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Stanford Professor Explores Past, Present, Future in 'Fortune Smiles'

When Adam Johnson worked in construction, he heard all sorts of stories from his co-workers, some of whom were Vietnam veterans and others who were ex-cons. Johnson’s had his share of tales too, from visiting North Korea to a dangerous swim in an Arizona sewage pipe.

Adam’s life experiences converge in his writing, and he’s won many awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. His latest book is “Fortune Smiles” (Random House/2015), a collection of six short stories with plots involving North Korea, hurricane survivors and presidential holograms.

Adam Johnson's writings and life

  Guest host Phoebe Judge talks with Stanford professor of creative writing Adam Johnson about his writing and life. Johnson reads at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh tonight at 7 p.m and at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Cover of Adam Johnson's 'Fortune Smiles'
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Cover of Adam Johnson's 'Fortune Smiles'

Copyright 2015 North Carolina Public Radio

Phoebe Judge is an award-winning journalist whose work has been featured on a numerous national radio programs. She regularly conducts interviews and anchors WUNC's broadcast of Here & Now. Previously, Phoebe served as producer, reporter and guest host for the nationally distributed public radio program The Story. Earlier in her career, Phoebe reported from the gulf coast of Mississippi. She covered the BP oil spill and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio. Phoebe's work has won multiple Edward R.Murrowand Associated Press awards. Phoebe was born and raised in Chicago and is graduate ofBennington Collegeand theSalt Institute for Documentary Studies.
Andrew Tie