Be The Serpent

And here you thought that the Twitter announcement on April Fool's Day about our upcoming shark episode WAS the joke! No! The joke is on us because we had to watch Sharknado for this prank! Also Jaws and Deep Blue Sea.   What We're Into Lately If They Haven't Learned Your Name by silentwalrus Succession The Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon “A Cornstalk Fiddle” by notbecauseofvictories “To Call the Darkness Home” by scioscribe The Heir to the House of Prince by Ada_Lovelaced & elph13 “Aurelius (to be called) Magnus” by Victoria Goddard “Portrait of a Wide Seas Islander” by Victoria Goddard Black Sails Other Stuff We Mentioned Captain America: The Winter Soldier The Thick of It Diana Wynne Jones (author) Dan Brown (author) The Devil Went Down to Georgia (And Then Went Down on Johnny) series by notbecauseofvictories Justified The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Chant series by Alexandra Rowland Alien Overinvested podcast Overinvested's Jaws episode Titanic Jurassic World Jurassic Park Star Wars Watergate scandal Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley The Day After Tomorrow 2012 Sharks In Venice The Meg The “Cows With Guns” YouTube video Freya's Twitter: @freyamarkse A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske A Restless Truth by Freya Marske (sequel to A Marvellous Light, coming out Nov 1st, 2022) Pre-order for A Restless Truth Macey's Twitter: @englishmace “heat death” poem by Jennifer Mace “Silk & Steel” short story anthology (featuring Jennifer Mace & Freya Marske) Alex's Twitter: @_alexrowland A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (coming out Aug 30th, 2022) Alex's website store: alexandrarowland.net/store. The infamous “sharks are smooth as hell” shitpost   Content Warnings Gore (in every tentpole & throughout episode discussion) Body horror (in episode discussion) Sexual harassment (in Sharknado) Misogyny (discussed)   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks to our fabulous scribes for their work!

On this week's episode, we have a two-hour special to answer questions sent in by our darling listeners! Thank you to everyone who has been with us through the last four years! The Great Hiatus begins now, but we will return for at least one more episode next year! Get hype!   What We're Into Lately My Name  Beyond Evil Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers All the Feels by Olivia Dade Frankenstein by Mary Shelley And This, Your Living Kiss by opal_bullets The Courtier's Love Affair (and Other Stories) by tridenture Harlots Bridgerton  The Living and the Dead  Macey's NaNoWriMo Project: The Resurrection Chalice In the Realms of Gold by Victoria Goddard Sword Dance trilogy by AJ Demas Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard Alex's NaNoWriMo Project: Some by Virtue Fall   Other Stuff We've Mentioned Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Supernatural Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Merlin A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian Silk and Steel Our Opinions Are Correct Tales from the Trunk Fated Mates Heaving Bosoms Smart Bitches, Trashy Books Fansplaining The Fantasy Inn Breaking the Glass Slipper Overinvested Campaign Skyjacks Tor.com The Rec Center Pinboard Dragon Age: Inquisition Fantasia in D Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart BtS episode 6 “Cross Your Stars and Hope to Bi” BtS Special Episode Strange Horizons Miss Congeniality BtS episode 80 “Extravaganza” My Hero Academia Yesterday Upon the Stair by PitViperOfDoom BtS episode 98 “[SPOOKY NOISES]” “Bakugou and Todoroki's Foolproof 5-Step Plan to Fuck with Mineta Minoru” by Anubis_2701 Naruto The Witcher (video game) The Witcher (TV) Person of Interest (2011) The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin The Ones Who Stay And Fight by N.K. Jemisin Singing my Sister Down by Margo Lanagan The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Yuri!!! in Space series by Fahye Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland A Sword On Two Fingers by Freya Marske (unpublished) Viable Paradise (writers' workshop) Sam Hawke (Australian author) Jenn Lyons (Author) E. Jade Lomax (Author) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins Welcome to Night Vale podcast The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard astolat Macey's Frozen Meat Salesman Segment Macey's misspent youth Sutton cottage (from A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske) Stars in the marsh (from A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland)   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. We'd like to take this moment to give an extra-special thank you to our team of scribes, who are amazing and meticulous and dedicated and extremely hard-working. Scribes, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're all amazing.

On this week's episode, we're celebrating the release of Freya's debut book by talking about detectives in love! The tentpoles are Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders by Aliette de Bodard, A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske, and the fanfic If Life Was A Movie We'd Have A Better Soundtrack Than This by galaxysoup.   What We're Into Lately  Dark Rise by C. S. Pacat The Saint of Steel series by T. Kingfisher that ruthless love by alherath The Warrior of the Third Veil by Victoria Goddard The Sisters Avramapul series by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat Chant Universe by Alexandra Rowland "You Should Really Be Reading Victoria Goddard's Nine Worlds Series" by Alexandra Rowland Guardian Bones Castle Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy L. Sayers A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland House The Angel of Crows by Katherine Addison Doctor Who The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons Captive Prince series by C. S. Pacat Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold Leverage The X-Files Hannibal Rosemary & Thyme Poirot Hinterland Hot Fuzz Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas Twilight by Stephenie Meyer The Will Darling Adventures by K.J. Charles John le Carré James Bond novels by Ian Fleming Think of England by K.J. Charles An iconic Doctor & Donna scene from Doctor Who Greenwing & Dart series by Victoria Goddard Be the Serpent Episode 33: Turn In Your Badge and Gun! A Private Reason for This by femmequixotic (aka mentioned Harry/Draco case fic) A Dead Djinn In Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman For Next Time None, it's the Extravaganza! Content Warnings Minor fantasy violence in Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders and A Marvellous Light.   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you so much to our wonderful team of scribes for their hard work!

Happy (slightly belated) spooky season, darling listeners! On this week's episode we're talking about afterlife career plans and... well, ghosts! Tentpoles this week are Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, the film Ghost, and the Inception fic, “The Boy Who Spoke With Ghosts” by AvocadoLove.   What We're Into Lately Squid Game The Discord of Gods by Jenn Lyons A Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu My Words Will Be Your Light by Page161of180 The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons Midnight Mass Naruto self-insert fic the name of the game by a_sassin the sun don't shine underground by ultranos Bar Cart Bookshelf How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom The Bride of the Blue Wind by Victoria Goddard “You Should Really Be Reading Victoria Goddard's Nine Worlds Series” by Alexandra Rowland Other Stuff We Mentioned Snowpiercer The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Magicians The Queen's Gambit Avatar: The Last Airbender The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard Bluebeard Inception The Sixth Sense Dead Like Me (2003) The Ghost of You by luchia The Untamed  All that's left of two hearts on fire by Lirelyn  A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens Crimson Peak Be the Serpent Episode 74: Darling, It's Better Down Where It's Wetter Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant Ghostbusters Supernatural Ask a Mortician YouTube channel a tempest, a cyclone, a goddamned hurricane by Dialux Boku no Hiro Akademia Yesterday Upon The Stair by PitViperOfDoom Black Sails the aftershocks remain by pdameron A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland   For Next Time A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske   Content Warnings Some gore in Ghost. Depictions/discussions of death through all tentpoles and the podcast discussion Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our wonderful team of scribes for their work!

On this week's episode, we're discussing music! Musicians! Being gripped by the madness of creation! Selling one's soul for art! The tentpoles this week are the film Amadeus, the fanfic "String Theory" by toft,  and Ryka Aoki's Light from Uncommon Stars.   What We're Into Lately  The Hellion's Waltz by Olivia Waite Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Adderson The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach Compass of thy Soul by Umei_no_Mai Campaign Skyjacks Skyjacks: Couriers Call Hannah Gadsby: Douglas The Wilds ‘In the Company of Gentlemen' by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Leverage The other two Feminine Pursuits books by Olivia Waite Sherlock Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Hollow and Honeycomb by antistar_e The Old Guard Lost The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Stargate: Atlantis Shakespeare in Love Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (“topless towers of Ilium” quote) Maskerade by Terry Pratchett The Phantom of the Opera “Requiem” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band The Devil Went Down to Georgia (And Then Went Down on Johnny) series by notbecauseofvictories Black Swan (2010) Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun Catalyst by Jennifer Mace (unreleased) Scheherazade (character) A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Hamilton (musical) Fall Out Boy (band) Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Soul Music by Terry Pratchett Beatlemania Def Leppard (band) The Velvet Underground (band) Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen The Goose Girl from Grimms' Fairy Tales Jack and the Beanstalk “Bonny Swans” traditional ballad Sistersong by Lucy Holland “The Bonny Swans” by Loreena McKennitt Hild by Nicola Griffith Johann Sebastian Bach Harry Potter film score Ramin Djawadi's musical scores for Game of Thrones & Westworld The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers   For Next Time Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas   Content Warnings Attempted suicide (in Amadeus and brief mention of it in the discussion) On-the-page sexual assault, on-the-page hate transphobia, child abuse both explicit and referenced (in Light From Uncommon Stars)   Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our wondrous choir of scribes!

