Just before the fantastic Epic Reads Meet-Up this past September at 57th Street Books, we sat down with celebrated YA author Kristen Ciccarelli and our own (National Book Award finalist) Franny Billingsley, who mentored Kristen through the completion of her first novel, The Last Namsara. And it was their first time meeting face-to-face! From why fantasy is an empowering genre to where writers choose to work (hint: bookstores are always close at hand), you can listen in on the conversation right here. Stop by to pick up a signed copy of Ciccarelli’s newest book, The Caged Queen, and receive a free Epic Reads tote bag (while supplies last)!

This post was originally published on Open Stacks.