Erik J. Brown on His Banned Books

Talking Writing hosts YA author Erik J. Brown during Banned Books Week to discuss his experience having multiple books banned from school libraries across the US and, most recently, an entire country ban in Malaysia. Brown's bibliography spans diverse genres and settings—from post-apocalyptic fiction (All That's Left in the World and its sequel The Only Light Left Burning) to romantic comedy (Lose You to Find Me) to thriller (Better the Devil)—but shares a common thread: teenage protagonists navigating same-sex romantic feelings. The episode explores why these books face censorship despite their target audience of young adults, a demographic already grappling with relationship confusion and identity questions. The show notes emphasize that for LGBTQ+ youth, affirmation found in literature can serve as a lifeline, offering representation during a formative period when such feelings might otherwise remain hidden due to social pressure. The conversation appears to center on the tension between Brown's artistic intent to provide representation and the institutional resistance to his work, framed within the context of Banned Books Week advocacy.

Verdict: A timely, well-matched guest interview that delivers on its premise with authentic expertise and cultural relevance, though the available material doesn't confirm whether the conversation achieves unusual depth or remains at a solid but conventional level.

Arts rubric

• Insight into the work 3/5 20%

  Show notes describe Brown's books and their common themes but don't indicate whether the episode explores craft, narrative technique, or deeper artistic choices beyond plot summaries.

• Expertise and access 4/5 20%

  Erik J. Brown is a bestselling author with direct experience of censorship; hosting him during Banned Books Week provides authentic practitioner perspective on the issue.

• Sparks curiosity 4/5 15%

  The premise of discussing banned books and their cultural impact, combined with Brown's diverse catalog and the Malaysia ban angle, creates genuine interest in exploring his work.

• Substance 3/5 15%

  Show notes indicate thematic discussion and context about why books matter to LGBTQ+ youth, but lack detail about whether the episode contains specific anecdotes, policy analysis, or substantive depth versus general conversation.

• Delivers on its title 5/5 15%

  Title promises discussion of Erik J. Brown's banned books during Banned Books Week; show notes confirm this is exactly what the episode covers.

• Value for time 3/5 15%

  58 minutes is a reasonable length for an author interview, but without knowing pacing or tangents, a middle score reflects typical podcast structure.

How we score Arts

Worth it if you care about censorship, LGBTQ+ representation in YA literature, or want to hear directly from an author whose work has faced institutional bans.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.