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September 17, 2025 36 mins

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Hello Happy People,

In this week’s episode of Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt – Book Talk Podcast, I share my chat with award-winning science fiction author and microbiologist Joan Slonczewski. Known for weaving real science into imaginative worlds, Joan’s novels explore everything from microbial intelligence to feminist futures.

Her latest book, Minds in Transit, takes readers into the dazzling city of Iridis, where human lords, sentient machines, and microbial minds shape society in unexpected ways. But as artist Chrys works with her microbial partners to design a new city, cracks appear in her creations—and soon the balance of an entire world is at risk.

Beyond her fiction, Joan is a dedicated scientist who publishes research with undergraduates on bacterial pH stress and cold-adapted microbes from Antarctica. She also teaches courses in microbiology, virology, and biology in science fiction, blending scientific discovery with imaginative storytelling in the classroom. Her work is truly fascinating!

Join us for a captivating conversation about the intersections of science, imagination, and storytelling. Joan shares insights from her research, award-winning fiction, and the inspiration behind her work.

Joan's Website

Joan's Publications

Joan in Antarctica 

Joan's Wikipedia Page

Buy Minds in Transit

Joan on Amazon

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