Rita Dove reads and talks about her novel Through the ivory gate.

Contemporary playwright Terrence McNally talks about his three plays Lisbon traviata, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Lips together, teeth apart.

Luci Tapahonso reads from her book Sáanii Dahataal, the women are singing, and talks about the source of her writing.

Albert Goldbarth reads his poems and talks about being inspired by the sciences.

Cris Mazza reads from her book How to leave a country and talks about the mechanics of her novel.

Eddy L. Harris reads from his book Native stranger and talks about his journey into the heart of Africa.

An interview with Gary Soto and the poet reading some of his works.

Gerald Stern reads from Bread without sugar and talks about themes of loss and about the relationship of plants and animals to his writing.

Gerald Vizenor reads from his book Dead voices and talks about oral and written traditions.

James Tate reads poems from his Selected poems and Distance from loved ones, and talks about his love for poetry.

Juan Felipe Herrera reads from his work and talks about anger in his poetry.

Luis J. Rodriguez reads some of his poems and talks about trying to save his son from gang life.

Oscar Hijuelos reads from his novel The mambo kings play songs of love and talks about the transformation of his novel into a film.

Patricia Goedicke reads from her books Paul Bunyan's bearskin and The tongues we speak, and talks about writing poetry from how she feels.

Robley Wilson reads from his books Terrible Kisses and The victim's daughter, and talks about the perils of trying to make a living as a serious author.

Sam Hamill reads poems from his book Mandala and talks about his trips to Japan and his studies in Buddhism.

Sharon Olds reads from her book The father and talks about writing "personal" poems that reveal the details of life.

Stanley Kunitz reads a selection of his poems and talks about his view of the world.

Tim Winton reads from and talks about his novel Cloudstreet.