Podcast Summary: Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club

Episode: "Raegan Revord Isn’t Your Typical Gen Z Author"

Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Danielle Robay
Featured Guests: Eliana Ramage, Raegan Revord

Overview

This episode of Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club delivers a double feature with two conversations spotlighting debut women authors:

• Eliana Ramage, author of the month's Reese’s Book Club pick, To the Moon and Back—a moving story blending Native and sexual identity with dreams of space.
• Raegan Revord, Gen Z actor turned author, who discusses her first YA novel, Rules for Fake Girlfriends, and her experiences balancing fame, writing, and navigating coming-of-age themes relevant to young people today.

Both discussions reveal the thoughtful motivations, real-world influences, and hopes these writers have for their books and readers, with host Danielle Robay offering a warm, energetic tone and facilitating insightful Q&A throughout.

Segment 1: September Reese’s Book Club Pick with Eliana Ramage

[02:21–13:11]

Main Theme

Eliana Ramage introduces her debut novel, To the Moon and Back, a contemporary coming-of-age family saga centering on Native (Cherokee) and sexual identity, generational legacy, and the exploration of space as both metaphor and motivation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Author’s Publication Day Traditions

  • Eliana talks about keeping a box of her books secret (having the Reese's Book Club seal) to surprise her parents and plans to celebrate publication day with family brunch.
    • “I want to have them over and open the box and tell them. I’m really, really excited about that.” — Eliana Ramage [04:16]

• Book Synopsis

  • Eliana summarizes the novel’s story:
    • Follows Steph, a young woman aspiring to be the first Cherokee astronaut.
    • Themes of belonging—to self, family, people, and community.
    • Interweaves love, ambition, intergenerational responsibilities, and identity.
    • “It is a coming of age novel about the power of belonging to ourselves, our families, our people, and one another.” — Eliana Ramage [04:59]

• On Space as Inspiration

  • Space stands for hope and possibility, group progress, and continuity:
    • “Space represents possibility... What would it mean for us to instead think of space as a continuation? When we go there, we're all going.” — Eliana Ramage [05:53]
    • Eliana doesn’t want the future to mean letting go of what matters.

• Celebrating Cherokee Identity Today

  • The story redefines Cherokee life in a current, global context, away from historical limitations and stereotypes.
    • “I really wanted to write against... this idea of perceived point of authenticity before removal, before the Trail of Tears... that's not true.” — Eliana Ramage [08:02]
    • Space as a symbol for possibilities for being Cherokee today and in the future.

• Personal Journey Learning Cherokee Language

  • Studying Cherokee is challenging but meaningful, especially after the birth of her daughter.
    • “If something matters to me as a mother, I can give what I do have... It's been a path.” — Eliana Ramage [09:42]

• Bookshelf Pairings

  • Would like her novel shelved with titles like Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois, and Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead [10:44].

• Hidden Details From Real Life

  • The first tri-council meeting of the Cherokee bands, a real event, is fictionalized in the novel.
    • “It wasn't thrilling, but it was emotionally very special to get to be there with family and friends.” — Eliana Ramage [11:36]

• Quirky Hypothetical: If Her Book Went To Space

  • Childhood memory of “space ice cream”—actually “Styrofoam with sugar in it”—not appetizing but memorable. [12:24]

Memorable Quotes

• “We just don't know what's next.” — Eliana Ramage on optimism and space [07:36]
• “Cherokee is famously a hard language for English speakers to learn.” — Danielle Robay [08:45]

Notable Timestamped Segments

• [03:06] — September pick announced: To the Moon and Back.
• [04:59] — Book described in “space shuttle countdown” timing.
• [05:53] — Meaning of space in the story.
• [08:58] — Experience learning Cherokee language.

Segment 2: Raegan Revord – Gen Z Author of Rules for Fake Girlfriends

[17:25–49:44]

Main Theme

Raegan Revord, actor (famed as Missy on Young Sheldon) and prolific Gen Z creator, debuts her YA novel, Rules for Fake Girlfriends. She discusses how her multifaceted life and Gen Z perspective inform her writing, how she plays with rom-com tropes, and her message to young readers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Raegan’s Entry Into Writing

  • Grew up writing stories, transition to novel feels natural after years of acting and cinematic storytelling.
    • “I've been writing since I was five... Because of being in the film world, I see things so cinematically, and so I think it helped me being able to write a novel because I did kind of write it more in a… movie cinematic format almost.” — Raegan Revord [21:16]

• Balancing Writing, School, and Acting

  • Managed extremely full schedule: filming, writing, studying, social life, and learning to drive.
    • “All in a 12 hour filming day, I would, like, work, do school, and then work on my book as well. And then also maintaining a normal social life.” — Raegan Revord [22:29]
    • Hiding laptop under the table between takes: “I would literally be in a dinner scene, have my laptop under the table...they would say, cut, pull my computer out, write a little bit, and then hide it.” [22:42]

• Character and Casting

  • Characters are inspired by traits from herself and people she knows.
    • Elements drawn from her life: love of rom-coms, black cat named Circe. [24:11]
    • Fan-casts: Katherine Newton as Charlie, Emily Blunt as the mother, Rachel McAdams for “mom in the family stone”.

