Asexual pride and publishing as a teenager with Alice Oseman

Alice Oseman is a formidable young writer.  Alice's first book was published when she was just 19. Now at 25, our guest has already published four celebrated novels and written and illustrated a much loved graphic novel series. Alice's latest novel, Loveless, is a celebration of friendship and coming out as asexual and aromantic.Interview starts at 12 minutes.Mini-book club: Heartstopper by Alice OsemanConfession: We haven't read many graphic novels before! We love Heartstopper. It is the PERFECT queer love story.In this interview, we chat about:Why we need more books that explore post-high school experiences in YAThe writing process for Loveless and why it was Alice’s most challenging novel yetThe pressure of success and how it affects the writing processAlice’s experience on the aromantic and asexual spectrum and why she wanted to explore this in LovelessWhy Alice’s novels focus on the importance of friendship (and why we need more books about friendship)A brief interlude about how Caitlin and Michelle metHow Alice got published while she was still a teenager (and the advice she would give her younger self)Books & other things mentionedClap When You Land by Elizabeth AcevedoLumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and Noelle StevensonWatchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons and John HigginsPumpkin Heads  by Rainbow Rowell (illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks)Code Name Verity by Elizabeth WeinFollow Alice on Instagram @aliceoseman. Loveless is available now in Australia and the UK. Novella This Winter is published in paperback in the UK on October 15. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspodPlease note that Caitlin's job at HarperCollins Publishers did not affect our decision to invite Alice to be a guest, we're delighted to have her and hope you enjoy this episode.