Teen G.E.N. Talks

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview’s special guest Patricia Park! Patricia is an Assistant Professor of Literature at American University, Fulbright scholar in Creative Arts, Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, and author of the debut young adult novel, IMPOSTER SYNDROME & OTHER CONFESSIONS OF ALEJANDRA KIM. Continue watching to learn more about author Patricia Park, we hope you enjoy the interview!

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview’s special guest Ava Reid! Ava is the award-winning, internationally bestselling author of critically acclaimed adult fantasies Juniper & Thorn and The Wolf and the Woodsman, as well as the forthcoming A Study in Drowning, her young adult debut. After obtaining her degree in political science from Barnard College, she moved to Palo Alto, where she continues to haunt university libraries.

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In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview’s special guest Elisa A. Bonnin! Elisa was born and raised in the Philippines, after which she moved to the United States to study chemistry and later oceanography. After completing her doctorate, she moved to Germany to work as a postdoctoral scientist. A lifelong learner, Elisa is always convinced that she should “maybe take a class in something” and as a result, has amassed an eclectic collection of hobbies. But writing will always be her true love. Publishing a book has been her dream since she was eight years old, and she is thrilled to finally be able to share her stories. She is the author of Dauntless and Stolen City.

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview’s special guest Lauren Blackwood is a Jamaican American who writes Romance-heavy fantasy for most ages. Her debut YA fantasy novel “Within These Wicked Walls” is a NYT’s Bestseller and part of Reese Witherspoon’s book club in the Fall of 2021. Britney Spears has also raved about her debut fantasy novel!

In this week's episode, Desiree interview’s special guest Deeba Zargarpur who is an Afghan-Uzbek American. She began her editorial career at Disney-Hyperion and Freeform. Her debut YA novel, House of Yesterday was released on November 29, 2022. Besides being an author, she is also an editor where her aim is to acquire commercial books that empower young people from diverse backgrounds. Deeba is also the founder of Writers of Afghan Heritage, an initiative that advocates, supports and mentors diverse Afghan voices in mainstream publishing.

In this week's interview, Desiree had the pleasure of talking to Dilani Kahawala. Dilani is an author born in Sri Lanka, who also grew up in New Zealand and Australia. These various cultures inspired many of the characters she’s written about and continue to do so. After graduating from Harvard with a Phd in theoretical physics Dilani decided to create works on extra dimensions. Soon realizing that her works as a physicist were unappreciated she paved a new career path towards young adult and fantasy fiction. Recently she published Blood Moon Prophecy: The Legend of the Nyx, an engaging nonetheless mysterious fantasy novel, rich in cultural heritage. Dilani currently lives in the US with her husband and two kids.

In this weeks episode, Desiree sits down with  Lynn Slaughter! Lynn is the author of award-winning novel, Leisha's Song. She earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Her previous young adult novels also include It Should Have Been You, a Silver Falchion finalist; and While I Danced, an Epic finalist. The ridiculously proud mother of two sons and grandmother of five, she lives in Louisville, Kentucky where she is at work on her next novel and serves as the president of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, her local Sisters in Crime chapter.

In this weeks episode, Melissa and Desiree got the pleasure to talk with Rafael Lopez. Rafael is an illustrator, muralist and an all around artist. Rafael’s illustrations bring diverse characters to children's books and he works to produce and promote books that reflect and honor the lives of all the young people.

In this week's episode, Desiree interview’s special guest Deb Mercier, who lives in the greater Minnesota area with her dog, husband, and many outdoor creature friends.. She is an award-winning journalist, author of 11 books for young readers, a formal newspaper editor and technical writer. In her down time she hikes on trails and bikes and plays the flute in the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra.