You may remember Shawn Stewart Ruff from Episode 12 of Bookable when he talked to Amanda about his debut novel Finlater, a story of young gay love set against the backdrop of a housing project being desegregated.

In this bonus conversation, Shawn checks in with someone he hasn't talked to in decades; James Hannaham  author of Delicious Foods. Listen in on their reunion as they talk about the way the world has changed since they were last in touch, and explore new territory such as whether a straight writer has any business writing a gay character. Can you write a black character if you’re white? And what exactly is the best way to avoid getting dragged on Twitter without canceling yourself? Tune in to find out!

Amanda Stern is Bookable’s host. Founder of the popular literary event series Happy Ending at Joe’s Pub in New York City, Stern is also a writer. Happy Ending ran for more than a decade and was selected as New York’s best book-related series by New York Magazine, The Village Voice and NY Press. The New York Times Magazine singled out Happy Ending as a force keeping “downtown New York alive.”

This episode was produced by Andrew Dunn, Beau Friedlander and Amanda Stern. It was mixed and sound-designed by Andrew Dunn who also created Bookable's chill vibe.  Our host is Amanda Stern. Beau Friedlander is Bookable's executive producer and editor in chief of Loud Tree Media.

Music:

"Books that Bounce" by Rufus Canis, "Different Strokes" by Jupyter, "Uni Swing Vox" by Rufus Canis.