In this episode, we interview author Jill Tew about how she got into writing dystopian romance and middle-grade stories. Jill shares how her love of sci-fi and nerdy Black kids and discusses her new climate-justice dystopian romance, An Ocean Apart, centered on wealthy elites escaping environmental collapse on luxurious sea ships while land communities suffer. 

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:36 Jill Tew Origin Story

01:16 From Corporate to Divergent

02:37 Middle Grade Breakthrough

03:49 Representation in Dystopia

04:47 Ocean Apart Climate Plot

07:22 Social Justice in Sci Fi

10:28 Staying Grounded as Writer

12:52 Upcoming Books and Headspace

15:19 What Jill Is Reading

16:32 Community Impact Advice

17:59 Where to Find Jill Closing

18:49 Podcast Sign Off

Jill’s Books

An Ocean Apart

Rayana Johnson's Giant Leap

Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

The Dividing Sky

Other Books Mentioned

The Genie Game by Jordan Ifueko

Where to find Jill

jilltew.com

Instagram

Threads

TikTok

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