A man who converses on an equal plane with writers of fiction and poetry, often surprising them with his insights, Michael Silverblatt has made Bookworm the country's premier literary talk-show. Joyce Carol Oates once called him the "reader writers dream about."
Silverblatt's formidable knowledge comes from close reading and analysis of a writer's entire oeuvre. As host and guiding spirit of this weekly show, Silverblatt has reinvented the art of literary conversation, introducing listeners to new and emerging authors along with writers of renown.
He regularly hosts literary conversations for Lannan Foundation's "Readings and Conversations" series in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following a 2011 conversation between Silverblatt and poet laureate, W.S. Merwin, Merwin left this note:
I must tell you I have been interviewed to something like excess, but an interview with you is unique. It is an original and you never ask any of the over and over questions that have been so often asked and answered. That makes these conversations with you an unfailing and singular pleasure.
A New York native, Silverblatt graduated from the State University of New York in Buffalo and later took advanced courses at Johns Hopkins. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970's, working in motion picture public relations and script development. He created Bookworm, for KCRW in 1989.
As a student, he came under the influence of such cutting-edge author-teachers as Donald Barthelme and John Barth; as a radio talk-show host, he learned to appreciate a much wider range of writing – making him, he hopes, "a person of ferocious compassion instead of ferocious intellect."
With more than two decades' worth of shows, Bookworm has become one of the best centers to hear the voices of contemporary writing, any time, anywhere, locally and globally via the Internet.
Michael Silverblatt on KCRW
More from KCRW
Every bit of ‘The Taste of Things’ is ‘scrumptious,’ says critic
ArtsCritics review the latest film releases: “The Taste of Things,” “Lisa Frankenstein,” “Skeletons in the Closet,” and “Suncoast.”
Devon Gilfillian: KCRW Live from Apogee Studio
ArtsDevon Gilfillian transcribes thorny conversations into life-affirming lyrics, exemplified by his 2023 powerhouse “Love You Anyway.”
Crenshaw Dairy Mart’s first film festival: Stories of abolition, healing
ArtsThe Crenshaw Dairy Mart put on its first film festival in Inglewood after hearing from BIPOC filmmakers that they need more spaces to showcase their work in LA.
Israel does not speak for Jews like us
InternationalOn this episode of the Scheer Intelligence podcast, Heyday Books publisher and former LA Times book editor Steve Wasserman and host Robert Scheer commit themselves to this conversation…
Daniel Dae Kim, Sam Esmail, and David Oyelowo on The Treat
ArtsDaniel Dae Kim talks Avatar: The Last Airbender,” Sam Esmail creates spaces for Julia Roberts to challenge herself, and David Oyelowo has The Treat.
How to build community in an age of isolation
Health & WellnessCasper ter Kuile, author and co-founder of Nearness, discusses the meaning and value of building community, coming together, and practical tips for forging meaningful connections.
Grammys 2024: Women win big, but #metoo’s shadow still looms over Recording Academy
MusicWomen swept major category wins at the 66th Grammy Awards for the first time since 1998, but the Recording Academy still hasn’t put their #metoo issues behind them.
Weekend film reviews: ‘The Taste of Things,’ ‘Lisa Frankenstein’
EntertainmentThe latest film releases include The Taste of Things, Lisa Frankenstein, Skeletons in the Closet, and Suncoast.
"LatinoLand": Complex, resilient and powerful
Race & EthnicityAuthor Marie Arana, former book editor and columnist for the Washington Post and the inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress, joins today’s episode of Scheer…