When Erika J. Simpson’s essay found its way into Roxane Gay’s newsletter, The Audacity, it set in motion the origins of what would become a beautifully layered memoir about Sallie Carol, a mother who stood so tall and shone so bright that one could be mesmerized by her ability to feel as if she were godlike. In This is Your Mother, Simpson would soon become aware of her mother’s humanness, as she sat at the edge of death during her fifth bout of cancer, and how her mother's endless reaching towards building a legacy came at the sacrifice of her daughters’ childhoods.

In this episode, Simpson speaks with us about her love for her mother, processing grief through her writing, and how shows like The X-Files and Sliders provided a necessary means of escapism. We also talk about Simpson’s special kinship with her sister and a unique birthday tradition that has lasted well over two decades.

Ryan Rivas’ Lizard People is a dark satire told through the voice of the unnamed narrator, who believes that he himself is a lizard person. After an incident at his workplace, the man is sent to a resort for intensive therapy to begin wrestling with his perceived identity. Themes of race and white supremacy are interwoven in this deliciously twisted tale.

Ryan Rivas joins us on the show to talk about his work on and off the page. He has solidified himself as a staple within Florida’s literary scene, from his work with projects like Page15 and There Will Be Words to creating his own publishing house. This September, Ryan marks a major milestone as Burrow Press celebrates 15 years of giving writers a home to set their words

In Sky Full of Elephants, a year has passed since “The Event,” where, without warning or known cause, every white person stopped what they were doing, walked to the nearest body of water, and drowned themselves. Charlie Brunton is a Black man rebuilding his life after spending years in prison for a crime he was wrongfully accused of. One day, he receives a phone call from a person whom he has never known existed, his biracial daughter, Sidney.

Cebo Campbell’s unforgettable debut novel beckons readers to embrace its beautiful premise of defiance, and imagine a life where whiteness is no longer the background against which Black people are subjected. In this week’s episode, we are joined in conversation with Cebo Campbell to discuss the conception of his remarkable story, and the importance of taking up space while acknowledging one’s right to experience all things wild and free. Sky Full of Elephants is out in paperback on September 16.