Strange Horizons

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Aisha and Dan discuss a recent essay by Jake Casella Brookins that appeared in the Ancillary Review of Books. "The vaunted prophylactic prophecy of science fiction—the ability to prevent an undesirable future by loudly predicting it—has consistently proven false," argues Brookins, and so Aisha and Dan ask themselves: what good, and bad, might SF do? And when we find a piece of good criticism such as this essay, how can it help us think better about its questions?

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Aisha and Dan talk to critic and poet Catherine Rockwood about her new chapbook, And We Are Far From Shore , a set of poems about the television show Our Flag Means Death. Catherine reviewed the show for Strange Horizons less than a year ago, and discusses how reviewing and criticism feed into creative practice. There are also, of course, pirates. The transcript of this episode can be found at the Strange Horizons website.

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, the critic and reviewer Paul Kincaid joins Aisha and Dan to discuss how and why critics persevere in their work, what changes about it as the platforms and delivery mechanisms that surround criticism shift, and the challenges that face those writers who seek to collect or look back on their previous work. He also discusses A Traveller In Time, the forthcoming volume of reviews and essays by Maureen Kincaid Speller.

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Aisha and Dan discuss what happens when books make you work. How does a reader know whether to persevere with a book when at first they're not sure of it? How can we decide if a book really isn't working on its own terms—or whether we're missing something and need to pay closer attention? And how can a critical reader check their own expectations to assess a text fairly? Expect discussion of Susannah Clarke, Yuri Herrera, Christopher Priest, Catherynne Valente, and more. A transcript of this episode is available in the June 19th, 2023 issue of Strange Horizons.

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, we air an interview with the reviewer, editor, and critic Niall Harrison which Dan conducted at Conversation, the 2023 UK Eastercon, at which Niall was a Guest of Honour. Through a series of books from various parts of his life, Niall talks about how he began reading SF, why he started reviewing it ... and where criticism might or should go in the future. Niall Harrison is author of All These Worlds: Reviews and Essays (Briardene Books, 2023). Eastercon 2024 will be Levitation, hosted in Telford; Eastercon 2025 will be Reconnect, to be held in Belfast.

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Reviews Editors Aisha Subramanian and Dan Hartland are joined by Abigail Nussbaum to tackle one of the thorniest issues in criticism: the negative review. What makes for a good bad review? Why do reviewers feel driven to write them? And are we now in an age where the hatchet job has had its day?

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Reviews Editors Aisha Subramanian and Dan Hartland talk to novelist, reviewer, and Strange Horizons' Co-ordinating Editor, Gautam Bhatia, about how reviewing and criticism of all kinds align—and do not—with fiction-writing and the genre more widely. You can read the episode transcript here.

In this special episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, reviews editors Aisha Subramanian and Dan Hartland introduce audio from a 2018 recording for Jonah Sutton-Morse's podcast Cabbages and Kings which included Maureen Kincaid Speller discussing with Aisha and Jonah three books: Everfair by Nisi Shawl, Temporary People by Deepak Unnikrishnan, and The Winged Histories by Sofia Samatar.

In the second episode of Critical Friends, reviews editors Aisha Subramanian, Dan Hartland, and Maureen Kincaid Speller discuss the role of trust in criticism: how is it built and lost, and how can the reader decide whether a particular piece of criticism is worth paying attention to? Read the full transcript on our website.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 30 January issue. “In memoriam Maureen K. Speller” by Catherine Rockwood, Read by Catherine Rockwood. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Catherine here. “In Review” by Romie Stott, Read by Romie Stott and Maureen Kincaid Speller. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Romie here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 2 May issue. “i roll up to the club in a gundam” by Eric Wang. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Eric here. “your subcutaneous mermaid” by Sara S. Messenger, read by Sara S. Messenger. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Sara here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 18 April issue. “the West is dead” by Blaize Kelly Strothers, read by Blaize Kelly Strothers. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Blaize here. “Responding to Poetry and Prose Poems (pg 36 of Practice of Creative Writing)” by Ken Haponek, read by Ken Haponek. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Ken here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 14 March issue with readings by the poets. “Limbs” by Samuel A. Adeyemi, read by Samuel A. Adeyemi. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Samuel here. “Tricona” by Lalini Shanela Ranaraja, read by Lalini Shanela Ranaraja. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Lalini here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 7 March issue. “Gorgons” by Kay Billie Oakes, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Kay here. “Final Resting Place” by Gerri Leen, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Gerri here.

