Mythmakers Oxford Centre for Fantasy
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Welcome to Season 4 of Mythmakers!
Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. We will be exploring fantasy old and new, look at what went into writing your favourite series, learn tips from the experts, and discuss new books, TV shows and films.
Mythmakers is brought to you from the city of Oxford - home to many of the world's greatest fantasy writers, from J.R.R. Tolkien and Middle-earth, to C.S. Lewis, creator of Narnia, and the grandfather of them all, Lewis Carroll with his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Oxford story continues with outstanding contemporary writers finding inspiration among the ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.
Ready to jump down the rabbit hole with us to find your next mythmaker? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/
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Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 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.
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Lucy Strange: The Island at the Edge of Night
Ever wondered what it would be like to be caught in a living nightmare and shipped off to a mysterious island to attend a lethal boarding school? You can find out by joining Julia Golding and Lucy Strange on today’s episode of Mythmakers as they celebrate the publishing of Lucy's new middle grade novel: The Island at the Edge of Night. Stick around for lots of writing tips from one of Britain's most exciting writers for younger readers, and to ponder your favourite fantasy island...
If this has whetted your appetite for Lucy's book, you can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Edge-Night-Waterstones-Prize-shortlisted/dp/1913322386/
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 -
The Rings of Power, Season 2: Our Hopes and Fears
Amazon has released its teaser trailer and the first 'behind the scenes' video of The Rings of Power: Season 2. Join Julia Golding on today’s episode of Mythmakers to find out what appears to be included in this upcoming season. Do you share our hopes and fears that this series might not regain its mojo? Is it too sprawling, as Julia believes, or do you appreciate the epic scope? Let us know your thoughts! For the trailer breakdown by Nerd of the Rings visit the link: https://youtu.be/TfddhM-LMnc?si=uPqi--Wkn3RiQt6u
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 -
Hunt for Gollum: What Might Be in Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis' New Film
Very excitingly, Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis have announced that they are teaming up for a new film: The Hunt for Gollum. Join us on today’s episode of Mythmakers where Julia Golding will take us through the material that they will be drawing on and what the story possibilities are in this LotR prequel. Don't forget to let us know what you'd like to see included in the film!
Since recording this episode, the fan-made film that Julia speaks about has been allowed back on YouTube by Warner Bros (hooray!) so click the link below to watch it:
https://youtu.be/9H09xnhlCQU?si=4cafO8kxOO06U03x
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 -
Should Dark Lords be Rationed? Evil in Fantasy - Part 2
Today on Mythmakers we enter into the second part of our discussion of evil in fantasy stories, progressing on to contemporary fantasy stories, and beginning with Harry Potter. Who is the most interesting evil character in Rowling's world? See if you agree with Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker’s picks! The discussion moves on to mad scientists, space operas, Star Trek, Dr Who, and Star Wars. While we can't cover everything, we do hope that you enjoy this in-depth tour of fantasy evil! Take a listen to Part 2 of the deep dive and let us know what you think.
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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Should Dark Lords be Rationed? Evil in Fantasy - Part 1
Terry Pratchett famously said that “dark lords should be rationed” - but there is so much more to say about evil in fantasy than the cliche of the dark lord in a sinister tower at the bottom right of your map! On today’s episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker look at the philosophical underpinnings of evil, starting with the Inklings. Moving from a discussion of the importance of the Fall in C.S. Lewis, to the purgatorial world of choices in Charles Williams, we complete this part of the journey by examining evil as a theme in Middle-earth. Julia and Jacob contest that there isn't actually a simple dark lord embodying evil in Tolkien - the location for evil is far more interesting than that! Join us in Part 1 of this discussion as we delve into all these topics and more…
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
Customer Reviews
Well worth your time
This is not meaningless chatter but something to think about the encouraged by and grow through
Love it!
Very interesting I love this podcast 5/5 really good podcast