On this week's episode, we're discussing body swap fic! Swapping bodies! Trading meatsuits! It's all fun and comedy, right? ...Or is it? Anyway, the tentpoles for this episode are the anime film, Your Name, the fanfic Vinculum by Skadiseven, and the Farscape episode, "Out of Their Minds."   What We're Into Lately  Bombshell by Sarah MacLean The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton Schmigadoon! (on Apple TV) Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells Pressure Machine by the Killers Campaign Skyjacks (podcast) The Bachelor's Valet by Arden Powell Petty Treasons by Victoria Goddard   Other Stuff We Mentioned The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Untamed Star Trek: The Next Generation Farscape The Dark Crystal Jupiter Ascending Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers Star Trek: The Original Series Laughing Gas by PG Wodehouse Stranger Than Fiction Babylon 5 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Sword Art Online Stargate The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System Captain America: The Winter Soldier to memory now I can't recall by Etharei Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Guardian Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett Good Omens miniseries   For Next Time Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki   Content Warnings Mention of molestation in the context of the bodyswap trope (in episode discussion) Mention of dysphoria & trans erasure in the context of the bodyswap trope (in episode discussion)   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our stylish and fashionable team of scribes!

On today's episode we're doing another deep dive on the marvelously sapphic fantasy novel The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri!   What We're Into Lately  The Secrets of Charlotte Street series by Scarlett Peckham     - book 2: The Earl I Ruined     - book 3: The Lord I Left Seducing the Sorcerer by Lee Welch The Bachelor's Valet by Arden Powell Game of Thrones fanfic Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells cast your bitterness into the sea by Kilerkki  Campaign Skyjacks Till Human Voices Wake Us by Victoria Goddard    Other Stuff We Mentioned Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Swordheart and The Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher Jeeves/Wooster fanfiction Firefly Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Witcher “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame Game of Thrones Empresses in the Palace The Realm of Ash The Magpie Lord series A Cradle of Vines by Jennifer Mace Sleeping Beauty ‘Seasons of Glass and Iron' by Amal El-Mohtar Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Twilight Zone theme The Unbroken by C.L. Clark She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske For Next Time Your Name. Content Warnings Violence against women, imperialist violence, semi-graphic death descriptions, references to torture and drugging in The Jasmine Throne   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks once again to our most excellent team of scribes for their hard work!

On this week's episode, Macey is forcing us to put on our hiking shoes and dragging us out into the forest to look at some "really nice moss." The tentpoles we're discussing are Princess Mononoke, Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, and Ursula K. Le Guin's story ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow.' What We're Into Lately  ‘a kind of dwell and welcome' by leupagus Reputation by Lex Croucher Seven Days in June by Tia Williams orange_crushed ‘s Untamed fics (esp Pentimento.) And What Can We Offer You Tonight by Premee Mohamed The Necessity of Stars by E. Catherine Tobler Victoria Goddard's books: Greenwing & Dart series (esp Love-in-a-Mist) Ask A Mortician Youtube Channel  Other Stuff We Mentioned Ted Lasso Gundam Wing Ponyo Robin Hood legends Hannibal The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones The Jungle Book by Ruyard Kipling The Secret Life of the Forest by Richard M. Ketchum The Hidden Life of Trees by by Peter Wohlleben Pando QI Semiosis by Sue Burke Brain coral Green Man motif For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten Hild by Nicola Griffith The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Into the Woods Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Black Sails Vikings Magician by Raymond E. Feist The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Westworld Stargate: Atlantis Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Black Spot TV show Avatar Avatar: The Last Airbender Pocahontas Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer BTS Episode 16: A Bump In the Night, and Not the Sexy Kind Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake Merlin Sheldrake's YouTube video showing him eating book fungus Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben Around the World In 80 Trees by Jonathan Drori ‘Colors of the Wind' from Pochahontas The Biggest Estate On Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden For Next Time The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri Content Warnings Racism (in ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow') Problematic portrayal of an autistic character (in ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow')   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here! Thanks to our team of scribes for their great work!

On this week's episode we're discussing the glamorous authorial life -- authors (and other publishing professionals) through the lens of how they're depicted in media. Tentpoles this week are the film Stranger Than Fiction, the K-Drama Romance Is a Bonus Book, the story “The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species” by Ken Liu and The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey.   What We're Into Lately Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Guardian fic Macey's all-fandom OT3 feast Victoria Goddard books specifically the Greenwing & Dart series Ask A Mortician Youtube Channel  Other Stuff We Mentioned The Great British Bake-Off To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty ‘letters from the ides' by Jennifer Mace (poet) The Witcher (TV show) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Sam Hawke Younger The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Moulin Rouge Untitled Seminal Male-Focused Work by Jennifer Mace (Literary author) Seven Days In June by Tia Williams Emily Henry   For Next Time Silver In the Wood by Emily Tesh   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Huge thanks to our team of scribes for their hard work!

On today's episode, we're bursting into song at socially inappropriate times to talk about... musicals! Our tentpoles are the Bollywood musical Aaja Nachle, the first two episodes of Galavant, and the musical Wicked.   What We're Into Lately Battle Royal by Lucy Parker Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Red Azalea by CeNedraRiva The Changeling by Annerb The Armistice series by Annerb World Ain't Ready by idiopathicsmile survival is a talent by ShanaStoryteller Rotten Work by ShanaStoryteller Campaign Skyjacks Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Hadestown the musical Into The Woods the musical Les Misérables the musical “The Confrontation” from Les Misérables Come From Away the musical The Fast and the Furious Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold The Decemberists Weekend at Bernie's The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire The Wizard of Oz The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Maleficent “No One Mourns The Wicked” from Wicked Hamilton the musical Single Use Weapon by Fahye Glee Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary “Defying Gravity” from Wicked “Dancing Through Life” from Wicked The Princess Bride “Galavant” from Galavant “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast “Stand Up” from Galavant Crazy Ex-Girlfriend A Knight's Tale Shrek Camelot the musical Spamalot the musical In the Heights High School Musical 2 “I Don't Dance” from High School Musical 2 Hairspray (2007) Footloose (2011) Bride & Prejudice (2004) A Chorus Line (1985) Cabaret (1972) Moulin Rouge! (2001) John Wick (2014) Peter Pan (AKA Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up; or Peter and Wendy) Pantomime Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Magicians Scrubs Farscape Six Oliver! musical (based on Oliver Twist) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Prince of Egypt Jesus Christ Superstar Jaskier's theme from The Witcher ‘I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Misérables ‘One Day More' from Les Misérables ‘You'll Be Back' from Hamilton The Beatles Groundhog Day the musical Groundhog Day film Swan Lake Peer Gynt suites Carnival of the Animals Peter and the Wolf ‘Peter and the Wolf March' from Peter and the Wolf 'The Swan' from Carnival of the Animals For Next Time The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Extra extra thank-yous to our team of scribes this week because YOWZA that was a lot of Other Things We Talked About to wrangle links for!

