Crafting a Story of Illness
BLR Editor Danielle Ofri hosts Sandeep Jauhar, Rana Awdish and Theresa Brown for a fascinating conversation about getting illness onto the page. More
Danielle Ofri interviews author Anne Fadiman
Danielle Ofri interviews author Anne Fadiman. They discuss her award-winning book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, and how the culture of medicine struggles to communicate with other cultures. They also delve into Ex Libris, Fadiman’s brilliant collection of essays about the trials of being a book lover and the tribulations of growing up in a “grammar cartel.” More
Danielle Ofri interviews author Pria Anand
Danielle Ofri interviews neurologist (and BLR author) Pria Anand to celebrate the publication of her first book, The Mind Electric. Danielle and Pria discuss writing, medicine, and the intricacies of the mind. More
Winning Words 2025
A celebration of BLR’s 48th issue and the winners of the 2025 BLR literary prizes. Hosted by Danielle Ofri More
Oliver Sacks: His Own Life
Danielle Ofri hosts a conversation with editor Kate Edgar and writer Bill Hayes about the documentary of Oliver Sacks’s remarkable life More
Reading the Body—Panel Discussion and Film
Danielle Ofri hosts a panel discussion on dance, poetry, and the examination of “body politic,” along with a screening of the award-winning film, “Reading the Body.” More
Studio Visit: Mary Lacy
Danielle visits the studio of muralist and artist Mary Lacy in Northampton, Massachusetts. Mary does both large-scale public murals and intimate multimedia work that explores human anatomy. Her gorgeous ceramic mosaic portraits are featured on the cover of BLR Issue 47, featuring poetry, fiction, and nonfiction on the theme of Body Politic. More
The Book Doctors Are In!
Danielle Ofri hosts fellow medical writers Perri Klass, Esther Choo, and Damon Tweedy to talk publishing advice, creative writing, patient consent, the medical/writing life, and how to wrestle ethical dilemmas onto the page. More
BLR’s Narrative Arc
Danielle Ofri hosts the Narrative Arc: The Journey From Writer to Reader. Readers get to choose their favorite BLR stories, poems, and essays, and then get to interview the writer. It’s matchmaking in the best literary style! More
BLR’s Fall Reading
Danielle Ofri hosts an evening of author readings and interviews, celebrating BLR’s 47th issue. Meet the writers—Mehr-Afarin Kohan, Sean Sam, and Laura LeMoon—as well as the BLR editors who interview them: Danielle Ofri, Saleem Hue Penny, and Alanna Weissman. More
Book Talk with Tyriek White
Danielle Ofri teams up with Joy D. Calloway and Frank Clark to interview BLR author Tyriek White, on the occasion of his very first novel, We Are a Haunting. The conversation covers grief, loss, inspiration, writing, and cultural transformation. More
Danielle Ofri interview playwright Sarah Ruhl
Danielle Ofri interviews Sarah Ruhl — acclaimed playwright, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, MacArthur “genius”— a fascinating conversation about Sarah’s life, her career, and her extraordinary journey to reclaim her own face. Her book, “Smile,” was a New York Times best-seller.
Studio Visit: Nicole Cohen
Danielle visits the studio of multimedia artist Nicole Cohen in Lower Manhattan. Nicole weaves together past and present using video, drawing, painting, archival photos, and installations. BLR is honored to have Nicole’s “portraits in books” as the cover of Issue 46, featuring the winners of the 2024 BLR Literary Prizes. More
Studio Visit: Alexander Gorlizki
Danielle visits the studio of Alexander Gorlizki in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Alexander focuses on brilliant colors and styles influenced by India. His vibrant art graces the cover of BLR Issue 44, featuring the 2023 BLR contest winners More
Studio Visit: Tatana Kellner
Danielle visits the studio of Tatana Kellner in upstate New York. Tatana’s multimedia art incorporates history, social justice, and dramatic color. Her stunning paintings are featured on the cover of BLR Issue 45, which is focused on the theme of Taking Care. More
