The Spoken Word to Reach Beyond Southeast

In a move to increase the geographic reach and scope of The Spoken Word, a weekly, hour-long public radio program focusing on literature, culture, and the arts, the Public Radio Partnership (PRP) has become the show's owner, producer, and distributor. Underwritten by the Southeast Booksellers Association (SEBA), the regionally syndicated program was previously produced by The Camberley Collection, parent company to The Brown Hotel. The show currently airs on approximately 40 public radio stations throughout the southeast.

"I never would have believed, two years ago, that the show would already be going national with plans for hundreds of independent booksellers across the country to sponsor and support it with their author events," said SEBA Executive Director Wanda Jewell.

In a recent news release, PRP President Gerry Weston stated that program enhancements and wider distribution of the program would be priorities. Daren Wang, who has been with The Spoken Word since its inception two years ago, will continue as program host and producer. PRP is relocating the show permanently to Louisville, Kentucky.

A live recording of The Spoken Word is scheduled for November 1 during the Kentucky Author Forum's 10th season celebration to be held at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Featured will be veteran newscaster Tom Brokaw interviewing New York Times journalist R.W. Apple, Jr.

Programming details are available from Michael Bright, PRP's vice-president of programming and marketing, at [email protected].

To learn more about The Spoken Word, visit www.wfpl.org/thespokenword/index.shtml.