What happens when a disabled Nigerian-American writer creates the story that changes everything?

In this episode of Sci-Fi Book Pod, Kandas Rodarte and Shane Rodarte welcome content marketing strategist Alison Ver Halen to discuss Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor—one of the most powerful science-fiction books we have ever covered.

The novel follows Zelu, a writer in a future Chicago who is navigating family expectations, creative rejection, experimental robotic legs, and sudden literary fame. Interwoven with Zelu’s life is her breakthrough novel, Rusted Robots, a far-future science-fiction story about androids, bodiless AI, survival, and the enduring human need for stories.

We discuss:

• Why Death of the Author feels like two exceptional novels in one

• Disability, independence, family pressure, and the difference between protection and control

• Zelu’s struggle to retain ownership of her work when Hollywood adapts it

• The robots and AI of Rusted Robots—and what they reveal about the people who created them

• Africanfuturism, Nigerian-American identity, storytelling, and artistic freedom

• Why the most meaningful science fiction is never just about technology

• How great stories shape culture, relationships, businesses, and brands

This conversation is spoiler-aware, but we avoid revealing the novel’s biggest twist.

Have you read Death of the Author? Tell us: Were you more invested in Zelu’s story or the world of Rusted Robots?

Alison Ver Halen is a content marketing strategist and founder of AV Writing Services. She helps businesses reach the right people through authentic storytelling, high-quality content, and SEO-informed strategy.

Learn more about Alison: https://avwritingservices.com/
Connect with Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-ver-halen/

Connect with us:

Sci-Fi Book Pod: https://scifibookpod.com/
Kandas: https://kandasrodarte.com/
Shane Rodarte: https://shanerodarteart.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.