Characters Like Us

On this episode of Characters Like Us, I talk with young adult author Ann Zhao about writing queer Asian American girlhood, online friendships, fandom culture, and creating stories that feel honest, messy, and deeply personal.

We discuss Ann’s novel Dear Wendy, the influence of fanfiction and internet communities on storytelling, and the importance of writing queer Asian American characters with complexity, humor, and joy.

✨ In this episode:

• Queer Asian American representation in YA
• Fanfiction and online writing communities
• Writing friendship, identity, and girlhood
• Creating authentic queer stories
• The role of the internet in modern storytelling and publishing

📚 Follow Ann on Instagram @annzhao_ and check out Dear Wendy and more books on the Characters Like Us Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

📖 Follow Characters Like Us on Instagram @characterslikeuspod https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/ and host Geetanshi @gee.tan.shi https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/

If you enjoy Characters Like Us, here are a few ways to support the show: 📚 Buy books through our Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/clu 💌 Subscribe on Substack for new episodes and reflections: https://geetanshisharma.substack.com 🤝 Join our Patreon for behind-the-scenes content: https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling and diverse books.

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

In this episode of Characters Like Us, I talk with children’s and young adult author Maya Prasad about representation in literature and what it means to write beyond one-dimensional portrayals of identity.

We discuss creating complex, multidimensional characters, writing multiple perspectives, and why meaningful representation is about more than inclusion—it’s about complexity.

✨ In this episode:

• Representation in literature
• Writing diverse and inclusive stories
• South Asian identity in fiction
• Character development and multiple perspectives

📚 Follow Maya on Instagram @msmayaprasad and check out all her books on the Characters Like Us Bookshop!

📖 Follow Characters Like Us on Instagram @characterslikeuspod and host Geetanshi @gee.tan.shi.

If you enjoy Characters Like Us, here are a few ways to support the show:

• 📚 Buy books through our Bookshop
• 💌 Subscribe on Substack for new episodes and reflections
• 🤝 Join our Patreon for behind-the-scenes conten

Subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling and diverse books.

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode of Characters Like Us, we’re joined by author and multi-hyphenate creative Malavika Kannan for a conversation about queer girlhood, radical storytelling, and writing at the intersection of the personal and political.

Malavika reflects on her journey from self-publishing in high school to releasing her YA debut All the Yellow Suns, a novel shaped by her experiences as a queer South Asian American growing up in Florida. We talk about what it means to write boldly when you don’t see yourself in books, how her Stanford years and journalism career shaped her voice, and what she’s working on now—including her upcoming adult novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From zines to sapphic supper clubs, this episode is a celebration of craft, community, and coming of (r)age.

🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling!

Follow Malavika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/literarymal/ and check out her debut YA novel ALL THE YELLOW SUNS on our Bookshop Page! https://tinyurl.com/clubookshopATYS

⏳ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

02:39 - Numbered Narratives Segment

05:46 - Malavika's Journey to Becoming an Author

09:14 - Malavika's Writing Practice

11:52 - Transition to Full-time Writing

12:28 - Writing First Novel During the Pandemic

15:11 - Malavika's Approach to Reading as a Writer

22:29 - Exploring Nonfiction and Essay Writing

23:01 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Authenticity

27:20 - Advice for Emerging Writers

32:17 - Reflecting on Early Work

39:05 - Navigating Cancel Culture and Online Criticism

48:32 - Closing Segment

50:32 - Closing

This video comes with captions and a transcript.

Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Malavika's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay.

Sound Effects from Pixabay.

#MalavikaKannan #AllTheYellowSuns #CharactersLikeUs #QueerWriters #SouthAsianAuthors #YAfiction #InclusiveStorytelling #ComingOfAge #DebutAuthor

On this episode of Characters Like Us, I speak with poet Jessica Nirvana Ram about finding voice, navigating the margins, and writing the poems that won’t let you go. Jessica shares her path to poetry, what it was like pursuing an MFA, and how writing from a place of layered identity—queer, Indo-Guyanese, South Asian—shapes both her creative work and her experience in the literary world. We talk about claiming space in a landscape that doesn’t always feel like it was made for us, building community, and writing through the feeling of not having “permission,” but knowing you have something to say. From survival songs to earthly gods, Jessica’s work is a testament to the power of naming what hurts—and what heals.

🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling.

Follow Jess on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewritingdestiny/ and check out her debut poetry collection EARTHLY GODS on our Bookshop Page! https://tinyurl.com/earthlygods

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00 - Introduction

03:46 - Numbered Narratives

04:35 - Queerness and Bisexuality

10:46 - Jessica's Writing Journey

16:36 - Queer Media and Representation

19:37 - Queerness, Family, and Cultural Context

24:49 - Jessica's Writing Process

36:44 - Spoken Word Poetry

38:03 - Indo-Caribbean Identity

43:09 - MFA Programs

50:14 - Finding Writing Community on Social Media

53:25 - Closing Thoughts and Conclusion

This video comes with captions and a transcript. Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Jessica's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode of Characters Like Us, I speak with author Tara Sidhoo Fraser about crafting memoirs that break the mold and speak truth to the complexities of identity, disability, and memory. Tara opens up about the nonlinear process behind her powerful memoir When My Ghost Sings, exploring what it means to write about amnesia, queerness, and disability without centering recovery as the end goal. We talk form, inspiration, and the importance of making space for stories that don’t fit the usual narrative.

This is a conversation about writing from the margins—with honesty, artistry, and care.

🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling!

Follow Tara on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tara_sidhoo_fraser/ and check out her memoir WHEN MY GHOST SINGS on our Bookshop Page! https://tinyurl.com/CLUBookshopTara

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - Numbered Narratives

04:28 - Tara's Writing Journey

10:45 - Writing During the Pandemic

17:26 - Writing Process for 'When My Ghost Sings'

26:31 - The Impact of Amnesia

29:38 - Stereotypes Surrounding Amnesia and Disability

31:15 - Physical Changes and Identity

36:29 - Connecting with Your Past Self and "Crip Time"

46:36 - Writing a Memoir: Memory and Perspective

48:24 - Advice for Writers

50:00 - Upcoming Projects

51:42 - Closing

This video comes with captions and a transcript.

Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Tara's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode of Characters Like Us, we sit down with author Jesmeen Kaur Deo to talk all things writing, representation, and redefining beauty. Jesmeen shares the inspiration behind her debut novel TJ Powar Has Something to Prove, a powerful story that challenges body hair stigma and South Asian beauty standards. We also get a sneak peek into her upcoming book Reasons We Break, explore her writing journey, creative process, and the importance of telling stories that feel personal, authentic, and empowering. If you’ve ever felt like the outsider in your own story, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling!

Follow Jesmeen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jdeowrites/ and check out her debut novel TJ POWAR HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE on our Bookshop Page! https://bookshop.org/p/books/tj-powar-has-something-to-prove-jesmeen-kaur-deo/17502931?aid=113809&ean=9780593403396&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-us

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:35 - Numbered Narratives

00:15:29 - Influence of Body Hair Representation in Media

00:16:33 - Body Hair Stigma in South Asian Communities

00:17:41 - Writing about Body Hair Stigma

00:22:26 - Importance of Authenticity Readers

00:25:34 - Body Hair Stigma and Transness

00:27:57 - Writing Community and Support

00:30:00 - Balancing Writing with Other Careers

00:30:44 - Changing Publishers and Genres

00:32:54 - Balancing Writing with a Full-Time Job

00:34:24 - Writing Process for 'Reasons We Break'

00:39:03 - Closing Remarks and Reflections on Writing Impact

This video comes with captions and a transcript.

Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Jesmeen's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

✨ Follow Anvita ✨:

YouTube / @anvitascorner

Instagram / http://instagram.com/anvitascorner

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode, debut author Elba Luz joins us to talk about her novel Build A Girlfriend, a queer rom-com inspired by a love of reading, K-pop, video games, and quiet resilience. We dive into her journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to launching her first book, the challenges of balancing a creative life with a full-time job in books, and what it means to keep going — even when the road to publication gets tough.

