Listen to the show online. Previous seasons are available here: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

BookSpeak is IPR’s summer radio show about books. On BookSpeak you’ll hear book reviews written and read by guest reviewers just like you. The weekly episodes air Wednesdays at noon, and a rebroadcast on Saturdays at 11 a.m. This year, in addition to accepting written book reviews, we’re interested in recording conversations about books between friends, colleagues or families. Or you can just come and chat with an IPR staff member about your favorite book! Here’s how you can participate.

What we’re looking for

• An informal review of a book you’ve enjoyed
• About 350 words (2 minutes when read aloud)
• A casual conversation about a book you love with a friend of IPR staffer
• A variety of interesting topics and authors
• Your passion and enthusiasm

Acceptable subject matter

• All genres (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, youth or children’s books)
• An author’s body of work (e.g., why you like Mark Twain)
• A “classic” – or a new release (no self-published work, please)

Do

• Use quotes to make your point
• Use short sentences – if you run out of breath when reading it aloud, the sentence is probably too long
• Use words that you can easily pronounce
• Write a review, not a book report
• Write what you feel; don’t be afraid to be critical
• Be creative in your selection and presentation

Don’t

• Use clichés like the blurbs on the book jacket (“a sweeping spectacle”… “the heart-rending story of…”)
• Use X-rated material (write for a “G” audience)
• Re-tell the story in chronological fashion (this happened, followed by this)

No radio experience required!

• We will help prepare you and build your confidence.
• Your review can be recorded at IPR or over the phone if you can’t get to the studio. We will call you about any necessary editing and to schedule the recording.

Timeline

• Reviews should be submitted between now and July 26 (see How to Submit below).

How to submit a review

If you email your review, please:

• Send it to bookspeak@bsu.edu as an attachment or paste it in the message
• Put BOOKSPEAK REVIEW in the subject line
• Include your name, address, and daytime phone number

If you fax (765-285-8937) or mail your review (IPR, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306), please:

• Write “Attention: Kristen Bitzegaio” on the cover sheet or envelope
• Include your name, address, and daytime phone number

General information

We ask for submissions to come early in the season. If you plan to participate, let us know! Submissions made after July 22 may be held for next season. If your review is broadcast, you must sign a broadcast release form. The reviewer is not paid a fee. Participation in the project is free.

Contact information

For general information and submissions, contact Kristen Bitzegaio, Outreach Coordinator, at 765-285-5887 or bookspeak@bsu.edu. Questions about broadcasts go to mjackman@bsu.edu. The toll-free number is 800-646-1812.

Broadcasts of BookSpeak

BookSpeak will be broadcast at noon on Wednesdays beginning in June. Two book reviews will be included in each 5-minute broadcast. Reviews that are not broadcast may be published on the IPR website.