Mythmakers

Oxford Centre for Fantasy
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Mythmakers

Welcome to Season 6 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/

  1. Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 9

    6 DAYS AGO

    Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 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.    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 0:09 Introduction to Bree and the Prancing Pony 5:24 The Journey to the Prancing Pony 12:42 Meeting the Gatekeeper 17:40 Entering the Prancing Pony 20:32 Pippin's Tales and the Stranger 26:34 Frodo's Song and the Ring's Power 30:26 Suspicion Lingers

    34 min
  2. C.S. Lewis's Oxford

    NOV 7

    C.S. Lewis's Oxford

    Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding is joined by Professor Simon Horobin who has stepped into C.S. Lewis's shoes at Magdalen College, Oxford, and now he has written a beautiful book detailing Lewis's relationship with the iconic city. Join us as he discusses with Julia the peculiarities of college life in Oxford, the move to Cambridge later in life, Headington and the Kilns, as well as C.S. Lewis as a poet. The discussion ends off by venturing through the wardrobe into different fantasy lands…   Simon's book is available for purchase at https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/c-s-lewiss-oxford   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   0:10 Welcome to Mythmakers 3:38 The Legacy of C.S. Lewis 6:12 Exploring C.S. Lewis's Oxford 9:56 Oddities of Magdalen College 12:15 Women in Lewis's Life 15:00 Life at The Kilns 17:04 Lewis's Academic Journey 19:05 Surprising Discoveries in Archives 24:54 Transition to Cambridge 29:41 Oxford's Influence on Fantasy 35:08 Best Fantasy Worlds to Explore

    41 min
  3. Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 8

    OCT 31

    Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 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.    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     0:06 Introduction to Fog on the Barrow Downs 2:44 Exploring Themes of Renewal 5:35 The Journey Begins 7:28 Warnings Ignored 9:36 The Fog of War 13:38 The Nature of Evil 18:26 The Power of Tom Bombadil 22:14 Shared Visions and Prophecies 23:35 Temptation and Contentment 24:55 Farewell to Tom Bombadil

    28 min
  4. Heroes and Villains: Ana Sampson and Chris Riddell

    OCT 24

    Heroes and Villains: Ana Sampson and Chris Riddell

    Hero or Villain? These archetypal characters are the stock-in-trade of the fantasy genre, and so you’ll definitely enjoy this newest poetry anthology compiled by Ana Sampson, an experienced curator of poetry collections, and illustrated by the instantly recognizable pencil of Chris Riddell, multi-award-winning illustrator and former UK Children's Laureate.   Today on Mythmakers, in conversation with Julia Golding, Ana and Chris journey through history and genres, unearthing the gems. They reflect on the poems that inspired them as children, the role of compendiums in nurturing the artistic imagination, and why different approaches are often used to tell the same tale. They also explore the influence of politics on the anthology—and vice versa, and so much more. And if that wasn’t enough, Chris treats us to a live dragon sketch while several poems are read aloud—making this a truly unmissable episode!   Their book, Heroes and Villains: Poems about Legends (Macmillan), is available for purchase now. Credits for the poems read in full are: 'Nan Hardwicke Turns into a Hare' by Wendy Pratt, 'St Margaret of Antioch Speaks' by Jan Dean, 'If...' by James Carter, and 'The Dragons are Hiding' by Brian Moses.   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   0:10 Welcome to Mythmakers 1:32 Childhood Poems That Shaped Us 5:27 The Lady of Shalott and Lockdown 10:15 The Role of Poetry Anthologies 12:05 Creating the Heroes and Villains Anthology 16:40 Exploring Heroes and Villains Through Poetry 20:2Research Gems in Poetry 36:19 Creative Tips for Aspiring Writers 39:04 Contemporary Issues in Fantasy 43:01 Collaborating with Publishers 46:56 The Intersection of Politics and Fantasy 52:46 Closing Thoughts and Inspiration

    55 min
  5. Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 7

    OCT 17

    Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 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.    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   0:00 Introduction to Tom Bombadil 1:53 Entering the Haven of Tom Bombadil 5:48 Goldberry's Enigmatic Welcome 16:38 The Shift to Storytelling 20:39 Dreams and Nightmares 23:21 A Rainy Day with Tom 26:54 Tom's Tales of Good and Evil 32:15 The Fast Forward of History 34:47 The Harmony of Tom and Goldberry 37:24 The Ring's Power Revealed

    43 min
  6. The Rings of Power Season 2: The Verdict

    OCT 11

    The Rings of Power Season 2: The Verdict

    Have you enjoyed The Rings of Power Season 2? Join Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker on today’s episode of Mythmakers as they offer their thoughts on the latest season of Amazon’s show. After sharing their initial impressions on the production and visual realisation, they delve deeper into the story choices, lore, and characters, before wrapping up with a rating out of 10 rings (what else would it be?). Along the way, they explore some controversial topics—does The Rings of Power have a female character problem, for instance? Have a listen and then let us know your thoughts!   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   0:00 Welcome to Mythmakers 14:21 Production Values Reviewed 17:34 Storylines and Structure 20:22 Long-Term Storytelling Challenges 23:29 Characters and Performances 59:53 Female Representation Issues

    1h 16m
  7. Kate Dylan: Until We Shatter and 'New Adult' Fantasy

    OCT 3

    Kate Dylan: Until We Shatter and 'New Adult' Fantasy

    Is it time that we revisit the category of 'New Adult' books again? Kate Dylan's fantasy heist story fits in this category, post YA but written for the reading tastes of the 20-something year old audience who've just graduated out that group.   On today’s episode of Mythmakers, Kate will be engaging in a fascinating discussion with Julia Golding about why the themes of being on the edge, close to shattering, work so well with that age group (and many others). They’ll also discuss queer relationships in novels and how the market has changed since Kate started writing. Think that you know where would be best to stage a heist? Their suggestions may surprise you!   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   0:00 Welcome to Mythmakers 1:37 The Influence of Young Adult Literature 4:02 Transitioning to Fantasy Writing 8:50 Themes of Betrayal and Growth 12:04 The Heist Novel Unveiled 19:24 Chaos in the Writing Process 25:51 Collaborative Storytelling 27:11 Exploring Queer Representation 32:37 The Value of Art in Fantasy 36:18 Balancing Writing with Daily Life 41:13 Tips for Aspiring Fantasy Writers 46:02 Magic in Fantasy Storytelling 49:09 Heisting in Fictional Worlds

    55 min
  8. Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 6

    SEP 26

    Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 1 Chapter 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.    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   0:00 Introduction to Chapter 6 2:01 Preparing for Adventure 9:24 The Old Forest Beckons 18:41 Entering the Enchanted Realm 23:40 Meet Tom Bombadil 27:35 The Escape from Darkness

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to Season 6 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/

Information

  • Creator
    Oxford Centre for Fantasy
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Mythmakers

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