Ian McMillan and his guests explore classical music in fiction. He is joined by novelist Conrad Williams to talk about his portrayal of the world of the concert pianist. Show more

Ian McMillan is joined by poet Jean Sprackland and novelist Julie Myserson to discuss writing about the sea. Show more

Susan Hitch discusses nature, wilderness and gardens with two poets for whom the pastoral is a key source of inspiration: Kathleen Jamie and Sarah Maguire.

Poet Lavinia Greenlaw and astronomer Paul Murdin join Ian McMillan to contemplate the various ways in which writers have responded to astronomical ideas.

Ian McMillan and his orchestra present a cabaret of words and music, and explore the connections between folk music, poetry and the art of storytelling. Show more

Matthew Sweet talks to travel writers Iain Sinclair and Robert Macfarlane, who discuss writing about the wilderness and nature found in British cities. Show more

Susan Hitch is joined by BBC correspondent Bridget Kendall to discuss how Russian literature relates to issues and themes in the country's current affairs. Show more

Proms Literary Festival: Robert Chandler and Zinovy Zinik discuss Russian fairytales and their influence on music and literature, from Baba Yaga to Koschey the Deathless. Show more

Authors Michael Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson join Ian McMillan to read from their work and discuss storytelling and the role of music in children's fiction. Show more

Ian McMillan is joined by nature writer Mark Cocker and poet Katrina Porteous to discuss literature inspired by birds and select passages of avian writing. Show more

Matthew Sweet revisists the cultural events of 1958 with historian Dominic Sandbrook and writers Alan Sillitoe and Anthony Thwaite.

Professor Hermione Lee discusses English Romantic poetry from Wordsworth to Thomas Hardy. With Critic Duncan Wu, Kate Kennedy and poet Paul Farley. Show more

For the 2008 Proms Literary Festival, Ian McMillan and Christopher Ricks discuss the life and poetry of AE Housman, best known for A Shropshire Lad. Show more

Matthew Sweet is joined by critic John Sutherland and TV writer Andrew Davies to examine the portrayal of Victorian entertainment in fiction and on screen. Show more