• Reinventing Classic Tropes

  • Each chapter centers around a “rom-com rule,” with fresh, sometimes satirical, twists (e.g., protagonist is realistically broke).
    • “I made fun of those tropes… The chapter heading is ‘the heroine is broke but has a stunning apartment,’ and in the chapter, Avery’s decorating her apartment and putting a rug over a little mold spot…” — Raegan Revord [25:16]

• On Gen Z Representation

  • Rejects stereotypes about Gen Z (“phone addicted, slang slinging”), showing individuality, depth, and real diversity among young people.
    • “Every Gen Z, just youth in general, teen, young person—like, they're so unique. And so... in the book, I really wanted to show that... they're all different.” — Raegan Revord [29:34]

• Greek Mythology & Inspirations

  • Deep love of Greek mythology; references abound in the book. [30:43]
    • “Percy Jackson when I was little started it off… and the book Circe by Madeline Miller. Song of Achilles…” — Raegan Revord [31:03]

• Theme: Figuring Yourself Out

  • Central message for readers: it’s okay not to have it all figured out—give it time.
    • “Just give it time. You can’t rush trying to figure something out… trusting that time will answer whatever you're not certain in.” — Raegan Revord [36:37]

• YA Is For Everyone

  • Argues that YA fiction isn’t just for teens—relatable for all ages and can be both nostalgic and educational.
    • “Anyone can read YA because even if you are in your 40s reading about a college student… at some point… you were an 18, 19-year-old… For people who are older reading YA, it could almost be nostalgia.” — Raegan Revord [39:45]

• Advice to Young Writers

  • “Write down everything you see”—capture observation, dialogue, ideas in your notes, and trust your intuition.
    • “My notes app is just full of the most random things… write down any instance… you think you could pull upon later.” — Raegan Revord [42:45]
    • “Trusting your gut… most of the time that little voice is right.” [43:36]

• Book Recommendations for Fall

  • Queen of Faces (“fantasy, so good”), Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang (behind-the-scenes debutante tale), When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven. [45:09]

Memorable Quotes

• “I love England so much. It's my favorite place… if it ever... becomes a movie, I want to film in England.” — Raegan Revord [27:22]
• “If you have a problem with me, text me. And if you don't have my number, you don't have a reason to have a problem with me.” — Tom Holland (quoted by Raegan Revord) [47:04]

Notable Timestamped Segments

• [21:16] — On writing and cinematic storytelling.
• [22:26] — Balancing acting, school, and writing.
• [25:16] — Reinventing classic rom-com tropes.
• [29:34] — Discussion on Gen Z identity and reading habits.
• [36:37] — Takeaway message for readers: trust time to figure things out.
• [42:45] — Advice for new writers.
• [45:09] — Fall book recommendations.

Speed Round: Rapid-Fire Q&A

[48:28–49:37]

A fun, lighthearted round with Raegan Revord:

• Fake dating or enemies to lovers?

  • “Enemies to lovers.” [48:37]

• Coffee shop date or movie date?

  • “Coffee shop date.” [48:43]

• Book dog-eared the most?

  • “Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix.” [48:47]

• Book or snacks for life?

  • “Lifetime supply of books.” [48:55]

• Rule of friendship?

  • “Always do a check-in.” [49:00]

• Best thing about being a writer?

  • “Being able to show someone how to step into someone else’s shoes.” [49:15]

• Book most often gifted?

  • “Midnight Library by Matt Haig.” [49:30]

Notable Quotes

• “I've just been thinking about that a lot. So that's probably what I've bookmarked.” — Raegan Revord on a touching message from a “Young Sheldon” castmate [46:05]
• “The best thing about being a writer is being able to show someone else how to step into someone else's shoes.” — Raegan Revord [49:15]

Takeaways

• Eliana Ramage’s interview is a moving window into the importance of seeing Indigenous and queer identities in contemporary, even futuristic, stories—space as metaphor for both hope and belonging.
• Raegan Revord’s journey is Gen Z in action: ambitious, community-minded, genre-aware, remixing tropes, and bringing hard-won honesty into YA.
• YA is for everyone—not limited by age or generation, and books can nurture or restore confidence at any stage of life.
• Observation and patience—both crucial in writing, creating, and growing up.

Suggested For Listeners Who:

• Love insightful bookish conversations with authors.
• Are interested in Indigenous storytelling and representation.
• Want to see how Gen Z approaches reading, YA writing, and “classic” romance tropes.
• Enjoy practical writing advice from young, relatable voices.

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage and Rules for Fake Girlfriends by Raegan Revord are both available now, and recommended for readers who love layered, contemporary stories with both heart and humor.