The Word was a weekly half-hour radio programme on the BBC World Service about books and writers. Its final edition was in October 2008. Once a month its slot was taken over by World Book Club, in which listeners submitted questions to a famous writer. Both programmes were presented by Harriett Gilbert. World Book Club continues to be broadcast once a month on Saturdays.
The Word[edit]
The Word emerged from an earlier World Service book programme Meridian Books (which had several presenters, including Michael Rosen,[1] Verity Sharp,[2] and Rosemary Hartill,[3]) as well as a poetry request programme, Poems by Post.[1]
Each week the programme would typically feature an author interview and a report on a topic such as "new Malaysian writing".
Each edition was broadcast on the BBC World Service several times during the week.[4] It could also be heard online anytime during the week of transmission on the BBC website.[5]
In Harriett Gilbert's absences, the programme has been presented by, among others, Bidisha and Nii Ayikwei Parkes.
World Book Club[edit]
On the last Tuesday of each month World Book Club took over the slot of The Word. In October 2008, it became an hour-long programme under the umbrella of the arts show The Strand and is broadcast on the first Saturday in the month.
Quote[edit]
Harriett Gilbert has said about the programmes:
"For a book addict, I have the dream job. On The Word, I get to talk about their work with writers I admire and enjoy. On World Book Club, I introduce those writers to their readers, all around the world and sit back while they enjoy themselves. If only Charles Dickens were still alive!"
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Michael Rosen website[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Verity Sharp Radio 3 presenter biography". Archived from the original on 1 January 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
- ^ "Rosemary Hartill". Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
- ^ World Service Schedule
- ^ The Word homepage
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