The coronavirus crisis can't stop art! Cody Sisco interviews Yodassa Williams about her debut fantasy novel, The Goddess Twins, coming of age and finding one's voice, black girl magic and creativity, and the revelatory experience of going to Burning Man.

BookSwell Intersections

S02-E02 - Interview with Yodassa Williams

  We did it! We made it through the beginning of 2020 and now we're back with Season 2 of the BookSwell Intersections literary podcast.   This episode was recorded in the Rare Bird offices in DTLA in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Cody Sisco is joined by co-host Dan Lopez, special guests Viva Padilla from Dryland Lit, Julia Callahan from Rare Bird Lit, and interview guest Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo of Women Who Submit. We discussed #DignidadLiteraria and the fallout from American Dirt, barriers to inclusivity and equity in publishing, and how writers and publishers are navigating the changing literary landscape.  

S02-E01 - a Q1 2020 WTF debrief, featuring Dryland Lit and Women Who Submit

Happy New Year to all of our listeners! This week, we're here to help you get a jump start on your 2020 TBR list, with recommendations from our panel.  Managing Editor Cody Sisco, along with Co-Hosts Rachelle Yousuf and Irene Yoon recap their year in reading and discuss what they'd like to see in the literary landscape next year.Cody sits down with local LA author Carla Sameth to talk about her recent release, One Day on the Gold Line. They delve into religion, addiction, and the writing process, as well as their shared appreciation for the LA writing scene.If your New Year's Resolution is to attend more literary events, Shannon Eagen has you covered with events for the whole family in early January.

13 - New Year's Reading Resolutions, an Interview with Carla Sameth, Events to Kick Off 2020

The BookSwell Crew has been hard at work producing our Intentional Intersectionality reading and discussion as a part of the 2019 Lambda LitFest. This week, we’re doing a debrief and recap on the somewhat stressful but deeply rewarding process of putting together a live literary event. We’ve also included excerpts from the talented artists that Managing Editor Cody Sisco, Intersections Co-Host Rachelle Yousuf and BookSwell Advisor Sakae Manning gathered together at the Armory Arts Complex, including B.A. Williams, Evan Kleekamp, Reuben Hayslett, and Roxana Preciado. Enjoy the poetry and prose of these vital voices. Finally, Shannon Eagen rounds out the episode with recommendations for literary events in the next two weeks, including a star studded event you should buy your ticket for ASAP!

12 - Re-cap and excerpts from Intentional Intersectionality: Amplifying Queer Voices of Color, a reading and discussion

As temperatures are dropping and kids are going back to school, BookSwell Intersections co-hosts Cody, Dan, and Rachelle journeyed to the Central Library to take advantage of the wonderful facilities in the Octavia Lab. They catch up on recent literary events, the books they’ve been gravitating towards lately, and the exciting event that Cody and Rachelle have been hard at work planning, alongside Sakae Manning. They also discuss the legacy of Toni Morrison, and the silver lining of resurgent interest in the works of recently departed authors. After that, Cody chats with Tori Eldridge as she prepares for her first published novel, The Ninja Daughter. She examines how her heritage and cultural legacy informed her contemporary LA Noir, and the circuitous route she took to becoming a novelist after being an actress, dancer, and fifth-degree black belt in To Shin Do Ninjutsu. Finally, Shannon gives a rundown of some of the events we’re most excited about in the upcoming 3rd Annual Lambda LitFest.

11 - Tori Eldridge brings a martial arts spin to contemporary LA Noir, the ever-appealing world of YA, and a spotlight on Lambda LitFest LA 2019

First BookSwell shares highlights from the inaugural Little Literary Fair, or LITLIT where Managing Editor Cody Sisco was joined by co-host Rachelle Yousuf for this "pop-up book fair" at Hauser and Wirth in DTLA to chat about what they've been reading lately. Cody also conducted a series of flash interviews with Rachel Wills, Candace Miller, and Katelyn Keating at LITLIT that are short, sweet and packed with information. After that, Cody sits down for a longer conversation with author, activist, and artist Sehba Sarwar. Sehba's novel, Black Wings, was finally released in the US earlier this year, after originally being published in Pakistan in 2004. Keep up with all of Sehba's readings, art performances and publications on her website. Rounding out the episode, Shannon Eagen discusses some upcoming literary events that will be particularly appealing to writers and creators of their own content.

10 - Interview with Sehba Sarwar, onsite interviews at the Little Literary Fair, and August events for authors and creators

We are at the height of Summer Reading Season, and this episode is jam-packed with book recommendations from our co-hosts Cody Sisco, Sarah LaBrie, Rachelle Yousuf and Dan Lopez. They chat what they love and what they hate in bookish events, how the setting of a story can be a character of its own, and revelations (or lack thereof) in celebrity memoirs. They're joined by Sanura Williams, from My Lit Box, who is dedicated to promoting the work of authors of color through her literary subscription box. My LitBox would be a perfect gift for the indecisive book lover in your life--Sanura picks hot new releases and mails them straight to your door (along with some other literary goodies!). Finally, if you've been out of town on a summer vacation, why not hit up some literary events that celebrate LA while you're home? Shannon Eagen has event recommendations for the next two weeks of July that are all about Los Angeles locals.

