Shows
Characters Like UsProtests & Protagonists: Malavika Kannan on Queer Girlhood and YA FictionOn this episode of Characters Like Us, we’re joined by author and multi-hyphenate creative Malavika Kannan for a conversation about queer girlhood, radical storytelling, and writing at the intersection of the personal and political.Malavika reflects on her journey from self-publishing in high school to releasing her YA debut All the Yellow Suns, a novel shaped by her experiences as a queer South Asian American growing up in Florida. We talk about what it means to write boldly when you don’t see yourself in books, how her Stanford years and journalism career shaped her voice, and...
2025-08-1452 min
Characters Like UsEarthly Gods, Survival Songs: Jessica Nirvana Ram on Queer Diasporic PoeticsOn this episode of Characters Like Us, I speak with poet Jessica Nirvana Ram about finding voice, navigating the margins, and writing the poems that won’t let you go. Jessica shares her path to poetry, what it was like pursuing an MFA, and how writing from a place of layered identity—queer, Indo-Guyanese, South Asian—shapes both her creative work and her experience in the literary world. We talk about claiming space in a landscape that doesn’t always feel like it was made for us, building community, and writing through the feeling of not having “permission,” but knowing you...
2025-07-3156 min
Characters Like UsBreaking the Form: Tara Sidhoo Fraser on Memory, Disability, & the Craft of MemoirOn this episode of Characters Like Us, I speak with author Tara Sidhoo Fraser about crafting memoirs that break the mold and speak truth to the complexities of identity, disability, and memory. Tara opens up about the nonlinear process behind her powerful memoir When My Ghost Sings, exploring what it means to write about amnesia, queerness, and disability without centering recovery as the end goal. We talk form, inspiration, and the importance of making space for stories that don’t fit the usual narrative. This is a conversation about writing from the margins—with honesty, arti...
2025-07-1753 min
Characters Like UsUnplucked and Unfiltered: Jesmeen Kaur Deo on Body Hair Stigma, Beauty Norms, and TJ Powar Has Something to ProveOn this episode of Characters Like Us, we sit down with author Jesmeen Kaur Deo to talk all things writing, representation, and redefining beauty. Jesmeen shares the inspiration behind her debut novel TJ Powar Has Something to Prove, a powerful story that challenges body hair stigma and South Asian beauty standards. We also get a sneak peek into her upcoming book Reasons We Break, explore her writing journey, creative process, and the importance of telling stories that feel personal, authentic, and empowering. If you’ve ever felt like the outsider in your own story, this conversation is for you. ...
2025-07-0344 min
Characters Like UsFrom the Slush Pile to the Spotlight: Elba Luz on Publishing, Patience, and Build A GirlfriendOn this episode, debut author Elba Luz joins us to talk about her novel Build A Girlfriend, a queer rom-com inspired by a love of reading, K-pop, video games, and quiet resilience. We dive into her journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to launching her first book, the challenges of balancing a creative life with a full-time job in books, and what it means to keep going — even when the road to publication gets tough. Follow Elba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elballuz/ & check out her debut novel BUILD A GIRLFRIEND! https://bo...
2025-06-1932 min
Characters Like UsMeet-Cutes and Manuscripts: Writing Romance with Author Swati HegdeOn this episode, we welcome author Swati Hegde to discus her writing and publishing journey, behind-the-scenes of her latest books, and the joys and challenges of crafting swoon-worthy stories. Follow Swati on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/swatihegdeauthor/ and check out her books MATCH ME IF YOU CAN (https://bookshop.org/p/books/match-me-if-you-can-swati-hegde/20601506?aid=113809&ean=9780593722916&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-uss) and CAN'T HELP FAKING IN LOVE (https://bookshop.org/p/books/can-t-help-faking-in-love-swati-hegde/21487974?aid=113809&ean=9780593722930&listref=books-by-our-guests-characters-like-us)! ⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️ 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:34 - Welcoming Swati Hegde 00:03:10 - Segment: Numbered Narratives 00:04:03 - Favo...
2025-06-0534 min
Characters Like UsA Drop in the Ocean, A Voice in the Storm: OCD Representation with Léa TarantoOn this episode, we welcome author Léa Taranto to discuss her debut novel, A DROP IN THE OCEAN, an engaging YA novel about a girl in treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder that combats the dehumanizing stigma around mental illness. Léa and host Geetanshi Sharma talk about writing mental health and disability representation, OCD representation, stigmas associated with psychiatric disorders, and writing journeys. Follow Léa on Instagram @leatarantowrites and check out her debut novel A Drop In The Ocean, which just came out yesterday! You can also find her on her website: (http://lea...
2025-05-2241 min
Characters Like UsWelcome to Characters Like Us -- Coming May 21!Welcome to Characters Like Us, a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write, with your host, Geetanshi Sharma. Featuring conversations on writing craft and more with your favorite authors! Subscribe to be notified of the first episode, launching THIS WEDNESDAY, May 21 at 3 PT! This video comes with captions and a transcript. 💫 Support Characters Like Us 💫 Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs Buy a book from our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu
2025-05-1903 min