Of Monsters: A Speculative Podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior

In episode eight, the final ep of the season, Nicole kicks it with Markowitz Award–winning and Astounding Award-nominated author Naseem Jamnia (they/them). Naseem writes speculative fiction for adults, teens, and kids. Their adult fantasy novella The Bruising of Qilwa was nominated for the Crawford, Locus, and World Fantasy awards, and they contributed to the YA horror anthology The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power. A Persian-Chicagoan, former neuroscientist, and current educator and pro-library activist, Naseem currently lives outside Reno, Nevada, with their husband and four furred creatures. The Glade (May 27, 2025, Aladdin, SimonKIDS) is their middle-grade debut. Find out more at NaseemWrites.com, and join their newsletter NaseemWrites.Kit.Com/SignUp.In this conversation, Naseem reflects on their cultural identity, family dynamics, and the impact of childhood experiences on their adult life. They discuss the complexities of friendships, the challenges of navigating community, and the importance of inclusive storytelling. Naseem shares insights into their literary achievements, creative processes, and the significance of world-building in their writing. The discussion also touches on the metaphorical monsters that shape personal narratives and the role of literature in addressing societal issues.Purchase The Glade, Naseem's middle-grade horror fantasy debut, and The Bruising of Qilwa, Naseem's adult fantasy novella debut.Oracle Card: "Friendship," from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 The Complexity of Friendships03:24 Navigating Loyalty and Boundaries06:50 Building Community and Connection07:38 Childhood Influences and Cultural Identity15:24 The Journey to Neuroscience and Writing19:56 Navigating Family Dynamics and Personal Growth20:38 Childhood Monsters and Emotional Neglect27:11 Cultural Identity and Queerness34:13 The Journey of Writing and Creative Expression51:05 The Plague's Arrival in Kilwa52:38 Feroz's Journey and Anxieties55:48 Exploring The Glade: A Middle Grade Horror Fantasy57:20 The Process of Writing The Glade59:59 Inclusive World Building in Fantasy01:12:56 Crafting Secondary Worlds in Speculative Fiction01:20:03 OF MONSTERS Rapid Fire QuestionsOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode seven, Nicole kicks it with Zin E. Rocklyn, a horror and dark fantasy author of Trinidadian descent hailing from Jersey City, NJ. A contributor to several anthologies, Zin's creative nonfiction essay, "My Genre Makes a Monster of Me,"  was published in Uncanny Magazine’s Hugo Award-winning Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction issue, and her debut novella, Flowers for the Sea, earned the Shirley Jackson Award. Nicole and Zin explore the complexities of vulnerability, mental health, and family dynamics. They discuss the importance of being open about struggles, the impact of upbringing on identity, and the challenges of navigating relationships, particularly with mothers. Zin shares insights on the writing process and offers advice for aspiring writers.Purchase Flowers For The Sea, Zin's debut novella.Oracle Card: "Face," from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 The Power of Vulnerability03:33 Navigating Mental Health Challenges05:50 Exploring Family Dynamics11:45 The Impact of Maternal Relationships18:08 The Evolution of Monstrous Relationships22:01 The Power of Personal Narrative in Writing28:34 The Catharsis of Writing About Trauma35:16 The Role of Writing Workshops in Development39:05 Challenging Perceptions in Speculative Fiction40:51 The Birth of a Story44:41 Exploring Themes of Hunger50:40 Monstrosity and Care53:25 Invisible Disabilities and Personal Narratives55:27 Writing Process and Sensitivity Reading59:07 Crafting Complex Characters01:03:18 Of Monsters Rapid Fire SegmentRead Zin's short stories:"Summer Skin""My Genre Makes a Monster of Me""Birds"The Night Sun"Teatime""Tet Fe Mal""A Keening for Churile""BloodhounOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode six, Nicole chops it up with DJ Ben Ha Meen. DJ Ben Ha Meen is a native of Third Ward, Texas. He is an alumnus of Howard University, where he studied film and television. Ben Ha Meen is the co-creator of the graphic