On this week's episode we're discussing classics rewritten by women! The tentpoles are Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott, The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo, and Beowulf, translated by Maria Dahvana Headley.   What We're Into Lately Subtle Blood by KJ Charles For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten Luca “Choosing” by Susan Taitel The Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes Victoria Goddard's books: Tales of the Nine Worlds series Greenwing & Dart series   Other Stuff We Mentioned Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare The Good Place (see Janet with a cactus behind her back) Moana Carmina Burana (text) Carmina Burana (cantata by Orff) Hamilton “Saltwashed” by Jennifer Mace The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Lord of the Flies by William Golding Empresses in the Palace  The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger Rule 63 of the internet Persona 5 videogame Peter Darling by Austin Chant Peter Pan by JM Barrie Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis E. Jade Lomax's fanfic reinterpretations of The Susan Problem The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis Genderswap in fanfiction Mad Max: Fury Road Atomic Blonde For Next Time Wicked the musical Content Warnings Domestic abuse in The Chosen and the Beautiful Warfare and gore in Beowulf and Unconquerable Sun Discussion of trans and nonbinary erasure   Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here.  Huge thanks to our amazing team of scribes!!

On this week's episode, we are once again answering YOUR burning questions, dear listeners! What We're Into Lately The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole Bareknuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis The Untamed fanfic “vinculum” by Skadiseven Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It by Silvestris The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard History Channel “documentaries” Tim's Vermeer The Witcher   Other Stuff We Mentioned Get Out Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman Good Omens (TV show) Nirvana in Fire Famous Fanfic Author Fahye Down to Agincourt series by seperis Word of Honor Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel Naruto Persona 5 Fic author Maldoror_Chant Feminine Pursuits series (The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics) by Olivia Waite The Covert Captain by Jeannelle M. Ferreira Proper English by KJ Charles  Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan  How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole  Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole  Codex Writers Forum The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Tremontaine series by Ellen Kushner et al.  ”Glitter & Gold” by Barns Courtney The Queen's Gambit X-Men Teen Wolf Dragon Age: Inquisition Ranma ½ Criminal Minds you wait and you wonder who'll take on your odds by paperclipbitch A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske For Next Time The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo Content Warnings N/A Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Highest of fives to our wonderful team of scribes!  

 On today's episode, we're finally getting around to doing our Diana Wynne Jones Episode! Well, sort of -- it's not exactly a deep-dive. Our tentpoles this week are Howl's Moving Castle, Howl's Moving Castle, and two Howl's Moving Castle fanfics — “Hearts and Their Consumption” by setepenre_set and “Second Time Lucky” by labellementeuse.   What We're Into Lately Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall Sistersong by Lucy Holland Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott Persona 5 fanfic Word of Honor The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard   Other Stuff We Mentioned The Great British Bake Off Imagine Me & You “The Bonny Swans” The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The West Wing Moana To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis  Ponyo The Little Mermaid Spirited Away Snow White Coraline by Neil Gaiman Children's author Frances Hardinge Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre miniseries Good Omens TV series Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones Tam Lin Scottish ballad Castle In the Air by Diana Wynne Jones Aladdin folktale Tales of the Arabian Nights Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien Labyrinth Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones Be the Serpent Episode 36: There's No Place Like Home Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones Archer's Goon by Diana Wynne Jones Eight days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones   For Next Time Episode 90: Extravaganza!   Content Warnings Gore / Violence - Hearts and Their Consumption by setepenre_set.   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you to our fabulous team of scribes for their hard work, as always :)

On today's episode we are talking about dystopian stratified societies and "layered cities". Our tentpoles this week are An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, the Snowpiercer movie (the original one), and “To the Victor, The Spoil” by Annakovsky.   What We're Into Lately Black Water Sister by Zen Cho The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone marigolds by colbub Avatar: The Last Airbender fic Rogue One fic Hikaru no Go Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett The Imperial Coroner The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins “Dixit Dominus” by George Frideric Handel Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Testaments by Margaret Atwood The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan Dragon Ball Persona 5 Embers by Vathara The Untamed City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett Tam Lin by Pamela Dean Parasite Space Sweepers  This post by missellewoods The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins Lara Elena Donnelly's Amberlough series  The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson Avatar The Unbroken  by C. L. Clark “And Now His Lordship Is Laughing” by Shiv Ramdas Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin "Victory Condition" by astolat Les Mis (musical) Les Miserables (disambiguation) For Next Time Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones   Content Warnings Sexual assault, racism, and slavery in An Unkindness of Ghosts Violence, child harm in Snowpiercer Sex trafficking, attempted suicide, and adult/minor relationship in “To the Victor, The Spoil” General warnings for discussion in the episode: the spectre of pedophilia, cannibalism, classism and prejudice (as well as all above listed warnings from the tentpoles)   Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our team of scribes for their great work!

On this week's episode, we're discussing those models of decorum and tranquility: Games, and game-adjacent narratives! The tentpoles this week are the C-drama version of Hikaru no Go, the film Jumanji: Into the Jungle, and the fanfic you wait and you wonder who’ll take on your odds by paperclipbitch.   What We’re Into Lately   The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrum The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter Yellow Jessamine by Caitlin Starling marigolds by colbub The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett    Other Stuff We Mentioned The Bachelor franchise Uprooted by Naomi Novik Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik The Queen’s Gambit Chess (musical) The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Jumanji Aladdin E.T. The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi Labyrinth Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll DIE by Kieron Gillen & Stephanie Hans Casino Royale Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Alex’s Fun Facts History of Games Corner Kriegsspiel game Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games by Jon Peterson Checkmate by Naadi Yu-Gi-Oh Battle Royale The Hunger Games League of Legends Hercules The Grandfather Clock by Anthony Hill   For Next Time An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon   Content Warnings None   Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks to our most excellent scribes for their hard work!

On this week's episode, we're discussing jobs, occupations, and vocations, both fantastical and mundane despite the fantastical settings.  The tentpoles for this episode are Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef by Cassandra Khaw, Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots, and “Always Near” by afrai.   What We’re Into Lately A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark  How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole Hollow Empire by Sam Hawke The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi  Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Hiding in the Leaves by aventria & iluxia (Naruto fanfic) Legend of Yun Qian Scarlet Heart   Other Stuff We Mentioned Jumanji Labyrinth Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke  "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin Naruto After Working At Google, I’ll Never Let Myself Love A Job Again (Op-Ed, NYT) My Life as a Background Slytherin (webcomic) Avengers movies Superhero Damage Insurance (TikTok) Rogue One Star Wars franchise The Mandalorian Be the Serpent Space Sweepers episode The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson Jessica Jones October Daye series by Seanan McGuire Lost Girl Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold John Scalzi (author) Honor Harrington series by David Weber We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson Catalyst by Jennifer Mace Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett My Next Life as a Villainess  “Period Piece” by thimblefullofdespair for a hundred vision and revisions by aventria, iluxia Merlin TV show Macey’s Fun Facts Tech Job Corner An Example of Bad Radio The Story Engine storytelling game   For Next Time Hikaru no Go (2020 live action Chinese drama)   Content Warnings Slavery (in “Always Near” + episode discussion) Medical trauma & body horror (in Hench) Cannibalism and gore (in Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef + episode discussion)   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our fabulous team of scribes!

On today's episode, we're getting unseasonably spooky as we talk about Gothic novels! The tentpoles for this episode are Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the film Crimson Peak, and the Untamed fanfic Imago by astrophyllite.   What We’re Into Lately Word of Honor The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta Die, Volume 1 by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans Dread Nation by Justina Ireland Don’t Look Back series by acuteneurosis ShuoshuoChinese Trading for a Living: Psychology, Trading Tactics, Money Management by Alexander Elder Untamed fanfic, as always   Other Stuff We Mentioned The Wicked + the Divine by Kieron Gillen Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen American Psycho Tim Burton’s Alice movies Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë The Untamed Under The Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske Bluebeard folktale Beauty and the Beast folktale East of Sun and West of the Moon folktale Eros and Psyche folktale The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Jane Eyre miniseries (with Ruth Wilson) ‘Restraint and Revelation: or, The Necromancer of Yiling’ (Erotic Gothic Novelist!Lan Wangji) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey TV movie The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones Be the Serpent Episode 36: There's No Place Like Home Addams Family Values   For Next Time Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots   Content Warnings Violence, gore, and incest in all three tentpoles and the episode discussion.

