Bringing hope to the world through Speculative Fiction. Interviews with Science Fiction and Fantasy writers, gamers, creators, and activists.
In this mash-up column, Paul Jessup, of Fear is the Fire That Lights the Heart, and our own Alan Bailey along with guests Maurice Broaddus, and Susan Kaye Quinn explore the differences and simularities between the genre of horror and the subgenre of Solarpunk and come to some very surprising conclusions. We discuss community, resiliance, Weird fiction, anger and anxiety as inspiration, libraries, and the creation of possibilities. Throughout the episode they reference the following article: Reading Weird Fiction in an Age of Facism: https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/05/02/reading-weird-fiction-in-an-age-of-fascism/
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to prolific writer and historian Harry Turtledove. They discuss Cat and Harry's collaboration on The Trumps Will Sound, Turtledove's new book: Powerless, Vaclav Havel, Totalitarianism, the power of the individual, Elon Musk, the alt-right in Science Fiction, reader interpretation of work, how the US would break up, staying inspired, Imposter Syndrome, Peter Beagle, Ted Sturgeon, staying relevent, Harry's start in Sword and Sorcery, pen names, Lester Del Rey, strange things in history, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the worth of good editors, and much more.
In the first part of this new column about the alt-right and Speculative Fiction fandom, we get to know the author of the groundbreaking discussion, Speculative Witeness. Alan and Jordan discuss gateway genre authors, JRR Tolkien, transgressive science fiction, how SF fans experience time differently, how Jordan started studying the alt-right in conjunction with Speculative Fiction, Jordan's relationship to fandom, becoming a Hugo finalist, the treatment of genre in acadamia, the history of fascism in Speculative Fiction, neo-nazis relationship to fandom, Alan also continues his feud with Diane over Robert Heinlein vs. Phillip K Dick, and much more. Geek Temporalities and the Spirit of Captial can be found here. You can find a copy of Speculative Whiteness here.
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to writer and editor Douglas Gwilym. We discuss the Horror Writers Association, the importance of character, blending genres, the Triangulation Anthologies, editing anthologies, joy in writing, monsters, journies in fiction, the importance of writing fiction in uncertain times, and much more. You can find Novus Monstrum here. https://thedragonsroost.biz/product/novus-monstrum/ If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
As Alan convalesces from a covid infection, we've been going back through our archives looking for something interesting for our feed. This selection is an interview betwen Alan and Fantasy Grandmaster Peter Beagle the day after Beagle received his Grandmaster award. Their discussion includes: advice to younger writers, Patrick Rothfuss, Peter's relationship to Pittburgh Baseball, politics, Peter's love of animals. TW: There is some discussion of Neal Gaiman. Please be aware, this interview occured 6+ years before Gaiman's poor behavior was public knowledge.
TW: Suicide and Cults In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to author, TJ Klune. We discuss Howl's Moving Castle, belief in aliens, X-Files, Coast to Coast with Art Bell, the 1990s, the Heaven's Gate cult, JKR, TJ's future projects, pets, more X-Files (so much X-Files), and much more. TJ Klune's Website: https://www.tjklunebooks.com/ If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode Alan reviews (books linked below): Jubilee by Stephen K Stanford published by Flame Tree Press 2023 Cryptid Bits by Jesse Simms published by Last-Picked Books 2024 Skull Slime Tentacle Witch War by Rick Claypool published by Anxiety Press 2024 Coyote Run by Lilith Saintcrow published by Horned Lark Press February, 25th 2025 Tempest Blades: The Root of Hope by Ricardo Victoria published by Shadow Dragon Press 2024
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to teacher, author, Solarpunk, and witch, Brightflame. We discuss how Solarpunk relates to witchcraft, second world fantasy, Marion Zimmer Bradley, inspiring art with questionable creators, your shadow self, the Reclaiming Tradition, Witch Camp, how to know if you're doing enough politically, writing a community of characters, stereotypes, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
The second part of Diane's column about Military Scence Fiction is here! In this column, Diane grapples with the physical manifestations of PTSD, and discusses Military Science Fiction that represents PTSD realistically.
