Page Count

Ohio Center for the Book
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Page Count, presented by the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library, features interviews with authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio.

  1. 21h ago

    Backlist Pick for America's 250th: Settling Ohio with Timothy G. Anderson & Brian Shoen

    In the original episode, Brian Schoen, Ph.D., and Timothy G. Anderson, Ph.D., the editors of Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond, discussed Ohio’s history, the inspiration for, and the genesis of Settling Ohio. Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond was Ohio Center for the Book’s 2024 Great Reads from Great Places selection for adult readers and represented the state at the National Book Festival.   Since that episode aired, the Moundbuilders Country Club golf course in Newark, Ohio, has been transformed into the Octagon Earthworks park by The Ohio History Connection. We've included some links below updating that important story. We're also sharing some other Page Count episodes that talk about historical figures and events in American history as well as information about the fascinating Library of Congress project working on America's Time Capsule. Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    44 min

  2. Jun 16

    Backlist Picks: Superman’s Origin Story with Dr. Valentino Zullo

    Dr. Valentino Zullo explores the Cleveland-created superhero’s origin story in honor of Superman’s 85th birthday. Dr. Zullo and Laura discuss some of the first-ever Superman comics; Superman’s early focus on fighting social inequities vs. super villains; how creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster came to dream up the famous superhero; and more.   Since the original episode aired, Superman has come home to Ohio: James Gunn filmed major parts of Superman (2025) in Cleveland and Cincinnati; the Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Superman Plaza has been unveiled in downtown Cleveland, Siegel and Shuster are featured in a current exhibit at the Maltz Museum, and the premiere of Supergirl in Cleveland will feature a weekend of events with Mariko Tamaki.   Dr. Zullo is now Assistant Professor of English and Co-Director of the Rust Belt Humanities Lab at Ursuline College. He is co-editor-in-chief of Rust Belt Studies and Associate Editor of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics. He co-founded the Get Graphic! comics discussion program at Cleveland Public Library and is a board member of the Siegel & Shuster Society.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

    49 min
  3. Backlist Picks: The Ohio Literary Trail

    Jun 2

    Backlist Picks: The Ohio Literary Trail

    This summer, Page Count is settling down with a good beach read to take a hiatus—which means we’ll be bringing you some select episodes from our extensive backlist, complete with new introductions. First up is one of the first episodes ever produced by Page Count: The Ohio Literary Trail. Follow along as David Weaver, the former executive director of the Ohioana Library Association, and Betty Weibel, author of The Ohio Literary Trail: A Guide, discuss Ohio’s literary heritage and offer an audio tour of some of the notable literary sites found around the state.   As mentioned in this episode’s introduction, congratulations to Sonia Feldman on the publication of her debut novel. While the June 2 launch party at Loganberry Books is sold out, you can purchase a signed copy of Girl’s Girl here. Listen to Page Count’s interview with Feldman here.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    37 min
  4. PASSAGES: On Morrison Presents Namwali Serpell & Hanif Abdurraqib

    May 21

    PASSAGES: On Morrison Presents Namwali Serpell & Hanif Abdurraqib

    Page Count is pleased to share an episode of PASSAGES: On Morrison, a new podcast that follows Namwali Serpell on her book tour for ON MORRISON. This episode takes us to Columbus, Ohio, where Serpell was joined by Hanif Abdurraqib in the Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison kickoff event to read and discuss the end of SONG OF SOLOMON. Serpell and Abdurraqib discuss this final passage, the challenges of adapting Morrison’s novels for film, the power of intentional ambiguity in writing, and the influence of African folk tales on Morrison’s work.    You can buy Namwali Serpell’s ON MORRISON at this link and anywhere books are sold.  PASSAGES: On Morrison is a Random House production.    Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    32 min
  5. Lights, Camera, Action with Lake Erie Ink

