Tantorious

Lee Billings is a science writer whose work has appeared in Scientific American, New Scientist, and Popular Mechanics, among other publications. His new book, Five Billion Years of Solitude: The Search for Life Among the Stars, is an intimate history of Earth and the quest for life beyond the solar system. In this exclusive interview, he reveals why we may never find life on other planets.

Michael Palin is a comedian, novelist, actor, and playwright best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. His first novel, Hemingway's Chair, published in 1998, was a national bestseller and a New York Times notable book of the year. His new novel, The Truth, is a warm and witty story of a journey to India. In this exclusive interview, he explains why his main characters are Everyman types.

Kirk W. Johnson's writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Foreign Policy. His book, TO BE A FRIEND IS FATAL: The Fight to Save the Iraqis America Left Behind, is a searching exploration of America's moral obligations to those Iraqis who stepped forward to help. In this exclusive interview, he explains how he became the leading public voice on the plight of America's Iraqi allies.

Mehow, one of the most well-known and sought-after pickup artists in the world, is the founder of Mehow, Inc. He has appeared frequently in the media, including on Yahoo!TV, Current TV, and MTV's True Life. In his new book, How to Talk to Hot Women, Mehow provides men with the nine essential secrets to getting—and keeping—the woman or women of their dreams. In this exclusive interview, he explains why personality is paramount.

Thomas Emson is the author of several novels, including Maneater, Zombie Britannica, and the Vampire Trinity series. A former journalist, he is also an award-winning playwright. His new novel, Pariah, is available in print, ebook, and audio editions from Tantor. In this exclusive interview, Emson explains why Jack the Ripper still has the power to terrify.