On this week's episode, we're talking about postapocalyptic fiction, specifically stories set in the wake of a climate apocalypse. The tentpoles are Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, the fanfic "Moebius" by AuroraNova and Mad Max: Fury Road.   What We’re Into Lately The House of Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert Parks and Recreation The World Figure Skating Championship A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge love, in fire and blood by cicer Practical Creativity by Raph Koster    Other Stuff We Mentioned Be the Serpent, Episode 3: Apocalypse Sometime, Maybe Next Tuesday Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge  The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge  Be the Serpent, Episode 38: A Hugo Award Special — The Novels of 2018 “Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time” by K.M. Szpara The Old Guard Atomic Blonde Studio Ghibli movies James Bond movies “Peer Gynt” by Grieg The first Mad Max movie Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman  Mass Effect games The ending of Mass Effect 3 Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison The Day After Tomorrow Who Should Live In Flooded Old New York? by Brooke Bolander Embers by Vathara The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin Lotus Blue by Cat Sparks Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve The Sea and Summer (aka Drowning Towers) by George Turner  ‘The Fall of Civilizations’ podcast How We Get to Carbon Zero by Bianca Nogrady The Expanse  Space Sweepers Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson Macey’s Fun Facts Bronze Age Mediterranean Corner 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline The most famous and meme-able trader to ever live, Ea-nasir   For Next Time Crimson Peak film   Content Warnings Gore and implied sexual assault in Mad Max: Fury Road Gore and (urban fantasy standard) violence in Trail of Lightning Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our brilliant team of scribes!!

On today's episode we're buckling on our space shoes, picking up our space harpoons, and charging up our space laser guns, because we're doing a deep dive on the new South Korean scifi film, Space Sweepers.   What We’re Into Lately An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon The House of Always by Jenn Lyon Disarmed by Sarah Rees Brennan Word of Honor The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno Garcia Boku no Hero Academia fanfic of the Star Wars crossover variety

On this week's episode, we're getting the gang back together to talk about girl gangs, teen squads, and spooky witchy girls! The tentpoles this week are The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke, Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, and the fanfic “21st Century Girls” by springgreen.   What We’re Into Lately Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi Dawn by Octavia Butler A Bouquet of Czech Folktales by Karel Jaromír Erben, trans. Marcela Sulak Boku No Hero Academia fanfic as day follows night by The_Eclectic_Bookworm The Untamed fanfic Word of Honor   Other Stuff We Mentioned Men in Black  Society of Gentlemen series by K.J. Charles The Chrysalids by John Wyndham Buffy the Vampire Slayer Guardian Nirvana in Fire 20th Century Boys manga series Sailor Moon manga series My Little Pony  St. Trinians  Ralph Breaks the Internet Stranger Things Jennifer’s Body Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore Mean Girls Sex and the City Golden Girls Ocean’s 8 Charlie’s Angels Totally Spies D.E.B.S Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Dark Angel The Old Guard Wonder Woman Mad Max: Fury Road Dollhouse River Tam from Firefly Steven Universe   For Next Time Space Sweepers   Content Warnings Very brief mention of sexual assault (and description of its fallout) in Foul Is Fair, one of the "What We're Into Lately" books. Explicit depictions of racism (including the KKK) in Ring Shout. Kidnapping, attempted assault in The Scapegracers. Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge thanks to our scribe team for their excellent work, as usual!

On this week's episode, we're discussing a few changes we're making in our approach to the podcast, and we're gushing about some of our favorite recent and upcoming works, including Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan, and She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.   What We’re Into Lately Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard  The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons thepartyresponsible’s Batman-Avengers crossover fic Do Every Stupid Thing by thepartyresponsible Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Bridgerton Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Invitation to Wine (将进酒) by Tang Jiu Qing 唐酒卿 (Mandarin)   Other Stuff We Mentioned Be the Serpent Episode 71: Back To School (feat. Naomi Novik) Be the Serpent Episode 72: Fangs for the Memories A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse The Saddle Club Gossip Girl The Belles  by Dhonielle Clayton Wild Beauty Anna-Marie McLemore She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan The infamous Only One Bed trope Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole Books by Alisha Rai     For Next Time Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark   Content Warnings: The Duke Who Didn't concerns protagonists encountering racism (both ambient and direct). She Who Became The Sun interrogates gender essentialist prejudice accurate to its historical setting. Raybearer deals with themes of child abuse/neglect.

On this week's episode, we're bringing you an extra-long, extra special surprise: We're playing a one-shot of an RPG, using a game system designed by Alex, which uses a tarot deck rather than dice! Enjoy!   As per the outro of this episode, the links to our statements in response to feedback we received on Episode 71: Macey’s statement RE BTS ep 71 Freya’s statement RE BTS ep 71 Alex’s statement RE BTS ep 71   For Next Time We're taking a week off our regular release schedule. Never fear, we will return to your ears four weeks hence, rather than two.   Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found  here. Extra thanks to our scribe team this week, they really knocked it out of the park with this chonky episiode!  

This week we're talking about new technologies, platforms, and formats of storytelling! The tentpoles this week are the first episode of Campaign Skyjacks, the interactive fiction game Stay by E. Jade Lomax, and the twitter threadfic Still Waters aka Turtle Creek. What We’re Into Lately Untamed by Anna CowanThe Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThese Violent Delights by Micah NemereverQi hunHadesYesterday Upon The Stair  by PitViperOfDoom24 Hours in the Past The Repair ShopHistory Cold Case   Other Stuff We Mentioned These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong Patricia Highsmith novelsHikaru No Go manga and animeThe Queen’s GambitGreat British Bake Off“Birds Are Trying to Reinvent Your Heart” by Jennifer Mace“Eat prey, love” by Freya Marske in Unnatural Order Mermaids MonthlyWeekend at Bernie’sMilliways RPGMy Brother, My Brother, and MeThe Adventure ZoneCritical RoleSerial BoxThe WitcherPerson of Interest, aka “The husbands show”The Harper Hall of Pern by Anne McCaffreyPirates of the CaribbeanGroundhog DaySleep No MoreMacbeth by William ShakespeareMass Effect 3Stephen King’s ItIt (2017)It (2019) Homestuck Blaseball The War of the Worlds radio show Welcome to Night Vale podcast Alice Isn’t Dead (presented by Welcome to Night Vale) The Lizzie Bennet Diaries webseries The Magnus Archives podcast The Bright Sessions podcast The Archers radio play ‘Fan Is A Tool-Using Animal’ talk by Maciej Cegłowski Delicious website Macey’s audio fiction “A Cradle of Vines” out with Cast of Wonders Macey’s upcoming audio fiction piece with GlitterShip Snow White folktale For Next Time Nothing! It's the Extravaganza, and we've got an extra-special surprise for you!   Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you as always to our stunningly talented team of scribes!

On this week's episode, we're discussing celebrity culture, the cost of fame, and three brilliant tentpoles: A Knight’s Tale, Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade, and “#bakudeku” by rageprufrock.   What We’re Into Lately The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong CryoBurn by Lois McMaster Bujold Eager by Ben Goldfarb live from new york by varnes The Murder of Crows by cerbykerby Hades My Hero Academia   Other Stuff We Mentioned Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Lots of Untamed fic Saturday Night Live A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske AML preorders pinned tweet The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Jupiter Ascending Bend It Like Beckham Game of Thrones Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn Boku No Hero Academia No Less Unthinkable by rageprufrock  Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston Black Sails  You’re Wrong About podcast Hannibal Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (upcoming, 2022) Notting Hill Fame Jaskier from The Witcher   For Next Time Stay? by E. Jade Lomax (Interactive Fiction game)   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our wonderful team of scribes for their hard work!

