Wizards & Spaceships

Are We Having Fun Yet? ft. Peter Watts

It’s the 20th anniversary of Blindsight! David and Rachel sit down in Rachel’s living room with marine biologist, critically acclaimed author, and enemy-of-the-state Peter Watts to drink two bottles of wine and talk about theories of consciousness, cigar-shaped harbour seals, the climate collapse, and why dystopian sci-fi authors are in fact childishly optimistic. Additional audio engineering by Rick Innis. Show Notes: Rifters The Collapse Is Coming. Will Humanity Adapt? The Sheep Look Up, John Brunner The Limits To Growth Philosophical Zombie Consciousness and its function, David M. Rosenthal Michael Timothy Bennett Erik Hoel Mirror Test The Hidden Spring Arthur Jafa Continue the conversation on the Wizards & Spaceships Discord or on Facebook!

This Episode is Epic ft. Sophus Helle

The podcast is part of the oral tradition, and joining us to talk about ancient epics, living texts in dead languages, Babylonian Pride parades, and how all of this relates to sci-fi, fantasy, and horror is writer, translator, and cultural historian Sophus Helle. Show notes: Sophus’ website Electronic Babylonian Library Babylonian Myths, Sophus Helle Critical Antiquities, including Human: Babylonian Reflections on Labour, Sophus Helle Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, J.R.R. Tolkien Beowulf: A New Translation, Maria Dahvana Headley The Complete Mahabharata (online) The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) Ovid's Metamorphoses: A New Translation, C. Luke Soucy Query, Zilla Novikov The Ur-Pisode: The Queer Heart of the Epic of Gilgamesh, ft. Julian Gunn Continue the conversation on the Wizards & Spaceships Discord or on Facebook!

What the Big 5 Don’t Tell You ft. Jeremy Szal

A contract with one of the five big publishing companies means placement in bookstores and libraries, reviews in major publications, award nominations, and a huge advance—even a chance to get on the bestsellers list. But is this actually the case? Joining us to talk about how the sausage gets made is Jeremy Szal, author of the Common Trilogy. Show Notes:Jeremy’s website Follow him on:Bluesky Instagram TikTok “Everything is random in publishing. Success is random. Bestsellers are random. So that is why we are the Random House!” Are there more libraries or McDonald’s? Author (and professional chef) Rohan O’Duill trying out one of the recipes from the Sad Bastard Cookbook Continue the conversation on the Wizards & Spaceships Discord or on Facebook!

Indigenous Survivance for the Zombie Apocalypse ft. Daphne Singingtree

So you've trashed the world. An EMP or a nuclear bomb or a plague of zombies have taken out civic infrastructure—now it's your chance to show off your survival skills. Fortunately, there's an incredible resurgence of Indigenous post-apocalyptic fiction that offers alternative visions to surviving collapse. In this episode, we talk to author, educator in Plant Medicine & Midwifery, and hippy prepper Daphne Singingtree about how to survive and thrive after the end. We're nominated for an Aurora Award for Best Fan-Related Work! Check out the ballot (and consider casting a vote for us) at the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association. Show Notes Daphne's website Daphne's socials Zaniyan 1632, Eric Flint Emberverse, SM Stirling A Paradise Built In Hell, Rebecca Solnit Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves, Waubgeshig Rice The Marrow Thieves and Hunting By Stars, Cherie Dimaline Future Home of the Living God, Louise Erdrich Trail of Lightning, Rebecca Roanhorse This Place: 150 Years Retold Blood Quantum (2019) Night Raiders (2021) The Last of Us Season 1, Episode 3, "Long Long Time." [Check out Rachel's guest appearance on Two Old Farts where we talk about it!] The Hunger Games Cascade, Rachel A. Rosen Star Trek: TNG: "The Inner Light" Terminator Years Of Rice and Salt and The Ministry For the Future, Kim Stanley Robinson

Didactic Fiction ft. Vajra Chandrasekera, Samantha Mills, and Gregory A. Wilson

Welcome to our new season! To celebrate, we’re kicking it up a notch by holding an all-star roundtable of some truly incredible writers. Vajra Chandrasekera, Samantha Mills, and Gregory A. Wilson join us to discuss didactic genre fiction. Is it a skill problem? Is it a media literacy problem? Can you hammer home a message without alienating (sorry/not sorry) your audience? We're nominated for an Aurora Award for Best Fan-Related Work! Check out the ballot (and consider casting a vote for us) at the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association. Show Notes: Vajra's website Samantha's website Gregory's website Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein) Dante’s Inferno Katabasis, R.F. Kuang Rabbit Test, Samantha Mills A Sound of Thunder, Ray Bradbury Dune, Frank Herbert The Witcher, Andrzej Sapkowski Le Roman de Silence From the Notebooks of Doctor Brain, Minister Faust The Time Machine, H.G. Wells Island of Doctor Moreau, H.G. Wells Star Trek TOS: Let That Be Your Last Battlefield One star review of Pride and Prejudice World Bank literacy stats Grendel, John Gardner

