Entertainment Editor/Digital Director

Erik Pedersen

A native Southern Californian who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona and Claremont Graduate University, Erik has worked as a digital and print journalist in the area for more than two decades.

Location: Monrovia, California, USA

An image from the book “Godzilla: The First 70 Years” by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski. (Courtesy of Abrams)

At 70, Godzilla keeps on smashing expectations, buildings

July 18, 2025 at 10:20 a.m.

Steve Ryfle, co-author with Ed Godziszewski of 'Godzilla: The First 70 Years,' discusses the monster and its movies over the years.

Ken Concepcion and his wife Michelle Mungca at their cookbook store, Now Serving, in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

LA’s Now Serving cookbook bookstore has a recipe for renewal after the fires

July 11, 2025 at 12:49 p.m.

In the Book Pages newsletter this week, cookbooks, memories and the work one store is doing to replace what was lost in the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Comic book creator Jeff Lemire is the author of a new illustrated memoir, “10,000 Ink Stains,” out in stores July 15. (Courtesy of Dark Horse)

Comics legend Jeff Lemire on ‘10,000 Ink Stains,’ DC & Marvel, and creative freedom

July 15, 2025 at 4:19 p.m.

His illustrated memoir arrives in stores on July 15.

Statue of Liberty on background of sunset sky. (Getty Images)

Books on the Fourth of July: A mix of (mostly) fiction for the holiday heat

July 4, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.

Looking for something to read in between the barbecues and fireworks? Try this mix of novels, short stories, poetry and more.

Mark Sarvas is the author of “Harry, Revised” and “Memento Park,” and his latest novel is “@UGMAN.” (Photo credit Yanina Gotsulsky / Courtesy of Itna Press)

Mark Sarvas on his new novel and the books he recommends most frequently

July 4, 2025 at 9:58 a.m.

The author, who hosted the book blog The Elegant Variation, says '@UGMAN' is an updated re-telling of 'Notes from Underground.'

Adrian Tchaikovsky is the author of many books, most recently “Bee Speaker.” (Photo credit Tom Pepperdine / Courtesy of Head of Zeus, an AdAstra Book)

When Adrian Tchaikovsky’s gallbladder ‘basically exploded,’ a book series helped his recovery

June 30, 2025 at 6:05 p.m.

In the Book Pages Q&A, the science-fiction and fantasy writer answers questions about the books in his life.

Some recently published nonfiction graphic literature. (Courtesy of Dark Horse, Drawn & Quarterly, Ten Speed Graphic, Abrams Comic Arts, Pantheon, Fantagraphics, Gallery 13)

8 graphic nonfiction books that use comics to unlock memoir, history and more

June 27, 2025 at 1:08 p.m.

Guy Delisle, Jeff Lemire, Kay Sohini, Joanna Rubin Dranger, Chris Thompson and more have compelling graphic novels based in real-life events.

An image from “Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day” by Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett. (Courtesy of Candlewick Press)

‘Trans History’ co-creator Andrew Eakett talks ‘devastating’ Supreme Court decision

June 20, 2025 at 3:42 p.m.

The YA graphic novel by the author and his co-creator, Alex L. Combs, aims to dispel myths and misinformation about trans people.

Jonas Hassen Khemiri, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker and other outlets, is the author of six novels, seven plays and numerous essays and short stories. On the faculty at New York University, Khemiri’s latest book is “The Sisters.” (Photo credit Max Burkhalter / FSG)

‘The Sisters’ author Jonas Hassen Khemiri says he was cursed

June 20, 2025 at 3:18 p.m.

In the Book Pages Q&A, the award-winning author shares his favorite books, covers and more.

Book and journal covers from California publishers who were affected by recent NEA cuts. (Courtesy of Transit Books, Red Hen Press, Two Lines Press and Zyzzyva)

The NEA cut their funding. But California’s independent publishers press on

June 23, 2025 at 1:07 p.m.

How Red Hen Press, Transit Books, Two Lines Press and the literary journal Zyzzyva plan to keep going in the face of government funding cuts.

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