Novel Finds

In this episode, Julia chats with author, editor, and scholar Lee Mandelo, about his anthology Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity, in which he compiled and editied 22 short stories from prominent and emerging LGBTQIA+ voices! The book is out now, so find it at your favorite local indie, or order it from one of Lee's faves: Carmichael's, Charis Books & More, Loyalty Books, Books Are Magic, or UnabridgedDeath By TBR (Lee's favorite books): Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar, The Long Run: A Creative Inquiry by Stacey D'Erasmo, Blackouts by Justin Torres, The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley, and The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra ChandrasekeraFollow Lee on Bluesky, IG, and his websiteWatch lgbt+ positive shows on GagaOOLala---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and BlueskyJoin the Novel Finds PatreonCheck out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with bestselling author Hannah Nicole Maehrer (pronounced May-er) about her Assistant to the Villain series and it's newest installment, Accomplice to the Villain! Coming out August 5th, 2025.Death By TBR (Hannah's favorite books): A Forbidden Alchemy by Hannah's Best Friend Forever, Stacey McEwan, The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole, and A Forbidden Fate by Kaven HirningFind Hannah's books at her fave indie bookstores: Reads & Company, Looker Books, The Ripped Bodice (both locations!), and The New RomanticsFollow Hannah on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and BlueskyJoin the Novel Finds PatreonCheck out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with debut author Lindsey Byrd about the first book in her new duology The Sun Blessed Prince (out now!) In this three POV narrative, we follow Elician, Giver and Prince of Soleb, Cat, Reaper of Allelune, and Fenlia, Elician's younger sister who also happens to be a Giver. Their fates are woven intricately together in this fantasy, and begs the question: are we really that different from one another?Death By TBR (Lindsey's Favorite Books): Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Le Fay by Sophie Keetch, (Sophie's Novel Finds Episode), Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab, Dark Heir series by C.S. PacatFind Lindsey's book at a bookstore in Ann Arbor, or order it from the Novel Finds Author Chat Booklist on Bookshop.org!Follow Lindsey on Instagram, Tumblr, her website, and listen to her podcast Writing Is Hard! with Lindsey Byrd (new episodes on Mondays)---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and BlueskyJoin the Novel Finds PatreonCheck out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with queer romance author, TJ Alexander, about their newest novel: A Gentleman's Gentleman! A trans regency novel with hijinks, an epic carriage chase, and many moments of queer joy. A Gentleman's Gentleman is available now, and if you want a signed copy, grab it from TJ's fave local bookstore: Word Up Bookshop in Manhattan.Here's the Spotify playlist created for A Gentleman's GentlemanWhile you await the sequel to A Gentleman's Gentleman, TJ recommends you check out these books and authors: A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell, I Shall Never Fall In Love: A Graphic Novel by Hari Conner, Sherlock Holmes, P.G. Wodehouse, and Malinda LoFollow TJ on social media: Bluesky, Instagram, Tumblr, and their website (newsletter)---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and BlueskyJoin the Novel Finds PatreonCheck out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

