The National Writers Series heads into a new year trying new things.
One, says Stanton, is a conversation between a cult expert and someone who left the "Twin Flames" group in Leelanau County. The group has been featured in two major documentaries.
Another, is bringing in author Kaveh Akbar to talk about his debut novel, "Martyr!"
"That was a little bit of a risky choice, because debut authors — normally nobody shows up because they don't know who he is," Stanton said. "But he got such amazing testimonials."
Other visiting authors include celebrated novelist Don Winslow, and Barbara McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor who is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.
Listen to her full converation with IPR's Tyler Thompson, through the audio player.
