''The Word'' was a weekly half-hour radio programme on the
BBC World Service about books and writers. Its final edition was in October 2008. Once a month its slot was taken over by ''
World Book Club
''World Book Club'' is a radio programme on the BBC World Service. Each edition of the programme, which is broadcast on the first Saturday of the month with repeats into the following Monday, features a famous author discussing one of his or her ...
'', in which listeners submitted questions to a famous writer. Both programmes were presented by
Harriett Gilbert
Harriett Sarah Gilbert (born 25 August 1948) is an English writer, academic and broadcaster, particularly of arts and book programmes on the BBC World Service. She is the daughter of the writer Michael Gilbert. Besides ''World Book Club'' on the ...
. ''World Book Club'' continues to be broadcast once a month on Saturdays.
The Word
''The Word'' emerged from an earlier World Service book programme ''Meridian Books'' (which had several presenters, including
Michael Rosen
Michael Wayne Rosen (born 7 May 1946) is a British children's author, poet, presenter, political columnist, broadcaster and activist who has written 140 books. He served as Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009.
Early life
Michael Wayne Ro ...
,
[Michael Rosen website]
/ref> Verity Sharp, and Rosemary Hartill,) as well as a poetry request programme, ''Poems by Post''.[
Each week the programme would typically feature an author interview and a report on a topic such as "new Malaysian writing".
Each edition was broadcast on the BBC World Service several times during the week. It could also be heard online anytime during the week of transmission on the BBC website.''The Word'' homepage]
/ref>
In Harriett Gilbert's absences, the programme has been presented by, among others, Bidisha
Bidisha Mamata is a British broadcaster and journalist specialising in international affairs, social justice issues, arts and culture.
Bidisha began writing professionally for style magazines such as ''i-D'', '' Dazed and Confused'', and the '' ...
and Nii Ayikwei Parkes.
''World Book Club''
On the last Tuesday of each month ''World Book Club
''World Book Club'' is a radio programme on the BBC World Service. Each edition of the programme, which is broadcast on the first Saturday of the month with repeats into the following Monday, features a famous author discussing one of his or her ...
'' took over the slot of ''The Word''. In October 2008, it became an hour-long programme under the umbrella of the arts show '' The Strand'' and is broadcast on the first Saturday in the month.
Quote
Harriett Gilbert has said about the programmes: "For a book addict, I have the dream job. On ''The Word'', I get to talk about their work with writers I admire and enjoy. On ''World Book Club'', I introduce those writers to their readers, all around the world and sit back while they enjoy themselves. If only Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...
were still alive!"
See also
*''World Book Club
''World Book Club'' is a radio programme on the BBC World Service. Each edition of the programme, which is broadcast on the first Saturday of the month with repeats into the following Monday, features a famous author discussing one of his or her ...
''
*'' The Strand''
External links
''The Word'' homepage - including the "listen again" facility.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Word, The
BBC World Service programmes