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Mythmakers

Oxford Centre for Fantasy

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 36 min
  • English

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  • S9 · E3
    Thursday · 1 hr 2 min

    A Talking Balrog? The Big Fantasy News From Films to TV to Books

    Julia Golding is joined today by Jacob Rennaker to look back at the summer for fantasy in the movie theatres and look forward to the major fantasy TV series coming up over the next few months. What tone will the first season of Harry Potter strike—more child-friendly like the first film, or darker to appeal to adult audiences? What’s happening with Season 3 of The Rings of Power? Which characters will we be rooting for? And what about a talking Balrog played by Simon Pegg? Julia and Jacob then turn to news about their own fantasy books and discuss what it’s like to be part of a publicity drive, before wrapping up with Brandon Sanderson’s latest updates on the Mistborn screenplay. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy News Catch-Up 00:59 Christopher Nolan's Odyssey: The Big Summer Fantasy Film 06:30 The Gods Question: Divine or Psychological? 10:48 Sirens and Disappointments: What Didn't Work 11:29 The Greek Myth Renaissance: What's Next for Fantasy? 13:53 Hadestown: Greek Tragedy Meets American Folk 20:02 Backrooms and Horror: Liminal Spaces on Screen 22:23 HBO's Harry Potter Series: First Impressions and Expectations 28:13 Rings of Power Season 3: Fixing the Story Problem 29:32 Tolkien's Letter 131: The Second Age Masterclass 37:10 A Talking Balrog: Simon Pegg and the Cockney Question 42:21 The Storytelling Challenge: Where Are the Hobbits? 44:53 Book News: Jacob's Quest of Wonders 51:01 Julia's New Book: History of Trees and Castle 54:34 The Art of Book Promotion: Readings, Videos, and Finding Your Hook 58:10 Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Screenplay: Author Transparency 1:01:14 Looking Ahead: Narnia, Andy Serkis, and More Fantasy Films For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S9 · E2
    September 10 · 47 min

    Dark Indeed Is the Hour - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 5 Ch 1

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Return of the King 01:26 Synopsis and Setting the Stakes: The Final Darkness 03:07 Pippin Takes Center Stage: A New Point of View 05:31 The Journey to Minas Tirith: Gandalf's Ride and the Beacons 09:14 The Beacons of Gondor: History and Film Comparison 11:59 Comedy and Stakes: Pippin Falls Asleep During the Lecture 14:16 The Pelennor Wall and Meeting Ingold: Pippin's Honesty 16:41 First Sight of Minas Tirith: Piercing Beauty and Seven Walls 22:29 The Court of the Fountain: The Dead White Tree 23:24 Confrontation with Denethor: A Clash of Leaders 28:43 Pippin's Pledge of Service: Pride and Purpose 31:03 The Joust Between Gandalf and Denethor: Smoldering Fire 34:03 Two Stewards: Gandalf's Greater Purpose Revealed 35:55 Gandalf's Laughter: The Fountain of Mirth 37:39 The Chessboard is Set: Strategy and Pieces Moving 38:05 Meeting Beregond: Breakfast and the Old Campaigner 40:18 The Deep Breath Before the Plunge: Waiting for Battle 41:34 Pippin the Hero: My Heart Will Not Yet Despair 42:38 The Prince of Halflings: Walking Through the City 43:21 Meeting Bergil: Boy Challenges and Teasing Friendship 44:35 The Arrival of Leaders: A Roll Call and Sombre Sunset 45:26 Blackout and No Dawn: Gandalf's Dark Prophecy For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • September 4 · 24 min

    HBO's Harry Potter Series: Reading the Tea Leaves

    In this bonus episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding looks at the latest trailers and interviews for the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, reading the tea leaves to consider what approach the creators may be taking. She then expands the discussion to other major fantasy and sci-fi reboots, from Star Trek to Star Wars. When is it too soon to return to a beloved story? And could a Lord of the Rings series be made within the next decade? 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and HBO's Harry Potter Series 02:11 First Impressions: Tonal Shifts and Natural Landscapes 03:12 The New Young Cast: A More Natural Performance 05:39 Knowing the Ending: A Different Creative Challenge 09:08 Expanding the Wizarding World: IP, Theme Parks, and Video Games 10:14 Why Remake Harry Potter? The Question of Necessity 11:59 The Creative Team: Television Writers Take the Helm 15:23 Lessons from Other Reboots: Star Trek's Success 18:59 When Reboots Fail: Star Wars and Retreading Old Ground 20:55 Looking Ahead: Could Lord of the Rings Be Next? Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S9 · E1
    September 3 · 28 min

