The Writers Bleck Podcast

Seek The Traitor's Son, The Sixth Faction, Divergent, and Starting Over with Veronica Roth

In this episode, Greg sits down with the best-selling author Veronica Roth to discuss her new dystopian fantasy, Seek the Traitor’s Son, as well as her upcoming turn to the Divergent series in The Sixth Faction. They'll discuss the different forms Seek the Traitor's Son took across its six years of development, blending sci-fi and fantasy, the pressure and negativity that came with the success of Divergent, and how she rediscovered creative freedom after years of trying to “prove herself” as a writer. Support us directly at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod]⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠] Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg]⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠] More From Greg: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg]⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠]

That Which Feeds Us: Hawaiian Gothic Horror with Keala Kendall

Greg sits down with Keala Kendall to talk about her new Hawaiian gothic thriller, That Which Feeds Us, a haunting story about family, folklore, colonialism, and the dark side of paradise. She'll share how homesickness and Hawaiian history shaped the novel, why gothic horror was the perfect genre for the story, and how Keala balances atmospheric horror with deeply personal themes. We also dive into her work writing for Disney’s Twisted Tales imprint, including How Far I'll Go and Nobody Gets Left Behind, adapting established characters, and bringing authentic cultural perspectives into major IPs. Support us directly at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod]⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠] Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg]⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠] More From Greg: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg]⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠]

Mama Says I'm Fine with Brittney Cooper

In this episode, Greg interviews bestselling author, professor, activist, and cultural critic Brittney Cooper about her debut children’s book, Mama Says I'm Fine. Brittney discusses the emotional meaning behind the phrase “I’m fine,” the influence of her childhood and late mother on the story, themes of Black motherhood, empowerment, vulnerability, mental health, and emotional resilience, and so much more. Support us directly at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod]⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠] Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg]⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠] More From Greg: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg]⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠]

Mixed Feelings with Sara Amini

This week on the podcast, Greg sits down with actress and first-time author Sarah Amini to discuss her debut graphic novel, Mixed Feelings. Inspired by her own childhood, the book explores the chaos of growing up, navigating middle school, surviving puberty, and trying to figure out where you belong. Support us directly at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod]⁠https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠] Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg]⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠] More From Greg: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg]⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠]

The Liars Society with Alyson Gerber

This week on the podcast, Greg sits down with middle-grade author Alyson Gerber to discuss her acclaimed series The Liar Society, a story of suspense and mystery, set at a New England boarding school where the lines between right and wrong blur and new friendships and alliances are put to the test. They'll also discuss how Alyson used her early novels as a form of self-therapy, helping navigate negative self-talk and much more. Support us directly at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod]https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/WritersBleckPod⁠⁠⁠⁠] Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvhNs-91-p_QQqJ0DCCdg⁠⁠⁠⁠] More From Greg: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqLP7Pea2xsi_SD9LW-D3Pg⁠]