Margherita Scialla on Asexuality, Aromanticism, and the Spectrum of Identity

Romance isn't just about happily ever afters - it's about exploring the full spectrum of the human experience, including sexuality and identity. In this episode, Alesia sits down with author Margherita Scialla to dive deep into the nuances of aromanticism, asexuality and how these identities are represented in literature. Through their insightful conversation, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities within the LGBTQIA+ community and the importance of diverse representation in romance and beyond.Margherita is a Gen-Z author born and raised in Italy with a passion for stories of all kinds and a talent in procrastinating. Xe writes under the names Margherita Scialla and Robin Jo Margaret.In this episode, we're discussing:Margherita's author journey and the distinction between her Margherita and Robin Joe Margaret pen namesThe importance of including diverse LGBTQIA+ identities in her writingUnderstanding the differences between aromanticism and asexuality and how they are often misunderstoodExploring the representation of asexual and allosexual characters in Margherita's booksThe Diverse Baseline Challenge and the importance of reading diverselyWe encourage you to assess your reading habits, seek out diverse authors and continue learning about the nuanced experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. Amplifying these voices can create a more inclusive and representative literary landscape.CONNECT WITH MARGHERITA:WebsiteInstagramSubstackAsexuality and Aromanticism Are Not The Same (Substack Post)The Diverse Baseline ChallengeBOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:Pillow Forts and Hurricanes (Amazon)The Romantic Agenda (Amazon)Role Playing (Amazon)Books by Margherita (Amazon) | Robin (Amazon)Running list of books mentioned (Doc)Support the showJoin the Paid Substack Community Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to get closer to the text and support this sponsor-free show. Connect with Alesia:StorygraphInstagramThis podcast was produced by Galati Media.Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.