novel Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze (Penguin Randomhouse). and a self-published author of the children's book The World Is Yours. A world-renowned DJ and music producer, a WGA screenwriter (American Gods), and a pioneering podcaster (FORALLNERDSSHOW, The Combat Jack Show).In this in-depth convo, DJ Ben Ha Meen shares his journey from growing up in Houston's Third Ward to becoming a successful DJ, filmmaker, and author. He reflects on the cultural influences of his upbringing, his passion for music and storytelling, and the challenges he faced in the creative industry. The discussion also delves into his collaboration on the graphic novel Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze with creative geniuses Mellow Brown and Tom Mandrake, and the importance of writing authentically. Throughout the conversation, DJ Ben Ha Meen emphasizes the power of creativity, resilience, and the impact of storytelling on culture and society.Purchase Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze, written by DJ Ben Ha Meen and Mellow Brown and illustrated by Tom Mandrake.Listen to the ForAllNerdsShow.Oracle Card: "Escape" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 Navigating Imagination and Reality01:37 Roots in Third Ward, Texas03:00 The Influence of Literature on Perspective04:10 The Journey into DJing04:10 The Evolution of a DJ's Craft07:54 Cultural Influences and Musical Diversity09:43 Soulmate Stories and Past Lives09:54 The Early Influences of Film and Writing10:15 Intentionality in Education and Career Choices12:36 Navigating Economic Realities and Artistic Aspirations14:23 Building Connections and Crews at Howard University15:44 The Evolution of DJing and Filmmaking Skills18:28 From DJing to Writing for American Gods21:35 Breaking into Hollywood: A Personal Journey24:53 Facing Adversity: Personal Stories of Struggle30:27 The Transformative Power of Writing34:15 Collaboration in Creativity: The Making of Purple Haze41:20 Astro Punk and Collaborative Creation43:32 The Role of Black Music in Revolution46:55 Genre Defiance and Creative Process50:06 The Poetry of Jimi Hendrix52:17 DJ Ben Ha Meen Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode five, Nicole chats with Erika T. Wurth. Erika's novel, WHITE HORSE, is a New York Times Editors Pick, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, an Indie Next List Book of the Month, and a Target Book of the Month. She is both a Kenyon and Sewanee fellow, and Kenyon faculty. She’s published in Buzzfeed and The Writer’s Chronicle and is a narrative artist for the Meow Wolf Denver installation. She is an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent. She’s a professor of creative writing and lives in Denver with her partner, step-kids, and two incredibly fluffy dogs. Her novel, THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904, is out with Flatiron Books.In this convo, Erika kicks it with Nicole about her experiences with childhood fears, the complexities of adult life, and the cultural influences that shape her writing. She reflects on her identity as a Native American woman and the importance of representation in literature. Erika shares insights into her creative process, the role of music in her life, and the significance of confronting personal and societal monsters. The discussion culminates in an exploration of her latest novel, The Haunting of Room 904, which intertwines themes of family, loss, and the supernatural.Purchase The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth.Oracle Card: "Boogeyman" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 Confronting the Boogeyman: Childhood Fears and Monsters04:24 Creating Monsters: Universal Fears and Cultural Contexts06:40 Identity and Heritage: The Urban Native Experience13:38 Coming of Age: Cultural Awareness and Personal Growth17:45 The 90s: Music, Monsters, and Growing Up22:39 Facing Real-Life Monsters: Personal Stories and Resilience25:55 The Importance of Authenticity in Native Art26:49 Influential Native Writers and Their Impact29:14 Erika Wurth's Literary Journey and Diverse Works34:35 Exploring 'The Haunting of Room 904'46:03 The Role of Indigenous Folklore in Writing50:07 Erika Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode four, Nicole chats with Luminous author Silvia Park. Silvia grew up in Seoul and split their