In Praise of Difficult Women ft. Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre fiction is full of strong, independent women, badass heroines, brave Final Girls, and virginal princesses. Frankly, we’re getting a little sick of it? For our season finale, with us to discuss difficult women is the queen of messy, complicated, and antiheroic female protagonists herself, the legendary Silvia Moreno-Garcia! Show Notes Silvia's website Silvia's Instagram and Threads Signal To Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (find out why Rachel is correct and all of the Goodreads reviewers are wrong) Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Countess by Susan Palumbo Unknown Number: The High School Catfish Rachel’s Problematic Faves Bellis Coldwine (The Scar by China Miéville) Baru Cormorant (The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickson) Essun (The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin) Catra (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power by Nate Stevenson) David’s Problematic Faves Morgan Le Fay (Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory) Cersei Lannister (A Song Of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin) Jadis (The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis) Silvia’s Problematic Faves Eleanor and Theodora (The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson) Constance and Merricat (We Have Always Lived In the Castle by Shirley Jackson) Everything by Tanith Lee Rebecca and Rachel (Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier) Emma Bovary (Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert) Are they genre? Nah, but we still love them Cass Neary novels by Elizabeth Hand Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Washington Square by Henry James Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Amazing Stories 100th Anniversary ft. Steve Davidson, Kermit Woodall and Lloyd Penney

We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Amazing Stories Magazine. It started way back in March or April, of 1926, depending on who you ask. With us to talk about the magazine's past, present, and maybe even the next hundred years, are its publishers and editors: Steve Davidson, Kermit Woodall and Lloyd Penney. Show notes: Amazing Stories Magazine online Wikipedia's entry Galactic Central SF Encyclopedia

Charles R. Saunders ft. Jon Tattrie

Charles R. Saunders was a Halifax journalist and, with his Imaro novels, the founder of the "sword and soul" genre and a Black Canadian literary icon. When he died in obscurity in 2020, journalist Jon Tattrie joined fans worldwide to uncover where he was buried, commemorate his life, and bring him the prominence he deserved. For Black History Month, we're joined by Jon to tell us about Charles' remarkable career and his new biography, To Leave a Warrior Behind: The Life and Stories of Charles R. Saunders, the Man Who Rewrote Fantasy. Show Notes: To Leave a Warrior Behind: The Life and Stories of Charles R. Saunders, the Man Who Rewrote Fantasy by Jon Tattrie Write Now with Jon Tattrie The New Moon’s Arms by Nalo Hopkinson The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar Interview With the Vampire (2022-) Blade Star Man’s Son by Andre Norton Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen Annaka by Andre Fenton Dark Fantasy zine Jaycen Wise URAEUS Mshindo I. Kuumba Charles in the CSFFA hall of fame Charles R. Saunders' select biography: Imaro (1981) Second Edition (2006) Third Edition (2014) The Quest for Cush (1984) Second Edition (2008) The Trail of Bohu (1985) Second Edition (2009) The Naama War (2009) Nyumbani Tales (2017) Dossouye (2008) Dossouye: The Dancers of Mulukau (2012) Other novels Damballa (2011) Abengoni: First Calling (2014), fantasy novel Non-fiction Sweat and Soul: The Saga of Black Boxers from the Halifax Forum to Caesars Palace (1990) Spirit of Africville (1992) Share & Care: The Story of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children (1994) Black & Bluenose: The Contemporary History of a Community (2002)

Editing Roundtable ft. Alexandra Pierce and Josh Wilson

Magazines and journals have been a foundational part of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror since the very beginning and provide us with the stories, art, and critical analysis that keep the genre vibrant. These collaborations are a labour of love and the lifeblood of the literary scene. With us to talk about the work of editing and producing them are two rising stars in the field, Josh Wilson, editor of The Fabulist, and Alexandra Pierce, editor of Speculative Insight. Show Notes: The Fabulist The Fabulist on Bluesky The Fabulist on Instagram Speculative Insight Speculative Insight on Bluesky Speculative Insight on Instagram Letters to Tiptree Luminescent Threads Radon Journal Clarkesworld khōréō Trollbreath

