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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 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
Friday Oct 27, 2017
Friday Oct 27, 2017
Episode 89: A Night at the Overlook Hotel - Haunted Houses in Speculative Fiction (and their real life counterparts.)
Hallowe'en Special
Haunted houses are a staple of the gothic, mystery and horror stripes of speculative fiction, as well as having origins in folk tales. What is it about the haunting of dwelling places in particular that both fascinates and repels? Why the fear that the place where traditionally we should be most safe, is in fact subject to malign influences? This week the dragons delve into the mindset behinf haunted houses. On the slab this week; Rose Red, The Shining and Dr Sleep by Stephen King, A Head full of Ghosts by perter Trembley, The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters and the Exorcism of Emily Rose. Happy Hallowe'en!
Title Music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 13, 2017
Friday Oct 13, 2017
Episode 88: Heavenly Hosts and Fallen Fiends - the Angelic Being in
Speculative Fiction
This week the dragons delve in to the myths and legends surrounding angels and angelic beings. From the quabalah and bliblical myth to the depiction of divine beings in modern TV, SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan explore how goodness can also be terrible. On the slab this week: Lucifer, Hellblazer, Supernatural, Fallen by Kim Wilkins and that old classic by Milton, Paradise Lost.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 06, 2017
Friday Oct 06, 2017
Episode 87: Losing the Plot - Revamping, Recycling and Reusing your Writing
This week the dragons return to the subject of writing itself. It is often said that as writers, no writing you do will ever be wasted, but what exactly does this mean? SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan discuss from their own personal experience when they have recycled, revamped or reused their own writing. They also dip into planning versus pantsing versus the snowflake method. Also under examination; accidentally writing extra books - when characters take over. How does this happen and why? And what do you do about it? How do you deal with too much plot or too much subplot? Join for a funny and utterly honest discussion.
Title music: Ecstacy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Sep 29, 2017
Friday Sep 29, 2017
Episode 86: Leches, Perverts and Peepin Toms - Attitudes to Sexual Depravity in Speculative Fiction
Tropes - narrative devices that characterise particular genres of fiction - are usually good things, afterall what's wrong with giving your readers more of what they want? However the dragons would argue that certain tropes are outdated and potentilly harmful for normlising ot playing for laughs attitudes that really need to be addressed. One such trope is that of the lecherous but otherwise inoffensive (in actions at least) mentor character and all of his ilk. This character is the sly voyuer, the author of unwanted but 'harmless' groping. A particularly prevalent character in anime and comic books. This week sff authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside take a look at various examples in speculative fiction, examining what this says about out attitudes to sex and sexual harrassment. On the slab this week; Full Metal Alchemist, Dragon Ball Z, Kushiel's Avatar - Jacqueline Carey and The Thief with no Shadow - Emily Gee, as well as Marvel, DC and other comic book universes as a whole.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic