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Today, a glimpse into the craft of writing you’ve likely wondered about but never explored. Meet Joshua Lisec, a ghostwriter who has penned more than 80 books in the name of some well-known and lesser-known authors and celebrities. My interest was piqued by an article written by Lisec called Release The Ghosts, suggesting that the publishing industry’s hard-working, secret authors be given much more public credit. But it’s not as simple as that and revealing the “ghost” needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis, sometimes for legal liability reasons. However, Joshua did reveal the ghostwriting he’d done for a respected cardiologist in Florida and the intensive medical research that it took for him to understand and accurately present the subject matter. A fascinating and many-layered interview on the path towards presenting “emotional truth.” Joshua’s own book, So Good They Call You A Fake is out now. Learn more at lisecghostwriting.com

Truly a personal honor to interview celebrated author and National Medal of Arts Recipient, Julia Alvarez, here with her new novel, The Cemetery of Untold Stories. Can a writer ever bury her characters? What happens when they climb out of their graves and come alive, surprising the local barrio residents and even the author herself. Like all her books, our conversation weaves, braids and fades any separation between reality and what we call magic. Julia’s answers to my questions about storytelling in fiction and about our daily lives is inspiring and necessary. Julia will be discussing her body of work and The Cemetery of Untold Stories with acclaimed novelist Manuel Munoz at 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 18th at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival at the Convention Center. More at juliaalvarez.com and http://www.sfinternationallitfest.org/

Finally here with their long-awaited new book, Slow Travel New Mexico: Unforgettable Personal Experiences in The Land of Enchantment, our beloved local travel journalists, Judith Fein and Paul Ross. A guide book like no other from world travelers like no other. What is Slow Travel and how can you carve your own adventurous path in your neighborhood? Begin with an old-fashioned map, stick in a pin and let your imagination and curiosity lead the way, says Judie. Spot something intriguing along the side of the road as you drive? Stop and take a closer look, says Paul. A big, black, hairy creature grazing among cows turned out to be a Yak, native to Nepal ! Slow down, way down, talk to local folks and listen to what they have to say. Want to really dance with wolves? They’re closer by than you think. Be prepared to discard your day’s agenda and discover beauty, deliciousness and new friends. Slow Travel New Mexico, filled with hundreds of Paul’s full color photographs and tales tall and true.unmpress.com and globaladventure.us

With me today is Christina Vo a Vietnamese American who has written an exquisitely crafted memoir with her father, Nghia M. Vo. My Vietnam, Your Vietnam: A Father Flees, A Daughter Returns. Nghia, risking death, torture or imprisonment was miraculously picked up by a small rescue boat a few days after the fall of Saigon in April, 1975 and eventually forged a new life in the United States. Yet like many refugees Christina’s parents never spoke to their children of the horrors of the war and their harrowing escape, even only speaking their native language when Christina and her sister were asleep or out of earshot. So it was after college in the Midwest that Christina began to feel a yearning to discover her rich ancestral roots and journeyed first to Hanoi. The theme of reconciliation runs like a precious gem through our vibrant conversation. My Vietnam, Your Vietnam published by Three Rooms Press.

A treat for me to unwind with poet and writing teacher, Miriam Sagan, stopping by the KSFR studios with her inspiring collection, Thanks for Stopping By. Always breaking new ground and breaking the rules, this time Miriam’s poems are untitled, adding an unexpected potency and triggering an unconscious sense of immediacy. Miriam discusses her sojourns as writer-in-residence in Japan a few years ago, as well as alone in four of our vast National Parks. Also, we take a peak into a new project she’s creating with her daughter Isabel. Look for Thanks for Stopping By at any of our treasured local bookstores.

A fun and very different aspect of the world of writing today with local composer and lyricist Carol Calvert who has written a delightful musical operetta called The Way of Angels which will premier next weekend. What comes first I ask, the lyrics or the music? Carol’s answer surprises me. We explore the way the creative muse, and perhaps angels themselves, guided Carol to find collaborators including Santa Fe’s Criss Jay, members of the Zia Singers and accompanist Holly Mead. As an ordained minister, Carol’s fascinating conversation also strayed away from the actual writing to discuss the role of angelic help in other ways in our troubled world. A different take on The Last Word. The Way of Angels will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 107 Barcelona St., Santa Fe on Saturday, February 24th at 7:00 and Sunday 25th at 2:00. By donation.

Marsie Silvestro is an internationally respected speaker, feminist composer, author, visual artist and non-profit and business consultant. Known especially in Santa Fe as the former Executive Director of Esperanza Shelter she brings to the KSFR studio her years of community service and awareness distilled in four slim volumes of sumptuous poetry. Listen as Marsie describes The Gold of Poetry and reads from her latest collection, Shifting Stillness. Her earlier body of work, Grief Walks Through Me Like A Rake, brings comfort and heart-wrenching familiarity. This week’s show is not to be missed. Contact Marsie directly at marsiemoon@earthlink.net

Travel back in time to some of the most unspoiled, beautiful places on earth with Santa Fe’s own Hampton Sides who transports us across The Wide Wide Sea, the title of his enthralling new book about Captain James Cook’s final voyage. With piercing insight and extraordinary detail we are immersed in the “moral complexity” of this age of enlightenment and adventure and the consequences millions live with today. Meet Hampton at Collected Works in Santa Fe on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:00 pm, in Albuquerque at the main library April 10th at 7:00 and in Taos on Saturday, April 13 at OpCit Books at 2:00.hamptonsides.com

Honored today to be joined by Buddhist Dharma teacher, Cynthia Jurs, celebrating the publication of her book Summoned By The Earth: Becoming A Holy Vessel for Healing Our World. As a young woman, Cynthia undertook a pilgrimage to Nepal to meet a revered, aged Rinpoche who she hoped would answer her heartfelt question, “What can I do to bring healing and protection to the earth?” He told her that his monks would make her small clay pots called Earth Treasure Vases infused with prayers and to bury them in land with the greatest need for healing. With the help and friendship of indigenous and tribal peoples all over the globe Cynthia has taken Earth Treasure Vases to more than 20 countries in the past 30 years. Her story is extraordinary. You can meet her at Collected Works on March 22nd at 6:00 pm and discover the depth and breadth of her global healing quest at gaiamandala.net and at summonedbytheearth.org

Joined today by bestselling author and Santa Fe resident Douglas Preston. Known for his collaboration with Lincoln Child on their superb crime thrillers, Doug takes on a very different kind of collaboration. Working closely with Margaret Atwood and the Authors Guild they invited 36 brilliant authors to contribute stories for a pandemic-era tale set on a shabby rooftop in New York City’s Lower East Side. The result is Fourteen Days which begins in late March 2020 as the neighborhood is ravished by Covid 19 and the only safe escape from lockdown is sitting six feet apart on the roof. Contributors include John Grisham, Dave Eggers, Diana Gabaldon, Celeste Ng, Hampton Sides and Doug Preston, who does an extraordinary job of framing the original idea and linking the characters’ stories with Margaret Atwood’s masterful editing. Unprepared for the twist at the end! All profits from Fourteen Days go to the Authors Guild. authorsguild.org