Books & Co. highlights renowned and emerging authors with 13 new episodes

PHOENIX -- Eight, Arizona PBS invites viewers to delve into the imaginative world of fantasy, historically complex narratives and meaningful discussions through conversations with top contemporary authors on its hit original production Books & Co., debuting season 17 at a new day and time Mar. 21 at 11:30 p.m. Each episode will also air the following Friday at 6 p.m. on Eight WORLD.

Season 17 of Books & Co., hosted by Arizona’s inaugural poet laureate Alberto Rios, ASU Regents’ Professor of English, award-winning author and poet, offers viewers 13 new half-hour episodes of diverse conversations with fresh faces on the literary scene, as well as established and prominent writers.

The unique format of Books & Co. presents famous authors chatting with another celebrated author in one-on-one interviews, providing viewers with an uncommonly personal look at their craft and writing process through these open and intimate conversations.

“Talking to writers about their writing is like news-people interviewing eyewitnesses to major events—they were the ones right on the spot when the book exploded into being and here is what they say happened,” Rios says. “In this sense, and as lovers of books, the moment and the conversation are irresistible. This is a great job!”

“Books & Co. strives to showcase interesting authors with diverse backgrounds,” says Coordinating Producer Suzanne Guery. “While their genres and writing styles differ greatly, they are all master storytellers – both on the page and on our program. We’re so excited about the featured authors in this new season. From pandemics to the “science” of love and one magical summer in history, we have an amazing lineup for our viewers.”

Season 17 features interviews with:

· New York Times best-selling author Stuart Woods, who has devoted five characters to their own individual fiction series and is now the author of more than 50 novels.

· Bill Bryson, a President’s Award winner, who has written several bestselling novels ranging from travel books, to books about the history of science, and even language books.

· Jack Gantos, the author of books for all ages, Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award finalist, who developed the master’s degree program in children’s book writing at Emerson College and Vermont College.

· David Quammen, a contributing writer for National Geographic, whose affinity for science and nature has led him to write in-depth reports about traveling and exploration.

· Graeme Simsion who won the 2012 Victorian Premier’s Unpublished Manuscript Award for his work “The Rosie Project.”

Eight’s back-catalog of authors from all literary genres includes familiar names like Sherman Alexie, David Baldacci, Ann Brashares, Clive Cussler, E.L. Doctorow, Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Kingsolver, Yann Martel, Walter Mosley, Joyce Carol Oates, Jodi Picoult and Anne Rice. The diversity of writers and subject matter has been collected into an online archive, at www.azpbs.org/books.

The website is designed to be a resource for book clubs and for others to choose titles and authors or to develop discussion topics, and includes:

· Video or audio podcasts for all episodes

· Extended interviews and host’s impressions from more recent episodes

· Interview transcripts for many episodes

· Book summaries with brief author biographies, for every episode.

An Eight original production made possible by The Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University.

Eight, Arizona PBS is a trusted community resource. For 50 years, the PBS station has focused on educating children, reporting in-depth on public affairs, fostering lifelong learning and celebrating arts and culture. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org. Eight is a member-supported service of Arizona State University.   back...