Postcolonialism in SFFH, ft. Suzan Palumbo

The famous introduction to Star Trek lays out the mission of the Starship Enterprise: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before! Later on, they changed it to be more inclusive—where no one has gone before. But the fundamental problem remains—if no one has gone there, what exactly are all those new civilizations? Could science fiction and fantasy have a colonialism problem? With us to discuss this thorny issue and the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers challenging Eurocentric assumptions is Suzan Palumbo, author of Countess and co-founder of the Ignyte Awards. Show notes: Suzan's Bluesky Suzan's Instagram 2024 Nebula Awards shortlist Stelliform Press Reading list: “The Butcher of the Forest” by Premee Mohamed “The Tusks of Extinction” by Ray Nayler “Lost Ark Dreaming” by Suyi Davies Okungbowa “Countess” by Suzan Palumbo “The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain” by Sofia Samatar “The Dragonfly Gambit” by A. D. Sui “Green Fuse Burning” by Tiffany Morris “We Speak Through the Mountain and “Annual Migration of Clouds” by Premee Mohamed “Blackheart Man” by Nalo Hopkinson

How to Write a Kick-Ass Fantasy Battle ft. Suzannah Rowntree

Anyone who’s ever written fantasy has faced this problem: You have hit the point of conflict in a story where problems can no longer be worked out with witty retorts or a magic spell. The orcs are at the gates, the peace talks have broken down…that’s right—you’re going to have to write a battle scene. In this episode, we talk to Suzannah Rowntree, author of How to Write a Fantasy Battle: Basic Medieval and Modern Military Tactics for Authors, The Watchers of Outremer Series, and other historical fantasies, about how to get a battle right. Show Notes: Suzannah's Bluesky: suzannahrowntree Suzannah's Instagram: suzannahsnaps Suzannahrowntree.site How to Write a Fantasy Battle: Basic Medieval and Modern Military Tactics for Authors Western Warfare In The Age Of The Crusades, 1000-1300 by John France Byzantine flamethrower Battle of Antioch (1098) Battle of Hattin (1187) Seventh Crusade Medicine in the Crusades: Warfare, Wounds and the Medieval Surgeon by Piers D. Mitchell Magistra Hersend Godfrey of Bouillon The Rebellion Of Count Hugh Of Jaffa

WITCHES!

Happy Halloween! We're talking about WITCHES! A staple of fantasy, horror, and Broadway musicals, witches can be anything from a murderous presence in the woods to the friendly neighbourhood Wiccan who revives your dying African violet. So let's get our witch on! Show Notes: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) Spirited Away (2001) VenCo by Cherie Dimaline Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Helpless" Barbie-Yaga Dream Hut Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, "Baba Yaga: Everyone's Favorite Witch From Folklore" Part 1 and Part 2 Baba Yaga: The greatest 'wicked witch' of all? The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher "Love Potion No. 9" by the Clovers The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag Season of the Witch (2011) Bewitched (1964-1972) The Good Witch (2008) The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020) Charmed (1998-2006)

The Science Bros Answer Your Science Questions, Part 2, ft. Rob & Jon Mound

You guys had so many science questions that our resident scientists couldn't answer them all in just one episode! In this episode, Rob & Jon Mound tackle important questions such as time travel, the mutability or lack thereof of the laws of physics, and dragon taxonomy. Also, why we are not going to Mars. Show Notes: The Forever War, Joe Haldeman The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis The Time Machine (1960) Ninefox Gambit, Yoon Ha Lee The Walking Dead World of Warcraft corrupted blood incident Game of Thrones dragons Coelacanth Unusual anal fin offers new insight into evolution Tiktaalik Total Recall (1990) terraforming Mars scene Spaceballs (1987) Keep the conversation going, or ask the Science Bros more questions by joining our Discord or Facebook group!

The Science Bros Answer Your Science Questions, Part 1, ft. Rob & Jon Mound

Suspension of disbelief is a cornerstone of speculative fiction, but as writers and fans, we often find ourselves wondering just how grounded in reality our favourite stories really are. We asked you, our listeners, for questions like: What would happen if I went through a wormhole? Does a Star Trek transporter just kill you and create a new copy of you? What kind of technology can or can’t you use to blow up the world? And then we got biologist Rob Mound and geophysicist Jon Mound to answer the questions you sent. There were so many we had to split it into two parts! In this part, we look at jumping out of a spaceship without a suit (why?), octopus people (yes!), sex in space (obviously!), and more! Show Notes The Core (2003) The Expanse - 5x07 | Naomi's Leap From The Pella A City On Mars, Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith Star Trek Voyager "Cathexis" on Memory Alpha Gattaca (1997) When You Nut In Space, It Push You Backwards (NSFW) "There Are Four Lights," scene from Star Trek: The Next Generation Best Served Cold, Joe Abercrombie Gerald Bull The Martian growing poop potatoes Keep the conversation going, or ask the Science Bros more questions by joining our Discord or Facebook group!

