The Word (radio)

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The Word is a weekly radio programme on the BBC World Service about books and writers. Once a month it becomes World Book Club in which listeners send in questions to a famous writer. Both programmes are presented by Harriett Gilbert.

Contents

[edit] The Word

The Word emerged from an earlier World Service book programme Meridian Books (which had several presenters including Michael Rosen,[1] Verity Sharp,[2] and Rosemary Hartill[3]) as well as a poetry request programme, Poems by Post.[1]

Each week the programme will typically feature an author interview and a report on a topic such as 'new Malaysian writing'.

Each edition is broadcast on the BBC World Service several times during the week.[4] It can also be heard online anytime during the week of transmission on the BBC website.[5]

[edit] World Book Club

Once a month World Book Club takes over the slot of The Word. It features a famous writer who answers questions submitted by the public about one of his or her books. It is recorded in front of a live studio audience.[6] Listeners around the world can submit questions before the recording.

World Book Club was launched at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002.[7] Its fifth anniversary programme in November 2007 featured Michael Ondaatje.

Four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature have taken part: Doris Lessing (laureate 2007), V. S. Naipaul (laureate 2001), Orhan Pamuk (laureate 2006) and Wole Soyinka (laureate 1986).

As well as 'live' radio transmissions and online 'listen again' streaming, current programmes are also podcast. Previous programmes can be listened to online.[8]

[edit] Writers and books

Announced upcoming programmes are (with anticipated date of first broadcast):

Among the writers who have taken part on World Book Club (with the books that were the focus of discussion and date of first broadcast) are:

[edit] Quote

Harriett Gilbert has said about the programmes,[7]

"For a book addict, I have the dream job. On The Word, I get to talk about their work with writers I admire and enjoy. On World Book Club, I introduce those writers to their readers, all around the world and sit back while they enjoy themselves. If only Charles Dickens were still alive!"

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Michael Rosen website
  2. ^ Verity Sharp Radio 3 presenter biography
  3. ^ Rosemary Hartill
  4. ^ World Service Schedule
  5. ^ The Word homepage
  6. ^ BBC World Service Meet the Presenter Harriett Gilbert
  7. ^ a b World Service profile
  8. ^ World Book Club Archive
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