Happy holidays, everybody! On this episode, we're sticking with the theme of the season and discussing holidays in fiction! The tentpoles this week are the Doctor Who episode “A Christmas Carol,” the Disney film Coco, and the Scum Villain's Self Saving System fanfic “Shang Qinghua's No Good Very Bad Several Iterations Of A Day.”   What We’re Into Lately The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole Four Letter Word For Intercourse by bendingsignpost The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke Hades Helstrom Hikaru no Go   Other Stuff We Mentioned Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole “Yo a ti, Cas” Freya’s favorite Supernatural fic Bastion The Exorcist Mermaids Monthly Kickstarter A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Murder under the Mistletoe  "Ernesto de la Cruz vs. The Court of Public Opinion" by skater_of_the_surface The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mò Xiāng Tóngxiù The Deep  by Rivers Solomon A Knight Before Christmas The Princess Switch The Princess Switch: Switched Again A Christmas Prince A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby The Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe fey conspiracy by Jodi McAlister Orphan Black Jupiter Ascending The Nightmare Before Christmas V for Vendetta Die Hard World Building for Masochists episode 14 reputation by Taylor Swift   For Next Time Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Huge thanks as always to our team of scribes!

On this week's episode, your Serpents were in the middle of National Novel Writing Month, so they used their smart juicy brains and planned an episode without ANY TENTPOLES WHATSOEVER. It's a craft discussion episode!!   What We’re Into Lately The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee May the Best Man Win by Z. R. Ellor The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells “Artificial Condition” by Martha Wells “Rogue Protocol” by Martha Wells where the stars do not take sides by WitchofEndor His Secret Illuminations by Scarlett Gale “The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex” by Tamsyn Muir   Other Stuff We Mentioned Avatar renaissance fic “Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck” Embers by Vathara The Untamed OnlyFans fic That Picture of Gwendoline Christie and Oscar Isaac Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The sequel to A Marvellous Light The Great Emu War  Catalyst by Jennifer Mace

On today's episode, we're talking about bards and storytellers! What is art even FOR? The tentpoles this week are Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey, “With a Conquering Air” by inexplicifics, and When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo.   Other Stuff We Mentioned Chronicles of Ghadid series by K. A. Doore Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Mad Max: Fury Road meme face Viable Paradise roommates The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Murder wife from Luther Chess A Taste of Golden Iron by Alexandra Rowland Ruoxi Chen at Tor.com BtS Untamed episode Taliesin BtS Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells the Story episode Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey  Asterix comics by René Goscinny “Only Love Proudly and Gladly and Well” by inexplicifics  In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Empress of Salt and Fortune  by Nghi Vo Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Dragon Harper books Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare  Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams  BtS Sympathy for the Devil episode Bread and Roses protest song Bread and Circuses phrase The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Pride The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey Atomic Blonde The Untamed  Symphony For the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson Captain America The Avengers English Folk Song Suite Tchaikovsky (composer) Grimm Fairy Tales Kalevala Finnish epic poetry compilation Waltzing Matilda Toss a Coin to Your Witcher 4 Chord Song by Axis of Awesome New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland Macey’s bardic piano performance at the Nebula Awards Cats musical Les Mis musical The Mary Ellen Carter   For Next Time Nothing! (Next time is the mid-Nano episode)   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our brilliant team of scribes!

On this week's episode, we're talking about mermaids, sirens, selkies, and other moist ladies who may or may not want to eat your whole face off! Guess what: The sea is terrifying! Fuck the sea! Tentpoles this week are The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, and the Studio Ghibli movie Ponyo. What We’re Into Lately Piranesi by Susanna Clark Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Division Bells by Iona Datt Sharma Lynchpin by ShanaStoryteller Please miss postman by Shamelesscooper Care and Custody by esama Scum Villain fanfic Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Other Stuff We Mentioned Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner Veep The West Wing The Untamed fix-its Kingsman fic Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland clipping. The Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World by Lincoln Paine The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. le Guin On Drakon The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen Fantasia Maleficent  “The Deep” by clipping. (song) “Ride of the Valkyries” (song) Ponyo On the Cliff By the Sea (song) Tithe by Holly Black Moana Scum Villain fanfic Eat Prey, Love by Freya Marske Unnatural Order (upcoming short story anthology) ‘saltwashed’ by Jennifer Mace Catalyst by Jennifer Mace Oglaf NSFW webcomic Diamonds of the Sea mermen holiday ornaments Macey’s mentioned NSFW Bad Dragon link can be found here RE Mermaid Fucking research: ‘cloaca’ The Little Mermaid   For Next Time Dragonsinger (Harper Hall of Pern) by Anne McCaffrey   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our most excellent scribblin' scribes for their hard work.

On this week's episode, we're talking about sports! The tentpoles are Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett, Bend It Like Beckham, and “Thirty Years and Change” by sunsmasher.   What We’re Into Lately Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan Binging with Babish Scum Villain fanfic The Untamed fanfic Yuri!!! on Ice fanfic (because nostalgia) Drowned Country by Emily Tesh Scum Villain anime Haikyuu!!   Other Stuff We Mentioned Blaseball Space American Idol Fence series by C. S. Pacat Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat Bon Appetit Youtube Universe Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Welcome to Night Vale “Street Cleaning Day” Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Billy Elliot Charlie Jane Anders Annalee Newitz "Our Opinions Are Correct" podcast Naruto Prince of Tennis Howl's Moving Castle A Knight’s Tale  Check, please!  Sharps by K.J. Parker Court of Fives series by Kate Elliott Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins Ender’s Game + series by Orson Scott Card Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz City of Stars by Mary Hoffman Palio di Siena “Stargazer” by Fahye Princess Tutu Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate 17776 Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (“show me one atom of truth” quote) Be the Serpent Episode 72     For Next Time The Deep by Rivers Solomon   Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge huge thanks to our scribes for their hard work this week.

On today's episode, we're getting into that Spooky Season mood and talking about the dreaded VAMPYR. Or vampire, as Macey and Freya insist on pronouncing it. The tentpoles this week are “Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time” by Kellen Szpara, What We Do in the Shadows, and “pro bono” by astronicht.   What We’re Into Lately Either Side of Midnight by Benjamin Stevenson The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall The Faerie Hounds of York by Arden Powell The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran Naruto longfic Scum Villain longfic An easy lie by Nythtak Say Yes to the Dress Say Yes to the Dress: UK Nazranaa Diaries Curvy Brides’ Boutique Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy Love is More Than a Word For A Good Time, Call by ScarlettStorm   Other Stuff We Mentioned Greenlight by Benjamin Stevenson Serial Dug from Up The Untamed Tales from the Trunk Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Writing the Other workshop Writing the Other book Asians Represent Gold Ennies Flying Fables Deadline City Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Flight of the Conchords What We Do in the Shadows TV series Big Brother Be the Serpent Episode 66 The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite edited by  Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice Dracula by Bram Stoker Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett  Pulp Fiction Van Helsing Elizabeth Bathory  Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice Buffy the Vampire Slayer Firefly True Blood The Vampire Diaries Twilight Dragon Ball The Inherent Eroticism of Vore Dirty Talking With Jesus The pros and cons of cannibalism  Sweeney Todd Mulching the rich Alex’s new book Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment For Next Time Bend It Like Beckham   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. As always, huge huge thank you to the team of scribes for their amazing work.

On this week's episode, we're joined by glamorous guest star Naomi Novik to talk about magical boarding schools and the purposes of structured education. The tentpoles this week are A Deadly Education and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.   What We’re Into Lately Will Darling Adventures series by K.J. Charles The Sugared Game by K.J. Charles Kindred by Octavia Butler Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett The Spring of the Ram by Dorothy Dunnett The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Freeport by Maldoror_Chant Event Horizon by MonstrousRegiment Provenance by Ann Leckie Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie Scum Villain fanfic Motherland: Fort Salem Avatar: The Last Airbender The Legend of Korra Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi Scum Villain animated series The Untamed fanfic Other Stuff We Mentioned Temeraire series by Naomi Novik Uprooted by Naomi Novik Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Organization for Transformative Works Dracula by Bram Stoker Time-Life books Wizards and Witches by Brendan Lehane Tortall Series by Tamora Pierce  Welcome to Night Vale podcast (specifically Episode 15: Street Cleaning Day) Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.  The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip My Life as a Background Slytherin by Emily McGovern Transfigurations by Resonant "House Proud" by astolat Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin Be the Serpent Episode 1: False Utopias and… Robot Sex?? “Victory Condition” by astolat (and the quote: ‘the empire of unsheathed knives’) The Husbands And Wives Show aka Person of Interest   For Next Time What We Do In the Shadows (2014 film)   Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you to our team of scribes -- each of you is a gentleperson and a scholar.