CW: After the Patreon ad, Rebecca and I discuss the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) scandal involving a child predator, among other things that happened. If you would like to skip this section, it starts at 42:00 and wraps up around 55:32. If you or someone you know was affected by this predator, please reach out to your trusted adults for help and guidance.Additionally, this episode is full of spoilers, so if you haven't read the first three books and want to, come back to this episode later! If you don't mind spoilers or have read the books, listen on!Rebecca's favorite book in her Tomes & Tea series is Alchemy and a Cup of Tea (who says you can't pick favorites??), which comes out August, so pre-order it now from Laura of Literally, A Bookshop, Rebecca's fave place! Her favorite Tome in general right now is Murderbot and it goes perfect with a Coconut Chai TeaFollow Rebecca on: Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and her website---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and BlueskyJoin the Novel Finds PatreonCheck out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with Bestselling author & #1 NYT-disqualified & Hugo Award-disqualified, but Alfie Award winner (And Hugo Award winner) Xiran Jay Zhao! Author of the Iron Widow series (Iron Widow & Heavenly Tyrant) and Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor. Find Xiran's books through Books of Wonder, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, or IndieBound!Want more than just Xiran's books? Their favorite and impressionable books: Heavenbreaker, The First Sister, The Sunbearer Trials, Slay, and And I DarkenMessage for Indie Bookstores: Xiran will sign and send book plates to you free of charge! Message them here (assistant info at bottom of page)Soapbox Moment: Help the people, families, and pets in Gaza as they try to survive this massive and ongoing humanitarian crisis and famine by donating. Xiran's Linktree & direct link to the animal shelterSocial Media: Website, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Bluesky, TumblrPeggy Hill Amendment---Host: Julia SteudleCo-Editor & Artwork: Jonah KensettMusic: Brady DunnSocial media: Instagram and Bluesky Join the Novel Finds Patreon Check out our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstoresNovel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with popular Webtoon creator, artist, and author the Purpah about her newest volume of Suitor Armor! Purpah reveals how she became a Webtoon creator, the benefits of using the fantasy genre to tell hard stories, and her deep love of fairies. Find Suitor Armor Volume Two from her fave indie bookstores: The King's English Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, and Black Cat Comics on May 20th, or pre-order now!Read Purpah's favorite books: Princess Academy, Six of Crows duology, Caraval, An Enchantment of Ravens, If We Were Villains, and Legends and LattesFollow Purpah on her Webtoon, Twitter, Bluesky, Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, and her website---Thanks for being a Novel Friend! If you want to see more from me, find the podcast on Instagram or follow me on Bluesky for mini book reviews. If you want to support the podcast (and get some merch in the process), join the Novel Finds community on Patreon or buy books from our book lists on Bookshop.org to support indie bookstores and find the latest books from the podcast, and if your podcast app does it, make sure to rate and review the show!Novel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with author (and professor) Aimee Phan about her first young adult novel, The Lost Queen. The first in the duology, The Lost Queen is a beautiful story following Jolie as she takes on the challenges of high school and reincarnated siblings. Pre-order her book now from her favorite indie bookstores: Mrs. Dalloway's, and East Bay Booksellers or find it in stores on May 6th, 2025!Read Aimee's favorite books: Farewell to Manzanar, The Woman Warrior, The Joy Luck Club, East of Eden, and No-No BoyFollow Aimee on social media: Instagram, TikTok, and her website---Thanks for being a Novel Friend! If you want to see more from me, find the podcast on Instagram or follow me on Bluesky for mini book reviews. If you want to support the podcast (and get some merch in the process), join the Novel Finds community on Patreon or check out our book lists on Bookshop.org to find the latest books from the podcast, and if your podcast app does it, make sure to rate and review the show!Novel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org

In this episode, Julia chats with the wonderful author & illustrator Venessa Vida Kelley about their upcoming novel, When the Tides Held the Moon. This beautifully crafted book is full of two-toned illustrations and a story of love and found family in the most surprising of places. It isn't one you'll want to miss! Pre-order it now from one of (or all of) Venessa's favorite indie bookstores: Meet Cute Bookshop (San Diego, CA), Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston, TX), Loyalty Bookstore (Washington DC), and The Ripped Bodice (Brooklyn, NY) or find it at your local indie on April 29th!Follow Venessa on their website, Instagram, Tumblr, X (Twitter), Patreon, Etsy, and Bluesky---Thanks for being a Novel Friend! If you want to see more from me, find the podcast on Instagram or follow me on Bluesky for mini book reviews. If you want to support the podcast (and get some merch in the process), join the Novel Finds community on Patreon or check out our book lists on Bookshop.org to find the latest books from the podcast, and if your podcast app does it, make sure to rate and review the show!Novel Finds is an affiliate of Bookshop.org