9 - My Lit Box’s Sanura Williams on putting new writers in front of her customers, our co-hosts debate what makes a good reading, and hyperlocal events in LA in July

Dan Lopez and Cody Sisco discuss Michelle Obama's runaway hit, Becoming, and Dan recommends books that fill his current obsessions--LGBTQ YA and Sci-Fi! After that, enjoy Cody's conversation with Shonda Buchanan that covers the history of World Stage Press, Leimert Park and Shonda's own imprint at Tsehai Publishers-- Harriet Tubman Press. And finally, are you looking for events that don't feature the typical glossy beach reads of the summer season? Shannon has you covered with some June book signings (and a book club!) celebrating slightly less mainstream genres. Enjoy!

8 - Poet, author, and editor Shonda Buchanan shares her story with Cody Sisco, Dan Lopez’s current favs in LGBTQ YA, and events for bookworms seeking the “Anti-Beach Read”

Jump start your summer with reading recommendations from Cody Sisco, Sarah LaBrie, and Irene Yoon. After that, Cody sits down with Roxana Preciado, to talk about her writing process and her incredible triumphs in the face of adversity. Finally, June is Pride Month, and Shannon Eagen has selected some great events focused on LGBTQ authors for you to attend in the next two weeks.

7 - Interview with Roxana Preciado; book recommendations from Cody Sisco, Sarah LaBrie, and Irene Yoon; and Shannon's top picks for Pride month literary events

Cody Sisco and Dan Lopez debrief on the LA Times Festival of Books, Dan's new job in publishing, and theatrical literature featuring LGBTQ characters. Cody interviews poet, activist, and inter-country adoptee Julayne Lee. Her memoir in poems, Not Your White Savior, shares her journey as an adoptee from South Korean who is placed in a Midwestern Christian family. Shannon Eagen shares recommendations for the LitFest Pasadena.

6 - Interview with Julayne Lee, a book chat between Cody Sisco and Dan Lopez, and Shannon Eagen's top picks for mid-May literary events

First up, a one-on-one chat between BookSwell Managing Editor Cody Sisco and Intersections Co-Host Rachelle Yousuf, who gives the rundown on upcoming festival YALL West and great YA recommendations. Cody then sits down with author Judith Teitelman to chat about her debut novel, Guesthouse for Ganesha. It's magical realism and spiritual transformation in one delightful novel. Finally, Contributor Shannon Eagen will tease some fantastic events in the first two weeks of May.  

5 - Interview with Judith Teitelman, Rachelle Yousuf and Cody Sisco chat about YA and libraries, and Shannon Eagen previews early-May events

For Episode 4, Cody, Sarah, Irene, and Rachelle gathered to chat about struggling to finish books, the nature of time and space, and escaping the LA bubble. Cody then sat down with local author and journalist Lynell George, author of After/Image: Los Angeles Outside the Frame to discuss the importance of place and community in the arts. And finally, Shannon is back to guide you through events coming up in the final two weeks of the month.

4 - Interview with Lynelle George; Sarah LaBrie, Rachelle Yousuf, Irene Yoon, and Cody Sisco chat about books, and Shannon Eagen previews late-April events

To kick things off, Cody Sisco does a lighting round book roundup with Sarah Labrie. After that, Cody interviews rising literary star Patrick Nathan, whose debut novel, Some Hell, was a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and is a 2019 Lamdba Literary Award finalist. Finally, BookSwell Contributor Shannon Eagen is here to give a roundup of some of the "can't miss" events for lit fans that are looking to support underrepresented voices in our crowded literary scene.

3 - Interview with author Patrick Nathan, Sarah LaBrie and Cody Sisco chat about books, and Shannon Eagen previews April events

We're back for Episode 2! Cody Sisco is joined once again by Irene Yoon, Sarah LaBrie, and Dan Lopez. Rachelle Yousuf is our latest addition to the Intersections crew. In this episode, they confess to skipping events to stay home and read, turning away from literary fiction, and admiring local authors who truly capture the spirit of Los Angeles in their work.

2 - Rachelle Yousuf joins co-hosts Cody Sisco, Irene Yoon, Dan Lopez, Sarah LaBrie

For our first episode, BookSwell’s Managing Editor Cody Sisco sat down with Director of the LA Review of Books/USC Publishing workshop Irene Yoon, professional book club facilitator Sarah Labrie, and local author/bookseller Dan Lopez. This week they address the best events they’ve been to recently, the March events they can’t wait for, and underrepresented authors finding mainstream audiences.

1 - First episode! Introducing co-hosts Cody Sisco, Irene Yoon, Dan Lopez, and Sarah LaBrie

A podcast dedicated to connecting readers and writers in Los Angeles

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BookSwell Intersections

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