KJZZ's Word

Poets and storytellers have an opportunity to perform in the Valley, plus we feature young adult travel and romance set in Arizona, as well as a YA fantasy/romance rooted in dark magic.

On this Season 10 opener of KJZZ's Word podcast hosted by Tom Maxedon, it’s all about anecdotes.In this episode, we feature conversations about minor league baseball, the only Latino governor of Arizona, Raúl Héctor Castro, affectionately known as Raúlito, plus tales on the road about legendary troubadour Bob Dylan.

On this episode of Word, it’s the season-ender! We discuss reading events beyond the upcoming Juneteenth holiday that offer a deeper connection to why it’s celebrated. Plus, a literary conversation from Kenya happened while on "vacation," and I returned to the Valley to discuss a debut novel from an ASU professor emerita.

On this episode, a Diné writer releases her first novel. Plus, we examine an international true-crime story by a Valley poet-turned sleuth. And, we extend a bow to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a day at the Kentucky Derby.

Coming up on this episode, musician Lizzo is the subject of a new graphic short story series.Plus, a linguist argues for bad language … "Like, literally, dude."And, a rapid-fire play examines the search for love and dignity by single Black females.

National Poetry Month continues on this episode of Word, which also features crime fiction, a novel set in 1940s Harlem, plus a memoir from journalist and NPR's "All Things Considered" co-host Marie Louise Kelly.

Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring in this episode of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.

Shakespeare, hiking in Arizona, poetry on vinyl and a haiku winner share some thematic space on this KJZZ podcast about literature in Arizona and the region. It's hosted by Tom Maxedon.

A Valley resident turns experience as a former prison inmate into a graphic novel, an addiction to an anti-anxiety drug leads to a debut mystery, the KJZZ Annual Haiku Writing Contest keeps on chugging and Arizona Matsuri returns to Phoenix, in person.

Coming up on this Season 9 opener of Word, wanna get off this planet? A new sci-fi novel examines the implications of doing so and what it means for sustainability for those of us who choose to stay on it.

Coming up on this Season 8-ender of Word, we go on a show bender with highlights spanning the entire run-of-show from where it started on the island of Guam in 2016 until now.

On this penultimate episode of Word for 2022, a local creative peppers the episode with perseverance, imagination, elevation and empowerment while asking the question: “Who do we owe?”

On this episode of KJZZ's Word, the application window for the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read grants is open. Plus, National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, is winding down and writers are feverishly trying to finish 50,000 words by Nov. 30.Finally, music icon and one of Arizona’s beloved daughters, Linda Ronstadt, has a new memoir.

What do an Old West mystery/fantasy novel, a former transgender firefighter and NaNoWriMo have in common? Find out on this episode of KJZZ's Word. It's a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.

What do outlaws, dysfunctional family outings and a Scottish bookstore have in common? Find out on this episode of Word. It's a KJZZ podcasted hosted by Tom Maxedon.

What does kid lit and the courage of a Mexican woman journalist have in common? Find out in this episode of Word, a podcast hosted by KJZZ's Tom Maxedon about literature in Arizona and the region.

What do vampires, poetry and Agatha Christie have in common? Find out in this episode of Word, a podcast hosted by KJZZ's Tom Maxedon about literature in Arizona and the region.

What do detectives, mobsters, jazz musicians, and fall have in common? Those are some of the themes we explore on the Season 8 opener of Word. It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon.

What do a middle-grade novelist, thriller enthusiast and swingers have in common? It’s all fodder for the season ender of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon.

What do a Coconino high school student, a novelist and writer for the San Francisco Chronicle as well as a poet from Fountain Hills have in common?