    The Odyssey: The Original Fantasy and Nolan's New Film

    Julia Golding returns home for the ninth season of Mythmakers by looking at literature’s first famous homecoming king: Odysseus. Beginning with a brief survey of Homer’s original Odyssey, Julia explores what makes this ancient epic feel like one of the original fantasy stories, as well as the many books and retellings it has inspired through the ages. She then turns to the new Nolan film, noting some key differences from the original poem and considering how the story has been reshaped for the screen. There is much to praise, but Julia also has one major difference with the filmmaker—one that, for her, makes this a good film rather than a great one. Listen in to hear Julia’s verdict, and let us know whether you agree. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Odyssey 00:39 Who Was Homer? The Mystery Behind the Epic 01:17 Reading The Odyssey: Structure and Dactylic Hexameter 02:23 The Plot and Themes: Homecoming, Hospitality, and War's Aftermath 04:01 The Gods and Nolan's Internalization: A Key Difference 05:00 The Odyssey's Legacy: From Virgil to the Renaissance 06:01 Modern Retellings: Tennyson, Joyce, and Contemporary Authors 09:50 Women Reclaim the Narrative: Atwood, Miller, and Barker 12:28 Circe's Island: Magic, Transformation, and Unexplained Elements 15:22 Calypso and Lost Levity: The Missing Joy of the Original 19:43 The Violence Problem: What the Film Avoids 22:57 Sexual Violence Reversed: Clytemnestra and Agamemnon 24:48 What Worked: Imagery, Performances, and Fantasy Elements 26:44 Final Verdict: A Good Film, Not a Great One 27:09 Closing Thoughts: Join the Conversation For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E53
    August 27 · 17 min

    Mythmakers Encore: John Tenniel

    Let's celebrate the contribution to fantasy of our favourite illustrators. Today we start with the grandaddy of Oxford Fantasy Illustration, Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator behind the Alice in Wonderland images. Find out about the unfortunate accident in his youth that he hid from his father, his extraordinary memory and his artistic influences. Guess who was at his retirement dinner? It is quite a fantasy dinner party moment! 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Celebrating Illustrators 01:07 John Tenniel: The Man Behind Alice's Wonderland 02:22 A Victorian Life: Family, Tragedy, and the Fencing Accident 05:49 Artistic Influences: From Theatre to the Nazarene Movement 08:37 Breaking Through: The Houses of Parliament Competition 09:24 The Craft of Victorian Illustration: From Drawing to Woodblock 10:26 Meeting Lewis Carroll: The Perfect Collaboration 11:23 Words and Images United: The Alice Books as Visual Experience 12:22 A Knighted Legacy: Sir John Tenniel's Retirement and Recognition 13:28 Enduring Impact: Tenniel's Legacy in Fantasy Illustration For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E52
    August 20 · 32 min

    Mythmakers Encore: Things You Don't Know About Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oxford

    There are many experts on the Inklings but there are still lots you might not know about how they lived in their home of Oxford. Julia Golding challenges some myths and makes some new ones about Tolkien and Lewis, and their experiences here. Was the Eagle and Child Pub where Narnia and The Lord of the Rings was first read aloud - or was that somewhere else? What's the mental geography of Oxford for someone who lives here long-term? Find out about Oxford as a place for military training for both writers and the surprising role of Wytham Woods. We jump from local ferries to sport to favorite trees - there's bound to be something in this that you didn't know and might find enriches your reading of their work. We go on to pick our favourite fantasy forest. Can you guess where it is? 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers from Oxford 01:23 The Inklings' Meetings: Eagle and Child Myths Debunked 04:41 Oxford as Backdrop: The Real Geography of Middle-earth and Narnia 05:30 The Kilns and Shotover: C.S. Lewis's Countryside Retreat 06:58 Tolkien's North Oxford: Rivers, Willows, and the Charwell 08:51 Port Meadow and River Walks: Shire-like Landscapes 09:59 The Road Goes Ever On: Personal Reflections on Epping Forest 11:14 Military Training Grounds: Wytham Woods and the Trenches 13:42 Bivouacking Under the Stars: Lewis's Letters from Training 15:38 University Parks and Drill Practice: Tolkien's Training Ground 17:09 The Bucklebury Ferry: Oxford's Lost River Crossings 19:23 Tolkien the Sportsman: Rugby, Squash, and Tennis 21:56 The Active Outdoor Life: Walking, Rowing, and Family Adventures 23:59 Tolkien and Trees: Specimen Parks and Ancient Forests 27:43 Best Fantasy Forest: From Lothlorien to the Woods Between Worlds 31:23 Conclusion: Next Time on Mythmakers and How to Connect For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E51
    August 13 · 29 min

