Tim Johnston is the author of The Heartland Trilogy – Descent, The Current, and Distant Sons – as well as the story collection Irish Girl. Tim’s stories have appeared in New England Review, New Letters, The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, Double Take, Best Life Magazine, and Narrative Magazine, among others. After earning degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Tim made a living for twenty-five years as a carpenter. He currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa.
In this episode, Kelsey and Jenn talk with best-selling author Tim Johnston about his latest novel, Distant Sons—the All Iowa Reads selection for Adult Fiction for 2025. Random acts of misfortune, themes of masculinity and shame, and a small town haunted by great tragedy. It may surprise you or it could devastate you, but at the very least, be prepared to feel all the feels!
Find it on your favorite podcast provider or visit https://www.kwit.org/podcast/first-fifty to listen online.
First Fifty Pages is produced by KWIT-KOJI: Siouxland Public Media.
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