time between Korea and America. They received a BA from Columbia and MFA from NYU, in addition to completing the Clarion Workshop in 2018. Their short fiction has been published in Black Warrior Review, Joyland, Reactor, and reprinted in the 2019 Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. Luminous is their first novel.In this conversation, Silvia discusses the complexities of launching her book, the commodification of genius, and the intersection of cli-fi, sci-fi, and folklore in her writing. She reflects on cultural identity, the struggles of language, and the impact of education and class dynamics in Korea. The conversation delves into the haunting nature of loss, the creative process, and the importance of research in writing. Park emphasizes the significance of writing our futures and the role of monsters in society, ultimately encouraging writers to embrace their creativity and imagine a better world.Order LUMINOUS by Silvia Park.Oracle Card: "Dinner" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 The Cognitive Dissonance of Book Launches03:09 Exploring the Concept of Genius05:26 The Irony of Modern Genius08:00 The Legacy of Octavia Butler & Zora Neale Hurston10:21 The Intersection of Cli-Fi, Sci-Fi, and Folklore12:42 Cultural Identity and Language14:58 Navigating Childhood and Education17:28 The Journey into Literature19:32 The Haunting Nature of Grief22:17 The Storyline of Luminous34:17 Exploring Grief Through Immortality34:55 The Cycle of History and Technology37:07 The Journey of Writing: From Burnout to Joy38:49 Overcoming Creative Sludge: The Importance of Letting Go40:51 The Metaphor of the Tiger: Extinction and Replacement47:38 Writing for the Unseen: Who is the Audience?49:02 Crafting Beginnings and Endings: The Art of Closure52:29 Research as a Joyful Exploration55:52 The Balance of Pantsing and Outlining57:59 Silvia Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode three, Nicole kicks the Willie with José Pablo Iriarte, a nonbinary Cuban-American writer, high school math teacher, and parent of two. Their fiction has been finalist for the Nebula, Hugo, Locus and Sturgeon Awards, longlisted for the Otherwise Award, and reprinted in various Year's Best compilations. Their debut novel, BENNY RAMÍREZ AND THE NEARLY DEPARTED was published in 2024 by Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House. Their follow up, AJ TORRES AND THE TREASURE OF CAPTAIN GRAYSHARK is forthcoming on June 24, 2025. Learn more (but frankly not much more) at www.labyrinthrat.com, or follow José on facebook, instagram, or bluesky.In this conversation, José Iriarte discusses his experiences growing up as a Cuban American in Florida, the impact of literature on his writing, and the themes of identity and marginalization in his work. He shares insights into his journey into science fiction and fantasy, the importance of character development, and the role of humor in middle-grade literature. José also emphasizes the significance of writing groups and the persistence required in the face of rejection. He concludes by discussing his upcoming projects and the exploration of monsters and villains in storytelling.Pre-Order AJ TORRES AND THE TREASURE OF CAPTAIN GRAYSHARK.Oracle Card: "Midnight" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Rules and Awareness02:06 Growing Up in Florida: A Personal Narrative03:50 Contrasting Childhoods: Miami vs. Brooklyn04:00 Navigating Privilege and Marginalization06:23 The Role of Literature in Personal Growth08:56 Exploring Identity Through Fiction11:18 The Power of Narrative in Storytelling12:44 The Substance of My Lives: A Deep Dive15:11 Character Development: Jamie and Benjamin17:04 Cultural Reflections in Writing19:07 Benny Ramirez and the Nearly Departed: A New Journey24:57 The Humor in Writing27:33 Crafting Dynamic Characters29:02 Character Development Techniques33:08 Exploring Personal Experiences in Writing37:47 The Balance of A and B Plots46:01 The Role of Writing Communities48:41 Upcoming Book Insights53:33 José Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

In episode two, Nicole chops it up with the award-winning author of speculative and literary fiction, Rivers Solomon. Rivers writes about life in the margins, where they're much at home. Their work has appeared in The Paris Review, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Short Stories, and elsewhere. They are the author of An Unkindness of Ghosts, The Deep, Sorrowland, and Model Home. A refugee of the transatlantic slave trade, Solomon was born on Turtle Island. They currently live in the UK. Rivers & Nicole explore hauntings, identity, and the impact of music and literature on personal growth. They discuss the importance of community and connection, as well as how their spiritual practices influence their art. The conversation covers enormous ground, while exploring the creative process, the influence of parenting on writing, and the significance of collaboration in literary projects. Rivers emphasizes the role of state violence in their work and the necessity of finding joy amidst adversity.In their latest novel, Model Home, Rivers Solomon turns the haunted-house story on its head, unearthing the dark legacies of segregation and racism in the suburban American South. Unbridled, raw, and daring, Model Home is the story of secret histories uncovered, and of a queer family battling for their right to live, grieve, and heal amid the terrors of contemporary American life. Purchase Model Home at all major booksellers, including Bookshop.org.Rivers' novella, The Deep, was inspired by The Deep (song) and in collaboration with Clipping.Oracle Card: "Book" from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 Exploring the Power of Books03:21 Navigating Personal Narratives07:35 Connecting with Ancestors12:50 Creative Flow and Spiritual Guidance22:16 Embodiment of Purpose and Love26:16 The Challenge of Deadlines31:50 The Journey of Model Home36:35 Intergenerational Connections in Writing39:38 The Influence of Place on Writing50:40 Crafting Rich Worlds and Characters55:05 Rivers Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.

For the very first Of Monsters Podcast ep, Nicole kicks it with Ibi Zoboi, the New York Times Bestselling author of books for children and teens, including American Street, Pride, and the Walter Award and LA Times Book Prize-winning Punching the Air, co-written with Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam. Ibi is the winner of the 2024 CSK Author Award for Nigeria Jones. She is the editor of the anthology Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America and has written Okoye to the People, a Black Panther novel for Marvel. Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, Ibi lives in New Jersey.In this convo, Ibi and Nicole chop it up about Ibi's latest book, (S)kin, the merging of the personal and professional life, the challenges of authenticity in the age of social media, and the importance of cultural identity and representation in literature. Ibi reflects on her journey to becoming a prolific writer, the intersection of personal experience and writing, and the role of folklore and spirituality in storytelling.(S)kin by Ibi Zoboi is Ibi's groundbreaking fantasy novel in verse about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for. Purchase (S)kin at all major booksellers, including Bookshop.org.Oracle Cards: Lies from the Classic Horror Oracle Deck & Qetesh from the African Goddess Rising Oracle Deck.Chapters00:00 Merging Spiritual and Professional Lives02:57 Authenticity in the Literary World04:23 Cultural Identity and Personal Aesthetics06:34 Navigating Image and Authenticity08:22 The Journey of a Prolific Writer10:10 Contextualizing Identity in Literature12:40 Reflections on Growing Up in Brooklyn22:03 Navigating Identity and Expectations27:46 The Impact of Education on Self-Perception32:49 Discovering Literary Passions44:03 Monsters and Inspirations in Writing46:54 Exploring Cultural Horror and Folklore49:38 Identity and Cultural Roots57:02 The Power of Poetry in Storytelling59:00 Understanding Intra-Community Issues01:02:06 The Role of Folklore and Spirituality01:06:51 Crafting Human Stories in Fantasy01:09:28 15s - Ibi Answers the OM Closing FiveOf Monsters: A podcast with Nicole Shawan Junior features intimate chats with speculative fiction masterminds and the characters they create. Spread love. It's the Brooklyn way. Follow the podcast. Share it on your socials. Comment on what you hear. Find Of Monsters on IG. Written and performed by Nicole Shawan Junior, the Of Monsters intro music was created by Ben Ford, produced by Caits Meissner, and engineered by Tatenda Dizha.