ReadMore Podcast

Award-winning author Brandon Hobson discusses his novel, The Removed, which tells the story of a grieving Cherokee family in Oklahoma dealing with the aftermath of their son's killing by the police and past trauma associated with the Trail of Tears. We also discuss his influences, his favorite books, and how he wants to shake up what the industry thinks of as a Native American novel.

Saraciea J. Fennell discusses the anthology she edited, Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora, why she wanted Black Latinx writers front and center, and what she hopes readers from outside the Latinx community will take away from this anthology.

Author Peace Adzo Medie discusses her contemporary debut novel, His Only Wife, which explores an arranged marriage in Ghana, how her work as a professor in gender and international politics influences her work, and how much fun it was to write some of the novel's steamier scenes.

Author Patricia Engel discusses her latest novel, Infinite Country, which explores the plight of families with mixed-immigration status, why she she wanted to unpack immigrants' ambivalence about moving to a new country, and which writers from the past she would love to hop on a Zoom call with.

Author Kaitlyn Greenidge discusses her historical novel, Libertie, which explores what it means for a Black woman to be free, why it was important to her to include queer characters in a novel primarily set during Reconstruction, and how a true story influenced her work.

YA author Emiko Jean discusses her new novel, Tokyo Ever After, the story of a Japanese American teenager who discovers her dad is the Crown Prince of Japan, how her life influenced the book, and the disturbing subliminal messages traditional fairytales send to young girls of color.

Brian Broome discusses his memoir, Punch Me Up to the Gods, which details his rough upbringing in a small town in Ohio in the 1980s. As a child, he contended with homophobia, racism, colorism and poverty. He struggled to fit in and faced abuse from his father and so-called friends. We discuss why he granted his parents grace, the unusual roommate who sparked his writing and his obsession with writing on buses.

Author Deesha Philyaw discusses her critically acclaimed short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, why she started writing about "church ladies" in the first place, and her love for fantastic first lines.

National Book Award Winner James McBride discusses his new novel, Deacon King Kong, why he almost missed Oprah's call, and why the writing is easy for him, but the thinking is hard.

Author Walter Mosley discusses his new short story collection, The Awkward Black Man, how he's able to write so much, and why he won't hesitate to chuck a book if it's not working.