In this episode, Alan and guest co-host, Dave Robison, talk to our own Cat Rambo about Cat's newest novel Rumor Has It, the evolution of her work, her upcoming work, the pragmatisim of necromancy, villiains, clones, humor, 2025 WorldCon, 10 book series, building romance in a story, Conan the Barbarian and Robert E Howard, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode of the Book Navigator column, Navarre Bartz reviews a collection of short fiction, a children's fiction series, as well as a lot of nonfiction including: Solarpunk Creatures by World Weaver Press Penelope Rex by Ryan T. Higgins The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv The Internet Con by Cory Doctorow How to Build with Grid Beam by Phil Jergenson Better Sleep For Overacheivers by Anne Bartolucci
In this episode, Alan talks to writer Cynthia Gomez about La Llarona, Poltergeist. The Shining, horror and social justice, story inspiration, racism, working in education, covid and cons, unions, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
Lagrange Point by Alan Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2023 Terra by Allen Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2023 Hellweg's Keep by Justin Holley published by Flame Tree Press 2023 The Day and Night Books of Mardou Fox by Nisi Shawl published by Rosarium Publishing October 2024 One Eye Opened in that Other Place by Christi Nogle published by Flame Tree Press 2024 Women of Horror and Speculative Fiction in Their Own Words: Conversations with Authors and Editors edited by Sebastien Doubinsky and Christina Kkona published 2024 by Bloomsbury Academic
Hello US Listeners, this is just a reminder to please vote. Today is election day and it is an extremely important election. We stand against Trump and authoritarianism, but unless we all stand together it could be lost. PLEASE do the what you can.
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to author, comedian, and teacher Alex Jennings about New Orleans, music, the legend of Stagger Lee, the practice of signifying, The Phantom Tollbooth, the X-Men, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this Episode of Publishing in Africa, Oghenechovwe and Alan discuss The Best African Speculative Fiction Volume 3, trends in African fiction, WorldCon 2024, Scotland, the Nommo Awards, the Hugo Awards, how to make conferences diverse.
Jsut in time for October, Paul is back with another Hope in Horror column. This time Paul confronts Godzilla itself and discusses how the newest kaiju movie gives him hope. He also discusses the balance between hope and horror and how they change a story.
TW: Sexual Assualt In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to bestselling author Tananarive Due about imprisoning children, almost giving up on The Reformatory, historical research, To Kill a Mocking Bird, children protagonsits, using horror to deal with social issues, Kamala Harris, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this LIVE episode, Alan and Diane talk to authors Dan Scamell and Bradley Sides about the weird, the bizarro sub-genre, aliens, monsters, haveing the confidence to publish, story structure, getting published, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In the second Solarpunk column of 2024, scientist, engineer, and author Susan Kaye Quinn, explores community and it's importance to humans and Solarpunk. Topics include working together, the importance of community, how social media and AI keep us from authentic connection, and why human-ness matters.
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to bestselling author Peng Shepherd about multi-verses, meta-fiction, cats, travel, reality TV, morality, and much more. Just a heads up, Alan had some minor audio issues in this recording, but it shouldn't be distracting. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode Alan reviews (books linked below): Let Gravity Seize the Dead by Darrin Doyle published 2024 by Regal House publishing Countess by Suzan Palumbo, published September 2024 by ECW Press Ceres by Allen Stroud, published 2023 by Flame Tree Press The Magic of Chaos By Ricardo Victoria published 2023 by Shadow Dragon Press The Horror by Seb Doubinski published 2024 by IFWG Publishing International
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to author and historian Ada Palmer about changing Family dynamics, the right to exit (a country), government systems in science fiction, information technology revolutions and their effect on the world, the problem wiht the media, and much more. Link to Fix the News: https://fixthenews.com/ If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
The first part of Diane's column about Military Scence Fiction is here! Welcome to our most personal and daring column yet!
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to author Claire Rudy Foster about The Rain Artist, billionairres, turning short fiction into long fiction, the Sackler family, addiction, generational wealth, music, the meaning of success, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
I am pleased to announce that this is the first episode of a new column called Hope in Horror with Paul Jessup. In this episode Paul tackles the topic of hope in horror head-on by discussing the show Yellow Jackets.
In this episode, Alan and Cate talk to author Jamie Lackey about Short Fiction, Flash Fiction, being ACE, Sudio Ghibli, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Pride and Prejudice, running Kickstarter campeigns, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In the first Solarpunk column of 2024, engineer, Youtuber, and blogger, Navarre Bartz, explores the practicalities of what Solarpunk kids might look like, as well as the current state of childhood. Topics include schooling, parenting, bussing, and more.
A Death at the Dionysus Club by Melissa Scott & Amy Griswold published by Queen of Swords Press 2023 originally published 2014 https://queenofswordspress.com/product/a-death-at-the-dionysus-club/ Green New Worlds: A Quick Guide to Sustainability Through Science Fiction and Fantasy by Ricardo Victoria-Uribe and Martha Elba Gonzalez-Alcaraz published 2024 by Luna Press Publishing https://shop.harvard.com/book/9781915556301 Interchange by Daniel M. Bensen published 2021 by Flame Tree Press https://www.flametreepublishing.com/interchange-isbn-9781787584693.html The Skinless Man Counts to Five and Other Tales of the Macabre by Paul Jessup published by Underland Press March, 2024 https://firebirdcreative.myshopify.com/products/the-skinless-man-counts-to-five Europa (part of the Fractal Series) by Allen Stroud Published by Flame Tree Press 2023 https://www.flametreepublishing.com/europa-isbn-9781787588240.html
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to Motswana author and architect Tlotlo Tsamaase about her new book Womb City, writing traumatic scenes, feminism, plotting novels, boddy hopping, and the nature of identity. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode, Alan talks to authors Tade Thompson and Paul Jessup about nontraditional story structure, innovating, book reviews and the importance of paid critics, self publishing vs trad publishing, "romantasy" and other trends, books, and even more about books, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this Episode of Publishing in Africa, Oghenechovwe and Alan discuss how virtual conferences could improve, a bit about the Hugos, some African authors to look out for, as well as what Oghenechovwe is up to for 2024.
