Apple has been intensively marketing its new Vince Gilligan sci-fi show, Pluribus, introducing various elements that blur the lines between its quirky, semi-apocalyptic world and our reality. (We haven’t received any saliva-drenched donuts yet, but our PO box remains open.) We’ve previously discussed how Apple used its Apple Books service to release a genuine chapter from Bloodsong Of Wycaro, the romantasy book promoted by Rhea Seehorn’s character Carol Sturka as the series begins. Apple has now granted a select group of internet users a chance to interact directly with “Carol,” hosting an AMA for the author on its TVPlus subreddit this past Friday.

There’s something irresistibly intriguing about events like this, primarily because we’re eager to discover how much supervision is involved with each response, whether by the creative team or the legal department. In this instance, the fictional Carol kept the conversation light, avoiding any ominous hints about the Joining or other transformative events from the series. (The AMA apparently occurs around the time of the pilot episode, as Carol is finishing her book tour for Bloodsong.) The participating fans played along nicely, focusing on in-story details such as why the book’s hero, Raban, is missing from the cover, and they avoided bombarding her with repetitive requests for more “Carols.” They also delved into more substantial questions, like the speculation that Raban was initially written as a female character; Carol’s choice to conceal her sexuality to cater to the straight-laced expectations of her romantasy audience is a recurring source of tension in the first four episodes of the show.

But really, we’re here for the playful nods and the quirky tidbits: “Carol” admits to reading risqué Wycaro fanfiction, mentions real-life romantasy authors like Diana Gabaldon, Sarah J Maas, and Rebecca Yarros, and reveals she once toyed with the idea of setting her novels in a steampunk-infused Tudor England. She’s also perplexed by inquiries about whether she has a lawyer in Albuquerque, though she remarks that she used to write in a “wonderful old diner” in the city, which seems to nod to the frequently seen Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad location, Loyola’s Family Diner.

You can explore the full AMA here, or simply sift through Carol’s specific responses at this link.