Interview with Sasha E. Sloan, author of The Ruins Beneath Us

Book Talk for BookTok

Cloud10

Arts, Books

4.8 • 642 Ratings

🗓️ 13 March 2026

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this special interview episode of Book Talk for BookTok, we sit down with author and storyteller Sasha E. Sloan to discuss her debut YA fantasy novel, The Ruins Beneath Us. Known for her viral storytelling on TikTok and the fan-favorite series Noble House of Black, Sasha shares how her transition from digital creator to traditionally published author shaped the world, characters, and themes of her novel. Together, we explore the heart of the story: a coming-of-age journey centered on autonomy, family legacy, and the weight of the choices our parents make before we’re old enough to understand them. Sasha also pulls back the curtain on crafting the book’s emotionally layered love triangle, building complex characters like the brooding Cygnus and determined Finn, and reimagining Elvish lore in a way that feels both classic and refreshingly new for YA fantasy readers. We also talk about the current state of the YA genre, what Sasha hopes to see more of in the space, and how she plans to push the genre forward in future books. If you love fantasy worlds, complicated character dynamics, and conversations about the deeper themes shaping today’s YA storytelling, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. How to participate: Send your theories and spicy takes by commenting on this episode, DMing us, or using the form on our website. The Subtext Society Journal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We’re thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We’re publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. Sponsor: Vionic Use code BOOKTALK at checkout for 15% off your entire order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vionicshoes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ when you log into your account. 1 time use only. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. Support the Show: Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Etsy Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	What I've dedicated my life to is revenge. A brand new drama based on the best-selling novel. They think they're better than us. Who do you think you are? I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong. She's punishing me. You destroyed my family. I will not rest until I've destroyed yours. A woman of substance on Channel 4 starts tonight at 9. Hi, I'm Taylor and I'm Kendra.
0:22.5	We are the host of Camp Chaos, where we celebrate the wild ride of modern womanhood.
0:26.7	We are moms, but also so much more than that.
0:29.3	Join us as we dish on motherhood, life's ups and downs, and all things pop culture that we know you want to talk about.
0:35.1	With special guests and expert insights, we're here to empower you through the chaos of everyday life.
0:40.4	Consider this your ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle.
0:43.4	And as always, parental guidance suggested.
0:45.9	Listen to Camp Chaos wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Book Talk for Book Talk with Jack and Amy.
1:03.3	Your besties with the literary podcast that deep dives into your favorite novels.
1:07.6	This is Jack.
1:08.5	And I'm Amy.
1:09.7	And today, we're excited to interview Sasha E. Sloan,
1:13.1	author of the debut novel The Ruins Beneaths. Sasha created the popular TikTok series Noble House
1:19.1	of Black and is known for humorous skits, sharp media commentary and chirpy personality. She grew up
1:26.1	in the Utah Mountains and studied political science at
1:29.5	BYU before moving to New York City where she now resides. Welcome to the podcast, Sasha.
1:36.4	Welcome. Thank you so much. I'm very happy to be here. Thank you. The day that we're recording
1:41.6	this, is this pub day? It is publishing day. I actually just got back
1:45.7	from Barnes & Noble to go see my book in the store for the first time, cried, like ugly Kim
1:50.2	Kardashian type tears. It felt like sweet, beautiful, tender influencer tears. Like, it was cute.
1:56.1	Yeah. And then right after this, I'll get into a car and head to Ridgewood, New Jersey for my first
2:01.4	launch event. I'm so sorry. Oh, my God. Well, thank you so much for fitting us in. Like, that's incredible. As we were doing this and prepping, I'm like, wait a minute, today's the third. How was she making time? So very much appreciate you, taking time and talking to us for everything, because the ruins beneath us, man.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Cloud10, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Cloud10 and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.