Want to find out what an author is really like?

Read Off Mike : a radio memoir by Michael Krasny, the Bay Area's very own literary talk show host from Forum on KQED radio. He dishes on more than 50 authors in this well-written 2007 memoir.

Here's a sample. Gore Vidal shocked him with his ability to switch from "sour, condescending, inebriated and mean" before an interview to "sober, alive, animated and electric" when the public could hear him.

Michael Krasny shares his very personal story of young adulthood during the 1960's, his philosophy on life, his career and his relationship with his parents and friends. He also talks about both his career as talk show host and professor at San Francisco State University.

His work in Bay Area radio began in the late 1970's at KTIM in Marin County. He moved to KGO in Oakland, where he increased his listener audience for years only to be fired. He bounced back recapturing his fans at KQED 88.5 in San Francisco where he can be heard from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. five days a week.