Welcome to the Punchbowl, an interview segment about playing Dungeons and Dragons in 2017 and beyond. We talk to people who are pushing the game forward - creatively, communally, socially, just doing good work. Today we sit down with Jess Zimmerman, editor at Electric Literature and writer of the Role Monsters essay series. We talk about finding female personality in monsters, D&D’s rebirth in popular culture and owlbear taxonomy. Find her at @j_zimms on Twitter or anywhere you see her byline. Check out the articles mentioned in the interview below! The Role Monsters essay series - http://bit.ly/2BgcQBk Join the Party article in Electric Literature - http://bit.ly/2k3fkQ8 The first Community D&D episode - https://www.hulu.com/watch/212754 How Did A Bunch Of Mythical Monsters Become Queer Icons? By John Paul Brammer - http://bzfd.it/2k4m5RO The Uncanny Resurrection of Dungeons & Dragons By Neima Jahromi - http://bit.ly/2iV2Cj9 This episode of Join the Party is produced and edited by Eric Silver. Mixed by Brandon Grugle.   Find Us Online - website: jointhepartypod.com - patreon: patreon.com/jointhepartypod - twitter: twitter.com/jointhepartypod - facebook: facebook.com/jointhepartypod - instagram: instagram.com/jointhepartypod - tumblr: jointhepartypod.tumblr.com - merch: jointhepartypod.com/merch - music: brandongrugle.bandcamp.com   Cast & Crew - Dungeon Master: Eric Silver - TR8c (Tracey): Brandon Grugle - Inara Harthorn: Amanda McLoughlin - Johnny B. Goodlight: Michael Fische - Creative Contributors: Connor McLoughlin, Julia Schifini, Heddy Hunt - Multitude: multitude.productions   About Us Join the Party is a collaborative storytelling and roleplaying podcast. That means four friends create a story together, chapter by chapter, that everyone from seasoned players to true beginners can enjoy. Where else can you get adventure, intrigue, magic, drama, and lots of high fives all in one place? Right here. After each episode we sit down for the Afterparty, where we break down our game and answer your questions about how to play Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplaying games at home. We also have the Punchbowl, an interview series with people pushing D&D forward creatively, communally and socially. It’s a party, and you’re invited! Find out more at jointhepartypod.com.