Shows
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz#287 – Creative Accountability, AI Tools for Writers, Insights from Ta-Nehisi Coates and More! (Free Writing Session)Welcome back to the Spun Today podcast! In this episode, Tony Ortiz dives deep into the creative process, taking you behind the scenes of his own writing journey. This is a special “free writing session” episode, where Tony shares his candid writing stats—celebrating the progress, confronting the setbacks, and reflecting on what it really takes to pursue your creative goals. Tony opens up about the challenges of working on his second novel, the importance of letting go of perfectionism, and the power of the so-called “zero-th draft” approach, inspired by N.K. Jemisin’s masterclass on writing. You...2025-08-0451 min
LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE - Science Fiction and Fantasy Story Podcast (Sci-Fi | Audiobook | Short Stories)"Un-Pragmagic: A Tyler Moore Retrospective" + "Domestic Disputes"This episode features "Un-Pragmagic: A Tyler Moore Retrospective" by Spencer Nitkey (©2025 by Spencer Nitkey) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Domestic Disputes" by Naomi Kanakia (©2025 by Naomi Kanakia) read by Judy Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-07-1738 min
Synthesized SunsetsXX: A Career in Science Fiction Criticism w/Rich HortonThis week we spoke with long time Science Fiction reviewer and anthologist Rich Horton. We talked about his experience in the early internet sci-fi community on Usenet, his career in sci-fi criticism at Tangent and Locus, his work creating sci-fi/fantasy best of the year anthologies, our thoughts on the current slate of Hugo Award nominees, and more.We hope you enjoy!TIMESTAMPS:0:14 - Introduction0:39 - What drew you to Substack?1:33 - Rich Horton started Substack by reading people already here (Ted Gioia, Lincoln Michel, Naomi Kanakia)2025-07-101h 38
Listen To An Eye-Opening Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.The Default World by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/217819to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Default World
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Nicky Endres
Format: mp3
Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 05-27-25
Ratings: Not rated yet
Genres: Humorous
Publisher's Summary:
Years after fleeing San Francisco and getting sober, Jhanvi has made a life for herself working at a grocery co-op and saving for her surgeries. But when her friend (and sometimes more) Henry mentions that he and his techie festival-goer friends spent $100,000 to transform a warehouse basement into a sex dungeon, Jhanvi starts wondering if there's a way to exploit these gullible...2025-05-2710h 15
Synthesized SunsetsXVI: The Art of the Tale w/ Naomi KanakiaThis week we hosted Naomi Kanakia, a literary critic who writes about the health of the prestige publishing ecosystem and the value of reading the Great Books on her Substack Woman of Letters. She is also an accomplished speculative fiction author, with stories published in major outlets like Clarkesworld and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.Our discussion focused on the short story as a form, both in general and within the context of speculative fiction. We also discussed sentimentality in literature, the surprisingly messy origins of the novel, and, of course, Scott Alexander. ...2025-05-201h 20
The Common ReaderNaomi Kanakia: How Great are the Great Books?It was a delight to talk to Naomi Kanakia who writes the Woman of Letters Substack. We talked about the homogeneity of modern fiction, whether the Great Books are really great (and which ones she found boring), as well as economics and fiction. I enjoy Naomi’s literary criticism on Substack very much and I am anticipating her new book about the Great Books. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.commonreader.co.uk/subscribe2024-10-2751 min
Eminent AmericansSell Out With Me, or: Standing Athwart the Herd of Independent MindsBack on the ‘pod this week is Naomi Kanakia, author of the just released novel The Default World. We talk about Vekhi, a 1909 collection of essays from ex- and never-Marxist Russian intellectuals; Thomas Chatterton Williams, the dissident Black liberal writer; internecine battles in the trans woman world; why Naomi and I try (and fail) to stay out of bullshit culture war discussions; why we may go too easy on the right because we don’t really expect much from them; why everyone is so angry; and how all we really need is love. This is a publ...2024-06-131h 15
The CharacteristShould I stay or should I go?Join Dr. Diana Naranjo and author Naomi Kanakia who brings her character Jhanvi to therapy. Years after fleeing San Francisco and getting sober, Jhanvi has made a life for herself working at a grocery co-op and saving for her surgeries. But when her friend (and sometimes more) Henry mentions that he and his techie festival-goer friends spent $100,000 to transform a warehouse basement into a sex dungeon, Jhanvi starts wondering if there’s a way to exploit these gullible idiots. She returns to San Francisco, hatching a plan to marry Henry for his company’s generous healthcare benefits.
