The Shop Is Now Open! (All New Items!!)
Latest Episode

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 Illustra

Mythmakers Encore: John Tenniel
Mythmakers
Mythmakers Encore: John Tenniel

Recent Episodes

View all
Mythmakers Encore: John Tenniel
53
Aug. 27, 2026

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 Illustra
Listen to the Episode
Mythmakers Encore: Things You Don't Know About Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oxford
52
Aug. 20, 2026

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
Listen to the Episode
Mythmakers Encore: Andy Serkis Reads The Silmarillion - The Verdict
51
Aug. 13, 2026

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 fa
Listen to the Episode
LOTR: An Author's Journey - Wrap Up of The Two Towers, Book 4
50
Aug. 6, 2026

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 Intro
Listen to the Episode
Mythmakers Season 8 Wrap Up: Top 5 Author's Tips
49
July 30, 2026

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 worldbu
Listen to the Episode
The Top 5 Writing Lessons from The Two Towers
48
July 23, 2026

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
Listen to the Episode
Not Asleep, Dead - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 10
47
July 16, 2026

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 Intro
Listen to the Episode
She Had Many Exits From Her Lair - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 8
46
July 9, 2026

She Had Many Exits From Her Lair - 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 Intro
Listen to the Episode
View all Episodes

Recent Blog Posts

How Punch Political Cartoons Inspired Alice in Wonderland's Dark Aesthetic
Aug. 27, 2026

How Punch Political Cartoons Inspired Alice in Wonderland's Dark Aesthetic

Discover how Sir John Tenniel's weekly work as a lead illustrator for the Victorian satirical magazine Punch directly shaped the bizarre, grotesque, and enduring visual style of Alice in Wonderland. This deep dive explores why the original fantasy a…
Read the Blog Post
Tolkien and C.S. Lewis WWI Military Training in Oxford
Aug. 20, 2026

Tolkien and C.S. Lewis WWI Military Training in Oxford

Discover how the First World War military training of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis across Oxford's green spaces and secret woods deeply influenced the rugged survivalism, trench warfare echoes, and outdoor bivouacking scenes found within Middle-ear…
Read the Blog Post
Martin Shaw vs. Andy Serkis: Which Silmarillion Audiobook Is Best?
Aug. 13, 2026

Martin Shaw vs. Andy Serkis: Which Silmarillion Audiobook Is Best?

When comparing the Martin Shaw and Andy Serkis Silmarillion audiobook narrations, listeners must weigh dramatic character voicing against traditional narrative gravity. While Serkis brings cinematic flair and essential bonus introductory material, S…
Read the Blog Post
View all posts