Joseph O'Neill, an acclaimed author known for his PEN/Faulkner Award-winning novel "Netherland," reads his poignant story "Keuka Lake." He explores themes like loss and the search for identity through the eyes of Nadia, a widow navigating grief and modern dating. The narrative also delves into her relationship with Beatrice, blending personal history with professional ties against the scenic backdrop of Keuka Lake. Listeners are treated to a vibrant depiction of seasonal shifts at a lakeside ice cream stand, linking everyday life to the essence of contemporary literature.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, renowned Nigerian author of acclaimed novels like “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Americanah,” reads her poignant story “Chuka.” She delves into themes of self-discovery and connection amid the pandemic, sharing reflections on isolation, regret, and cultural expectations in relationships. Adichie navigates the complexities of love and personal aspirations versus societal pressures, all while inviting listeners to appreciate the nuances of gratitude and emotional burdens in past romances.

David Rabe, renowned playwright and fiction author, captivates listeners with his reading of "My Friend Pinocchio." He navigates emotional chaos following a rivalrous argument, exploring identity and the struggles of friendship in the arts. Rabe reflects on the challenges of authenticity, faith, and loss, revealing how personal turbulence shapes artistic ambition. His poignant storytelling contrasts the glow of ambition with life's harsh realities, offering a transformative vision of love amidst grief.

In this engaging conversation, Sheila Heti, acclaimed author of eleven books including the award-winning "Pure Colour," reads her poignant story “The St. Alwynn Girls at Sea.” She explores Flora's journey through love and loneliness, using vivid imagery like rain and seagulls to symbolize deeper emotions. The narrative delves into the complexities of young love amid wartime, reflecting themes of vulnerability and identity. Heti's rich storytelling captures the struggles and joys of adolescence, making for a compelling listen.

Han Ong reads his story “Ming,” from the January 20, 2025, issue of the magazine. The recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the Berlin Prize, Ong is the author of more than a dozen plays and two novels, “Fixer Chao” and “The Disinherited.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Kanak Kapur, a talented fiction writer and Olive B. O'Connor fellow at Colgate University, reads her story 'Prophecy.' The narrative humorously explores Dave's birthday, revealing the pressures of family expectations. Kapur discusses generational gaps and the balance between duty and personal growth. She dives into the complexities of love shaped by tradition and astrology, illustrating the tension between individual desires and familial obligations. Themes of grief and hope resonate as characters navigate the intricacies of their lives.

On this special holiday episode of the Writer’s Voice, we’ll hear a New Year’s story from the archives: “Signal,” by John Lanchester, which appeared in the April 3, 2017, issue of the magazine. Lanchester, a journalist and novelist, is the author of six books of fiction, including “Capital,” “The Wall,” and “Reality and Other Stories,” which was published in 2020. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Daisy Hildyard reads her story “Revision,” from the December 23, 2024, issue of the magazine. Hildyard, a winner of the Somerset Maugham Award and of one of the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35” awards, is the author of the novels “Emergency” and “Hunters in the Snow,” and of a nonfiction book, “The Second Body.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Lauren Groff reads her story “Between the Shadow and the Soul,” from the December 16, 2024, issue of the magazine. Groff has published five novels, including “Fates and Furies” and “The Vaster Wilds,” which came out last year. Her second story collection, “Florida,” won the Story Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2018. Groff was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People this year. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

David Szalay reads “Plaster,” from the December 9, 2024, issue of the magazine. Szalay is the author of six books of fiction, including “All That Man Is,” which won the Plimpton Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016, “Turbulence,” and “Flesh,” which will be published in April of 2025. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices