114 episodes

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/

Mythmakers Oxford Centre for Fantasy

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

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/

    Should Dark Lords be Rationed? Evil in Fantasy - Part 1

    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

    • 41 min
    Top 5 Moments in The Lord of the Rings

    Top 5 Moments in The Lord of the Rings

    Join us on today’s episode of Mythmakers where we've boldly picked our top five moments in The Lord of the Rings novels! Have a listen as Julia Golding takes a closer look at each moment, diving into what exactly makes these five the top contenders. Agree with our choices? Let us know!

     

    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

     

     

    • 25 min
    Historical v. Fantasy Fiction

    Historical v. Fantasy Fiction

    Join in on today’s episode of Mythmakers as we dive into the surprising similarities between writing historical fiction and fantasy fiction. Julia Golding, whose adult historical novel ‘The Persephone Code’ comes out this week, reflects on her experience of writing both. We go through the research, locations, rule setting and much more that goes into this process. Is magic a new Newtonian Law of Physics? Are many fantasy worlds, from Dune to Star Trek, an act of historical imagination? And do you agree with her examples of fantasy worlds that don't seem to be based on our lived experience? Listen now for all this, 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

    • 22 min
    Romantasy: Rebecca Yarros and the Latest Fantasy Craze

    Romantasy: Rebecca Yarros and the Latest Fantasy Craze

    What's all this fuss about romantasy? Accompany Julia Golding on today’s episode of Mythmakers on a quest for the origin of this sub-fantasy genre, and for the subsequent deep dive into Rebecca Yarros' breakout success: Fourth Wing. Can you find the recipe for a successful romantasy? Is it too late to join in the craze if you are a writer whose book fits in this genre? Listen now to find out!

    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

     

     

    • 30 min
    Cultural Takeover? 3 Body Problem and Other Adaptations

    Cultural Takeover? 3 Body Problem and Other Adaptations

    Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has raised some questions as to whether or not it is right to move a story’s adaptation to a different country. Is it cultural appropriation or a justifiable reinterpretation? On today’s episode of Mythmakers, we’re taking a journey through Blade Runner, Matilda, and Wonka to HG Wells. Join the discussion as Julia Golding considers the pros and cons of moving a story to another cultural context.

    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

     

     

    • 22 min
    Percy Jackson... Our Verdict on the Adaptations

    Percy Jackson... Our Verdict on the Adaptations

    What makes for a good adaptation of a beloved book series?  Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the latest fantasy series to undergo a significant adaptation: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. What are the strengths of the book? What went wrong - or right - in the movie adaptation in 2010? And what has Disney made of the challenge, particularly as this time Rick Riordan, the author, was part of the production team? Join us for this intriguing discussion!

    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

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Stamkids ,

Well worth your time

This is not meaningless chatter but something to think about the encouraged by and grow through

Mark M. Harvey ,

Love it!

Very interesting I love this podcast 5/5 really good podcast

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