Inside the Writer's Studio

Chris Nashawaty (6/29/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #15

Charlie Lovett talks with Chris Nashawaty, film critic for Entertainment Weekly, about his new non-fiction book Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story. Chris tells stories about Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Ted Knight and gives us a glimpse behind the scenes at the making of a classic comedy movie and the book that explores its genesis.

Rebecca Makkai (6/21/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #14

Charlie Lovett talks with author Rebecca Makkai about her new novel The Great Believers. Partly set at the height of the AIDS crisis in Chicago in the 1980s, Rebecca's new novel is beautifully written and has earned critical praise from the New York Times Book Review, NPR, and more. She and Charlie discuss their personal experience with the AIDS crisis, researching marginalized communities, and how art, Paris, and thirty years of history combine to make one great read.

Amy Meyerson (6/12/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #13

Charlie Lovett talks with debut novelist Amy Meyerson about her newly published novel The Bookshop of Yesterdays. Partly set in a bookstore in Los Angeles, the book is a natural for Charlie, whose own books feature bookstores, libraries, and book collectors. Amy's heroine inherits the bookshop of the title from her uncle, and he leaves her one last treasure hunt which will help who discover who she is as family secrets bubble up from the past.

Elaine Neil Orr (04/09/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #12

Charlie Lovett talks with fellow North Carolina writer Elaine Neill Orr about her new novel Swimming Between Worlds, set in Charlie's home town of Winston-Salem, NC. Our discussion covers local history, race relations (the book is set in the early 1960s), and Elaine's own experience growing up in two worlds—in Nigeria with her missionary parents, and in the American South, when the family came back every three years.

Ben Guterson (3/28/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #11

Charlie Lovett talks with Ben Guterson about his middle grades novel Winterhouse, an Indie Next pick. Winterhouse features a young girl sent away alone to a mysterious hotel in the snowy mountains. Our discussion ranged from working with an illustrator to the use of first person narrative to the inspirations for Winterhouse itself—from the Grove Park Inn to The Shining.

Frank Morelli (2/28/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #10

Charlie Lovett talks with former Summit School colleague Frank Morelli about his debut Young Adult novel No Sad Songs, a moving story about a high school senior who has to care for his ailing grandfather suffering from dementia. From family dynamics to care for the elderly to music to Philadelphia sports teams—our conversation was wide ranging and enjoyable, just like Frank's book.

Charlie Lovett (2/4/18) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #9

In our first episode that is a monologue rather than a conversation, Charlie Lovett talks about his new novel The Lost Book of the Grail, out in paperback from Penguin Books. Charlie talks about his research into English cathedrals, medieval manuscripts, and a host of other topics as he reveals secrets about his novel that spans 1500 years in the history of an English city and one very fusty protagonist.

Gregory Maguire (12/12/17) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #8

Charlie Lovett talks to international best selling author Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and After Alice about his latest novel Hiddensee, inspired by the legend of the Nutcracker. Gregory talks about the influence of Grimm and other traditional fairy tales, his travels in Europe researching the book, and this dark, moving take on old European legends.

Emily Wilson (12/6/17) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #7

Charlie Lovett talks with old family friend Emily Herring Wilson about her new book on Eleanor Roosevelt, The Three Graces of Val-Kill. The two compare notes on trips to Roosevelt houses in Hyde Park, and Emily tells stories about her conversations with Roosevelt descendents in this candid conversation about a little explored aspect of the life of the first lady.

Samantha Silva (11/14/17) Inside the Writer's Studio Episode #6

Charlie Lovett talks with Samantha Silva about her new novel, Mr. Dickens and his Carol, in which she presents a delightful fictional version of the creation of Charles Dickens's beloved A Christmas Carol. Charlie's own novella, The Further Adventure of Ebenezer Scrooge give the two plenty of common ground to discuss the novelist, Victorian London, and the traditions of Christmas.