Earlier this year, when I was discussing with the staff of Bookmarks how we could reach more people with our literary programming, I hit on the idea of starting a podcast. Long a fan of James Lipton’s Inside the Actor’s Studio, I floated the idea of a similar platform for discussion, Inside the Writer’s Studio, in which I would talk to writers about their lives, their craft, their business, and their latest work. I’ve been interviewed a lot over the years, mostly by journalists, and while I enjoy these discussions, I find that they often circle back to the same few questions again and again. I thought that a writer interviewing other writers might be able to dig a little deeper.

Happily, the Bookmarks staff agreed and we began making plans to launch a new podcast. I bought some recording equipment and then sat down to emulate my favorite aspect of Inside the Writer’s Studio. That show always ends with Lipton asking actors the same ten questions—originally thought up by Bernard Pivot. I wanted to do something similar, but to use questions specially designed for writers. After consulting with my wife and the Bookmarks staff, I came up with a set of questions to end each episode.

I’ve recorded four episodes now, and I learn something every time. Two have been recorded in front of live audiences at Bookmarks new gathering place and independent bookstore in downtown Winston-Salem. Recording in this space presents its challenges, but the slightly echoey sound quality is made up for by the reactions of the audience. I’ve recorded one episode via Skype and one on the grounds of the annual Bookmarks Festival in September. Knowing that I will be interviewing an author on the podcast makes me read their book with great care and thought—something I genuinely enjoy. And the podcast has led to fun moments—especially when I interviewed Robin Sloan. Robin was one of the first authors to blurb my first novel, The Bookman’s Tale, but we had never met. Our first conversation was in front of the microphone and we had a great time.

You can listen to the podcast here, and I encourage you to leave a comment on iTunes if you like it. In the coming months I’ll be talking to Emily Wilson about her new book on Eleanor Roosevelt and to debut novelist Samantha Silva, whose upcoming novel Mr. Dickens and His Carol is closely related to my own The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge. I know those will both be great conversations. I’m hoping to post at least one or two episodes each month, so be sure to subscribe or to check back often. Until then, as we say on the podcast, may you read with wonder and write with passion.