    May 5

    Lights, Camera, Action with Lake Erie Ink

    It’s a podcast takeover! Five young writers—Moriah, Malikye, Victoria, Jordan, and Wilma—share poems and a story excerpt, all of which are about to be published in Lake Erie Ink’s 10th annual Teen Book Project. This year’s anthology is titled Lights, Camera, Action, a theme that speaks, in part, to the phenomenon of feeling seen in an online world.   To view the art and read all the writing in the anthology, purchase Lights, Camera, Action via Lake Erie Ink; at a local independent bookstore like Mac’s Backs, Loganberry, or Visible Voice; or at the book launch. The book launch for Lights, Camera, Action will take place Tuesday, May 19 at 6pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch of Cleveland Public Library and will feature contributor readings and light refreshments. Please RSVP here to attend.   Lake Erie Ink is a nonprofit organization providing creative expression opportunities and academic support to youth in the Greater Cleveland community, including writing workshops, camps, tutoring, school and community programs, and beyond. The organization supports a community where youth discover their voices, share ideas, and inspire each other as valued participants. Visit https://lakeerieink.org to learn more about programs for young writers; resources for students, teachers, and parents; and volunteer opportunities.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    11 min

  6. Apr 21

    Rediscovering Andre Norton with Dr. Jeff Karem

    Andre Norton is one of the pivotal figures in the history of science fiction and fantasy and remains eminently relevant for modern readers. She was a prolific writer, authoring more than 300 titles spanning a career from the 1930s to the 2000s. She was one of the earliest writers to create stories of a post-nuclear apocalyptic dystopia and works of post-humanism yet kept a thread of hope and optimism.   In her lifetime, Andre Norton was recognized by her readers and her peers as a towering figure, receiving a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement and being named a Grandmaster by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association among other accolades. She was also the first writer to be invited to contribute to the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Sales of Norton’s  work in her lifetime rivalled George R. R. Martin, Arthur C. Clarke, and Edgar Rice Burroughs.   And yet, Andre Norton has become somewhat obscure, an unsung Ohio writer who flourished during her lifetime and deserves renewed attention. Today’s podcast episode will hopefully entice you to delve into her work and to help fulfill her final words: “I just don’t want to be forgotten.”   Don Boozer, Coordinator of the Ohio Center for the Book and Manager of the Literature Department at Cleveland Public Library, hosts this episode. He’s joined by Dr. Jeff Karem, a Professor of English at Cleveland State University, to illuminate the life and work and Andre Norton. Dr. Karem received his Ph.D. from Yale University, and his research and teaching focus on exploring the contributions of diverse regional and ethnic writers and works on 20th century American Literature.   To view photographs and documents relating to Norton, see this episode’s accompanying blog post, “The Imaginative History of Andre Norton.”   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    57 min
  7. Ghost Hunting Overnight at the Thurber House

    Apr 7

    Ghost Hunting Overnight at the Thurber House

    In this supernatural spectacular, Laura is joined by her spouse, Peter, for an overnight ghost-hunting expedition at the Thurber House in Columbus. Do they experience any paranormal phenomena? Do they resurrect hazy, decades-old memories of the film Ghost? Do they demonstrate a stunning lack of knowledge about everything from religious philosophy on ghosts to Star Wars, the mechanics of night vision cameras, and beyond? Furthermore, does Laura get freaked out by steam and dress forms and filing cabinets? Does she almost break the recorder by emitting an ear-shattering scream? Finally, just why is the Thurber House, former home of renowned humorist James Thurber, considered haunted? You’ll have to listen to find out. Boo!   After joining Laura and Peter on their ghost-hunting adventure, learn more about James Thurber by listening to Page Count’s earlier audio tour of the Thurber House. Then, view photos of the house on the accompanying blog post, “Inside the Thurber House.”   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    32 min
  8. AWP 2026 Recap

    Mar 24

    AWP 2026 Recap

    Laura sits down with Tiffany Graham Charkosky, Director of Arts and Culture at Cleveland Public Library, to recap the 2026 Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference in Baltimore in early March. From exploring the bookfair, meeting up with writing friends, attending panels and offsite readings, pushing their social batteries to the limit, and more, they get into it all. Come for the conference recap, but stay for Laura’s inexplicable digression into her interest in the Devil. Enjoy.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    31 min
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About

Page Count, presented by the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library, features interviews with authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio.

Information

  • Creator
    Ohio Center for the Book
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Page Count

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