“This American Life” has become a literary farm team for publishers. Here’s a few of the writers who’ve used their radio days to launch or enhance their publishing careers.

JOHN HODGMAN

Former literary agent, Hodgman has parlayed his geeky persona into a fullfledged brand. On “TAL,” his segments

include debating whether flight or invisibility is the superior superpower and living at the Mall of America for a week.

SARAH VOWELL

Vowell’s baby voice and caustic humor were a perfect match for radio. Her essays revolve around her obsessions with history – an entire hour was devoted to her Trail of Tears trip – and family. She’s gone on to write several books, most recently “Assassination Vacation.”

DISHWASHER PETE

One man’s decade-long commitment to his vow to wash dishes in all 50 states – combined with a knack for storytelling – has yielded five “TAL” stories, a zine (“Dishwasher”) and a forthcoming book (“Dishwasher”), due out in May.

DAVID SEDARIS

After debuting with his story of working as a Macy’s elf, Sedaris regularly provided hilarious, cringeinducing

accounts of his childhood, jobs and life in France with his partner, Hugh. Most of his books have topped bestseller lists, such as “Barrel Fever,” “Naked” and “Me Talk Pretty One Day