    Mythmakers Encore: Andy Serkis Reads The Silmarillion - The Verdict

    Since April of 2022 Andy Serkis has been working his way through Tolkien's books, producing audio versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit- he has now turned his attention to The Silmarillion. Our expert on audiobooks, Andrew Head, who as a blind consumer often turns to audio versions to access stories, talks with Julia Golding about this latest version of The Silmarillion and the Martin Shaw reading that came before it. Which would you buy now? How does Andy cope with a book that has far less opportunities for a dramatic reading than the other Tolkien books? What more do you get from this version? Tune in to hear our verdict! 00:00 Introduction: Welcome and Andy Serkis' Silmarillion 01:51 What is The Silmarillion? A Listener's Guide 03:50 The Style and Structure: History Book vs Novel 06:26 Top Three Takeaways: Voices, Tone, and Accessibility 09:22 Pronunciation and Dramatic Moments: Serkis Shines 11:18 Comparing Narrators: Andy Serkis vs Martin Shaw 15:17 Favorite Parts: Beren and Luthien, and the Music of Creation 18:13 The Standalone Novels: Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, and Fall of Gondolin 21:51 Dream Projects: Stories That Deserve Full Novels 26:47 Best Places for Storytelling: From Rivendell to Cair Paravel For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E50
    August 6 · 34 min

    LOTR: An Author's Journey - Wrap Up of The Two Towers, Book 4

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: Two Towers Book Four Summer Wrap-Up 00:56 Gollum States the Stakes: The Dark Lord Will Eat Us All 02:13 Writing Into the Dark: Tolkien's Creative Process 06:05 The Rule of Three: Frodo's Third Act of Trust 07:33 Faramir's Poetic Vision: A Lament for Boromir 12:10 The Imprint of Art: Grief, Pity, and the Power of Stories 13:50 Frodo's Moral Dilemma: The Forbidden Pool 19:01 Locked Doors and Dark Rooms: Faramir Sees Through Gollum 20:48 The Thorny Hall: A Hollow Haven on the Edge of Mordor 22:26 The Journey's Persistence: Each Weary Step with Frodo and Sam 25:46 Gollum as Narrative Whip: Childlike Malignity Keeps Urgency 26:55 Don't the Great Tales Never End: Sam's Famous Speech 30:36 Laughter in Dark Places: Meta-Narrative and Story Within Story 33:10 Conclusion: Looking Ahead to Return of the King For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E49
    July 30 · 33 min

    Mythmakers Season 8 Wrap Up: Top 5 Author's Tips

    As Mythmakers takes a short summer break, Julia Golding looks back at some of the standout conversations from Season 8, gathering five memorable pieces of writing wisdom from the season’s top-performing author interviews. Join us as we revisit Darren Simpson’s reflections on the long road to publication, and hear from Peadar Ó Guilín on how history and myth shape fantasy worlds. Marisa Linton shares her journey and advice for finding your publishing path, while Naomi Ishiguro dives into worldbuilding and creative collaboration, before Malcolm Guite gets candid about reviving the Arthurian tradition in poetry. This episode offers a rich collection of insights and tips for aspiring authors, while giving fellow fantasy enthusiasts a peek into the process that brings so much creativity to life. 00:00 Introduction: Season 8 Summer Wrap-Up and Top Author Tips 00:56 Tip One: The Gift of Time - Darren Simpson on the Long Road to Publication 02:00 The Value of Practice: Every Rejection Feeds Your Success 03:13 Working with Editors: The Dragon Skin Metaphor 05:00 The Economics of Writing: Dispelling the Wealth Myth 06:25 Tip Two: Writing What You Know - Padda O'Gillene on Irish History and Mythology 08:19 Themes Emerge Naturally: The Falling Apple Principle 11:00 Myths and Legends as Foundation: Growing Up with Irish Stories 12:00 Tip Three: Finding Your Publisher - Marisa Linton on Navigating the Market 16:05 Trusting the Editorial Process: Finding the Best Path Up the Mountain 18:07 Learning to Be Edited: A Critical Professional Skill 19:13 Tip Four: Nothing is Plain Sailing - Naomi Ishiguro on Writing Through Challenges 22:00 World Building in Service to Story: Balancing Fun with Purpose 23:59 The Team Effort: Drawing on Expert Friends and Beta Readers 26:54 Tip Five: Answering the Call - Malcolm Geit on Epic Ambition 28:02 Finding the Right Form: The Ballad as Modern Epic 29:57 The Unique Selling Point: Now or Never 32:44 Closing: Join the Mythmakers Community For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E48
    July 23 · 29 min

