

fiction/non/fiction
fiction/non/fiction
Hosted by Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan, fiction/non/fiction interprets current events through the lens of literature, and features conversations with writers of all stripes, from novelists and poets to journalists and essayists.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 13, 2019 • 1h 16min
19: Podcasting Pro Tips and Jonny Diamond on Creating LitHub Radio
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan share how they started the podcast, and offer podcasting tips with some help from friends who host their own shows. Then LitHub.com editor-in-chief Jonny Diamond speaks about the launch of LitHub Radio and his five-year anniversary as LitHub.com’s content czar, as well as his own writing.To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (make sure to include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below.Guests:● Jonny Diamond● Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed, David Naimon, Zahir Janmohamed, and Connor Stratton (via AWP) Readings for the Episode:● The Power of Facebook: How Big is Too Big? Alexis C. Madrigal and Alexander Chee on the Darker Side Social Media, Fiction/Non/Fiction Episode 3, Season 1● What Facebook Did to American Democracy by Alexis C. Madrigal● The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges● Exploring What an Interruption is in Conversation, by Katherine Hilton, Stanford University Doctoral Student● How Luminary’s Messy Debut Ended Up Roiling the Podcast Industry, Vulture● Lumbersexuality, a Sport and a Pastime by Jonny Diamond, Longreads● Close Talking: A Poetry Podcast hosted by Connor Stratton and Jack Rossiter-Munley ● #GoodMuslimBadMuslim hosted by Tanzila "Taz" Ahmed and Zahra Noorbakhsh● Between the Covers hosted by David Naimon● The Racist Sandwich Podcast hosted by Soleil Ho and Zahir Janmohamed● The Maris Review hosted by Maris Kreizman● Otherppl hosted by Brad Listi● Slate's Political Gabfest hosted by Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz● So Many Damn Books hosted by Christopher Hermelin and Drew Broussard● 538 Politics Podcast hosted by Nate Silver and the FiveThirtyEight team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2019 • 1h 13min
18: Slouching Toward Gilead: Anjali Enjeti and Lacy Johnson on the new anti-abortion laws
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, Anjali Enjeti and Lacy Johnson speak with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell about recent news and legislation about abortion, as well as its depiction in literature and film.Guests:● Lacy Johnson● Anjali EnjetiReadings for the Episode:● “Is Masculinity a Terrorist Ideology? Lacy Johnson on Rachel Louise Snyder and the Ways We Name Violence,” on LitHub● The Reckonings by Lacy Johnson● “Governor Kemp Is Turning Georgia Into Gilead,” by Anjali Enjeti in Dame Magazine, April 1, 2019● “Borderline,” by Anjali Enjeti, from Prime Number Magazine No. 79● Abortion Bans: 8 States Have Passed Bills to Limit the Procedure This Year● “Embryos Don’t Have Hearts,” by Katie Heaney● Invisible Sisters by Jessica Handler● Dirty Dancingdir. Emile Ardolino (1987)● The Mothers by Brit Bennett● The Cider House Rules by John Irving● Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates● “Hills Like White Elephants,” by Ernest Hemingway from Men Without Women● Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” from “The Girl’s” Point of View by Rachel Klein from McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, July 21, 2017● “Missouri could become first US state without an abortion clinic,” by Jessica Glenza, May 28, The Guardian.● “The Real Origins of the Religious Right” by Randall Balmer in Politico Magazine May 27, 2014● Gwendolyn Brooks, “the mother”● Pro, by Katha Pollitt● The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood● Our Bodies, Ourselves ● “An Abortion That Saved My Life,” by Susan Ito, in Refinery 29, January 22, 2015.● The Bible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 2019 • 1h 5min
17: Against Genre Snobbery: Marlon James and Daniel José Older on the Intersections of Literary and Genre Writing
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, taped live at the inaugural Wordplay in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marlon James and Daniel José Older speak with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell about the politics of literary categories. They talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the history of queerness in Africa, the importance of plot, the Wookieepedia, writing violence and respecting readers, and the details of dinosaurs.Guests:● Marlon James● Daniel José OlderReadings for the Episode: ● Black Leopard, Red Wolfby Marlon James● Dactyl Hill Squad & Dactyl Hill Squad: Freedom Fireby Daniel Jose Older● Hollywood Wivesby Jackie Collins● Buffy the Vampire Slayer● The Iliadby Homer● All the President’s Menby Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein● Madame Bovaryby Gustave Flaubert● Octavia Butler● The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringby J.R.R. Tolkien● 100 Years of Solitudeby Gabriel Garcia Marquez● The Stand & It by Stephen King● Shogunby James Clavell● Avatar: The Last Airbender● Star Wars: A New Hope● The Harry Potter Seriesby J.K. Rowling● Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls● Pokémon Detective Pikachu● Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson● Jesmyn Ward● Nicholson Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2019 • 1h 2min
