Creative Tips Episodes

With the King and Queen of the United Kingdom heading to the US this week, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker begin today’s episode of Mythmakers with a playful look at soft toy diplomacy and the source of many fantasy stories in nursery toys—including a bonus Tolkien connection. From there, the conversation turns to the thorny question of which cinematic universe is the best? Expect strong opinions as Julia and Jacob weigh the merits of Marvel, DC, Star Trek , Star Wars , and amongst others… (00:...

In today’s episode of Mythmakers, we cover three lively topics of discussion. Join Julia Golding and friend of the podcast, Jacob Rennaker, as they begin with the latest casting news for the upcoming prequel film The Hunt for Gollum—hits or misses? Next, they turn to the content challenges surrounding Stephen Colbert’s script for the second Lord of the Rings film currently in development—which we’re calling “the interval.” Rather than focusing on canon, Julia and Jacob explore the storytelling p...

What is the best mythical species to introduce into our world?

Today on Mythmakers, you’re invited to join us on a short visit to the world of fantasy romance. What's all the fuss about romantasy and where did it come from? What's the secret sauce (pun intended) of Fourth Wing? And why was the world so transfixed by Twilight back early 2000s? Be sure to stay to the end to hear Julia’s recommendations of what you might like to read this Valentine's Day from the fantasy genre. (01:00) The Rise of Romantasy and Fourth Wing (02:00) Market Forces and Female Read...

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a postman or postwoman?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be in lockdown?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be in lockdown?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be rescued by pirates?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be turned into a vampire?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a villain?

Welcome back to Mythmakers for our sixth season! Megan Whalen Turner began her career in 1996 and is still going strong as her series The Queen's Thief becomes available in the UK and the Commonwealth for the first time. US readers have been enjoying the series for years and she won the Newbury Award and Mythopoeia Award in recognition of her achievements. Take a listen as she tells our host Julia Golding about her career, the books that inspired her, and her link to Oxford fantasy through Diann...

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-LMn...

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 yo...

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a minor character with a spin out series?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to go to a casino?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to go to a casino?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be small?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to set a boy's adventure?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be an illustrator?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be an illustrator?

Guest Richard Blackford

Guest Stanley Hanna

Live Webcast December 1, 2021

With special guest Nariel