If This Goes On (Don't Panic)

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Bringing hope to the world through Speculative Fiction. Interviews with Science Fiction and Fantasy writers, gamers, creators, and activists.

Alan Bailey


    • May 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 50m AVG DURATION
    • 112 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from If This Goes On (Don't Panic)

    Speculative Whiteness Part 1: Acadmic Altruist with Dr. Jordan S. Carroll

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 19:04


    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.

    Novus Monstrum with Douglas Gwilym

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 98:28


    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.

    Throwback Interview: Peter Beagle at the 2018 Nebulas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 19:51


    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.

    TJ Klune

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 68:04


    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.

    Bailey's Books: Humor, Hope, and Resistance

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 14:06


    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

    The Working with Brightflame

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 75:12


    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.

    Why I like Military Science Fiction: My PTSD Journey - Part 2 with Diane Morrison

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 29:41


    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.

    ptsd morrison journey part military science fiction
    Rumor Has It with Cat Rambo and Dave Robison

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 78:54


    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.

    Book Navigator: Solarpunk Creatures, Penelope Rex, and a Bunch of Nonfiction with Navarre Bartz

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 12:33


    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

    The Nightmare Box & Other Stories with Cynthia Gomez

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 76:42


    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.  

    Bailey's Books: Some Flame Tree Stuff, A Kerouac Fantasy, & A Bit of Nonfiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 16:40


    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

    US Listeners: Please Vote!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 0:54


    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.

    The Ballad of Perilous Graves with Alex Jennings

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 63:50


    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.  

    Publishing in Africa

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 23:57


    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.

    Hope in Horror: The Stephen King Conundrum and Godzilla Minus One with Paul Jessup

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 9:55


    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.

    The Reformatory with Tananarive Due

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 65:43


    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.  

    How Weird is Weird? LIVE with Dan Scamell and Bradley Sides

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 54:06


    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.

    How to Solarpunk in a Lonely World with Susan Kaye Quinn

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 12:29


    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.

    All This And More with Peng Shepherd

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 57:55


    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.

    Bailey's Books Summer 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 13:28


    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  

    books dead countess allen stroud darrin doyle
    History and Hope with Ada Palmer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 89:37


    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.

    Part 1: Why I love Military Science Fiction with Diane Morrison

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 27:11


    The first part of Diane's column about Military Scence Fiction is here! Welcome to our most personal and daring column yet!

    morrison military science fiction
    The Rain Artist with Claire Rudy Foster

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 77:18


    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.

    Hope in Horror: A column with Paul Jessup

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 13:11


    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.

    Kickstarting Short Fiction with Jamie Lackey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 67:15


    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.

    Solarpunk: Solarpunk Kids Are Free Range with Navarre Bartz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 15:57


    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.

    Bailey's Books Column: A Lot of Sequals, Some Short Stories, and Some Nonfiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 14:51


    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

    Womb City with Tlotlo Tsamaase

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 78:55


    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.

    womb kofi motswana
    Chaos Preceeds Creation with Tade Thompson & Paul Jessup

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 83:01


    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.  

    Publishing in Africa: Looking out for 2024 with Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 20:51


    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.

    africa african publishing hugos oghenechovwe donald ekpeki
    Spec Fic Partisan: Mental Health and Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 9:54


     In this episode Rick talks about how writing has helped his mental health over the last 5 or so years.

    Psychic Explorations LIVE with Nadi Afifi and Zig Zag Claybourne

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 59:01


    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.

    Hope in Horror with Suzan Palumbo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 77:40


    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.

    Book Navigator: Another Life & When We hold Each Other Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 9:29


    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. 

    Solapunk: Giving Off Vibes - 2023 Panel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 60:52


    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)

    giving future panel vibes solarpunk green dreamer susan kaye quinn
    Bad Writer with Paul Jessup

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 86:32


    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.

    Art Is Magic with Sam J. Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 62:36


    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.

    Bailey's Books: Halloween! 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 10:13


    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

    Writing with Intellectual Curiosity with Kate Elliott

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 85:20


    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.

    Solapunk: Anarchism and Prefiguative Politics with Justine Norton-Kertson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 16:28


    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.

    Biomimicry, Agriclutre, and Education with Clyde Boyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 73:19


    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.

    Bailey's Books: Space Opera, Political Commentary, and a Touch of Mystery

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 11:36


    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

    Ray Nayler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 58:59


    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.

    Book Navigator: Bioluminescent: A Lunarpunk Anthology

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 7:39


    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

    The Importance of Community with Maurice Broaddus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 49:49


    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.

    Solarpunk: Solarpunk Everything! with Susan Kaye Quinn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 15:26


    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.

    solarpunk susan kaye quinn
    Puncutation Poetry and Dystopia with Eugen Bacon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2023 74:55


    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.

    Publishing in Africa: Afropantheology with Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 18:07


    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.

    Solarpunk: Urbanism as Appropriate Technology with Navarre Bartz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2023 12:02


    In our first Solapunk column, Navarre Bartz discusses biking, public transit, densifying cities, and gives some book and podcast recommendations. 

    Health, Hope, and Heroes with Ricardo Victoria

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 88:37


    In this episode, Alan and Diane talk with author and professor of Sustainable Design Ricardo Victoria about mental health representation in fiction, sustainability and the environment, hopepunk, the Tempest Blades novel series, 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.

    Spec Fic Partisan: AI Vs the Weird with Rick Claypool

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 10:13


    In this episode, Rick talks about AI, why he beleives human authors are never going away, and weird ass indie books. 

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