Max: The Literary Kingmaker

BBC Radio 4

Maxwell Perkins was the brilliant editor who nurtured and ushered in a generation of writing talent that revolutionised literary life in 1920s America.

Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway (pictured here with Perkins) , Wolfe and others benefitted from Max’s perceptive editing and his dedicated friendship.  He championed talent that otherwise would have fallen by the wayside. Lennie Goodings, Chair of Virago and herself a celebrated editor, asks what it takes to spot a talent and to draw the best from the writer. She is joined by Sarah Churchwell, Perkins’ biographer A. Scott Berg and by writers Colm Toibin and Linda Grant.

Produced by Clem Hitchcock

Broadcast: Tuesday 26th Jan 11.30am on BBC Radio 4