Write On, Mississippi!

MPB Think Radio
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED DAILY

Pour yourself a sweet tea, pull up a lawn chair, and turn the page with us. You're listening to Write on, Mississippi. A podcast taking you inside the minds of America’s most treasured wordsmiths. Brought to you through a partnership of the Mississippi Book Festival — the South’s literary lawn party — and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 3: Patrick Ryan

    12/22/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 3: Patrick Ryan

    Patrick Ryan joins the podcast to discuss his mesmerizing and captivating new novel, Buckeye. He explores the emotional undercurrents of the story, the characters that linger long after the final page, and the ideas that inspired the novel’s atmosphere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  2. Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 2: John T. Edge

    12/15/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 2: John T. Edge

    In this episode, writer, editor, and Southern foodways champion John T. Edge has a thoughtful conversation about his memoir, House of Smoke. This episode digs into how food becomes narrative, how place leaves its mark, and why telling Southern stories still matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  3. Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 1: Addie E. Citchens

    12/08/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 8, Chapter 1: Addie E. Citchens

    In this episode, author Addie E. Citchens joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel, Dominion. Exploring the ideas, inspirations, and personal experiences that shaped the work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  4. 02/12/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 6 : Darden North

    Join Dr. Darden North as he sits down with Royal Allis, Executive Director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, to talk about his career as a medical doctor and author. Darden's latest book Party Favors follows a young orthopedic surgeon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who, desperate to save his failing practice, turns to selling leftover narcotics and even hooking new patients on opioids. As local police investigate his ties to a drug ring, the novel explores the moral and ethical dilemmas behind the opioid crisis. Dr. Darden North: Darden North, a board-certified OB-GYN and daVinci Robotic Surgeon in Flowood, Mississippi, has presented at literary events like the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration and Killer Nashville. He has also served as Chairman of the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Foundation and Mississippi Health Partners. Royal Allis: Royal Aills, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, is an Arkansas native who has led teams at both commercial and public television stations. Prior to joining MPB, Aills was general manager at RSU Public TV at Rogers State University in Oklahoma. During his tenure at RSU TV, Aills’ team won numerous awards, including four Emmys.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  5. Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 5: Joseph Earl Thomas

    02/05/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 5: Joseph Earl Thomas

    Listen to Joesph Earl Thomas talk with host Matt Sawyer about his award-winning book, God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer. Joseph Earl Thomas - Joseph Earl Thomas is an American writer and educator known for his memoir "Sink", which was longlisted for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. His work has appeared in publications such as The Kenyon Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Dilettante Army, and The New York Times Book Review. Matt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  6. Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 4: Julia Phillips

    SEASON 7, EPISODE 4 TRAILER

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 4: Julia Phillips

    Listen as author Julia Philips becomes fast friends with host Matt Sawyer as they talk about her latest best-selling book, Bear. Julia Philips: Julia Philips is the author of the bestselling novel Bear and Disappearing Earth, a finalist for the National Book Award, and one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year. A 2024 Guggenheim fellow, she lives with her family in Brooklyn. Host Matt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  7. Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 3: Crystal Wilkinson

    01/22/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 3: Crystal Wilkinson

    Join Crystal Wilkinson as she sits with Ebony Lumumba to discuss her national best-selling book, Praise Song for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. Crystal Wilkinson: Crystal Wilkinson is an acclaimed American author, poet, and educator known for her poignant and lyrical explorations of identity, family, and rural Black life in Appalachia. Host Ebony Lumumba: Ebony Lumumba is an English professor specializing in African American and Diasporic literature. Her work intersects education, activism, and literature, making her a vital voice in discussions on contemporary race, culture, and social progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  8. Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 2: Richard Grant

    01/15/2025

    Write On, Mississippi: Season 7, Chapter 2: Richard Grant

    Join Richard Grant as he talks with Matt Sawyer about his book, A Race to the Bottom of Crazy. In A Race to the Bottom of Crazy, Grant blends memoir, research, and reporting to explore what makes Arizona both perplexing and undeniably captivating. Richard Grant: Richard Grant is an author, journalist, and television host. He currently writes for the Smithsonian magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Telegraph UK, Aeon, and several other publications. He grew up in London, England, and now lives in Tucson, Arizona. Host Matt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
See All (86)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Pour yourself a sweet tea, pull up a lawn chair, and turn the page with us. You're listening to Write on, Mississippi. A podcast taking you inside the minds of America’s most treasured wordsmiths. Brought to you through a partnership of the Mississippi Book Festival — the South’s literary lawn party — and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    MPB Think Radio
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mississippi Book Festival 2023
  • Show Website
    Write On, Mississippi!