Novelist and essayist Ayelet Waldman reads from her newest work of fiction, "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits." We'll talk about the politics of the personal essay, the morality of loving your spouse more than your children, and the joys and complications of raising a family in a writerly home.

Poet Catherine Wagner reads selections from her books of poetry, Miss America and Macular Hole. We'll discuss periodicals, the politics of meter, parturition, and the place where poetry becomes song.

Christopher Merril, poet, essayist and director of the International Writing Program at the Univeristy of Iowa, reads from his recent work of non-fiction, "Things of the Hidden God, Journey to the Holy Mountain." We'll discuss his pilgrimages to Mount Athos, in Greece, as well as poesy, silence and spirituality.

Davy Rothbart, author and creator of FOUND magazine, reads from his book of short stories "The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas" and discusses his favorite finds from FOUND. We'll talk about family, celebrity status, hilarious heartbreak, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and maybe even about channeling spirits.

Get ready for St. Patrick's Day with beloved Irish poet Dennis O'Driscoll. We'll get a chance to discuss the state of contemporary European poetics, we'll examine the American fascination with the Irish literary tradition and we'll ponder poetic approaches to the tiny tragedies and comedies of modern life.

Jonathan Lethem - novelist, essayist and recent recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" - reads from his latest novel, "You Don't Love Me Yet." We'll discuss autobiography, affectation and the art of writing about art.

Poet and novelist Laura Kasischke reads from her latest novel, "Be Mine." We'll talk about the nonfictional origins of fiction. We'll decide whether we prefer writing poetry or prose. And we'll examine the limits of eroticism in writing.

Acclaimed poet Marie Howe reads from her forthcoming book of poetry, "The Kingdom of Ordinary Time," as well as from her previous two collections, "The Good Thief" and "What the Living Do." We'll discuss the language of grief, the continuum that connects pain to beauty and how we often stumble into what we love.

Michelle Orange, author of “The Sicily Papers” and frequent contributor to McSweeney's, reads her latest work. We'll discuss the art of letter writing, puzzles, karma and the simple kindness of strangers.

Join me and the staff of Michigan's newest literary journal, Oleander Review, for my return to the Living Writers Show - not as host, but as a guest. I'll read a new poem and an excerpt from my nonfiction, and we'll talk about the nitty-gritty of starting a journal from the ground up.