The Klunatics Podcast

In September 2016, author Corinne Duyvis created the hashtag #OwnVoices. Her goal was to be able to find and recommend kidlit books with diverse characters that were written by diverse authors. In the years since, the movement has grown to mean many things to many people, and we examine its place in queer literature.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Susannah Frigo.

Special thanks to Lindsey Dorcus for voicing the answers provided by April Daniels. You can find out more about Lindsey at www.lindseydorcus.com. And as always, thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We are once again challenging you to share the podcast with someone new to the world of TJ Klune. Share your favorite episode with them and let us know how it goes. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

In this episode we’re going to delve into the read-alongs. For those who aren’t members of the Klunatics Facebook Group, read-alongs are a virtual book club in which members participate in live reads and guide readers through discussions about TJ’s books.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Mia Sciberras.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We were so incredibly lucky to have the costs of this podcast quickly covered by your generous support, but now we’re asking for a different kind of support. As we consider whether to continue the podcast beyond this first batch of planned episodes, the most important metric we’ll consider is whether people outside our little group are listening. Does it have appeal for casual or future fans of TJ Klune? And to that end, we have a favor to ask of you. Share this podcast with someone you know who isn’t already a fan. Encourage them to listen to the episode that you enjoyed the most, and help them figure out how podcasts work if they’ve never listened to one before. And then have a conversation about what they liked, what they didn’t get, and whether they’ll listen again. And then let us know how it went. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

In this episode we’re going to delve into the read-alongs. For those who aren’t members of the Klunatics Facebook Group, read-alongs are a virtual book club in which members participate in live reads and guide readers through discussions about TJ’s books.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Mia Sciberras.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We were so incredibly lucky to have the costs of this podcast quickly covered by your generous support, but now we’re asking for a different kind of support. As we consider whether to continue the podcast beyond this first batch of planned episodes, the most important metric we’ll consider is whether people outside our little group are listening. Does it have appeal for casual or future fans of TJ Klune? And to that end, we have a favor to ask of you. Share this podcast with someone you know who isn’t already a fan. Encourage them to listen to the episode that you enjoyed the most, and help them figure out how podcasts work if they’ve never listened to one before. And then have a conversation about what they liked, what they didn’t get, and whether they’ll listen again. And then let us know how it went. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

In the second episode dedicated to TJ's fans who are inspired by his words to create their own works of art, we talk to a variety of artists who draw, paint, make videos, and more.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and me. This episode was written by Sita Rajasingham.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We were so incredibly lucky to have the costs of this podcast quickly covered by your generous support, but now we’re asking for a different kind of support. As we consider whether to continue the podcast beyond this first batch of planned episodes, the most important metric we’ll consider is whether people outside our little group are listening. Does it have appeal for casual or future fans of TJ Klune? And to that end, we have a favor to ask of you. Share this podcast with someone you know who isn’t already a fan. Encourage them to listen to the episode that you enjoyed the most, and help them figure out how podcasts work if they’ve never listened to one before. And then have a conversation about what they liked, what they didn’t get, and whether they’ll listen again. And then let us know how it went. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

For the next two episodes, we’re going to be highlighting the art and artists who have been inspired by TJ Klune to create works of their own. We’re starting with the writers who create fan fiction. In other words...authors.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Angela Noll Mohn.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We were so incredibly lucky to have the costs of this podcast quickly covered by your generous support, but now we’re asking for a different kind of support. As we consider whether to continue the podcast beyond this first batch of planned episodes, the most important metric we’ll consider is whether people outside our little group are listening. Does it have appeal for casual or future fans of TJ Klune? And to that end, we have a favor to ask of you. Share this podcast with someone you know who isn’t already a fan. Encourage them to listen to the episode that you enjoyed the most, and help them figure out how podcasts work if they’ve never listened to one before. And then have a conversation about what they liked, what they didn’t get, and whether they’ll listen again. And then let us know how it went. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

For the next two episodes, we’re going to be highlighting the art and artists who have been inspired by TJ Klune to create works of their own. We’re starting with the writers who create fan fiction. In other words...authors.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Angela Noll Mohn.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod. All episodes are now available on YouTube as well.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

