Sley House Presents

In this episode of Sley House Presents' Summer of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Trevor welcomes best-selling and award-winning authors Megan O'Keefe, Andrea Stewart, Marina Lostetter, Thomas K. Carpenter, Anthea Sharp, Annie Bellet, Jamie Thornton, and Jacquie Bartel for a panel on what sci-fi and fantasy means to them. Together, they break down the importance of genre literature in their own literary upbringing, what it means to them as adults and artists, and how stories reflect for them both internal conflicts and external politics of the world they live in, and more!If you're interested in getting to know any of these authors, you can find them at their respective websites:Megan O'Keefe: www.meganokeefe.comAndrea Stewart: www.andreagstewart.comMarina Lostetter: lostetter.wordpress.comThomas K. Carpenter: thomaskcarpenter.comAnthea Sharp: antheasharp.comAnnie Bellet: anniebellet.comJamie Thornton: jamiethornton.comJacqueline Bartel: dailysciencefiction.com

Author Amy Pennza joins host Amelia to talk about her upcoming novel, Dhampira, releasing June 16, 2026, from Ace Books. She discusses her love for crafting complex characters and all things romantasy, as well as shares her experience switching careers to become a full time writer and how she encourages aspiring authors to do the same.You can find more about Amy Pennza at www.amypennza.com, and you can get Dhampira on June 16 at your local library or preorder it from your favorite book retailer!

Author Eliza Jabore is here to talk about her debut novel Backstabbers, now available from Bantam. She talks about the book's slasher roots and true crime backdrop, about how the book deals with messy characters and strained relationships, and more.You can find more about Eliza Jabore at https://kelseykupitz.wixsite.com/authorsite, and you can get Backstabbers today from your local library or your favorite book retailer.

Award-winning author Isabel J. Kim visits to talk about her debut novel Sublimation, available June 2, 2026 from Tor. She talks about the book's major concepts, how they apply to the personal act of narrativization, empathy, how nostalgia colors our perceptions and decisions, and how we make better choices about ourselves and our lives.You can find more about Isabel J. Kim at www.isabel.kim and you can get Sublimation at your local library or your favorite book retailer.

Author Neena Viel visits the show to talk about her latest novel, I'll Watch Your Baby, available now from St. Martin's Griffin. She talks about the book's origins in America's most famous "welfare queen," how the book incorporates social commentary with its scares, the importance of humor in her work, and more.You can find more about Neena Viel at her website www.neenaviel.com, and you can get the book now at your local library or your favorite book retailer.

Author and illustrator J.C. Phillipps is her to talk about her middle grade graphic novel The Ghost in Cabin 13, available now from Penguin Workshop. She talks about visual composition, about developing her own style through composition, about what is too visually spooky for middle graders, and why visual art like graphic novels matter to engagement and literacy with children.You can find more about J.C. Phillipps online at jcphillipps.com, and you can get The Ghost in Cabin 13 today at your favorite book retailer or your local library!

Author Emily Carpenter is here to talk about her latest novel, A Spell for Saints and Sinners, available now from Kensington. She talks about the book's roots in Georgia, about her take on the importance of the Southern Gothic, and about writing characters full of desire, structured around the navigations of class and power. You can find more from Emily Carpenter at emilycarpenterauthor.com and you can find A Spell for Saints and Sinners at your local library or your favorite book retailer today.

Best-selling and award-winning author Fonda Lee joins the show to talk about samurai and her new book The Last Contract of Isako, now available from Orbit Books. She talks samurai, codes of honor, reflecting on why we crave speculative stories, and more.You can find Fonda Lee at her website, www.fondalee.com, and you can get The Last Contract of Isako at your favorite book retailer or your local library today.

Author Briana Cox visits the show to share her debut novel Indigent, currently self-published and available for purchase direct or through most online book retailers. She talks about the book's origins as inspired by problems of medical indigency, about writing authentic characters, how violence is done to minority communities, and more.You can find Briana Cox at their website brianacoxwriter.com, and you can read Indigent today through places like Bookshop.org or Briana's website.