May 23rd, 2007 · Inupiaq, the language spoken by the Inupiat people of Northern Alaska, is both complex and endangered. Rosetta Stone, a Virginia-based company that produces multimedia language courses, has worked with older speakers to prepare materials to help preserve Inupiaq. Martha Woodroof reports from member station WMRA.
Oct 1st, 2006 · The publication of the unknown poem by Robert Frost has raised the profile of Virginia Quarterly Review, but the publication has long been a favorite of the literary world. Respected authors regularly contribute essays and stories, and earlier this year, the VQR took home the annual "Ellie" (National Magazine Award) for Fiction. WMRA's Martha Woodroof reports.
Oct 11th, 2005 · One new book award is departing from others, offering the reading public a chance to weigh in. Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA reports that "The Quills" are as much about the commercial power of awards as it is about a good read.
Jul 5th, 2005 · Other forms of entertainment might be in a slump, but books are doing quite well. Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA went to the publishing industry's BookExpo convention in New York, and reports on one trend that shows no sign of changing: books with religious themes sell the best.
May 15th, 2005 · Some writers create characters who can support a franchise. Lawrence Block has written more than 15 novels featuring Matthew Scudder, James Lee Burke's 14th Dave Robicheaux will be published this summer. These protagonists are growing older and wiser with each case. Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA looks at how authors are able to sustain audience interest over so many years and pages.
Nov 18th, 2004 · Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA reports on an effort by NASCAR to increase gender diversity among drivers of the auto racing circuit.
Nov 14th, 2004 · Lily Tuck is one of the five National Book Awards finalists -- each of them women, each of them writing in New York City. Tuck led the life of a very obscure novelist until she was nominated for Letters from Paraguay. Tuck tells Martha Woodroof about her account of two lovers tangled in a mid-19th century war that wiped out 90 percent of Paraguay's male population.
Oct 17th, 2004 · The Booker Prize will be announced this coming Tuesday. One of the leading contenders is David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas. With an experimental structure that incorporates six novellas, the question is whether this is a stunt or a true literary breakthrough. Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA reports.