Workers' Lit

We've had queer joy, it's time for some queer suffering.
Jacob and Lenore dive into the life of one of the greatest to ever do it, the legendary James Baldwin. A pioneer, artist, and leader for Black liberation and Gay liberation alike, Baldwin is among the finest of all American writers and public intellectuals.
First, we cover his life story, and incredible legacy. Then, we discuss his subversive and beautiful 1956 novel, "Giovanni's Room."
What conditions create internalized homophobia, and where does it lead? How does one live as themselves in a world designed to destroy them? What protocol is necessary to handle a thicc baddie in jeans? All will be discussed.
We need you to keep this show going! Please go support us on Patreon.
www.patreon.com/workerslit

It's an important podcast announcement!
Folks, the numbers don't lie. While we appreciate all the good feedback and interest we've received for our political/news episodes, Workers' Lit is very much a podcast about literature, first, foremost, and entirely.
As such, we've elected to change what our release schedule looks like.
We will be ending our Thursday news/politics episodes to double down on our weekly literature episode, which will still come out every Monday. We will alternate weeks, covering fiction and nonfiction with Aysha and Jen as third mic (along with, as always, Lenore and Jacob) respectively.
But don't worry, our news and politics talk isn't going away entirely! For Patrons we will be releasing bonus content several times a month, including our monthly video episode, where we'll get into current political happenings, a monthly installment of Article Brain, where we'll lose our minds at the worst of the worst in modern article technology, regular author interviews, video game episodes, and more!
We're sorry to anyone this may disappoint and hope you all continue to stay with us as we work to make Workers' Lit the very best podcast about books for hot, cool, gay, and/or working class people there's ever been.
www.patreon.com/workerslit

A lesbian bottom is on a time traveling adventure in ancient China. We know y’all love this stuff.

It’s the most recent book we’ve ever covered: Cecilia Tan’s 2026 novella, “The Mystery of the Bitten Peach.” Follow a young woman with the power to travel through time navigate her feelings of disconnect with her culture, identity, and sexuality.

It’s good. And it’s published by our friends at Neon Hemlock. Go get it!

https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/bitten-peach

Support us on Patreon!

www.patreon.com/workerslit

Sources and references in this episode:

https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/non-fiction/articles/interview-cecilia-tan/

https://www.kaleidoscoperomance.com/post/interview-with-author-cecilia-tan

https://www.ceciliatan.com/archives/landingpage/home

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tDXd9zABFy161jTFaO6zG?si=8YenxOcwSNe5-yli5PpWjQ

Today we’re joined by Greg Stoker, anti-imperialist activist, journalist, host of the Colonial Outcasts podcast, and independent candidate for U.S. House Texas District 31.

Greg talks to us about a range of topics such as his campaign, the role of veterans in liberation movements, Graham Platner’s whole deal, and the (possible?) end of the Iran War.

Support Greg’s Campaign and check out his podcast below:

https://www.stokerfortexas.com/

https://m.youtube.com/@ColonialOutcasts

Support Workers’ Lit on Patreon!

And keep an eye out for a new podcast project on women in the socialist movement from Lenore and Jen very soon!

We put out the call to Patreon, and Patreon answered! Patreon decided on today’s topic: Suzanne Collins’ 2003 middle grade fantasy novel, “Gregor the Overlander.”

This is Suzanne’s first novel, and she gets into themes about poverty, futurelessness, family, war, and changing diapers.

It’s cute! It’s good! You’ll like this one.

To help choose future episode topics go check out our Patreon!

Www.patreon.com/workerslit