Inspired by an Internet writing project, Erin Morgenstern sat down to write her first novel. Five years later, "The Night Circus" came alive on paper. Updated Oct. 28, 2012

Talking Volumes is a literary collaboration between Minnesota Public Radio and Star Tribune that brings high-profile authors to to the Twin Cities for a live interview, later broadcast on MPR, and profiles the writers in the Star Tribune.
Junot Diaz
Four well-known writers will appear at the Fitzgerald Theater this fall as part of the book-club series.
Writer/doctor Abraham Verghese
Dr. Abraham Verghese brings the human touch to both his jobs -- practicing medicine and writing books.
Jeffrey Toobin
In his second book about the inner workings of the Supreme Court, Jeffrey Toobin sheds light on high-stakes legal battles between the White House and Chief Justice John Roberts.
His stories are not exactly autobiographical but "deeply personal," says Junot Diaz.
The stories in Junot Díaz's long-awaited new book grapple with the vagaries of the human heart, from the painful to the hilarious.
Jonathan Franzen
Despite the huge success of "The Corrections" in 2001, Jonathan Franzen struggled mightily to write his big new novel about a St. Paul family's highs and heartbreaks.
Bestselling novelist Chuck Palahniuk
Rock-star writer Chuck Palahniuk goes to hell in his latest novel, "Damned" -- and finds a new voice in a 13-year-old girl.
Colson Whitehead
A love of horror movies and a recurring nightmare led the writer to devote his newest novel to a vision of a city overrun by the undead.
Stacy Schiff
Stacy Schiff was pretty happy, working as an editor in New York. Then she got an idea for a biography, and it wouldn't let her go.
Jennifer Egan
Talking Volumes season opens with author of "A Visit from the Goon Squad."
Pulitzer Prize winning author Jennifer Egan.
Writing what she didn't know in "A Visit From the Goon Squad" hasn't stopped Jennifer Egan from making some of the keenest cultural observations of our time, or winning a Pulitzer.
Channy Moon Casselle
The authors' series also features Twin Cities musical talent.
Jennifer Egan appears Sept. 14 on Talking Volumes
Tickets go on sale Tuesday for the fall Talking Volumes lineup that starts Sept. 14.
Nora Ephron
The complete lineup from the past 12 years.
Jonathan Franzen
Four well-known writers will appear in St. Paul this fall as the Talking Volumes series returns.
Author Wally Lamb
In his first novel in 10 years, he sweeps up history, violence and family heartbreak. Dark stuff, but he's also open to the possibility of redemption.
Author James Ellroy at his home
He lives like a monk and swears like a sailor. He worships Beethoven and doesn't own a computer. For novelist James Ellroy, fierceness and stamina are required to reveal giant lies and tell big stories.
Author, director, producer, screenwriter Nora Ephron
A one-woman creative dynamo, Nora Ephron learned from her screenwriter mother that, in the lives of writers, "everything is copy."
Monica Ali
In her latest novel, author Monica Ali thoughtfully examines a chef's identity crisis and how it mirrors dramatic changes in British society and culture.
Stephen King
A mesmerizing master of the macabre, Stephen King finds inspiration for his 51st novel, "Under the Dome," in human frailty.
Barbara Kingsolver
Farm chores and her family keep author Barbara Kingsolver grounded, but so does her determination to advocate social change through literature.
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