Don’t scroll past this one and don’t adjust the dial.  My guest today is a former professional oboist, documentary filmmaker and interior designer who’s added “acclaimed memoirist” to her accomplishments.  “Dear Virginia, Wait for Me” is Marcia Butler’s third novel set in Queens and Manhattan, a sweet read of a tale that is at once whimsical, tightly plotted and cleanly crafted.  You’ll fall in love with Peppa, worry about her a bit, cringe about her home life, and nod along with Ivan and his eccentric pal.   Meet Marcia at the downtown library this Saturday, July 12th at 3:00, much more at marciabutler.com

Whatever your age, don’t miss this week’s episode with award-winning Albuquerque children’s author Caroline Starr Rose.  Her new book, The Burning Season may be intended for middle schoolers but the adventure, mystery, beauty and wisdom is for all of us.  Designed as poetry prose stanzas that are invitingly readable, be sure to read it yourself before giving it to your children or grandchildren. Set high up in a fire lookout watchtower in the Gila National Forest the story is timely and timeless. Caroline will be reading at Bookworks and Books on The Bosque so keep an eye on her website carolinestarrrose.com

Today’s guest discusses a critical topic pushed into the background as increasingly dramatic headlines grab our attention.  Respected investigative journalist Mariah Blake joins me with her new book, They Poisoned The World: Life and Death in The Age of Forever Chemicals.  Think this doesn’t affect you?   Almost every living creature on earth now has dangerous forever chemicals in their bloodstream, meaning in your brain, lungs and vital organs and those of your children. How did they get there and how can we stop them forms the arc of this interview and Mariah’s eminently readable book, set in a small town in New York State, with history-and damage-too close for comfort right here in New Mexico.  Mariah Blake will be reading and answering questions next Thursday, June 26th, 6:00 pm at Collected Works on Galisteo St.

Twenty-three minutes fly by with prolific Santa Fe author, columnist, “sleuthsayer,” and Russian scholar who worked in former Cold War intelligence in West Berlin, David Edgerley Gates.  Recently described as a “one-man Google,” we attempt to cover the last 100 years through glimpses into the wartime theater, the focussed intent of the arts, and what might-or might not-be hidden in our current times.  His newest blog, The Decoder’s Notebook, publishes twice a week with links on his website, davidedgerleygates.com and gatesd.substack.com

A delightful 23 minutes with Robert Wolf, former playwright, Chicago Tribune feature writer and co-founder of Free River Press and long-time Santa Fe children’s author Bonnie Larson to celebrate the launching of Coyotes and Stars: Stories from The American Southwest.  With essays from more than 50 local and loved townspeople, villagers and esteemed “characters,” Coyotes and Stars forms a landscape of our ancient, enchanted region.  Meet Robert, Bonnie and many others at Santa Fe’s main library on Washington Ave. Friday, May 30th at 4:30. More at freeriverpress.org

A journey today into visionary fiction, a genre rarely covered in this show yet perhaps essential during these uncertain times.  I’m joined by Cynthia Rose with her debut novel Emerging Resonance a story set 200 years in the future that brings hope to our hearts and reminds us to stay the course through our own wanderings and wonderings.  We ask is there such a thing as conscious evolution and if so, what can we do to contribute to that evolution, especially when despair tries to swallow us? Available locally at The Ark Bookstore and directly from Cynthia Rose at emergingresonance.com

We begin with a personal glimpse into our country’s past during the McCarthy era with gifted poet and writing guide Joanne Fay Brown. Growing up as a child of activist parents was not always easy for Joanne, her first poetry collection, Independence Day, reveals her struggles to forge independence from her idealistic parents as they fought intimidation and struggles of their own. Today, Joanne offers sought-after support and inspiration for women recovering from breast cancer through her writing workshops. 

Award-winning poet Wayne Lee returns to the KSFR studios with his sixth collection of poetry, Dining on Salt: Four Seasons of Septets. His most personal and poignant volume yet, Wayne committed to a year of writing a 7-line poem each day. Not long into his writing discipline his beloved wife Alice, who had lived for 20 years with a rare neurological disease, took her own life. An intimate interview, as silent as radio allows, touched by Wayne’s quiet readings, an episode for all of us who have lost a loved one. Or who simply love.

Continuing our intimate conversation with Kristena Prater on her beautiful book, Tessa Eyes on The World. Part 1 aired on March 20th. Today we drop deeper into Tessa’s inspiring young life, learn more about her brother Xavier, and how Kristena and all her family are inspired daily by Tessa’s service and joy.

Author, activist and multi-award winning visionary poet, Mary Gilliland, returns with her long-form piece, In The Pool of The Sea’s Shoulder. A reimagined story of her younger brother, “Freddy,” and his own breakthrough work. Mary intends to “charm, alarm and galvanize” readers and does so with words that reveal beauty and true familial love. Published by Dancing Girl Press. 

For more information visit marygilliland.com