    The Top 5 Writing Lessons from The Two Towers

    Having completed our journey through The Two Towers, in today's Sidecast episode Julia Golding pauses to reflect on the top five lessons she has taken from Tolkien’s craft as an author. From the interlacing of multiple storylines and the careful maintenance of suspense, to the creation of epic, living landscapes, Julia explores how Tolkien handles the challenges of a middle volume with remarkable skill. She also reflects on the poetry of his prose and the depth of his themes, amongst the wealth of qualities that keep readers returning to Middle-earth again and again. Tune in for this special, reflective episode before we prepare for the final leg of our journey as we take on The Return of the King. 00:00 Introduction: Completing the Journey Through The Two Towers 01:08 Lesson One: The Art of Interlacing Multiple Storylines 06:31 Lesson Two: Maintaining Tension Through Strategic Cuts 09:45 Lesson Three: Landscapes as Character 12:57 The Range of Color Palettes: From Fangorn to Mordor 15:13 Lesson Four: The Poetry Beneath the Prose 18:41 Lesson Five: Profundity and the Pull to Continue 22:04 Sam's Revelation: The Enemy as Person 24:55 What Makes a Hero: The Great Tales Never End 26:19 The Hero Who Follows His Heart: Sam's Ultimate Choice For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E47
    July 16 · 36 min

    Not Asleep, Dead - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 10

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: The Choices of Master Samwise 03:22 Sam's Instinctive Defense: A Small Beast Against a Monster 04:58 The Spider Fight: Evil Undoing Itself 10:33 The Phial Burns Bright: Light as Infection to Evil 14:23 Unbearable Grief: Sam's Despair Over Frodo's Body 17:21 The Debate: Plain Hobbit Logic and Impossible Choices 19:57 Taking the Ring: The Last Hobbit in the Chain 23:36 Inside the Ring: The World Changed 28:02 Eavesdropping on Orcs: Shagrat and Gorbag Reveal the Truth 31:54 The Sucker Punch: Frodo is Alive But Taken For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E46
    July 9 · 31 min

    She Had Many Exits From Her Lair - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 9

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Shelob's Lair 02:15 Torech Ungol: The Tunnel of the Spider 04:45 Drawing a Deep Breath: Entering the Darkness 07:25 The Cumulative Horror: Building Tension Through Sensory Deprivation 10:08 Hand in Hand: Frodo and Sam's Tender Bond 12:11 Abandoned in Darkness: Gollum Disappears 12:52 The Memory of Light: From Tom Bombadil to Galadriel 15:37 Aiya Earendil: The Phial Burns Bright 21:03 Frodo, Hobbit of the Shire: Walking Steadily to Meet the Eyes 22:38 Sting and the Webs of Gondolin: False Escape and Ancient Lineage 24:00 A Fey Mood and Many Exits: Frodo's Fatal Mistake 24:48 The History of Shelob: Daughter of Ungoliant 29:22 The Final Battle: Sam's Wrestling Trick and Gollum's Defeat 30:20 He Was Too Late: A Terrible Ending For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E45
    July 2 · 38 min

    Don’t the Great Tales Never End? - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 8

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: Climbing the Stairs of Cirith Ungol 01:28 The Road as Character: An Unusual Opening 03:39 Beyond Caring: The Exhaustion of War 05:26 Minas Morgul: Imprisoned Moonlight and Corpse Light 09:53 Shadowy Meads: White Flowers and Perverted Beauty 15:40 The Army Departs: Beacons of Darkness 20:06 The Phial of Galadriel: Starlight Against Shadow 22:52 Frodo's Lament and the Shire's Echo 24:29 The Straight Stair and the Winding Stair 29:35 Don't the Great Tales Never End: Sam's Famous Speech 35:11 The Pieta Moment: Gollum's Fleeting Chance For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E44
    June 25 · 30 min

    They Cannot Conquer for Ever! - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 7

