⇒You might recall last week’s mention of new literary projects from Ben Greenman. Thanks to KQED, we’ve got a sneak preview of one of those projects: Correspondences, “a set of stories about correspondence, letter-writing, and how epistolary culture has changed over the years” that Akashic‘s Hotel St. George imprint will be published in a special ‘book box” edition this fall, with each story printed on a separate removable insert. A 17-minute reading of one of those stories, “Helpmate,” is available from the radio station’s website in streaming or downloadable formats.

⇒Science fiction writer (and recurring GalleyCat presence) John Scalzi wound up on NPR‘s All Things Considered as part of a four-minute segment on what passes for dramatic in last week’s Mars probe. You’ll never look at a shovelful of dirt the same way again!

(photo of Greenman from the PAGE reading series)