Karen E. Bender: The Times & The Stories We Tell скачать в хорошем качестве

Karen E. Bender: The Times & The Stories We Tell

In this episode of Some Things Considered, we welcome acclaimed author Karen E. Bender, whose work has been recognized at the highest levels of American letters. Her collection Refund was a Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award, The New Order was longlisted for the Story Prize, and her short fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Harvard Review, and many more. Her latest collection, The Words of Dr. L, is now available. We discuss: The journey of bringing The Words of Dr. L into the world, from conception to publication. The role of literary fiction today: how it reflects the times we live in without collapsing into pure escapism or heavy-handed political messaging. The story “The Extra Child,” a standout from the new collection, and how inspiration takes shape in Bender’s work. How she decides between writing short stories or novels, and what each form allows. The realities of finding readers through short fiction versus novels. Writers she admires and how their influence continues to resonate. The challenges facing writers and teachers today, from shrinking opportunities in higher education to the cancellation of longstanding institutions like the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Why nonprofits, community, and artistic activism matter more than ever — even as economic and political pressures make sustaining them increasingly difficult. Bender brings wisdom, candor, and passion to every topic, reminding us why literary fiction still matters — as an art form, as a reflection of society, and as a way of imagining what’s possible in dark times. ABOUT KAREN E. BENDER Website: karenebender.com Facebook: facebook.com/KarenEBenderBooks ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live Twitter: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41