On this week's episode, we're taking a break to answer questions submitted by our listeners and play a fun game! It's the Extravaganza! o/ What We’re Into Lately Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow Down to Agincourt series by seperis The Game of God by seperis How Long ‘til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin What the Water Gave Me by iesika Knock Down the House Blaseball   Other Stuff We Mentioned Qantas Lounge at Heathrow International Airport The 10th Circle of Hell, ie Newark Liberty International Airport Supernatural fandom Hannibal fandom “What the Water Gave Me” by Florence + the Machine Muffuletta sandwiches “I Am All Love Blaseball (And You Can Too)” by Cat Manning Welcome to Night Vale Haikyuu The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson Yuri!!! on Ice crossovers Lagaan A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske This guy with magnets in his nose Catalyst by Jennifer Mace “In the Salt Crypts of Ghiarelle” by Jennifer Mace in Silk and Steel  Sorting Hat Chats Macey dearly missing Sentinel AUs Yoon Ha Lee Haikyuu!! anime Alex’s love for the entire fictional nation of Arasht Four Pillars Modern Australian gin Roku gin The Botanist gin Fic Author Feuds on fic sites of old Hugo Award Winning Archive Of Our Own Campaign Skyjacks Chloe Ting’s ab workout videos The Chant Literary Universe (CLU) by Alexandra Rowland Claire Rousseau’s YouTube Channel Shmanners Podcast Captain Awkward  Am I The Asshole (AITA) Buzzfeed Unsolved Mythbusters   For Next Time A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. A hundred thousand thank you to  our wonderful team of scribes!

On this week's episode, we're putting on some mood lighting, we're pouring a glass of wine, and we're talking about some sexy things. And also about sex when it's more funny than sexy. The tentpoles for this episode are: “Favorite” by astolat, Sense8, particularly episode six of season one, and The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite.   What We’re Into Lately When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett The House of Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett Niccolò Rising by Dorothy Dunnett Game of Thrones fanfic Skyjacks Slippery Creatures by K. J. Charles Love and Luck Caravan Flyest Fables Supernatural Sexuality with Dr Seabrook   Other Stuff We Mentioned Cockney rhyming slang The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo The Decemberists Think of England by K. J. Charles Merlin Grey’s Anatomy Historical Genital Euphemism Timeline Feminine Pursuits series  Homestuck "Victory Condition" by astolat Freya’s debut A Marvellous Light, out in 2021 from Tor.com publishing The Curious Case of Victorian pornography A serious seven minute discussion about kink Sex politics     For Next Time Nothing! It's the Extravaganza! We're answering listener questions and playing games!   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our beautiful, ever-meticulous team of scribes!

On this week's episode, we are pondering the nature of mortality -- and immortality! We're discussing demigods and other sorts of very, very long lived folks. The tentpoles for this week are The Old Guard, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson, and “The god of scraped knees.” by spqr. What We’re Into Lately The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia Fiyah, issue 15 Summer in Orcus by T. Kingfisher Campaign: Skyjacks   Other Stuff We Mentioned WorldCon Feminine Pursuits series by Olivia Waite Alice Payne series by Kate Heartfield Alice Payne Rides by Kate Heartfield Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Annihilation The Adventure Zone The Decemberists Our Opinions Are Correct Episode 39 of Be the Serpent Claire Rousseau’s Youtube channel Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland Hercules The Witcher television show Star Wars prequels Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson Mad Max: Fury Road Atomic Blonde Smallville A Memory Called Empire Yoon Ha Lee’s books Good Omens Good Omens TV adaptation The Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone MXTX Scum Villain's Self-Saving System Keanu Reeves definitely Not being immortal For Next Time "Favorite" by astolat   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to the eternal beloveds of our hearts: the team of scribes who made this possible!

On this week's episode, Macey gets her feet tangled in her cardigan, Freya tries to convince everyone to submit Extravaganza questions via 5-star iTunes reviews, and Alex is very tired. Oh, and we're also doing a deep-dive on a single tentpole: The Witcher tv show!   What We’re Into Lately The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí ClarkTake a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia HibbertHaikyuu!! The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho The Wild Dead by Carrie Vaughn Wild Seed by Octavia Butler Naruto fanfic Rookie Goo Hae-ryung “this river runs to you” by sundiscus   Other Stuff We Mentioned Prince of Tennis  The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn Bobbin lace-making variolation Dragon Age Shrek “Toss a Coin to Your Bitcher” by Suzanne Walker The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski Queer Eye Baby Shark Person of Interest The waning droning quality of a hurdy gurdy Miles Vorkosigan Robin Hood Galavant Chant Bullshit, courtesy of Alex’s book series Gossip Girl Macey’s eternal dedication to Scum Villain fanfic The Sorting Hat Chats podcast episode on The Witcher For Next Time The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson.   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you a thousand times to our wonderful team of scribes, who make this possible!

On this week's episode, we’re discussing soulmates and soul bonds! Everyone have your assigned buddy? Remember to hold hands so nobody gets lost! The tentpoles for this episode are Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert, Fated by maydei, and “Deconstruct” by flowercity.   What We’re Into Lately The Lost Future of Pepperharrow by Natasha Pulley “Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders” by Aliette de Bodard Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Terror Demonology and the Tri-Phasic Model of Trauma: An Integrative Approach by Nnm The Balance arc of The Adventure Zone The Adventure Zone graphic novel series The Old Guard   Other Stuff We Mentioned Hanahaki Disease The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley Dominions of the Fallen trilogy by Aliette de Bodard Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Good Omens television series Lucifer television series Consolation Songs by Iona Datt Sharma et. al Uncanny magazine saltwashed by Jennifer Mace Pon farr Star Trek T’hy’la The Untamed The Witcher Heaving Bosoms Podcast Ice Planet Barbarians series Yuri!!! On Ice Loveless Pacific Rim Red String of Fate Skip Beat! by Yoshiki Nakamura Haikyū!! by Haruichi Furudate “five snapped heartstrings” by welcometothehumanrace ‘Fan, Sword and Flame’ by TentacleBubbles The Fast and the Furious “Victory Lane” by astolat The First Cow   For Next Time The Witcher   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. A thousand thank-yous to our incredible team of scribes!

On today's episode we're talking about Harry Potter, the unbearable TERFness of JK Rowling, and the power of fanfic to reclaim and transform problematic canons: We're doing a deep-dive on the fanfic "Transfigurations" by Resonant! What We’re Into Lately Greenlight by Benjamin Stevenson The Letdown TV series Pink Slip by Katrina Jackson The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson Seraphina by Rachel Hartman What married people do by Shamelesscooper, a Scum Villain/Untamed crossover fanfic The Black Calhouns by Gail Lumet Buckley The 1619 Project TorCon 2020 panel: A Whole Universe in Pages — Worldbuilding for SFF The Devil In America by Kai Ashante Wilson Watchmen miniseries on HBO Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi "White Bears in Sugar Land: Juneteenth, Cages, and Afrofuturism" essay by Tochi Onyebuchi "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream: The Duty of the Black Writer During Times of American Unrest" essay by Tochi Onyebuchi Queer Eye Good Omens Other Things We Mentioned Juneteenth Black Lives Matter Mr. & Mrs. Smith A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson The Stabby Queer Ladies Anthology, Silk & Steel  Kerin Cunningham’s Kickstarter My Chemical Romance The Unbearable TERFness of J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Witchmark by C. L. Polk Lumos by birdsofshore The Untamed Star Trek In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae Eclipse by Mijan A Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Alexander the Great’s sex life tissue of silver by fearlessdiva Maya’s Harry Potter fics   For Next Time Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our amazing team of scribes, as always!!

