Workers' Lit

What if you were a giant mosquito in a climate hell future, and the mosquito was trans, and the trans mosquito destroyed the stock market and also a school bully, and the school bully possessed a VR headset that allowed him to be the guy that runs the stock market, and the guy that runs the stock market is responsible for your mosquito-fication, so you have to confront him as you bring about a new mosquito-themed age of the earth?

Welcome to Michel Nieva’s 2025 novel, “Dengue Boy,” translated by Rahul Bery.

Joining us to dive into this strange and rich text is author of “The Saint of Bright Doors” and “Rakesfall,” Vajra Chandrasekara. Together we will unpack just what it means to confront your inner trans revolutionary mosquito as the world burns.

Learn more about Vajra’s work and buy his books here!

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It’s time for more BONUS CONTENT!

We are joined by host of the “Lions Led By Donkeys” podcast, Joe Kassabian, to discuss his upcoming gunpowder fantasy novel, “The Highlands Burn.”

What is gunpowder fantasy? Where are all the Armenians in sword and sorcery? How do you build an interesting magic system? All this and more in this fantastic interview!

Pre-order “The Highlands Burn”

Listen to Lions Led By Donkeys

Become a Workers’ Lit patron!

Sure, we have our beefs with the internet, but did you know a lot of powerful people are working extremely hard to make the internet even worse?

On today’s episode Cameron, aka Much Like Your Posting joins us to discuss efforts to repeal internet protection law Section 230 and other attempts at online censorship.

It’s a tricky issue, but that’s never stopped us from yapping before!

Check out MLYP’s work!

Become a Workers’ Lit Patron!

Sources:

https://www.eff.org/issues/cda230

https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/12/graham-leads-bill-to-sunset-section-230-immunity-protect-americans-online

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3546/cosponsors

We’re back to talk about EVEN MORE QUEER HORROR.

We are joined by brilliant author and returning guest Lee Mandelo to discuss Dolki Min’s 2023 novel, “Walking Practice.” If you’re queer, this book will be highly relatable to you. If you’re a shapeshifting monster from space who eats humans it will also seem familiar. All others will have to imagine.

We discuss the challenges and beauty of translation, the complicated nature of our unreliable bodies, and maybe even trauma dump a little.

Go follow us on Patreon to get access to exclusive content like our April 28th livestream/video episode!

Go learn more about Lee Mandelo and buy his books!!

Sources:

https://m.koreaherald.com/article/3048404

https://www.instagram.com/dolkimin?igsh=MXJlZ3ZjNXRld3dtcA==

After a brief check-in at the top with Tehran Taylor, Jen and Jacob launch into Palantir CEO Alexander Karp's Manifesto, "The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West." More specifically, we look at Palantir's 22 point summary of the text it put out, to a concerning amount of praise from the liberal and conservative establishment alike.