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Authors J.A. Ironside and M.E. Vaughan talk about books, films and all aspects of speculative fiction, from the nuts and bolts of writing it, to its (occasionally) obscure origins.
Episodes
Friday Feb 02, 2018
Friday Feb 02, 2018
Episode 103: Best Served Cold - Revenge Arcs in Speculative Fiction
This week Madeleine and Jules delve into the shadiest of character motivations - the revenge arc. We've all seen it at the beginning of a fantasy novel. If the quest doesn't get going when a boy is handed a magic sword, then the MC sees someone they love murdered in front of them and swears vengence upon the perpetrator. In the dragons opinion there are revenge arcs that really work...and those that really don't. Join us as we examine why that is. Cooling on the slab this week - Batman (of course), Maria V Snyder's Glass Series, Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and many more.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jan 26, 2018
Friday Jan 26, 2018
Episode 102: Squibs and Mundanes - Disability Representation in Speculative Fiction
This week the dragons explore the growing trend towards exploring physical and mental disability within the context of speculative fiction. An important movement which has gained traction over the last few years, it has certainly had some ups and downs. Drawing on their own personal experiences both with disability and with writing representative characters, Jules and Madeleine match this against popular examples in the genre, examining where the representation has worked and where it hasn't and why. On the slab this week - Carve the Mark - Veronica Roth, Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them (and by extension Harry Potter), Six of Crows- Leigh Bardugo and Ironside's Unveiled Series.
Title Music - Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jan 19, 2018
Friday Jan 19, 2018
Episode 101: Back on the Broom - More Enchanting Children's Fiction
This week, the dragons are delighted to welcome back children's author, James Nichol. The Apprentice Witch , James' first book, was released 7th July 2016 and was a huge hit. In the year and a bit since he's been very busy working on the next book in the series and has come back on the show to tell Jules and Madeleine what he's been up too. This episode looks at mid-grade children's fantasy (aka older junior fiction) and just why it is such an important contribution to library, classroom and bedroom bookshelves. What should good children's fantasy be able to do and what is probably best avoided? In the cauldron this week - The Apprentice Witch & A Witch Alone (of course), Dianna Wynne Jones, Who Let the Gods Out? - Mazz Evans, A Girl of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave and many more.
(Read the first chapter of A Witch Alone)
Title music: Ecstasy - Smiling Cynic
Friday Jan 12, 2018
Friday Jan 12, 2018
Episode 100: So You Want to be a Writer? - Celebrating 100 Episodes of Dissecting Dragons
In this anniversary episode, the dragons take a short stroll back through the previous 100 episodes and look at just how far they've come on their own writing journeys. SFF writers Jules and Madeleine ahve learned a lot since starting this podcast in February 2015 and there are plenty of tips, tricks and pearls of wisdom on all aspects of writing and publishing, but especially on those writing within speculative fiction.
A huge thank you for all those who have supported us over the last (almost) two years. This episode is for you.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jan 05, 2018
Friday Jan 05, 2018
Episode 99: Long Live the Resistance - The Problem of Magical Revolution in Speculative Fiction
Speculative fiction has long been the perfect place to debate - via written word or screen - the dynamics of power and the appropriation of the same. One of the most commonly used metaphors is magic. And one of the most commonly used situations, especially in YA pec fic, is a radical overhaul of the status quo in which a group of 'others' are oppressed and then rise to challenge the system. The dragons love a good revolution as much as the next fantasy fans but there are times when you have to ask yourself what exactly is the story saying? Because magic equals power, and if the oppressed group have power then why are they oppressed? Could it be that unconsciously the love of a good resistance style plot occasionally means that authors punch down instead of up? SFF authors Jules and Madeleine take a look at where this works and where it clearly doesn't. Under the microscope this week - The Black Magician Series - Trudi Canavan, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Red Queen Series - Victoria Aveyard, Gilded Cage - Vic James and many more.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Dec 29, 2017
Friday Dec 29, 2017
Episode 98: In Review: 2017 - the Good, the Bad and the Weird
Happy New Year to all of our Listeners!
In their end of year episode, the dragons reflect on their favourite and not so favourite parts of 2017, both personal and in the realms of speculative fiction. Looking at growing trends in terms of diversity representation and how a lot of main stream sff now includes non-preachy, subtle but tangible messages on questioning yourself and decency, Madeleine and Jules settle in to chat about their top picks for books and films over the last year. On the slab this week - Thor Ragnarok, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Nevernight - Jay Kristoff, Red Sister - Mark Lawrence and Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo, as well as many more.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Dec 22, 2017
Friday Dec 22, 2017
Episode 97: Cheese and Crackers - Our Favourite Bad Christmas Films
This year the dragons decided to take a step away from looking at the origin or yuletide myths and winter tales and traditions to look at the phenomenon of the 'Chritmas film'. A light hearted, tongue in cheek romp through the received favourite Christmas films - both their own and those most popular with others. On the carving board this week - Gremlins, Home Alone, Die Hard, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and of course A Muppets Christmas Carol.
Title music - Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Dec 15, 2017
Friday Dec 15, 2017
Episode 96: Fanfiction Revisited - Cassie Clare, 50 Shades and the Next Big Seller.
This week, the dragons delve back into the realms of fanfiction, looking at fanfic as a platform for generating an audience, a training ground for writers and a fun way of engaging with your favourite characters. Fanfiction is also a way for writers to engage with readers in order to find out what they want to see in your original fiction. However fanfiction has some murkier waters leading to cries of plagiarism, difficulties for established authors and the common trend of trial via twitter.
Title Music - Ecstasy by Smilin Cynic
Friday Dec 08, 2017
Friday Dec 08, 2017
Episode 95: The Horse's Point of View - Gender Politics in Speculative Fiction
This week the dragons dive into the murky and contentious waters of gender politics in sff. The demand for representation of female characters as more than 'girls in refridgerators', sexy lamps and fallen temptresses has been loud for some time. A recent upsurge in gender issues explored through science fiction and fantasy has given us more diverse and rounded male characters too. With examples from speculative fiction over the last twenty years or so, the dragons look at what has changed and what still needs to. On the slab this week - Sleeping Beauties by Stephen and Owen King, Indiana Jones, Star Wars and many more.
Title music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Episode 94: Inner Space - Altered Realities in Speculative Fiction
Ever had the feeling that what you're seeing when you look at the world isn't what everyone else is seeing? That maybe there is a deeper 'truth' or that certain facets are being hidden from you? This sort of speculation isn't unsual and is explored best in science fiction (in the dragons' opinion). This week SFF authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside will be taking a dive down the rabbit hole to look at the exploration of alternate realities and shifted perceptions in speculative fiction. On the slab this week; Legion, The Matrix, Ready Player One, The Iron Dragon's Daughter - Michael Swanwick and many more.
Join us for a twisty, mind-bendy ride.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic