.: all the great 19th century american writers -- hawthorne, melville, twain, i've read everything hen i was 14 or 15. dreyser, underrated by a lot of people. sister carrie is the greatest first novel ever written by an american. the obvious guys in the 20th century -- fitzgerald, faulkner. i remember being blown away by saul bellow's third book, "the adventures of augie march." i like "henderson the rain king" as well, but that one is so freewheeling and energetic, it meant a lot to me. charlie: who is your editor? e.l.: kate medina at random house. charlie: what does she do for you? e.l.: she's there to read what i've written and tell me what she thinks. it is very important. charlie: an element of trust is crucial. e.l.: she's incredibly honest. this is a serious gifted editor. the fact that she liked this book as much as she did is enormously gratifying to me. i was almost happy. charlie: you mean it's hard to make you happy? why is it hard to make you happy? you are at the top rank of american letters. e.l.: that's why. charlie: do you worry you can keep it up? e.l.: i don't know

>> well all the great 19th century american writers, of course, have been very -- melville, twain which i read everything he wrote by the time i was 14 or 15. and then dryser great novelist underrated by a lot of people. they think he's a clumsy writer, he is not. he is very fine careful writer. sistecary is the best first novel ever brian by an american in my opinion. and then the obvious guys in the 20th sent ree in america, fitzgerald faulkner. and then i remember as a young writer being blown away by saul bello's first book. not his first his third book the adventures of augustie march. that was an eye opener for me. >> rose: your favourite. >> i like henderson-- s as well. but that particular book was so free wheeling and open and luxuriously an particular and energetic. it meant a lot to me. >> rose: who is your editor. >> kate medina at random house. >> rose: that's what i thought. what doe she do for you? >> wel she's there to read what i have written. and to tell me what she thinks. it's very very important. and so. >> rose: an element of trust is crucial. >> oh absolutely. she