Bomb: The Author Interviews

by BOMB Magazine, Mary Gaitskill (Contributor), Junot Díaz (Contributor)

Thirty years of interviews that offer “a window into the minds and the writing processes of some of the world’s best practitioners of poetry and prose” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).   Since 1981, the quarterly magazine Bomb has been the gold standard for artist-on-artist interviews, showcasing writers, performers, actors, musicians, painters, and architects. The founders, a group of New York City–based artists, wanted a public space for art-makers to talk to each other about their work without the interference of critics or journalists.   Thirty years later comes this an addictively insightful collection of thirty-five interviews with some of the world’s most thought-provoking, funny, profound, compelling authors. It includes literary luminaries such as Mary Gaitskill, Junot Díaz, Sharon Olds, Amy Hempel, Martin Amis, Jeffrey Eugenides, Sapphire, Edwidge Danticat, and Jennifer Egan, among many others, as well as an introduction by Francine Prose.   These authors speak frankly about the joys and the pain that inform their work, the influence of family, ambition, criticism, and the sinking, thrilling knowledge of their own mortality. This is Bomb Magazine’s gift to a glimpse into the minds that created the books which informed you, challenged you, yanked on your heartstrings and touched your soul.   “ The Author Interviews brings together a selection of conversations in a handsome anthology. The book, which offers 35 of the magazine’s interviews, is both a primer on authorial strategies and a record of the evolution of an iconic literary institution.” —The Washington Post   “BOMB’s author interview series, which has been going for years, is one of the most inspiring dialogues between writers available.” —Bustle   “These are not your run of the mill author interviews featuring a journalist throwing canned questions at a writer, these are conversations between writers and delve into the essence of creativity . . . Essential reading for any admirer of contemporary literature.” —Seattle Post-Intelligencer 

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

618 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2014

Reviews

[Sidik Fofana · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIX WORD REVIEW: Will make your reading list multiply.

[Wendy Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading author interviews. Discovered some great new authors this way.

[Alexa Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not life-changing. but an interesting showcase of various authors' personalities. Will probably check out some Jonathan Franzen after reading his interview.

[Isla McKetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading author interviews is a fantastic way to find a sense of artistic connection on days when you can't reach out to your actual, in-person community. My favorite thing about the interviews in BOMB are that they are a dialogue between writers. You feel as though you are in the room with them and that you, too, could be a part of their conversation. Discovering new authors and how they think about the world expands your artistic community.