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/

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Imagine a future that feels disturbingly close to home—where collapse, climate chaos, and corporate power reshape daily life. Spoiler warning: this episode includes major spoilers for Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, and we dig deep into Lauren Olamina, Earthseed, and the book’s powerful ending.

What we discussed:

• Why Becky Mollencamp chose Parable of the Sower even though she thought she “didn’t like sci-fi.”
• How Octavia Butler’s Afrofuturist lens and Earthseed challenge the usual dystopian story.
• Why community, hope, and empathy are central to Lauren Olamina’s leadership.
• How Butler’s prescience shows up in corporatization, climate collapse, and social unrest.
• Why the book raises big feminist questions about power, age gaps, and who gets to lead.

Purchase the book

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

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Also mentioned

• The Handmaid's Tale
• Sky Full of Elephants
• Kindred
• Ender's Game
• Six of Crows
• Harry Potter
• Lord of the Rings
• Emergent Strategy
• Braiding Sweetgrass
• Parable of the Talents
• Outlander

About Becky Mollenkamp

Becky Mollenkamp is a feminist business coach, podcaster, and founder of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. She helps creators and business owners build more intentional, inclusive, and values-aligned work.

👉 Connect with Becky Mollenkamp: https://beckymollenkamp.com

About Sci-Fi Book Pod

Sci-Fi Book Pod is hosted by Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane, Second Class. Each episode explores science fiction and speculative fiction through a playful, thoughtful, and often feminist lens.

📨 Subscribe for more episodes and updates: https://scifibookpod.com

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Imagine the most important person in your life is kidnapped by your arch nemesis—what lengths would you go to to save them? That’s the heart of Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, and in this episode of Sci‑Fi Book Pod, Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane welcome back runner, podcaster, and Grishaverse superfan Julianna Coughlin to break it all down.

We dig into how Crooked Kingdom completes the Six of Crows duology, why this heist crew of misfits works so well together, and how the book lands (or doesn’t) its ending—especially when it comes to Matthias and his redemption arc. Julianna walks us through where Crooked Kingdom fits inside the larger Grishaverse timeline, including Shadow and Bone, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves, and whether you really need to read all seven books to enjoy this duology.

We also talk about Nina’s evolving story, the introduction of characters like Hanne, Nikolai, and Zoya, and why representation—including a transgender character—matters in epic fantasy worlds. Shane connects the Crows to other “misfit toy” ensembles like Star Wars and Firefly, while Kandas riffs on why weird, outlier characters (and people) are often the ones who actually change the world—for better or worse.

If you love found family, morally gray heists, and clever plans that somehow come together against impossible odds, this conversation is for you. Spoilers abound, so read Crooked Kingdom first if you care about staying unspoiled—and then come geek out with us.

Purchase Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aZsnbW
• Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/111345/9781250076977/

We may earn a small commission when you use our link to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting indie podcasting.

Listen to our discussion about Six of Crows:

https://scifibookpod.substack.com/p/six-of-crows-by-leigh-bardugo-featuring-83e

Also mentioned:

• Outlander series and short stories: https://amzn.to/4eY3DlG
• We Are All Weird by Seth Godin: https://amzn.to/4eY3DlG
• Avatar: The Last Airbender: https://amzn.to/4v6RqAY

Subscribe to Sci‑Fi Book Pod for more deep‑dive, spoiler‑friendly book chats, and let us know: Which Crow is YOUR favorite, and are you continuing deeper into the Grishaverse after Crooked Kingdom?

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