On this week's episode, we're looking at a selection of small scenes from several different pieces of media: The Expanse, Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon, an Alexander the Great documentary, K. J. Parker’s Devices and Desires, and Bujold’s The Warrior’s Apprentice. What We’re Into Lately Murderbot novellas by Martha Wells Network Effect by Martha Wells Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri The Accidental Warlord and His Pack by inexplicifics Queen’s Play by Dorothy Dunnett Desdemona and the Deep by C. S. E. Cooney   Other Things We Mentioned The Great Emu War BBC Sherlock GlitterShip Game of Thrones Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Dragon Ball Z Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold City of Lies by Sam Hawke The Poison Wars series by Sam Hawke The Expanse “CQB” Regeneration by Pat Barker Black Sails  The Far Side of the World Jingo by Terry Pratchett  Just war theory Aubrey & Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian Firefly The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliot Star Wars Misethere by astolat K.J. Parker ‘On Sieges’ short essay by K.J. Parker The Witcher television series Bioware Dragon Age: Inquisition Dragon Age: Origins Overpowered Mages Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein Documentary about the rise of the Ottoman Empire Edge of Tomorrow  Ender’s Game film Age of Sail Honor Harrington series by David Weber Riftwar Cycle: The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist Magician trilogy (Riftwar Saga) by Raymond E. Feist The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman A Deeper Season fanfic series by lightgetsin & sahiya Diplomatic Relations by Maldoror_Chant Sacrifices fanfic series by Lightning on the Wave, a 3.6 million word arc   For Next Time Transfigurations by Resonant (Harry Potter fanfic)   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Hail to the scribes, our conquering heroes!!

On this week's episode, we're doing a whirlwind survey of the six finalists from this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel: The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley, Middlegame by Seanan McGuire, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, The City In the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders, and The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow!   What We’re Into Lately Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons A Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons John Wick John Wick: Chapter 2 John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum The King: Eternal Monarch Kung Fu Hustle The Untamed The Great   Other Stuff We Mentioned Kung Fu Panda Be the Serpent Episode 54 The Magicians Fullmetal Alchemist  The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Agatha Christie vibes Skeleton Puzzle-Solving video games Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders  A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine John Scalzi   For Next Time His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. We're definitely nominating our transcription team for the Serpents' Award For Best Scribes. ;)

On this week's episode we're kicking back to discuss some of the beloved fantasy books of our youth, including The Circle of Magic series, the Abhorsen series, the Dark Is Rising series, and others! What We’re Into Lately The Spare by Miranda Dubner Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai The Fever King by Victoria Lee The Electric Heir by Victoria Lee Unholy Union by NeverwinterThistle Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski The King: Eternal Monarch   Other Stuff We Mentioned Marissa Lingen John Wick Teen Wolf fandom Big Wolf on Campus fandom Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù The Untamed Burnout by Emily Nagoski Glitch Slack The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper Greenwitch by Susan Cooper The Grey King by Susan Cooper Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Brigadoon musical Young Wizards series by Diane Duane His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce Sandry’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Tris’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Daja’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Briar’s Book, by Tamora Pierce The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge Linnets and Valerians, by Elizabeth Goudge The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix An Untamed/Abhorsen crossover A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood Diana Wynne Jones Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Wind Singer trilogy by William Nicholson David Eddings Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron Eragon by Christopher Paolini The Acorna series by Anne McCaffrey The Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey Dragon Riders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey The Belgariad Series by David Eddings The Greenhollow Duology by Emily Tesh Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge The Wolves Chronicles series by Joan Aiken Deeplight by Frances Hardinge Rick Riordan Presents   For Next Time The six finalists for this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders Gideon the Ninth by Tamsin Muir A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our beloved scribes, as always, and welcome to the new additions to the scribing team: Kate, BananaLord, Eli, and Marita!

On this week's episode, we're discussing historical fantasy, and Freya makes a truly brilliant point about what this genre really IS. The tentpoles today are The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly, and “Duende” by astolat.   What We’re Into Lately Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho Glitch A Marvelous Light by Freya Markse! Tor.com Dr. Manhattan The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Hornblower by C.S. Forester Loveless anime “Dangerous If Unbound” by astolat Person of Interest Hamilton  Black Sails Downton Abbey Temeraire series by Naomi Novik P.G. Woodhouse books Judging accuracy with the Bill and Ted test Hild by Nicola Griffith Georgette Heyer’s books The Hornblower books by C.S. Forester A Dalliance with the Duke by AMargeurite An Ever-Fixed Mark by AMarguerite Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh The Glamourist Histories series by Mary Robinette Kowal Everfair by Nisi Shawl The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark For Next Time The Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our lovely scribes for their hard work! 

On this week's episode, it's time for another extravaganza of questions from our darling listeners! What's Freya's favorite nonfiction book? How quickly can Macey bring up chaos theory? Will Alex make any progress convincing their cohosts to wear snek onesies for the digital Hugo ceremony?   What We’re Into Lately: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher The Winter Prince by Elizabeth Wein The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Untamed fanfic Scum Villain fanfic The English Game   Other Stuff We Mentioned: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein The City Born Great by N. K. Jemisin The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson The Divine Cities series by Robert Jackson Bennett Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Seanan McGuire’s swamp Ness from Strange Horizons Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzalez Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott Watching the English by Kate Fox The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Johnathan Gottschall Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer The works of Diana Wynne Jones Stargate: Atlantis Laminar flow The Harry Potter series Yuri!!! On Ice Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Uprooted by Naomi Novik RPF Frank/Gerard Thor/Loki Leto/Ghanima Supernatural Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Kylo Ren/Rey Viable Paradise Writers Workshop Dangerous If Unbound by astolat Person of Interest freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose by synecdochic House Proud by astolat Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy The new serpent taxonomy: which astolat fic are you? The Untamed Unseen Academicals Does God Play Dice? by Ian Stewart For Next Time: The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley   Transcription: Click here for the transcript of this episode! Thank you as always to our beautiful, glamorous team of scribes!

On this week's episode we're a lil loopy from quarantine, but we're still having fun! We're talking about non-human protagonists this week, with the tentpoles for discussion being The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood, All Systems Red by Martha Wells, and the film Ratatouille.   What We’re Into Lately A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall Birarley by Aster Glenn Gray The Unconquered City by K.A. Doore perhaps even friends by hirokiyuu The Great Pottery Throw Down Even more Untamed fic Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings Stardew Valley Other Stuff We Mentioned Pikelets Dream Daddy Persona 5 The Great British Bake Off Homestuck Farscape Person of Interest The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin Kushiels’ Dart by Jacqueline Carey WALL·E (2008) The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers Zootopia (2016) “Bright: The Apotheosis of Lazy Worldbuilding” by Lindsay Ellis The Redwall books by Brian Jacques Robin Hood (1973) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) The Aristocats (1970) The Great Mouse Detective (1986) The Good Place Teaching empathy to engineers Star Trek Babylon 5 Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee Cats (2019) What We Do in the Shadows (2014) Jupiter Ascending (2015) Unnatural Order by Alyssa Wickramasinghe and Alis Franklin  Victory Condition by astolat Shrek (2001) Draco is a veela Harry is raised by X The Witcher   For Next Time Nothing! It's the Episode 60 Extravaganza!   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you once again to our priceless, invaluable scribes! You're the best

Welcome back to campus, students! It's the episode about college AUs and university settings! On today’s episode, we’re discussing The Student Prince by FayJay, Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin, and the pilot episode of The Magicians.   What We’re Into Lately Band Sinister by K. J. Charles Stormsong by C.L. Polk The Husky and His White Cat Shizun fic The Untamed fic The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons   Other Stuff We Mentioned Witchmark by C.L. Polk The Husky and His White Cat Shizun by Meatbun Doesn’t Eat Meat aka 肉包不吃肉 All nighters and Irn Bru The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers The Lady’s Not for Burning by Christopher Fry The Student Prince by FayJay -- podfic version Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock Merlin Juxtaposition The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss Sneaking into events for free food Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo The Secret History by Donna Tartt College AU shenanigans American University Hellscape Community Advanced Ambulatory Ichthyology by gyzym Two ducks per student   For Next Time The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Please applaud your scribes, all of them made it onto the Dean's List this semester for their hard work.

