Fiction Fans

Your hosts discuss the differences between writing for the screen, the stage, and the page with Andrew Cartmel, whose repertoire includes all of the above. They also talk about writing original work in contrast with existing IP like Doctor Who, and collaborative vs individual projects.  Find more from Andrew: https://reclaimedradio.com/shows/andrew-cartmel/ https://www.instagram.com/vinyldetective...

Your hosts read The Color of Magic, the first Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. They talk about their own familiarity with the series, give the advice to not start with book 1 if you're starting to read the series, and compare how different the structure is for this story compared to the rest of the series.  Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for th...

Your hosts are joined by Atlin Merrick, editor at Improbable Press, to talk about tips for submissions, common missteps writers make when talking with publishers, what the editing process is like from their side, and the joys of fanfiction. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Pari...

Your hosts read Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. They discuss the book's emotionally satisfying tone despite all of the content warnings (really, all of them), post-apocalyptic fantasy settings, and how great Luyu is. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodwa...

Your hosts return to Tel-Bastet, the city of cats, in Lynn Strong’s Middle-Eastern-inspired cozy fantasy novel Chai and Charmcraft. They talk about romance focused character exploration, cat-based worlds, and cozy conflict. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodwar...

In an unintentionally timely coincidence, your hosts discuss visiting the moon in First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston. They talk about disability representation, the fun blend of magic and scifi, and how much they liked Whitlaw Goddard. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de P...

Your hosts discuss the perils of mood reading, romance as an impetus for character growth, and the perfectly paced character reveals in Shake Out the Ghosts by Al Hess. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunrise” Licensed under Crea...

Your hosts discuss The Curse of Dragon Tail Island by Jonathan Nevair. They talk about characters that defy stereotypes, multi-villain plots, and the price of ambition. They also cover some of their favorite moments. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for t...

Your hosts are joined by Michael Vadney to discuss his debut novel, Crownfall. They talk about the different flavors of Dark Fantasy, character arcs in the New Adult genre, and how the different types of trust form the core of Crownfall’s story. Find more from Michael: https://michaelvadney.com/ Author Adjacent Podcast Bluesky Instagram  Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the fol...

Your hosts read Hazelhearth Hires Heroes by D.H. Willison, and immediately realized their unfamiliarity with both the Isekai (portal fantasy) and LitRPG genres. They also talked about high-stakes danger in fantasy adventures and the evolving relationships between both main and secondary characters. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their so...

Your hosts are joined by Andrew Rubin to discuss his novel Hell or High Winter. They talk about Greek (and Mormon, and more) mythology, the highs and lows of retellings, and sibling dynamics. They are also, briefly, interrupted by pugs. Find more from Andrew here . Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Séré...

Your hosts attempt to discuss Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die by Greer Stothers in a non-spoilery way, before giving up and moving on to the spoiler section. They talk about the fun twists, killing god, and the excellent romance. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - J...

Your hosts get a little political with The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. They compare it to some of her other Earthsea series, enjoy the overall humanitarian message, and point out a few (startlingly few) areas where it didn't age as well. Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of...

Your hosts read the Kin Enigma by Darrel Miller, a hard scifi take on werewolves fit for Crichton fans. They discuss the realism of the novel, complex character motivations, and what they would have liked to see more (and less) of in the story. Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Elec...

Your hosts are joined by Stark Holborn to talk about her novella For the Road. They discuss acid westerns, inspirational songs, and Gaulish mythology. Find more from Stark: https://starkholborn.com/ https://www.patreon.com/starkholborn Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the use of “Electric Sunr...

Your hosts are joined by staff artist, spouse, and resident Warhammer expert Daniel for a follow up conversation about The Infinite and the Divine, a Warhammer 40k tie-in novel by Robert Rath. They talk about how the reading experience is different for someone who actually plays the game it's based on, and Danny teaches them a little bit more about 40k. They also debate the most important que...

Your hosts read "This is How You Lose the Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Lilly really ought to have known it was a love story. Sara vibed with the whimsy. They also talk about Time Travel Shenanigans, plot to vibe ratios, and the appeal of rereading novellas. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià...

Your hosts read Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, a novella about robots starting a noodle shop in near-future San Francisco. They debate if it can be called cyberpunk (kinda) or cozy (also kinda), and how the scifi setting opens up conversations around familiar situations. Your hosts also talk about naive robots and surprising pacing. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the fol...

Your hosts delve into the grimdark (ish) world of Warhammer 40k with The Infinite and the Divine, a tie-in novel by Robert Rath. They discuss their familiarity with the world (next to none) and how approachable the book was for newbies. They also talk about the ratio of academic rivalry to fight scenes, the complex relationship between main characters, and what this book revealed about their readi...

Your hosts discuss "500k/MO!! as EPIC-POET! by Vincent “Vinnie The Weasel” Vulpikonek - Introduction by Mister C.N. Sumbvert (Mentor-Helpmeet-Editor-At-Largess™)" by Chris Sumberg, a satirical take on those writing advice books (you know the kind). They discuss the intentionally trying narrative voice and whether or not non-writers will enjoy it, and try their very best to not just repea...

Your hosts talk about 2025! What they read, what they read the most of, and what categories could use some more love. They also award superlatives to their recent reads (including "book they argued the most about" and “setting they would die instantly in”). Your hosts then discuss plans for the podcast in 2026, and how the second half of the year will be "no plans, vibes only."...

Your hosts read No One to Hold the Distant Dead by K.L. Schroeder. They discuss the somber nature of the novella, the use of “likes animals” as a shorthand for “good character,” and debate if it has an optimistic ending. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward f...

Your hosts read Audition for the Fox, Martin Cahill's fable-esque novel from Tachyon Publications. They discuss what exactly left them with the fable vibe, whether or not all of the characters were fursonas (spoiler: they weren't, Lilly just misread), and how a little bit of moral complexity goes a long way. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for...

Your hosts read City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley. Lilly realizes she grossly misinterpreted the back of the book, while Sara declares it a contender for favorite read of the year. They also talk about the line between Fantasy and Magical Realism, and family drama. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: -...

Your hosts discuss The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar, chosen for this episode by their supporters on Patreon. They talk about space magic in SciFi, unjust systems, and degrees of betrayal. Find us on Discord / Support us on Patreon Thanks to the following musicians for the use of their songs: - Amarià for the use of “Sérénade à Notre Dame de Paris” - Josh Woodward for the u...