Nnedi Okorafor’s latest book is about a writer whose new science fiction novel brings her unexpected literary fame — and it asks a lot of questions about what it means to be a storyteller today. Nnedi joins Mattea Roach to talk about metafiction, the crossroads of disability and technology and how her experiences as a Nigerian American shaped her story.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:

• Nalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart Man
• Helen Phillips: In a world run by AI, what makes us human?

In The Riveter, Jack Wang explores the untold stories of Asian Canadians during the Second World War. The novel follows Josiah Chang, a Chinese Canadian soldier navigating the horrors of war while facing discrimination at home. Jack joins Mattea Roach to talk about the historical context of the novel, the complexities of writing about war and the value of diverse perspectives.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:

• V.V. Ganeshananthan: Exploring the complexity of Sri Lanka's civil war in her prize-winning novel, Brotherless Night
• Teresa Wong: Illustrating her family's past — in all its ordinary and epic moments

If you feel like your phone is tracking your every move, or that AI is getting a little too advanced for comfort… You’re not the only one. Helen Phillips’ latest dystopian thriller, Hum, is set in a near future where climate change has devastated life as we know it — and superintelligent robots have become an irreplaceable part of society. Helen talks to Mattea Roach about her complicated relationship with technology, parenting in the digital age and reclaiming our humanity through the little joys.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:

• Jeff VanderMeer: How his blockbuster Southern Reach series reflects our own fight against climate change
• Nalo Hopkinson: How Caribbean folktales inspired her fantastical novel, Blackheart Man