Listen! Real Talk with Roops

Take #36: How Can Books Help Us Understand Ourselves Better? - featuring Eliot Schrefer!

Take #36! Welcome to SEASON 5 of Listen! I chat with my lovely guest Eliot Schrefer—he is aNew York Times bestselling author, is a science writer, has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, received the Stonewall Honor for best LGBTQIA+ teen book, and received the Printz Honor for best young adult book from the American Library Association. What a LIST.Eliot and I discuss the themes of mental health and intimacy inThe Darkness Outside Usand new sequelThe Brightness Between Us, dive into the power of media in processes of catharsis and identity formation, explore the complexity of life and our hidden selves in literature, and more. Welcome to...Listen!

Take #35: How Does One Find Their Identity in Fandom?

Take #35! Welcome to SEASON 4 of Listen! In this final part of my four-episode fandom series, I chat with my lovely friend Kore about their art journey, finding themselves through art, discovering fandom friendships, their self-taught experience, our very first fandoms, and more. Welcome to...Listen!

Take #34: How Does One Find Their Place in Fandom?

Take #34! Welcome to SEASON 4 of Listen! In this next part of my fandom series, I chat with my wonderful friend Anchor about impostor syndrome, finding our fandom footings, our writing processes, how we engage with reading fic, reconciling our words with stats, and more. Welcome to...Listen!

Take #33: How Does One Find Motivation in Fandom?

Take #33! Welcome to SEASON 4 of Listen! In this next part of my fandom series, I chat with my lovely friend Sarah about our definitions of success, why we write what we write, what motivates us to engage in fandom, creating connection through fanfiction, and more. Welcome to...Listen!

Take #32: How Does One Find Community in Fandom?

Take #32! Welcome to SEASON 4 of Listen! I know it has been a hot minute since I last posted, so I appreciate the patience, my friends. I chat with my lovely friend Val about fandom spaces, building community and self-worth, understanding your identity as a writer, internet friendships across time zones, and more. Welcome to...Listen!