Against Hopepunk ft. Nick Mamatas

Sci-fi and fantasy has always had an optimistic current, whether it’s utopian space-age cities or noble chosen ones vanquishing a dark lord. In recent years, with the popularity of romantasy and cozy fantasy, it’s easier than ever to immerse yourself in a more hopeful world. But what if instead we made you feel bad? In this wide-ranging conversation with multitalented author and editor Nick Mamatas, we talk about crushing your joy, corporate greed in the publishing and music production industries, and why the 80s and 90s were objectively the best time for music. Show Notes: Alex Rowland’s original hopepunk post. Buy 120 Murders Nick’s Bluesky Perfect Crime Party Dark Yonder Issue 1 Nick’s website that never gets updated That Slayer meme Have you bought Blight yet? If you like dark things, you should! Buy it from your favourite online retailer Buy direct from the publisher "Do You Love the Colour Of the Sky?" in Trollbreath Magazine

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The Ur-Pisode: The Queer Heart of The Epic of Gilgamesh, ft. Julian Gunn

For 4000 years, The Epic of Gilgamesh has influenced mythology, theology, and literature, and its rediscovery in the 1850s is itself an epic tale of war, theft, and Hobby Lobby. A meditation on love and death, rage and grief, civilization and nature, starring two problematic queer frat boys, it is the foundation of so many of our stories. In this episode, we talk to poet, artist, and essayist Julian Gunn about the story that started it all. Show Notes: Gilgamesh, A King, At Uruk (Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Darmok") What makes the world’s first bar joke funny? No one knows. @radiantfracture on instagram Julian's blog Julian's games Victoria Festival of Authors The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by Maureen Kovacs The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by Andrew George The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by Sophus Helle If you haven't had enough problematic gays raging against the gods by the end of this episode, you might enjoy Rachel's new novel, Blight! Buy it from your favourite online bookstore or directly from the publisher. Also, voting for the Aurora Awards opens June 7th! You can vote for us. Or other people. But please vote for us.

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Blight, ft. Rachel A. Rosen

Break out the cake, balloons, and gigantic bone tentacles, it's season 2 of Wizards & Spaceships! Rachel has a new book out, Blight, the sequel to her first novel, Cascade. In this episode, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the newest instalment in the Sleep of Reason series. And did you know that tomorrow is Rachel's birthday? Why not celebrate by buying one or more of her books? Pre-order Blight (The Sleep of Reason Book 2): Amazon Other online bookstores Direct from the publisher Buy Cascade (The Sleep of Reason Book 2)Buy (or download the free ebook) The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food You Can Make So You Don't DieBuy Instant Classic (That No One Will Read)Aurora Awards 2025 BallotWant to stay informed? Here's how to find Rachel all over social media: Newsletter Blog Bluesky Mastodon Instagram Facebook Threads Goodreads

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Transhumanism and AI ft. Robert J. Sawyer

It's been an entire year of Wizards & Spaceships! Thank you for coming along with us on this wild and magical space ride. You can't turn on the news or doomscroll social media without hearing about how AI will revolutionize everything. Unfortunately, the worst people in the world seem to be in charge of it. In this episode, we talk to sci-fi legend Robert J. Sawyer about what AI and transhumanism really mean for humanity and our planet and how we can stand up to corporate hype and greed. Show notes: Robert's website Robert's Bluesky AI's environmental problems AI's thirst for electricity

TTRPG Design ft. Jesse Pohlman

There’s a huge crossover between tabletop role-playing game players, genre fans, and genre writers, and many of us fell in love with genre fiction by playing D&D in the basement. In this episode, we're joined by author and game designer Jesse Pohlman to talk about the considerations that go into building your own TTPRG. Show notes: Jesse’s website Jesse’s Bluesky Blight cover reveal

Toxic Schlock Syndrome ft. Shawn Whitney

Pulp fiction is a cornerstone of the genres we love. In this episode, we talk to screenwriter, ghostwriter, and author of the new zombie novel Deads Rise, Shawn Whitney, about manly men doing manly things, the perils of writing romance, and close encounters with sexy lizard aliens. Show notes: Shawn's website Shawn's Twitter The Pulp Magazines Project Pulps In Special Collections