Tattered Cover Initiates Author Podcasts

By Howard Rothman, 12-20-05

	Caption: Al Franken

If you miss a favorite author like Al Franken or Joan Didion when they appear at Denver's Tattered Cover Book Store, you’re no longer completely out of luck. Thanks to a new partnership between the legendary independent and a local firm called BurstMarketing, podcasts are now being prepared with Colorado readings from these and other big-name authors. The collaboration, called Authors On Tour — Live!, will generate free weekly weekly downloads featuring recently published authors reading from and discussing their works while at the Tattered Cover. The first of these 30-45 minute shows, with J.R. Moehringer, author of the acclaimed memoir "The Tender Bar," an introduction by store owner Joyce Meskis, and thoughts by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, is available now.

In coming weeks, the program will be expanded to include podcasts with Franken, Didion, Susanna Clarke, Robert Hicks, Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snicket, Clive Barker, Andrew Weil, Monty Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, Dan Savage, Zadie Smith, Michael Connelly, and others.

"We are proud to be part of Authors On Tour – Live!," said Heather Duncan, Marketing Director for the Tattered Cover. "Podcasting is an exciting new way to connect writers with readers. Podcasting allows anyone anywhere in the world to hear great authors talk about their books — anytime they want."

Another intriguing feature of the program is called "The Unheard Of," and will consist of a podcast feed promoting first-time authors and up-and-coming yet-to-be-published writers. The site will additionally include "ReviewCasts," which provide listeners with the opportunity to create one-minute podcast reviews of books they have read.

"We intend to keep Authors On Tour – Live! on the leading edge of podcasting while developing innovative ways to celebrate and promote authors and their writings," said Rob Simon, BurstMarketing president and one of the founders of Denver's alternative weekly Westword — as well as an author himself.
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