Join our Review Editors Dan Hartland, Maureen Kincaid Speller, and Aisha Subramanian for the first episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF Criticism Podcast. Read the full transcript on our website.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 14 February issue. “Cure” by Vijayalakshmi Harish. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Vijayalakshmi here. “A Jar of Condensed Milk” by Gretchen Tessmer, Read by Gretchen Tessmer. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Gretchen here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 7 February issue. “increase” by Dawn Macdonald, as read by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Dawn here. “The World Is a Curio” by Nicky Russell. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Nicky here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons fiction podcast, editor Courtney Floyd presents E.M. Fauld's "Broken Blue." You can read the full story and find more about E.M. here. Content warnings for this story include: Animal cruelty/death Drug use Shaming Vomit

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 24 January issue. “Sestina for a friend misplaced and recovered” by Katy Bond, read by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Katy here. “My Double, My Brother” by Averi Kurth, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Averi here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the 3 January issue. “Coup” by Antonio Funches, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Antonio here. “Who Came From The Woods ” by Lev Mirov, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Lev here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Merie Kirby's “Mother.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Merie here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Freydís Moon's “NAMED THINGS.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Freydís here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents C. S. E. Cooney's “Werewoman” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about C. S. E. here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Madeline Grigg's “The Giantess Angrboða Drowns All the Mirrors in the House When Her Husband Loki Leaves.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Madeline here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Allison Parrish's “Variational Sestinoid Spiral Seeds 281698895 and 510616808.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Allison here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Liam Corley's “Frame of Reference” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Liam here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry earned in this year's Fund Drive. “The Evolution of Whales” by Michael Meyerhofer, read by Michael Meyerhofer. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Michael here. “To Disappear into a Song Wide Enough to Drown” by Wale Ayinla, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Wale here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents K. Ceres Wright's “Mission: Accomplished.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about K. here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons fiction podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents Lisabelle Tay's "Surat Dari Hantu". You can read the full story and find more about Lisabelle here. Content warnings for this story include: Blood Body transformation Child death Death/dying Drug use Murder Needles Spiders/insects Violence/combat

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Anthony Okpunor's “Insomnia.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Anthony here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Mary Robles' “Corazón Oculto.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Mary here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Courtney Skaggs' “The Little Death After the Apocalypse.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Courtney here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons fiction podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents Clara Ward's "Motivation Augmentation." You can read the full story, and find more about Clara, on our website. Content warnings for this story include: Disregard for personal autonomy Body transformation

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Steve Castro's “The suck-up.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Steve here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents B. Pladek's "All Us Ghosts". You can read the full story text here, and find more of B. Pladek's work here. Content warnings for this story include: Disregard for personal autonomy Death/dying Dysphoria Infectious disease

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Yuna Kang's “Funeral for a Star,” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Yuna here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents the poetry of the Southeast Asian Poetry Special Issue. “Firework” by Ian Goh, read by Ian Goh. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Ian here. “空心菜” by Andy Winter, read by Ciro Faienza. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Andy here. “City Lights as Myth” by Yong-Yu Huang, read by Yong-Yu Huang. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Yong-Yu here. “Âu Cơ in the Water Palace” by Sunny Vuong, read by Sunny Vuong. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Sunny here. “All the Army Ghost Stories I Have Heard” by Natalie Wang, read by Natalie Wang. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Natalie here. “Housekeeping Duties” by Mark Dimaisip, read by Mark Dimaisip. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Mark here. “Rites of Becoming a White Lady” by Yvanna Vien Tica, read by Yvanna Vien Tica. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Yvanna here. “Kuala Lumpur Urban Legends” by Jack Kin Lim, read by Jack Kin Lim. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Jack here. “Bunian Laundry” by May Chong, read by May Chong. You can read the full text of the poem and more about May here. “Ode” by P. H. Low, read by P. H. Low. You can read the full text of the poem and more about P. H. here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Courtney Floyd presents H. Pueyo's "Cocoon," which first appeared in Strange Horizons on 2 August 2021. You can read the full story text, and find more about H. Pueyo here.  

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Courtney Floyd presents Melanie Harding-Shaw's "Data Migration," which first appeared in Strange Horizons on 12 July 2021. You can read the full story text, and find more about Melanie Harding-Shaw here. Content warnings for this story include: Spiders/insects

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Hannah V Warren's “Ode to Women's Arms in SF Television.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about Hannah here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Bryce A. Taylor's “Cartilage” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Bryce here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents P. H. Low's "The Loneliness of Former Constellations." You can read the full story text, and find more about P. H. Low here. Content warnings for this story include: Animal cruelty/death Disregard for personal autonomy Blood Scars/scarification Suicide Violence/combat Vomit

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents M. Regan's “The Hollow.” You can read the full text of the poem and more about M. here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Mary Soon Lee's “What Cacti Read” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Mary here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Nora Claire Miller's “In the Witch's House” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Nora here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents Ian Rosales Casocot's "The Cataloguer of Deceit." You can read the full story, and find out more about Ian here. Content warnings for this story include: Disregard for personal autonomy Child abuse Death/dying Mental health issues Vomit

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Dante Novario's “The Great Missouri Tornado of 1882” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Dante here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Kat Kourbeti presents Anna Martino's "Haja Hoje." You can read the full story, and find out more about Anna, here. Content warnings for this story include: Animal cruelty/death Disregard for personal autonomy Death/dying

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Courtney Floyd presents "The Giant with No Heart in Her Body" by Nike Sulway. The full text of the story can be found here.   Content warnings: Blood Body transformation Death/dying Drug use

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Ciro Faienza presents Palimrya's “TREAT ME EARLY” with a reading by the poet. You can read the full text of the poem and more about Palimrya here.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons podcast, editor Courtney Floyd presents "Temporal Slider" by Blaze Forbes.  The full text of this story can be found here.