This week we were joined by Rashida Smith who is the program director of Clarion West as well an author of Romantasy novels under the pen name Jasmine Silvera. We discuss the integration of romance and fantasy as genres, her experience as a student at Clarion West taught by Octavia Butler, and the allure of small strange towns. We hope you enjoy!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

0:29 - How did you create your pen name Jasmine Silvera?

1:37 - What is your favorite book that you have written? (“Death’s Dancer”)

2:44 - What did you want to add to the romance genre?

6:16 - The difference between Romance genre fiction and literary fiction that involves romance

10:47 - How can you subvert tropes without letting down the audience?

13:46 - Experience at Clarion West alongside Kat Rambo and Ann Leckie, and being taught by Octavia Butler

18:24 - Who would you recommend Clarion West for?

21:07 - Did Clarion West help you to find your own voice?

25:51 - Sci-fi Magazines and Giganotosaurus

27:26 - Discussing Rashida’s short story “Small Strange Towns”

33:51 - Similar media with strange small towns “Welcome to Night Vale” and “The Left/Right Game”

37:42 - Some real world small strange towns

42:18 - Conclusion and Short fiction Recommendation "These Savage Shores"

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