16: Democrats in the Bardo: George and Paula Saunders on Politics and Writing
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, taped live at the Unbound Book Festival in Columbia, Missouri, George and Paula Saunders talk to hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell about writing, politics, class, and the contenders for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election.To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (make sure to include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below.Guests:● George Saunders● Paula SaundersReadings for the Episode: ● 10th of Decemberby George Saunders ● Lincoln in the Bardoby George Saunders ● Pastoralia by George Saunders● CivilWarLandin Bad Decline by George Saunders● The Distance Homeby Paula Saunders● War and Peaceby Leo Tolstoy ● “Robert Kennedy Saved from Drowning” by Donald Barthelme● The Unpopular Mr. Lincolnby Larry Tagg● American Pastoral by Philip Roth● "Grief" by Anton Chekhov● Beto O’Rourke on Medium● Books by Curtis Sittenfeld ● The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison ● Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden ● “E Pluribus Unum?” by Stacey Abrams● Bob Hillman, "Carveresque," from the album Some of Us Are Free, Some of Us Are Lost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 18, 2019 • 1h 14min
15: Emily Raboteau and Omar El Akkad Tell a Different Kind of Climate Change Story
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, novelists Emily Raboteau and Omar El Akkad discuss telling the stories of climate change with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell. Raboteau talks about her recent NYRB article, "Climate Signs," and El Akkad shares how his history as a journalist connects to his novel, American War, Readings for the Episode:● “Climate Signs” by Emily Raboteau, New York Review Daily● The Professor's Daughter by Emily Raboteau● Searching for Zion by Emily Raboteau● American War by Omar El Akkad● Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins● “Flying Cars Could Save us from Climate Change,” by Jen Christensen, CNN● “Climate Change: European Team to drill for ‘oldest’ ice in Antarctica” by Jonathan Amos, BBC● “Atchafalaya” by John McPhee, The New Yorker● The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells● “There's so much CO2 in the atmosphere that planting trees can no longer save us,” by Rob Ludacer and Jessica Orwig, Business Insider● "Young Readers Ask: The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells," by Geronimo LaValle, Orion Magazine● “As We Approach the City,” by Mik Awake, The Common● “The Climate Museum Launches Pun-Filled Art Installations Across the City,” by Katie Brown, Medium/NYU Local● “‘Hand that’s feeding the world is getting bit.’ Farmers cope with floods, trade war” by Crystal Thomas and Bryan Lowery, The Kansas City Star● “Senator uses Star Wars posters, image of Reagan riding a dinosaur to blast Green New Deal,” by Christal Hayes, USA Today● Learning to Die in the Anthropocene by Roy Scranton● Horizon, by Barry Lopez● The End of Nature, by Bill McKibbenGuests: · Emily Raboteau· Omar El Akkad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 2019 • 1h 25min
14: Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Lit Mags (And Likely More)
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, editors Brigid Hughes of A Public Space and Jennifer Baker of Electric Literature and the Minorities in Publishing podcast discuss the world of literary journals with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell. What gets an editor’s attention? How much editing do they really do? And where was the AWP hotel bar in Portland? This episode, recorded during the annual AWP conference, has the answers.Readings for the Episode: · A Public Space, Issue 27, ed. Brigid Hughes· Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage by Bette Howland (forthcoming, APS Books)· Everyday People: The Color of Lifeed. Jennifer Baker· Acentos Review· As/Us· Kweli Journal· Callaloo· Lambda Literary· Papercuts· Paper Darts· Tayo Literary Magazine· Tin House· Copper Nickel· The Golden State by Lydia Kiesling· The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon· Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans· The Bible of Dirty Jokes by Eileen PollackGuests: · Brigid Hughes· Jennifer BakerLive from the FSG Originals Party · Jessica Eckerstorfer· Danielle Evans· Lydia Kiesling· Dan Kois· R.O. Kwon· Wayne Miller· Eileen Pollack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 21, 2019 • 1h 12min
13: Fiction/Non/Fiction: March Madness Edition