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: The Journey to the Crossroads 01:53 Faramir's Farewell: Provisions and Prophetic Warnings 05:10 Blindfolds and Echoes: Parallels to Lorien 05:58 The Edge of Dreams: A Landscape on the Brink 08:07 Gollum's Grievance: The Storm About to Break 09:37 Flora and Darkness: Tolkien's Botanical Precision 11:55 Woodland Creatures: Hobbits Flitting Through Shadows 13:21 Frodo's Vision: Geopositioning and the Forlorn Towers 17:16 The Voice of Waters: Cold, Cruel, and Contrasting 19:42 The Thorny Hall: A Hollow Haven of Dead Branches and Spring Shoots 21:52 Sam's Dream and Shire Wisdom: Light Relief in Darkness 23:05 The Burden of Gollum: A Conversation Between Friends 26:09 The Crossroads: Ozymandias and the Fallen King 28:30 They Cannot Conquer Forever: A Crown of Flowers and Fading Light For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E43
    June 18 · 47 min

    Rock Music in Narnia and 1980s Fantasy Highlights

    The rumour mill is turning! Early screenings of the upcoming Narnia film suggest that the soundtrack may be dipping into 70s and 80s rock. Nothing is certain yet—it could all be a red herring—but could it work, and if so, how? Join Jacob Rennaker and Julia Golding in today’s Mythmakers episode as they discuss the possibilities before turning their attention to the fantasy books of the 1980s, each sharing some of their favourite reads from one of the genre’s most influential decades. For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E42
    June 11 · 34 min

    Then I Will Declare My Doom - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 6

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: The Forbidden Pool - A Pivotal Transition 01:12 The Two Towers as Tapestry: Light and Dark Contrasts 03:06 Alliterative Awakening: Faramir Rouses Frodo 04:40 Painting with Words: The Moon Over Gondor 09:26 The High Place Moment: Frodo's Vision Across Middle-earth 13:12 Boil and Bubble: Shakespearean Echoes and Gollum's Dive 14:19 The Battle of Wits Continues: Faramir's Staged Interrogation 16:57 A Brief Holiday from Darkness: Gollum at His Happiest 19:09 Frodo's Moral Dilemma: The Burden of Compassion 21:39 Locked Doors and Dark Rooms: Faramir's Judgment 28:11 The Path to Cirith Ungol: Warnings of Dark Terror 30:35 The Cleft Stick: No Good Choices Remain 32:21 Beyond Hope: Faramir's Farewell and Laughing at Old Grief 33:53 Closing Thoughts: Journey to the Crossroads Awaits For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E41
    June 4 · 43 min

    Were You a Friend of Boromir? - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 5

    We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Introduction: Window on the West - An Unusual Chapter 03:37 The Battle of Wits: Faramir's Interrogation Begins 07:09 Characterizing Through Point of View: Frodo Under Pressure 08:18 Were You a Friend of Boromir? The Pivotal Question 12:50 Boromir Was My Brother: A Game-Changing Revelation 14:11 The Poetic Vision: Boromir's Death as Anglo-Saxon Lament 18:04 Faramir's Wisdom: Works of Art and Their Imprint 22:27 The Detective at Work: Piecing Together Isildur's Bane 25:07 Gandalf the Grey: Names and the Archives of Minas Tirith 30:43 The Window on the West: A Vision of Beauty and Creativity 35:39 Grace Before Meals: A Rare Religious Moment 38:20 Springless Autumn: Gondor's Decline and Lost Hope 41:23 The Moment of Choice: Faramir Resists the Ring 42:31 Conclusion: The Highest Quality and Return to the Journey For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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  • S8 · E38
    May 14 · 31 min

    The Best Fantasy Books of the 1990s

    What an extraordinary decade for fantasy! In the first instalment of a decade by decade look at fantasy publishing, in this episode Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker begin with a period that gave us countless instant classics. Each shares their top three picks—will you agree with their choices? Tune in to find out! (00:04) Revisiting the Fantasy Reads of the 1990s (02:31) Major Fantasy Titles of the Decade (05:28) Adding Game of Thrones and Good Omens to the List (07:51) Defining “Best” as Books Worth Returning To (09:19) Jacob’s Number Three: Star Wars and Heir to the Empire (12:03) Julia’s Number Three: J.D. Robb’s In Death Series (15:07) Jacob’s Number Two: Northern Lights / The Golden Compass (19:34) Julia’s Number Two: Garth Nix’s Sabriel (23:36) Why Harry Potter Tops Both Lists (28:54) Final Rankings and an Invitation to Listeners For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

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