We were so incredibly lucky to have the costs of this podcast quickly covered by your generous support, but now we’re asking for a different kind of support. As we consider whether to continue the podcast beyond this first batch of planned episodes, the most important metric we’ll consider is whether people outside our little group are listening. Does it have appeal for casual or future fans of TJ Klune? And to that end, we have a favor to ask of you. Share this podcast with someone you know who isn’t already a fan. Encourage them to listen to the episode that you enjoyed the most, and help them figure out how podcasts work if they’ve never listened to one before. And then have a conversation about what they liked, what they didn’t get, and whether they’ll listen again. And then let us know how it went. Send us an email at [email protected].

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

This week, Kirt is joined by TJ Klune to answer questions submitted in the Klunatics Facebook group. Be warned, there are many spoilers for TJ's books in this episode. If you want to skip some sections of the podcast, check to see if your podcast player allows you to skip chapters within this episode. If not, use the following timestamps to avoid hearing about any books you haven't yet read:

**Chapter 1: Introduction [0:00:00 - 0:01:27]**

**Chapter 2: Green Creek [0:01:28 - 0:12:01]**

**Chapter 3: How To Be [0:12:02 - 0:17:12]**

**Chapter 4: *Olive Juice* [0:17:13 - 0:25:44]**

**Chapter 5: Tales From Verania [0:25:45 - 0:29:56]**

**Chapter 6: *The Bones Beneath My Skin* [0:29:57 - 0:30:42]**

**Chapter 7: *The House in the Cerulean Sea* [0:30:43 - 0:35:55]**

**Chapter 8: BOATK [0:35:56 - 0:38:05]**

**Chapter 9: *Burn* [0:38:06 - 0:41:55]**

**Chapter 10: General Questions (No Spoilers) [0:41:56 - 1:10:21]**

**Chapter 11: Credits [1:10:22 - 1:11:46]**

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves.

Special thanks to TJ Klune for giving so much of his time to us this week. And, as always, a big thank you to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod.

If you like what you heard, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening to this episode. Word of mouth is still the best advertising, so please tell a friend or post about the show on social media.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is also available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

What does it mean to love something so much that you'd etch it on your skin? We find out as we talk to Klunatics who have paid tribute to TJ's work in very permanent ways.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Jonny Steiger.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

If you like what you heard, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening to this episode. Word of mouth is still the best advertising, so please tell a friend or post about the show on social media.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is also available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

What does it mean to love something so much that you'd etch it on your skin? We find out as we talk to Klunatics who have paid tribute to TJ's work in very permanent ways.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Jonny Steiger.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod.

Special thanks to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

If you like what you heard, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening to this episode. Word of mouth is still the best advertising, so please tell a friend or post about the show on social media.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is also available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.

From a hornless gay unicorn, to a were-pomeranian, to three elderly women in a vespa gang who are either sisters or in a polyamorous lesbian relationship, TJ Klune has the ability to keep us laughing. In this episode we’ll look into how TJ uses humor, often in ways that defy expectations.

The Klunatics Podcast is produced by Susannah Frigo, Luis Garcia, Angela Noll Mohn, Sita Rajasingham, Mia Sciberras, Jon Steiger, and Kirt Graves. This episode was written by Luis Garcia.

Make sure you’re following The Klunatics Podcast on social media. Join our Facebook group and find us on Instagram and Twitter using @KlunaticsPod.

Special thanks to narrators Sean Crisden, Derrick McClain, Michael Lesley, and to our season sponsor, Chelsea Verzwyvelt.

If you like what you heard, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening to this episode. Word of mouth is still the best advertising, so please tell a friend or post about the show on social media.

If you want to support the podcast with a financial contribution, hit the donate button at www.klunaticspodcast.com. Anything we collect from now until July 1, 2020, will be donated to The Trevor Project.

Additional information about the podcast, including episode transcripts and the Klunespeak Don’t-Be-A-Dictionary, is also available at www.klunaticspodcast.com.

You can find out more about Kirt and his work at www.kirtreads.com.

All music and sound effects heard in this episode are licensed by Storyblocks Audio.