Jhan...2024-05-2941 min
Hey YAWhen the Rent Is Due: May's Best New YA ReleasesKelly and Erica reunite on the podcast to talk about May's best YA releases.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with qu...2024-05-221h 07
Memoir NationSocial Responsibility in Fiction, featuring Naomi KanakiaWhat does it really mean to consider your own social responsibility as a fiction writer? Guest Naomi Kanakia confronted that very question as she considered her modeling as a trans author writing YA books for teens. What if hers was the first book a genderqueer or trans kid ever read? What did she owe her reader? These are some of the questions at the heart of this week’s episode, but we also look under the hood of the publishing industry a bit, too, from the perspective of an author who’s “inside/outside,” who’s writing across many genres, fr...2024-04-0844 min
The Fascinating PodcastThe Masters of the Universe are Miserable ft. Naomi KanakiaWhy are the people with the most power so often the most miserable? Author Naomi Kanakia joins us to reflect on the way oppression hurts everyone - even those who oppress. We also explore the possible limits of found family and what's so great about the so-called Great Books.Naomi's newsletter, Woman of LettersThe 2024 Fascinating Pop Culture Madness Bracket
2024-03-251h 08
All the Books!New Releases and More for January 9, 2024This week, Liberty and Danika discuss First Lie Wins, Just Happy to Be Here, Lunar New Year Love Story, and more great books!Subscribe to All the Books! using RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and never miss a beat book.Sign up for the weekly New Books! newsletter for even more new book news.2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the...2024-01-0944 min
The Gaily ShowEpisode 6 of the Gaily ShowOn today’s episode, Minnesota POC Pride is hosting Sunday Ole Skool at LUSH Lounge and Theater in NE Minneapolis. Netflix’s Good Grief drops January 5th and All of Us Strangers opens in Minneapolis this month. Plus, two new book releases: Pollyana Gay by Jer Long and Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia.
2024-01-0811 min
Grab the Top Full Audiobooks in Teen & YA, Tough TopicsJust Happy to Be Here by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/678437to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Just Happy to Be Here
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Bilal Baig
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 47 minutes
Release date: January 2, 2024
Genres: Tough Topics
Publisher's Summary:
In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail. Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for being the...2024-01-027h 47
Grab the Top Full Audiobooks in Teen & YA, Tough TopicsJust Happy to Be Here by Naomi KanakiaPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/678437 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Just Happy to Be Here Author: Naomi Kanakia Narrator: Bilal Baig Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 7 hours 47 minutes Release date: January 2, 2024 Genres: Tough Topics Publisher's Summary: In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail. Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for bein...2024-01-0205 minGrab the Top Full Audiobooks in Teen & YA, LGBTQ+Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/678437to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Just Happy to Be Here
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Bilal Baig
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 47 minutes
Release date: January 2, 2024
Genres: LGBTQ+
Publisher's Summary:
In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail. Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy. That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for being the firs...2024-01-027h 47
Eminent AmericansThe LeftQueer Aesthete DilemmaReading List:* “Why the Culture of the So-Called Great Books is Hostile to Trans People,” by Naomi Kanakia* “Brandon Taylor’s online writing is vibrant, funny, and true. Why is his fiction trying so hard to be something else?” by Laura Miller* “A Review of ‘The Late Americans’ is Sending Book Twitter Into A Tailspin,” by Katherine Esters* “The New, Weirdly Racist Guide to Writing Fiction,” by Naomi Kanakia* “How to start your para-intellectual career,” by Naomi KanakiaMy guest on the podcast is Naomi Kanakia, author of 3 extant books as well...2023-10-191h 05
Hazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMailbag 11: "Not Gay Enough"On this week's mailbag, Tea, Books & Chocolate follows up on her Book Club email and zeroes in on the trans elements of Naomi Kanakia's We Are Totally Normal.Plus: Brenna ponders TB&C's question about a "white lady pipeline" from slash or fan fiction to Goodreads reviewer.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before...2023-05-0705 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrWe Are Totally Normal (Book Club)We're back with a contentious book club pick in Naomi Kanakia's We Are Totally Normal (2020), which is light on plot and big on (unimportant?) HS politics, frank sex, and questioning sexuality.With help from listeners Victoria and Tea, Books & Chocolate, Brenna and Joe unpack this divisive pick, grant it leeway considering its timing with Kanakia's own coming out as a trans woman and raise the alarm over Goodreads criticisms that it's "not gay enough."Reference:Naomi Kanakia. "If you dislike my novel, you’re really not alone!" Woman of LettersWanna co...2023-05-0231 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMailbag 6: Translation & Cultural StructuresOn this week's mailbag, Joe and Brenna go deep on a line in listener Laura's email pushing back on the challenges of reading a translated text. After apologizing for the faux pas, we debate the accessibility of translated texts, how it informs cultural structures and what story that tells. Plus: a call to arms for foreign listeners particularly Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave a mail bag question or a comment about book...2023-03-2411 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrEmil and The DetectivesWe're headed to Berlin thanks to listener Alma's suggestion to check out famed German author Erich Kästner's Emil and the Detectives (1929), as well as its 1964 Disney adaptation by Peter Tewksbury.This new-to-us middle grade book is a *massive* bestseller and survived eradication from the Nazis, so we feel pretty silly not having it on our radar. The shot on location film, however, is both too childish and too scary.Plus: why can no one pronounce Emil's name and what was Walt Disney's secret plans for Roger Mobley (Gustav)?Wanna connect with the s...2023-03-2134 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMailbag 5: Dahl Edits, Culture Wars and Authors Entering Review SpacesThis week we're responding to listener Kaetlyn's email about Roald Dahl's books being edited, why this isn't censorship, and how the culture war outrage is selective to certain groups.Plus: a bonus conversation about whether creatives should enter review spaces to challenge takes they disagree with (short answer: no!)Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your...2023-03-1716 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrPlan B (2021)We've been good for too long, so it's time for some raunch courtesy of Natalie Morales' 2021 girls gross out comedy Plan B (seriously heed that R rating!)Brenna and Joe definitely appreciate the heart and the messaging, but there's some iffy tonal shifts in this one, despite great lead performances and a pair of manic pixie love interests. Strap in because we're going on a road trip!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave something longer...2023-03-1433 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMailbag 4: Why Do You Like YA?This week's we're tackling listener Keith's question: why do you like YA? Bonus: the question spins us into a bit of a tangent as to why we also like doing the show!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:> Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth (2020)> April 13...2023-03-1014 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMonkey BeachBrenna and Joe are checking out another Eden Robinson text: her award-winning 2000 novel Monkey Beach, along with Loretta Todd's 2020 adaptation.While we love the book - with its incisive mix of generational trauma, Haisla life and coming of age narrative - the film doesn't work for us - either as a standalone film or as an adaptation.The book includes great characters, a gripping narrative, and unflinching deaths, while the film has a handful of great performances (Adam Beach!), but is marred by a terrible script and distractingly bad CGI. Wanna connect with...2023-03-0750 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrMailbag 3: Reese's Book Club & Forever TeasWe're circling back to listener Victoria's email about A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow being chosen as a Reese's Book Club selection, Joe makes a faux pas, and Brenna laments her discounted forever tea.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremoteHave a mail bag question or a comment about book club? Email us at hkhspod@gmail.com or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:> Mar 16: Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric...2023-03-0314 minHazel & Katniss & Harry & StarrA Cuban Girl's Guide To Tea and Tomorrow (Book Club)It's time for Book Club as Brenna and Joe (along with input from listener Tea, Books & Chocolate) discuss Laura Taylor Namey's delightful 2019 romantic drama, A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. This comfort food book feels refreshing thanks to its focus on character as opposed to romance and its ties to place, though there is one strong criticism about its depiction of "Africa."Still: we're swooning, we're hungry and we can't wait to read the sequel and watch the film adaptation when they come out!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter...2023-02-2835 min
StarShipSofaStarShipSofa No 697 Naomi KanakiaMain Fiction: "The Leader Principle" by Naomi KanakiaNaomi Kanakia is the author of YA novels (HarperTeen and Little, Brown), literary short stories (West Branch, Gulf Coast), science fiction stories (Analog, Asimov's, F&SF), poetry (Cherry Tree, Vallum), essays (LitHub and the Los Angeles Review of Books) and a self-published cynical guide to the publishing industry. She lives in San Francisco with her wife and daughter.This story originally appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Jan/Feb 2020.Narrated by: Mark NelsonMark Nelson began audiobook narration...2022-10-1939 min
Jo's Boys: A Little Women PodcastChapter 6: Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful with Naomi KanakiaThis week, we're joined by special guest Naomi Kanakia, author of the novels "Enter Title Here" and "We Are Totally Normal," along with last year's handbook "The Cynical Writer's Guide to the Publishing Industry." We dive into the sixth chapter of Little Women, "Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful," where Beth gets the play the piano to her heart's content and Laurie does not. You can visit Naomi online at thewaronloneliness.com and on Twitter at @rahkan.
