Words At Large

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Find out what happens after a mysterious message is left on the answering machine at The Next Chapter.

In this feature interview from The Next Chapter, ghostwriters Bill Novak and Naomi K. Lewis reveal the tricks — and treats! — of their secretive trade to host Shelagh Rogers. Novak, the ghostwriter behind books by Lee Iacocca, Oliver North and many other celebrities, has been called “the biggest name in the business” by the New York Times. Lewis is a Calgary author whose short story “The Guiding Light” was among those selected for this year’s Journey Prize Stories anthology. Her first novel, Cricket in a Fist, was recently published by Goose Lane Editions.

There’s more on the podcast of the show, including author Monica Kidd talking about her book Any Other Woman: An Uncommon Biography and Tom Howell, the show’s anti-poetry correspondent, on whether he has finally succumbed to the alleged pleasures of the genre.

First aired November 1, 2008 on The Next Chapter. [runs 12:23]

Catch The Next Chapter on Saturdays at 3 p.m. EST (3:30 NT) on CBC Radio One, or listen online.

Coming up
The 2009 edition of Canada Reads is gearing up. Which book will you be cheering for this year? On November 25, look for the website launch with a new line-up of celebrity panelists and five great books you won’t want to miss. In the meantime, check out the official website for a behind-the-scenes look at how the annual program is put together.