Try Reading Podcast

USA Today and nationally bestselling author and Try Reading All-Star, Kamilah Cole joins me on the pod this week! Kamilah talks about seeing readers fall in love with her debut novel and the process of writing and putting the sequel, This Ends In Embers, out into the world. She discusses the ups and downs of a second book, the new cover art, and what it was like concluding a duology. She talks about her excitement for her adult debut, An Arcane Inharentence, revealing the cover in People Magazine, the importance of diverse voices, and what readers can expect from this story.

Kamilah’s Links: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/kamilahcole⁠⁠⁠

Try Reading Links: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tryreading

Try Reading All-Star, Jennifer Chen is back this week! Jennifer talks about seeing readers' reactions to her debut novel and the experience of doing research at the Huntington Library for a historical fiction novel. She shares what inspired Hangry Hearts, her sophomore novel, the choice behind writing dual POVs that alternate within the chapters, the importance of queer and BIPOC voices on the page, and the important work of sensitivity readers. Jennifer and I also discuss the Cowboy Carter tour, the Beyoncé song that best fits Hangry Hearts, the joys of farmers markets, and what readers can expect from Jennifer's third novel!

Jennifer’s Links: https://linktr.ee/jchenwriter

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

Adeline Kon is on Try Reading this week! They join me to talk all about their debut graphic novel, Just Between Us. Adeline discusses their childhood love for reading and cartoons, how art school led them into graphic design and drawing cartoons, and how a deep dive of old olympic figure skating videos inspired their debut! They talk about the drawing and writing process of this book, the importance of authentic characters on the page, how love on the ice is all the rage right now, and why this book would be performed beautifully on the ice!

Adeline’s Links: https://linktr.ee/crown_prinxe

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by the award-winning, Jonny Garza Villa! Jonny talks all about their early love for books and storytelling, what led them into writing, and the experience of publishing their debut novel. I of course ask Jonny all about Ander and Santi Were Here (a JGV favorite of many readers), and Jonny talks all about their most recent book Futbolista; what the inspiration was, the songs and musicians that inspired this story, why queer and Latine voices front and center is vital, and the varied experiences of discovering your identity. We also talk about the lore that Latine families hold, the horrors of college philosophy classes, Frank Ocean (of course), and Jonny's time as an incredible drag queen!

Jonny’s Links: https://linktr.ee/jonnygarzavilla

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

This week, I'm joined by another amazing Try Reading All-Star, Elle Gonzalez Rose! Elle comes back on the podcast to talk about all that has happened since we chatted about her debut novel. Elle talks about quickly jumping from debut life to sophomore novel life, she talks about her pivot into writing thrillers and what it was like writing The Girl You Know. Elle describes her writing process for this book, the importance of authentic representation on the page, especially in academia settings, and she also talks about her fourth book, unofficially titled "Le-gay-ly Blonde". Elle and I discuss which of her books she'd recommend to Schitt's Creek characters, a favorite unpublished character of hers, and why her thriller would make a great true-crime podcast.

Elle’s Links: https://linktr.ee/ellegonzalezrose

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

This week, I'm joined by the New York Times Bestselling author, F.T. Lukens! F.T. talks about their childhood love for reading and Dr. Seuss, their first experiences of writing stories, and the journey of publishing books through a small press compared to publishing under a major publishing house. F.T. talks about their most recent NYT Bestseller, Love at Second Sight, how many different research ventures inspired it, what the cover art process was like, the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation, why this book would make a great narrative podcast, and we discuss the perils of graphic design on Canva.

F.T.’s Links: https://linktr.ee/ftlukens

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

On today's episode of Try Reading, I am joined by bestselling author and Try Reading-All Star, Ryan La Sala! Ryan comes back on the podcast to talk all about his latest instant bestseller, The Dead of Summer! Ryan talks about how a stroll on the beach and a pizza delivery during a storm inspired this novel, what it was like writing the first book in a duology but leaving more story to tell, and the important themes and messages Ryan placed in this story. We also talk about why this book would make a great musical, what went into Ryan's incredible social media book promo, how I will contribute to The Honeys movie adaptation, and so much more!

Ryan’s Links: https://linktr.ee/ryanlasala

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

On today's episode, I am joined by award-winning poet and author and Try Reading All-Star, Hannah V. Sawyerr! Hannah comes back on the podcast to chat with me about all that has happened since publishing her debut novel! She talks about watching readers find her stories, the experience of narrating her debut novel for the audio book, and then we dive into her latest publication, her sophomore novel in verse, Truth Is! Hannah talks about the inspiration of this book, what the writing journey was like, the importance of amplifying voices, and the power of slam poetry. We discuss the Cowboy Carter tour, share our favorite songs on the album, favorite moments from the concert, and so much more!

Hannah’s Links: https://linktr.ee/hannsawyerr

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading

On today's episode, New York Times Bestselling cartoonist and author, Gale Galligan, joins the Try Reading Podcast! Gale joins the pod to talk about their long-time love for stories, what led them to cartoons, how they became an assistant to Raina Telgemeier, and how Gale became the artist for the adaptations of four Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels! Gale talks about their favorite memories of adapting the BSC, their favorite BSC members, and they also talk about writing and illustrating their most recent graphic novel, Fresh Start. We talk about embarrassing middle school moments, how Gale ended up in a Netflix documentary, and so much more!

Gale’s Website: ⁠https://galesaur.com⁠

Try Reading Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/tryreading

Today, I get the honor of chatting with another Try Reading All-Star, the internationally bestselling, Lauren Magaziner! Lauren joins me yet again on the podcast to catch up since our last chat. She talks about completing her middle grade fantasy series, The Mythics, and why it'd make a great puppet show. She talks about starting a new fantasy series and the journey of writing her latest book, The Incorruptibles, which was the first installment of this series. Lauren discusses the importance of authentic and loving representation, why it's valuable for readers to see themselves on the page, what readers can expect for the future of this new series, and much more!

Lauren’s Website: https://laurenmagaziner.com

Try Reading Links: https://linktr.ee/tryreading