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Episodes
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 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
Friday Nov 24, 2017
Friday Nov 24, 2017
Episode 93: Damnation, Retribution and Redemption - Hell Planes and Purgatory in Speculative Fiction
The idea of hell and eternal punishment is rich fodder for the writer of speculative fiction but just where does this idea really come from? Is it entirely a religious centric idea or did it originate in a far older human need for a different archetype? This week the dragons look at the deep seated human desire for retribution, at the 'punishments fitting crimes' with a brief tour through the new trend of 'public execution' via twitter. How is this reflected in speculative fiction and what does this tell us about our ability to process our desire for revenge and punishment? On the slab this week - Preacher, Lucifer, Dante's The Divine Comedy and Thomas Moore's Utopia.
Title Music - Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 17, 2017
Friday Nov 17, 2017
Episode 92: Blood Drinkers and Psychic Thieves - the Vampire in Speculative Fiction
This week the dragons revisit the subject of vampires - that popular staple of paranormal romance and YA urban fantasy - with a view to examining the origins of the creature in the original myths and legends. Today's vampire of popular culture bears little resemblance to it's mythological forebear. From Romani myths of Revanants and Mulo to the Spiritualist movements 'Psychic Vampire', vampiric entities have dramatically changed as new generations put their own spin on an archetypal evil. Under the microscop this week Bram Stoker's Dracula, Dr Sleep by Stephen King, and sneak peek at J.A.Ironside's fourth Unveiled nook - I Rule the Night. Be warned - these vampires do not sparkle.
Title music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 10, 2017
Friday Nov 10, 2017
Episode 91: Evil Twins and Partners in Crime - Siblings in Speculative Fiction and Real Life
The sibling dynamic is unlike any other friendship/ enmity and has often been explored in various different ways in speculative fiction. Whether it's a way of reveal what an MC's minor character trait would be like taken to extremes or introducing the perfect foil in a minor character, siblings and twins in particular are rich fodder for writers. Drawing on their own experiences as well as a host of books and films, SFF writers J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan look at the ways sibling relationships are explored to deepen and enrich stories. On the slab this week: Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Gravity Falls and Thor: Ragnorok.
Title Music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 03, 2017
Friday Nov 03, 2017
Episode 90: Yay or Neigh - Horses, Pegasus and Kelpies in Speculative Fiction
Horses and horse-like creatures play an important part in folk lore across many cultures. From the terrifying Each Uisge to the fierce Unicorn, from the Red Hare to Embarr, horses have fascinated us, bcoming archetypes that stood for power, wealth, the forces of nature - especially wind and tide, and of passage between world. This week, the dragons take a swift tour through horsey myths and legends and their cunerparts in modern speculative fiction. In the luidi circensus this week - The Little White Horse, the tale of Sleipnir, the Water Horse and many more.
Title Music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic