Scarlett Drake on Writing Oleander: Behind the MM Romance Phenomenon

About this episode

Declan and Silvan are joined by one of the most talked-about voices in MM romance. In this special interview, we're joined by bestselling author Scarlett Drake to discuss the phenomenal success of Oleander, her haunting queer reimagining of Great Expectations.  Scarlett shares the twelve-year journey that took her from posting fanfiction on Wattpad to becoming one of the genre's most celebrated independent authors, and how self-publishing changed her life. We take a deep dive into Oleander, exploring the inspiration behind the novel, its gothic atmosphere, the symbolism of the title, and the complex relationship between Jude and Cas. Scarlett opens up about writing morally complicated characters, depicting trauma responsibly, and why she believes Cass deserves empathy despite his flaws. We also discuss readers' divided reactions to the ending, the challenges of adapting classic stories for a modern queer audience, and the lasting influence of The Song of Achilles and A Little Life. Scarlett also gives us an exciting first look at her next project: a dark, gothic MM retelling of a popular classic. We chat about her writing process, visualising scenes like films, bala