Peter Santenello's 'Your Fellow Americans' explores overlooked U.S. destinations NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with independent documentarian Peter Santenello about his new book, "Your Fellow Americans: Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home." Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:46:26 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5786717/peter-santenellos-your-fellow-americans-explores-overlooked-u-s-destinations https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5786717/peter-santenellos-your-fellow-americans-explores-overlooked-u-s-destinations NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with independent documentarian Peter Santenello about his new book, "Your Fellow Americans: Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home."

]]> Sacha Pfeiffer