You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.

My name's Katie Lecky and I'm an assistant commissioner for on demand music on BBC Sounds.

The BBC has an incredible musical heritage and culture and as a music lover, I love being part of that.

With music on sounds, we offer collections and mixes for everything, from workouts to

helping you nod off, boogie in your kitchen, or even just a moment of calm. And they're all

put together by people who know their stuff. So if you want some expertly curated music in your

life, check out BBC Sounds. Just before this BBC podcast gets underway, here's something you may not know.

My name's Linda Davies, and I commissioned podcasts for BBC Sounds.

As you'd expect, at the BBC we make podcasts of the very highest quality,

featuring the most knowledgeable experts and genuinely engaging voices.

What you may not know is that the BBC makes podcasts about all kinds. featuring the most knowledgeable experts and genuinely engaging voices.

What you may not know is that the BBC makes podcasts about all kinds of things,

like pop stars, poltergeists, cricket and conspiracy theories.

And that's just a few examples.

If you'd like to discover something a little bit unexpected,

find your next podcast over at BBC Sounds.

This is a download from the BBC. To find out more, visit BBC.com.ukuk slash radio four.

Hello on today's programme, Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley, hot new writing from sub-Saharan Africa, help with a listener's literary ailment,

and mistress of punctuation, Lynn Tras, admits to being the school swat.

There was a poetry class once a week,

and we were invited to learn poetry by rote and stand up and recite it,

and not many people did it.

...