Podcast Shownotes

“This is why it’s so important for immigrants and feminists to tell our own stories. If we don’t, someone will tell a story about us for their own purposes.” – Grace Talusan Grace Talusan was born in the Philippines and raised in New England. A graduate of Tufts University and the MFA Program in Writing

“One of the reasons why I love used books so much is the connection to the person who held the book before you.” – Meg Niesen Meg Niesen is the owner of The Irreverent Bookworm, an independent, woman and family-owned bookstore on the corner of 52nd St. and Bloomington Ave in South Minneapolis. The Irreverent

“People get confused when I say I have a feminist approach to math but at the root of it, it’s all about equal opportunity.” – Vanessa Vakharia Vanessa is the founder and director of The Math Guru, a super cool boutique math & science tutoring studio in Toronto. She is also the author of Math

“A lot that you see in the stories we’re exposed to when it comes to queer Muslims is a lot of trauma. I’m hoping that by sharing my story, people can see that there’s also a lot of joy.” – Samra Habib Samra Habib is a writer, photographer, and activist. As a journalist she’s covered

“I don’t think my characters need to be part of some elite world or to be outstanding in any way to be interesting. Just their inner lives are interesting.” – Naima Coster Naima Coster is the author of Halsey Street, a novel of family, loss, and renewal, set in a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn. Halsey Street

  “How have I gone through all of these art history classes and never heard her name?” – Whitney Scharer Whitney Scharer holds a BA in English Literature from Wesleyan University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. Her short fiction, essays, and interviews have appeared in numerous publications including Vogue,

“In so many ways, I was a misfit. I was a kid who felt like an alien in her own family.” – Jaquira Díaz Jaquira Díaz is the author of Ordinary Girls, a Summer/Fall 2019 Indies Introduce Selection, a Fall 2019 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, and a November 2019 Indie Next

“For me, feminism and my identity as a woman of color has never been something I can separate.” – Stephanie Jimenez Stephanie Jimenez is the author of novel THEY COULD HAVE NAMED HER ANYTHING. Her fiction and non-fiction have appeared in the Guardian, O! the Oprah Magazine, Joyland Magazine, The New York Times, and more.

“It’s kind of impossible to have a likeable female character. People will always find something to complain about.” – Layne Fargo Layne Fargo is a thriller author with a background in theater and library science. Her debut novel Temper is available now from Simon & Schuster’s Scout Press imprint. She’s a Pitch Wars mentor, a

“There’s nothing that gets me more revved up to write fiction than to read amazing fiction.” – Cecily Wong Cecily Wong is the author of the novel Diamond Head, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, a recipient of an Elle Magazine Readers’ Prize, and voted a best debut of The Brooklyn Book

  “A lot of people say Occupy was a failure but I don’t think that at all. I think it helped us have the kinds of economic conversations we’re having.” – Carley Moore Carley Moore is an essayist, novelist, and poet. She’s a queer single mom, Vans lover, and #catwife. The Not Wives (Feminist Press,