Follow Elba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elballuz/ & check out her debut novel BUILD A GIRLFRIEND! https://bookshop.org/p/books/build-a-girlfriend-elba-luz/21523087?aid=113809&ean=9781665942515&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-us

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:28 - Guest Introduction: Elba Luz

00:01:14 - Opening Segment: Numbered Narratives

00:01:50 - The Hunger Games

00:05:00 - Elba's Writing Journey

00:09:21 - Influence of Video Games on Writing

00:11:19 - K-pop

00:13:15 - Inspiration Behind 'Build-A-Girlfriend'

00:15:34 - Incorporating Personal Experiences into Writing

00:17:12 - Influence of Family and Relationships in Writing

00:21:44 - Balancing Writing with a Full-Time Job in Publishing

00:27:03 - Advice for First-Time Authors

00:30:09 - Elba's Message to Readers

This video comes with captions and a transcript. Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Elba's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

✨ Follow Anvita ✨:

YouTube / @anvitascorner

Instagram / http://instagram.com/anvitascorner

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode, we welcome author Swati Hegde to discus her writing and publishing journey, behind-the-scenes of her latest books, and the joys and challenges of crafting swoon-worthy stories.

Follow Swati on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/swatihegdeauthor/ and check out her books MATCH ME IF YOU CAN (https://bookshop.org/p/books/match-me-if-you-can-swati-hegde/20601506?aid=113809&ean=9780593722916&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-uss) and CAN'T HELP FAKING IN LOVE (https://bookshop.org/p/books/can-t-help-faking-in-love-swati-hegde/21487974?aid=113809&ean=9780593722930&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-us)!

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:34 - Welcoming Swati Hegde

00:03:10 - Segment: Numbered Narratives

00:04:03 - Favorite Authors

00:09:29 - Writing Journey

00:15:39 - Swati's Unique Writing Process

00:19:12 - Advice for First Time Authors

00:25:36 - Being a Queer South Asian Author

00:31:07 - Representation in Literature

00:31:51 - Closing Segment

00:33:18 - Closing

This video comes with captions and a transcript.

Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy Swati's books on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/book.noted/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

✨ Follow Anvita ✨:

YouTube / ⁨@anvitascorner⁩

Instagram / http://instagram.com/anvitascorner

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

On this episode, we welcome author Léa Taranto to discuss her debut novel, A DROP IN THE OCEAN, an engaging YA novel about a girl in treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder that combats the dehumanizing stigma around mental illness. Léa and host Geetanshi Sharma talk about writing mental health and disability representation, OCD representation, stigmas associated with psychiatric disorders, and writing journeys.

Follow Léa on Instagram @leatarantowrites and check out her debut novel A Drop In The Ocean, which just came out yesterday! You can also find her on her website: (http://leataranto.com/) If you want to learn more about OCD, Léa recommends the International OCD Foundation's website at https://iocdf.org/. For a compiled list of international crisis and suicide hotlines, you can visit https://findahelpline.com/ and https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.

This video comes with captions and a transcript. Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write.

💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/book.noted/

Storygraph / https://app.thestorygraph.com/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:49 - Welcoming Léa Taranto

00:02:06 - Numbered Narratives Segment

00:05:13 - Léa's Writing Journey

00:10:00 - OCD Representation in Media

00:16:13 - Psych Wards

00:19:36 - Basing Characters on Real-Life People

00:21:15 - Mental Health Stigma

00:30:17 - Writing Habits and Care Work

00:34:04 - Léa's New Project

00:37:22 - Closing Segment & Takeaways

00:39:21 - Closing Remarks and Recommendations

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.

Welcome to Characters Like Us, a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write, with your host, Geetanshi Sharma. Featuring conversations on writing craft and more with your favorite authors!

Subscribe to be notified of the first episode, launching THIS WEDNESDAY, May 21 at 3 PT!

This video comes with captions and a transcript.

💫 Support Characters Like Us 💫

Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs

Buy a book from our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu

🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/book.noted/

Storygraph / https://app.thestorygraph.com/

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma

📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚:

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/

Business Email: [email protected]

Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.