On this episode, we are shifting into a more serious register to talk about plague narratives. In light of the current pandemic, we urge you to check in with yourself before listening to this episode--are you doing okay? Are you good to listen to this right now? Please take care of yourself, and don't listen to this episode right now if it'll be an emotional overload for you. It'll always be here for you later. That said, the tentpoles for this episode are:  The Monster of Elendhaven, The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, and the eighth episode of the first season of X-Files, called “The Ice.”   What We’re Into Lately The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings Drowned Country by Emily Tesh Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather The Case for Socialism by Alan Maass Paris or Maybe Hell by basingstoke Scum Villain fanfic   Other Stuff We Mentioned malariotherapy Episode 60 Extravaganza! The Untamed To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Children of Men by P.D. James Blindness by José Saramago Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Newsflesh series by Mira Grant A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker Handshaking Con Crud Handwashing Zombies Kingdom Shaun of the Dead (2004) Epidemiology “With Fire in Their Eyes” by Askerian “House of the Living” by astolat The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin For Next Time The Student Prince by fayjay   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Seriously, though, special thanks to our scribes for tackling this one.

On this week's episode, we're diving into a very self-referential discussion of the metatext! Tentpoles this week are the film The Handmaiden, the fanfic “Steve Rogers at 100,” and A Choir of Lies by our very own Alexandra Rowland.   What We’re Into Lately Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Impossible Contract by K. A. Doore Georgette Heyer The Untamed The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xu Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xu The Simplest Way Forward by harriet_vane   Other Stuff We Mentioned Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild 1917 Eddie Izzard bit Pirates Overinvested Written by the Victors by Speranza Fingersmith by Sarah Waters A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears Person of Interest (or, the Husbands and Wives show) For Next Time The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here! Appreciate your local scribes and their hard work by reading their margin comments--they've been metatexty this whole time, wow!

On this week's episode, we're talking about bureaucracies! Macey brought a fun little game so Alex and Freya could use their imaginations! We're also talking about two great tentpoles: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett and the Harry Potter fanfic “Little Red Courgette” by blamebrampton.   What We’re Into Lately The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu  astolat Joy of Life Small Gods by Terry Pratchett Untamed A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H. G. Parry   Other Stuff We Mentioned Going Postal by Terry Pratchett “Little Red Courgette” by blamebrampton Tor.com Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke The New Oxford American Dictionary Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Making Money by Terry Pratchett Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett Cambridge Analytica Leverage The IT Crowd A Memory Called Empire Machineries of Empire series BtS Episode 7 Loreena McKinnit Jupiter Ascending Bureaucracy Scene Zootopia Three Parts Dead Harry Potter book series  Little Britain “The Office Job” Leverage ep. City of Blades BtS Episode 29 The West Wing Parks and Rec Yes Minister The Thick of It Veep For Next Time A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you, scribes!!!

On this episode, we're discussing portal fantasies! We're yelling about how mad we are at Aslan! We're finding out Freya's middle name! We're talking about some great tentpoles: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, “Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire, and the 2005 movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.   What We’re Into Lately Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little Women 2019 movie Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System Our Story’s Just Begun by aishiteru Flesh and Blood exhibit “Sunflowers” by Anselm Kiefer The Untamed series etymologyplayground on AO3 Other Stuff We Mentioned The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow “Every Heart a Doorway“ by Seanan McGuire The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie Danger Mouse series Silk and Steel anthology The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Wayward Children by Seanan Mcguire ‘The Girl That’s Never Been’ Filk song by Vixy & Tony (Michelle Dockrey) ‘Wicked Girls’ song by Seanan McGuire Restoree by Anne McCaffrey Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel The Magicians by Lev Grossman The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones Doctor Who TV series Quantum Leap TV series Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Stargate film & TV series Farscape TV series Star Trek Voyager TV series The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Naruto anime Dreaming of Sunshine by Silver Queen The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Homestuck webcomic The Sims videogame     For Next Time Little Red Courgette by blamebrampton   Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our beauteous, heroic scribes for making this happen!

On this episode, the Serpents are welding themselves to their bullshit with the help of a friend, glamorous guest star and kickass editor Ruoxi Chen! We're yelling about the Chinese fantasy drama, The Untamed! Welcome to Year Three of the podcast!!   What We’re Into Lately Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Wilder Girls by Rory Power The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System SV Wishes by Feynite Letterkenny “Linger in the Sun” by etymologyplayground     Other Stuff We Mentioned Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Lord of the Flies by William Golding Macmillan Publishers The Lymond Chronicles series by Dorothy Dunnett Captive Prince trilogy by C. S. Pacat. Tor Publishers Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by 墨香铜臭 Mo Dao Zu Shi Mo Dao Zu Shi audio drama Guardian Oh My General “A Civil Combpaign” by Ariaste (two combs reference) Tall Once More In The Spring Wind by Fayjay Books by Robert Jackson Bennett Nirvana In Fire  Count of Monte Cristo NIF on Viki Empresses in the Palace   For Next Time Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire   Transcription: The transcript for this episode is available here. We're dramatically grabbing the wrists of our darling scribes (Tess, Sara, Kelle, Millie) and staring yearningly into their eyes as they play our love song on a hill somewhere.

WHAT'S THIS? An episode on a Wednesday that isn't an Episode Wednesday!? Yes, it's true! Last year we pitched in to help our esteemed colleagues at Strange Horizons with their Kickstarter by pledging to do a special episode if they reached a certain landmark amount of donations. This week, we're bringing you that episode and talking about three amazing short stories that Strange Horizons published! The tentpoles this week are “Hunting the Viper King” by Kathryn Harlan, “Regret, Return, Reignite” by Audrey R. Hollis, and “Truth Plus” by Jamie Wahls.   What We’re Into Lately The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Altogether by Brill Harper On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis Hoshigaki by writer168 Five Kingdoms for the Dead by Evil Is A Relative Term Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers The Good Place Hadestown Good Omens Connections (TV series) Schitt’s Creek The Great British Bake Off Other Stuff We Mentioned A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold How We Got To Now by Steven Johnson Connections by James Burke Avatar: The Last Airbender Supernatural The Legend of Taliesin “Many Hearted Dog and the Heron Who Stepped Past Time” A Paradise Built in Hell  “What We Named the Needle” by Freya Marske, in Analog “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin “Road: A Fairytale” “Super Little Dead Girls” by Nino Cipri “Remains” by Basingstoke Rogue One: A Star Wars Story “Wrap Me in Oceans Wide” by Marissa Lingen “Notes on a Resurrection” by Natalia Theodoridou “The Wind Whispers Secrets To The Sea” by Jordan Kurella “Sequestration; Vitrification” by AJ Lucy “The King’s Mirror” by M.K. Hutchins “Cassandra Draws the Four of Cups” by Ruthanna Emrys “Who Has Never Loved a Gentle House?” by Osahon Ize-Iyamu “Sublet” by Ian Kappos   For Next Time It's back to your regularly scheduled on-our-bullshit with next week's episode, which is still about The Untamed!   Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. BONUS THANKS to our scribes for taking on this bonus episode!

On this week's episode, we're reminiscing about some of our favorite anime and talking a little about how it influenced our writing! The tentpoles for this episode are: Hikaru no Go, Yakitate!! Japan, and Princess Tutu.    What We’re Into Lately The Untamed & Untamed fic Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Gilded Cage by K.J. Charles Mutual Admiration Society: How… by Mo Moulton The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Thief by Ava March Mo Dao Zu Shi donghua Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu Other Stuff We Mentioned Prince of Tennis Naruto Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Any Old Diamonds by K.J. Charles Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland Shaman King Pokémon D.N. Angel Gravitation Yami no Matsuei Great British Bake Off Coppelia (ballet) Midsummer Night’s Dream  (ballet) Romeo and Juliet (ballet) Nutcracker (ballet) Swan Lake (ballet) Ugly Duckling (ballet)  Cinderella (ballet) The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Sailor Moon Bleach  Full Metal Alchemist Yuri!!! On Ice  Run with the Wind Digimon   Beyblade Yu-Gi-Oh! Ouran High School Host Club Junjō Romantica Revolutionary Girl Utena Tokyo Babylon X/1999 Hannibal   For Next Time The Untamed   Transcript The transcript of this episode is available here. We cherish our scribes so much, and you should too!