BROADCASTS.com

We're broadcasting live today from the Portland Art Museum for the city's biggest book extravaganza, Wordstock. We're going to be talking with a couple of our literary superheroes.

Ursula K. Le Guin
Think about the pleasure you felt when a favorite teacher showed you something new. That feeling takes on an entirely new dimension in this year\u2019s revival of Ursula K. Le Guin\u2019s "Steering the Craft." Le Guin, one of Oregon\u2019s most decorated living writers, gave us epic novels that set the template for so much in science fiction and fantasy, plus poetry and nonfiction that changed the way we think. We\u2019ll hear about how she pulls off her best literary tricks, along with her reflections after almost a half century in the industry.

Patrick DeWitt and Michael Hurley
Patrick DeWitt has a gift for laying out a very complete situation with very few well-chosen words. The Booker Prize Foundation, when awarding him a prize for his 2011 western, "The Sisters Brothers," called DeWitt\u2019s writing \u201cstark, unsettling and with a keen eye for the perversity of human motivation.\u201d Those words also apply to his latest novel, "Undermajordomo Minor." But it\u2019s a completely different story \u2014 less "Deadwood," more Magic Mountain. Patrick DeWitt is going to read for us today, accompanied by one of the most singular performers you will meet, today, or ever: Michael Hurley.

Patterson Hood and Willy Vlautin
Patterson Hood and Willy Vlautin are both the voices behind two breakthrough country rock bands \u2014 The Drive-by Truckers and Richmond Fontaine. Aside from their Southern-tinged vocals, they also turn to literature as a creative outlet. Hood has published stories for The New Yorker and Vlautin\u2019s new novel \u201cThe Free\u201d is his fourth title to date. They join April Baer to talk about the relationship between music and writing along with a look at what\u2019s on their bookshelves.

We'll be rolling out more Wordstock interviews in the coming weeks with myriad authors, including Jesse Eisenberg, John Irving, Diana Nyad, Colin Meloy, Carson Ellis, Sandra Cisneros and more. Sign up for the "State of Wonder" podcast to make sure you don't miss them.