In this episode Rick talks about how writing has helped his mental health over the last 5 or so years.
In this episode, Diane and Alan chat with author Nadia Afifi and author/publisher Zig Zag Claybourne. They discuss Game of Thrones, writing endings, killing characters, how crowd funding will change publishing, indie vs trad pusblishing, and give a shout out to Flame Tree Press. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode, Alan and guest host Amy Salley, of Hugo Girl!, talk to author Suzan Palumbo about hope in horror, identity in horror, gothic fun, Frankenstein, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode of the Book Navigator column, Navarre Bartz reviews Another Life by Sarena Ulibarri, published in 2023 by Stelliform Press; and When We Hold Each Other Up by Phoebe Wagner, published in 2023 by Android Press. You can purchase Another Life here. Or When We Hold Each Other Up here.
In our final Solapunk column for 2023, we pull together all our Solapnk columnists for a panel. Alan, Justine Norton-Kertson, Susan Kaye Quinn, and Navarre Bartz discuss Solapunk vibes, how to improve Solarpunk world building, and bringing Solarpunk to a wider community. Reccomendations: Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanly Robinson The Garbage Queen Unfucking the Planet Dreamforge Magazine How We Survive podcast Green Dreamer podcast Next Economy Now podcast Andrewism (Youtube) Our Changing Climate (Youtube)
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to author and game creator Paul Jessup about his favorite horror movies, how Paul found his writing voice, the publishing market, creating video games, using personal experience in writing, the history of Weird Fiction, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to author Sam J. Miller about their favorite horror movies, politics in horror, racism, the history of whaling in Hudson, queer relationships in fiction, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode, Alan reviews: Split Scream Volume 3 by Patrick Barb & J.A.W. McCarthy published 2023 by Dread Stone Press A Dance with the Dead by Nuzo Onoh published 2022 by Stygian Sky Media Touched by Shadows by Vaughn A. Jackson 2021 by Journalstone Promise by Christi Nogle published 2023 by Flame Tree Press
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to author Kate Elliott about her new novel Unconquerable Sun, feminism, writing fight scenes, the importance of intellectual curiosity, writing from experience, and much more. Also Diane has writing epiphanies and AI is not mentioned. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In the third Solarpunk column, Justine Norton-Kertson, editor of Solarpunk Magazine, explores anarchism and prefigurative politics. Then discusses how those have shaped Solarpunk and could shape our future.
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk with author, maker, and biomimic Clyde Boyer about his novel Girl Out of TIme, AI, biomimicry, world building, developing agency in children, education, agriculture, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode, Alan reviews: Resilient by Allen Stroud published 2022 by Flame Tree Press What Rough Beast by Michael R. Johnston published 2022 by Flame Tree Press Death by Silver by Melissa Scott & Amy Griswold published 2023 by Queen of Swords Press Laughing in the Reign: Surviving the crazy, hilarious, scary times of Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden by Russell Fedorka Self-published in 2022
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk with author Ray Nayler about his novel the Mountain Under the Sea, Secular Buddhism, animal behavior, interconnectedness, AI, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this episode of the Book Navigator column Navarre Bartz reviews Bioluminescent: A Lunarpunk Anthology edited by Justine Norton-Kertson published in 2023 by Android Press. You can purchase the book here. Or here: https://www.android-press.com/bookstore?page=2
In this episode, Alan and Cat talk with author and community organizer Maurice Broaddus about his novel Sweep of Stars, using humor, revision process, how to get involved with your community, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In the second Solarpunk column, Susan Kaye Quinn, author, environmental engineer, and rocket scientist tells you why she want to Solapunk Everything! Get under the umbrella, ignore the hyperobjects, and learn how to improve our future.
In this episode, Alan and Diane talk with author Eugne Bacon about her beginnings as a writer, co-authoring, dystopia, and much more. If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.
In this Episode of Publishing in Africa, Oghenechovwe and Alan discuss the meaning behind Afropantheology, Oghenechovwe's plans for Afropantheology (including a new line of books), and the International Conference for Fantasy in the Arts.
In our first Solapunk column, Navarre Bartz discusses biking, public transit, densifying cities, and gives some book and podcast recommendations.
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