Some of the first readings I ever did were with writer Todd Dills, who was and is one of the most engaging people to see read from their work in front of their audience. (I still have fond memories of watching Todd shaking an upside-down mic stand at an event at an Atlanta coffee shop.) The guy’s a fantastic writer as well, and when his latest novel Shining Man was published in 2019 — it’s a followup to his earlier Sons of the Rapture, which I also highly recommend — I eagerly read it and sent him some questions on it. And then the pandemic happened and the interview was paused for a bit. And now it’s complete — and features Dills discussing everything from the literary influence of Ralph Ellison to the role NASCAR plays in his work.
A Yellow Thread, or On Obsession
A Yellow Thread, or On Obsession
by Susannah Felts
And so I fell in love with a color… –Maggie Nelson
And so in these dark times at the close of a decade, I find myself enchanted by a color. Like anyone, I’ve had my share of obsessions, but this one is new. The universe baits me; everywhere I look there it is, dark and bright at once. Not a note but a chord.
Afternoon Bites: Leif Enger Interviewed, Chiwan Choi, George R.R. Martin Interviewed, Leonard Cohen, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Leif Enger, writing from Chiwan Choi and Devin Kelly, and more.
Morning Bites: Meg Wolitzer Interviewed, No Age, Luca Guadagnino on Film Music, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Meg Wolitzer and No Age, why writers’ colonies matter, and more.
Afternoon Bites: John Boyne Interviewed, Angel Nafis, Fiona Helmsley Nonfiction, Vijay Iyer Sextet, and More
In our afternoon reading: talking with John Boyne, new writing by Angel Nafis and Susannah Felts, and more.
Weekend Bites: A “Punk Is Dead” Excerpt, Kara Walker, Feminist Horror, Bruce Springsteen, and More
In our weekend reading: talking punk rock, thoughts on the Southern Festival of Books, and much more.
Afternoon Bites: Nicole Krauss’s Latest, Nnedi Okorafor Interviewed, Robert Lopez, Dystopian Dining, and More
In our afternoon reading: thoughts on Nicole Krauss’s new novel, stories by Susannah Felts and Robert Lopez, and more.
Morning Bites: Eclipse Lit, Chris Kraus on Kathy Acker, Alex Gilvarry’s Latest, and More
In our morning reading: essays by Susannah Felts and Roxane Gay, a playlist from Matthew Zapruder, and more.