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, novelist Marcus Burke and sportswriter Shira Springer discuss writing and basketball with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell. As March Madness rages on, we talk buzzy topics in the sports world: apprenticeship in college basketball, the need for consistent coverage of women athletes, and the importance of women sportswriters.Readings for the Episode:· Team Seven by Marcus Burke· Hennessy and Red Lightsby Marcus Burke· “7 Ways to Improve Coverage of Women’s Sports,” by Shira Springer, Nieman Reports· “WNBA superstar Sue Bird rates sports coverage and finds room for improvement,” by Shira Springer, Nieman Reports· "La Liga turning heads with women’s soccer," by Shira Springer, Sports Business Daily· “What If the United States Had Boycotted Hitler’s Olympics?” by Shira Springer from Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History, edited by Mike Pesca· One on One by Tabitha King· The Crossover by Kwame Alexander· A Sense of Where You Are, by John McPhee· Burn it All Down Podcast· The Meaning of Serena Williams by Claudia Rankine· Citizen by Claudia Rankine· R. R. Knudson, a Writer Whose Subject Was Sports, Dies at 75, The New York Times· “Grant Hall,” in A Region Not Home, by James McPherson · The Bad News Bears, dir. Michael Ritchie· The Girl Who Wanted to Run the Boston Marathon, by Robert McKay· Champion’s Choice, by John R. TunisGuests:· Marcus Burke· Shira Springer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 7, 2019 • 1h 14min
12: Trans is Not New: Gender in Writing
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, scholar and author C. Riley Snorton and author T Fleischmann discuss intersections of gender, race, and their own writing with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell.Readings for the Episode:· Nobody is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low by C. Riley Snorton· Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton· Syzygy, Beauty: An Essay by T. Fleischmann· Time is the Thing the Body Moves Through by T. Fleischmann· Epistemology of the Closet by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick· Death of the PostHuman: Essays on Extinction by Claire Colebrook· Scenes of Subjection by Saidiya V. Hartman· Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe: An American Grammar Book by H.J. Spillers· Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs· Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom by William and Ellen Craft· “What people fail to realize is…” A Twitter Thread by Nikole Hannah-Jones · Felix Gonzalez-Torres· Histories of the Transgender Child by Julian Gill-Peterson· “Why Does Obama Scold Black Boys?” by Derecka PurnellGuests:· C. Riley Snorton· T Fleischmann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 21, 2019 • 1h 14min
11: Academy Awards Season Episode
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, novelist and screenwriter Brit Bennett and television and screenwriter Emily Halpern discuss their projects and craft with hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell. What is it like to adapt your own novel for screen—for Kerry Washington? What’s it like to attend a big awards show? How can screenwriting tips apply to fiction? Which movies deserved Best Picture nominations? The episode discusses these questions and more in the run-up to the Oscars. Readings for the Episode: · The Mothers, by Brit Bennett· Scandal on ABC· Movies in Oscar discussion:o Roma (dir. Alfonso Cuarón)o If Beale Street Could Talk (dir. Barry Jenkins)o The Favourite (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)o A Star is Born (dir. Bradley Cooper)o Sorry To Bother You (dir. Boots Riley)· Trophy Wife· Carol’s Second Act (pilot in progress for CBS, by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins)· Book Smart, by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins (forthcoming in May 2019)· What Will Win Best Picture? 20 Oscar Voters Spill Their Secrets · . Scriptnotes podcast· Russian Doll (Natasha Lyonne, Netflix) Guests: · Brit Bennett· Emily Halpern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 7, 2019 • 1h 14min
10: Indigenous Imaginations: Native American Writers on Their Communities
In this episode of the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast, playwright Rhiana Yazzie and novelist Brandon Hobson and hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell discuss Native literature. In the wake of viral images showing Covington Catholic students disrespecting Native activist Nathan Phillips in Washington, D.C., this episode turns the focus away from the MAGA hats, and back to the Indigenous Peoples March and indigenous writing. Readings for the Episode: · New Native Theatre · Native Woman The Musical· A Winter Love (film, forthcoming)· Queen Cleopatra and Princess Pocahontas (forthcoming) by Rhiana Yazzie· Where the Dead Sit Talking, Desolation of Avenues Untold, and Deep Ellum by Brandon Hobson· Mekko and Barking Water by Sterlin Harjo· Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann· Stewart O’Nan· Louise Erdrich's Facebook post· The Indigenous Peoples March was about a Lot More than the Kids in MAGA Hats, by Tekendra Parmar Guests:· Rhiana Yazzie· Brandon Hobson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices