AltWeeklies Wire
Chris Farley Biography Spotlights Comedy, Addiction & Celebritynew
This new oral biography is a collection of reminiscences by everyone from Farley's family and high school friends to David Spade, John Goodman, Al Franken and Lorne Michaels.
Isthmus |
Linda Falkenstein |
03-18-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Enter Rothnew
Philip Roth discusses his alter ego Nathan Zuckerman, the appeal of biography, and the perils of age.
Isthmus |
Steve Paulson |
12-17-2007 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Exit Ghost, Philip Roth
Yes, Virginia, There Is an American Dream

C.J. Hribal's sweeping new novel, The Company Car, follows one family's 50-year pursuit of the American Dream. But does the American Dream still exist? If so, is it still worth pursuing? Hribal addresses these and other questions about our social landscape in an interview.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-14-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
The Exhilaration of Being Published
Rebecca Meacham, author of the acclaimed debut story collection Let's Do, admits to feeling the pressure to perform with her forthcoming second book, but extolls the enormous pleasures of her craft -- such as inscribing a copy of Let's Do for her elementary-school choir teacher.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-14-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
The Power of Sisterhood
The Wisconsin writer's upcoming book is about a woman who died too soon and whose funeral honors all women who have loved and lost, and who grieve and still need to live.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-13-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Another Look at Frailty

In an email interview, Bee Season author Myla Goldberg discusses her new novel set during the flu pandemic of 1918, her musical and spelling prowess, and her fondness for "the full spectrum of language."
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-13-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
The Burdens of Being the FOUND Guy
The creator of FOUND magazine has a collection of short fiction out, and he says he had to urge Simon & Schuster not to publish it in a flushable format.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-13-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Love, Death and the Paranormal
It took art professor Audrey Niffenegger 14 years to complete her latest book, and she hopes readers of her best-selling The Time Traveler's Wife "will not be so startled" by her new illustrated novel "that they choke on their coffee."
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-13-2005 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Q&A with Nell Freudenberger
The author explains the geographical and thematic focus in her collection of five short novellas; and identifies the book from her childhood that left the most lasting impression on her.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Q&A with Mary Helen Stefaniak
The novelist discusses the rationale behind the braided structure of The Turk and My Mother, identifies her muse, explains how and why she lives in both Omaha and Iowa City, and, when asked whether she has any tattoos, crafts the most enigmatic one-word response imaginable.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Q&A with Faith Adiele

Faith Adiele attempts to summarize her spiritual journey in the form of a koan; discusses the ways in which her memoir's intended audience has differed from the audience it has found; and tells a story about how close she came to getting a tattoo inspired by a Nigerian pattern.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Q&A with Edmund White
The celebrated author Edmund White discusses the source of his inspiration for Fanny: A Fiction, explains how he was able to write from the perspective of a radical 19th-century social critic; and discloses the things he fears and the things that bring him joy.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Edmund White, Fanny: A Fiction
Q&A with Bob Edwards
XM Satellite Radio host Bob Edwards discusses his new biography of the pioneering broadcast journalist; assesses Murrow's legacy and continuing relevance; and identifies three questions he would ask Murrow if the late newsman was still alive and agreed to appear on Edwards' show.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Q&A with Charles Baxter
The author Charles Baxter discusses the inspiration for Saul and Patsy, his most recent novel; his strategy for handling literary acclaim; the last book he read that he would recommend; his greatest fear and joy, and his musical tastes.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Saul and Patsy, Charles Baxter
Q&A with Sarah Shun-lien Bynum

The National Book Award finalist discusses the genesis of her dreamy, allegorical novel, its fabled characters and enigmatic structure; identifies her muses, fears and joys; describes her tastes in food, music, Web sites and reading; and tells why she loves her Brooklyn neighborhood.
Isthmus |
David Medaris |
10-06-2004 |
Author Profiles & Interviews