Our cover art is by Mattie Lubchansky. It interpolates the cover art for Bethany C. Morrow's book "So Many Beginnings: A...2022-04-1738 minLIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE - Science Fiction and Fantasy Story Podcast (Sci-Fi | Audiobook | Short Stories)Naomi Kanakia | EverquestGopal knew before he booted up the game---a Christmas present from his dad---that his character would be some form of elf or human, because the other races were all ugly, and he didn’t play games to be ugly. And he knew too, although he didn’t say it, that his character would be a girl. He always played girls online, although he’d be ashamed if anyone knew it, precisely because it played into the online belief that most girls in most games were “really” men. | Copyright 2020 by Naomi Kanakia. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your...2020-10-2925 min
Indulge In The High-Impact Full Audiobook Experience!We Are Totally Normal by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/391070to listen full audiobooks.
Title: We Are Totally Normal
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Sunil Malhotra
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 7 minutes
Release date: March 31, 2020
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.5 of Total 6
Ratings of Narrator: 4.67 of Total 3
Genres: Romance
Publisher's Summary:
In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandan’s perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up with his...2020-03-317h 07Ignite: This Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook For Story Seekers.We Are Totally Normal by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/391070to listen full audiobooks.
Title: We Are Totally Normal
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Sunil Malhotra
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 7 minutes
Release date: March 31, 2020
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.5 of Total 6
Ratings of Narrator: 4.67 of Total 3
Genres: Tough Topics
Publisher's Summary:
In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandan’s perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up with...2020-03-317h 07
Download Incredible Full Audiobooks in Teen & YA, Tough TopicsWe Are Totally Normal by Naomi KanakiaPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/391070 to listen full audiobooks. Title: We Are Totally Normal Author: Naomi Kanakia Narrator: Sunil Malhotra Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 7 hours 7 minutes Release date: March 31, 2020 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.5 of Total 6 Ratings of Narrator: 4.67 of Total 3 Genres: Tough Topics Publisher's Summary: In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandan’s perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up w...2020-03-3105 minDownload Incredible Full Audiobooks in Teen & YA, Tough TopicsWe Are Totally Normal by Naomi KanakiaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/391070to listen full audiobooks.
Title: We Are Totally Normal
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Sunil Malhotra
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hours 7 minutes
Release date: March 31, 2020
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.5 of Total 6
Ratings of Narrator: 4.67 of Total 3
Genres: Tough Topics
Publisher's Summary:
In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandan’s perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up with...2020-03-317h 07
Escape Reality Through Your Headphones With Free AudiobookWe Are Totally Normal Audiobook by Naomi KanakiaListen to this audiobook in full for free onhttps://hotaudiobook.com/freeID: 391070
Title: We Are Totally Normal
Author: Naomi Kanakia
Narrator: Sunil Malhotra
Format: Unabridged
Length: 7:07:47
Language: English
Release date: 03-31-20
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genres: Fiction, Teen, Romance, Tough Topics
Summary:
In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandans perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time.
Nandans got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up with his friend Dave isnt part of...2020-03-317h 07LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE - Science Fiction and Fantasy Story Podcast (Sci-Fi | Audiobook | Short Stories)Naomi Kanakia | A Coward’s DeathWell, the 101,201st Emperor needed some levies to build a huge statue of himself, so he said, “Okay, all of my recently subjugated peoples: If you’ve got at least two sons, you need to give me your first-born. But don’t worry, I’ll give him back, assuming he can survive ten years of lifting these big heavy stones.” In some places, people weren’t happy about this. The city of Yashar revolted, and in response the Emperor’s legions killed the men, castrated the boys, and sold all the survivors into slavery. | Copyright 2018 by Rahul Kanakia. Narrated by Stefan Rudnick...2018-02-1518 min
NIGHTMARE MAGAZINE - Horror and Dark Fantasy Story Podcast (Audiobook | Short Stories)Naomi Kanakia | The Girl Who Escaped From HellI thought when they handed over a kid there’d be some complex system of interlocking safeguards, like they use to transport a nuclear warhead across the country, but her mom just plopped the girl into my car. I asked if I needed to register her with someone, and my ex looked at me like I was crazy, so I hopped on I-80 and drove west, out into the desert. Abby was six years old, a mini-person, and she could talk in full sentences and everything. | Copyright 2016 by Rahul Kanakia. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about yo...2016-04-2038 minLIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE - Science Fiction and Fantasy Story Podcast (Sci-Fi | Audiobook | Short Stories)Naomi Kanakia | Here is My Thinking on a Situation That Affects Us AllI am a spaceship. My insides are oozy, and my outsides are metal. If you were to cut me open with a laser-gun, then it would not precisely hurt, but it certainly wouldn’t be a nice thing to do. | Copyright 2015 by Rahul Kanakia. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2015-11-0320 min