Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads his story "Tenth of December." He describes how he came to write the story, and talks with Amanda about art, amateurism, and love over a lifetime. Because the story is almost an hour long, this episode is in two parts.

Audio excerpted courtesy of The Penguin Random House Audio from Tenth of December by George Saunders, narrated by the author.
© 2013 George Saunders (P) 2013 Random House Audio.

Photo by Zach Krahmer

Amanda Shires is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and fiddle player, and a member of the celebrated supergroup the Highwomen. She talks about the challenges of writing her song, "You Don't Get to Go," and grudgingly accepts George's admiration.