37.6K
Downloads
449
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 Aug 26, 2016
Friday Aug 26, 2016
Episode 29: The Frankenstein Complex - why is 'Fan Fiction' such a dirty word?
Is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery? This week SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan tackle the knotty subject of Fan Fiction. The dragons delve deep and look at the problems, the trials, the ethics and the triumphs in manipulating someone else's creations as opposed to using your own. Looking at personal experiences and poking a petri dish culturing some epic examples such as E.L. James, Cassandra Clare and Trudi Canavan, this episode debates the highs and lows of that branch of fan culture where fans become so impassioned they create their own material.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Aug 19, 2016
Friday Aug 19, 2016
Episode 28: Gobblefunk and Glyphs - creating words in Children's Fantasy
This week the dragons are delighted to welcome back special guest, James Nicol, who they managed to snatch from his whirlwind tour of Britain after the highly successful release of his book - The Apprentice Witch. James shares his expertise on creating words and terms for children's fantasy fiction. On the slab this week, we also have David Eddings, Harry Potter, Roald Dahl and (strangely enough) Shakespeare. It's all about words this week and words are power. Join us for some linguistic magic.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynicfan
Friday Aug 12, 2016
Friday Aug 12, 2016
Episode 27: Harnessing Demons - How Writers use their own faults and insecurities in Writing.
The best examples of all kinds of fiction have an emotional honesty that really connects the readers or viewers to the plot and characters. Where exactly does this depth come from? How can you write and fully utilise your own experiences and failings without turning it into something self-indulgent? How much writing is wish fulfilment? SFF authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside will be delving into these questions this week, with a look at Stephen King, the Bronte sisters, and many others, together with insights into their own bodies of work both published and unpublished. Join the dragons as they discuss how to 'harness your own personal demons'.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Aug 05, 2016
Friday Aug 05, 2016
Episode 26: A Touch of Faust - Changing Goals on your Protagonist and when this works
From the 'Faust' of the title to Greek tragedy and Shakespeare to films by Pixar and Dreamworks, some of the most satisfying storylines involve the main character getting exactly what they want only to discover that the victory is empt. Either they now no longer want what they were questing for or the price they paid to acquire the object of their desire, was so high that it could hardly be called a victory at all. In the petre dish this week, SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan, will be prodding at the story lines and character arcs of Antigone, Faust, Pixar's Cars, Up, Shrek and Toy Story, Stephanie Myer's The Host and Suzanne Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Join the dragons as they look at that strangely filling morsel - the Phyrric victory.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' bu Smiling Cynic
Friday Jul 29, 2016
Friday Jul 29, 2016
Episode 25: Death and All His Friends - Themes of Death, Dying and Grief in Speculative Fiction
Death comes to us all but apparently it wasn't the Dragons' time since He declined a guest spot on the show,. Instead SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan take a look at death in speculative fiction. Why is there so much personification and anthropomorphism of a natural life event? Where does that and concepts like 'Death and the Maiden' date back to? How are death and grief used as motivators (or not) in speculative fiction? On the slab this week Buffy the Vampire slayer, Supernatural, pre-Babylonian and Greek myths about the descent of the goddess to the underworld, Sarah J, Maas' A Court of Mist and Fury and of course, Harry Potter.
Join us for both gallows humour and serious discussion.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jul 22, 2016
Friday Jul 22, 2016
Episode 24: Cognoggins and Clockwork - What makes good Steampunk?
In celebration of the Dragons' 1000th download, we held a competition offering a guest spot on the show as a prize. Our winner, Amelia McKenzie, joins us this week to talk about all things Steampunk.Looking at the origins of steampunk, before it was even a recognised term, in nineteenth century fiction, travelling on through time to the creation of the term and finally arriving in the now, where modern steampunk is more diverse, progressively minded and inclusive than ever, this episode examines a genre made of leftover pieces of other genres but has emerged as something brighter and, in many ways, stronger. This week's dissection includes H.G.Wells, Phillip Reeve, the TV show - Penny Dreadful, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, as well as The Earl of Brass series by Kara Jorgenson and Dave Robinson's Doc Vandal series.
Tune in and get your cogs whirring as SFF authors J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan check out this great genre with their special guest.
Title music - 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jul 15, 2016
Friday Jul 15, 2016
Episode 23: Genius Loci - Writing Real World Places in Speculative Fiction
We've all read books that are set around a place you can visit in real life. A lot of Speculative Fiction hangs together so well because it uses elements of the mundane as a structure on which to hang the fantastical. So what exactly separates the mediocre offerings from books that evoke a place so vividly, you feel you were there? SFF authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside settle in for an examination of what makes 'the spirit of the place' and how do you evoke it in your own writing. On the slab this week Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkin's Series, Tales of the Wyrd Museum by Robin Jarvis and good look at why London is such a difficult yet rewarding beast to write.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jul 08, 2016
Friday Jul 08, 2016
Episode 22:Once More Around the Sun - Celebrating Terrible Birthdays in Speculative Fiction
On a lighter note this week, the dragons take a look at birthdays in speculative fiction. Just why exactly do SFF characters have such dreadful birthdays? Looking at birthdays traditions juxtaposed with apocalypses and tragedy, SFF authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside examine the Bad Birthday phenomenon. In this week's teeming petri dish: Harry Potter, Buffy the Vamire Slayer, The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle, Christopher Pike and many more. Tune in for much hilarity regarding that strangest of festal occasions - the birthday.
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jul 01, 2016
Friday Jul 01, 2016
Episode 21: Down with the Empire - exploring political themes in YA Speculative Fiction
This week, the dragons take on the many different forms of government and rulership, examining how they are portrayed in YA speculative fiction - and what this means regarding the world we live in and the youth who will inherit it. Under the microscope this week: George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984, Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen, Erika Johannson's Queen of the Tearling, Star Wars and Maria V Snyder's Poison Study Series. Featuring co-hosts and SFF writers J.A.Ironside and M.E.Vaughan
Title music: 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic
Friday Jun 24, 2016
Friday Jun 24, 2016
Episode 20: Clash of the Titans - Superheroes vs Superheroes
Opening music; 'Ecstasy' by Smiling Cynic