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

Fantasy Classics Episodes

Explore discussions around timeless fantasy series and narratives that have shaped the genre, celebrating both their historical significance and lasting impacts.
Rock Music in Narnia and 1980s Fantasy Highlights
43
June 18, 2026

Rock Music in Narnia and 1980s Fantasy Highlights

The rumour mill is turning! Early screenings of the upcoming Narnia film suggest that the soundtrack may be dipping into 70s and 80s rock. Nothing is certain yet—it could all be a red herring—but could it work, and if so, how? Join Jacob Rennaker and Julia Golding in today’s Mythmakers episode as they discuss the possibilities before turning their attention to the fantasy books of the 1980s, each sharing some of their favourite reads from one of the genre’s most influential decades. For more inf...
Then I Will Declare My Doom - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 5
42
June 11, 2026

Then I Will Declare My Doom - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 5

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 Introd...
Were you a friend of Boromir? - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 4
June 4, 2026

Were you a friend of Boromir? - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 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 Introd...
The Best Fantasy Books of the 1990s
38
May 14, 2026

The Best Fantasy Books of the 1990s

What an extraordinary decade for fantasy! In the first instalment of a decade by decade look at fantasy publishing, in this episode Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker begin with a period that gave us countless instant classics. Each shares their top three picks—will you agree with their choices? Tune in to find out! (00:04) Revisiting the Fantasy Reads of the 1990s (02:31) Major Fantasy Titles of the Decade (05:28) Adding Game of Thrones and Good Omens to the List (07:51) Defining “Best” as Books ...
Celebrating King Arthur on Tolkien Reading Day
31
March 26, 2026

Celebrating King Arthur on Tolkien Reading Day

Saddle up and join the Round Table as Mythmakers embarks on a journey through some of the most famous retellings of King Arthur in celebration of Tolkien Reading Day. Which author started the ball rolling, and who poetically kicked it on into the 19th century? Where do the traces of these tales become most apparent in the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis? And who has continued the Arthurian tradition into modern times? Finally, we turn to the screen—what is the most successful adaptation of them ...
Classical Stories and Fantasy: The Birder and Other Tales
19
Jan. 15, 2026

Classical Stories and Fantasy: The Birder and Other Tales

What do the classical stories of myths and legends mean to us today? In this episode of Mythmakers, Dr. Lorna Robinson—founder of the Iris Project and director of the Rumble Museum at Cheney School in Oxford—joins Julia Golding to discuss her quest to bring these timeless tales to young people. The conversation explores Lorna’s reinterpretation of Ovid's Metamorphoses in The Birder , a magical realism novel built around the idea that, as in the myths, people don’t die—they transform into other c...
Christmas in Narnia or Middle-earth: the Pros and Cons
17
Dec. 25, 2025

Christmas in Narnia or Middle-earth: the Pros and Cons

In a bit of festive fun, join Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker in this episode of Mythmakers as they explore how Christmas appears in the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. From the icy rule of the White Witch to a surprise visit from Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they dig into the lore behind Narnia’s wintry themes. Then it’s on to Tolkien’s Father Christmas Letters and a look at how Yule is celebrated in Middle-earth. Listen in to find out where they’d each choose to ...
Tolkien, Lewis, the Inklings and Audiobooks
16
Dec. 18, 2025

Tolkien, Lewis, the Inklings and Audiobooks

We may be in a golden age for audiobooks, but for those with sight impairments they have always been essential. Blind writer and returning guest Andrew Head joins Julia Golding on once again on today's episode of Mythmakers to share his thoughts on the audiobook biographies of Tolkien, Lewis, and the Inklings. Be sure to tune in as Andrew and Julia delve into the Mrs Moore controversy so have a listen to find out what that's all about! (00:00) Welcome to Mythmakers and audiobook focus (03:40) Na...
75th Anniversary of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - How Does It Read Today?
13
Nov. 27, 2025

75th Anniversary of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - How Does It Read Today?

This year marks 75 years since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe arrived in bookshops, so join us on this anniversary episode of Mythmakers as Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the origins of the book and consider how it stood out among its literary contemporaries before we reflect on its enduring legacy today. If you have an opinion on this, have a listen and join the conversation to let us know what you think! The book referred to in the news section is WARDROBE AND RINGS by Julia Go...
Mythmakers Encore: Tolkien's Modern Reading with Holly Ordway
27
July 31, 2025

Mythmakers Encore: Tolkien's Modern Reading with Holly Ordway

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to set a boy's adventure?
Mythmakers Encore: The Oddest Inkling - Charles Williams with Sørina Higgins
26
July 24, 2025

Mythmakers Encore: The Oddest Inkling - Charles Williams with Sørina Higgins

The oddest Inkling - that's Charles Williams, poet, playwright, novelist, editor, theologian and occult practitioner. If you think the Inklings are summed up by Oxford dons, Lewis and Tolkien, think again, because Williams added an extraordinary influence to the group. Today on Mythmakers Julia Golding is joined by world expert on Charles William, Dr Sørina Higgins, who has edited a modern edition of Williams Arthurian cycle of poems and is working on his connections to other writers of the peri...
Mythmakers Encore: The Wonderful Worlds Of TA White
25
July 17, 2025

Mythmakers Encore: The Wonderful Worlds Of TA White

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place for maps?
Sidecast - LOTR: Wrap Up of The Fellowship of the Ring
24
July 10, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: Wrap Up of The Fellowship of the Ring

In this special Sidecast episode, Julia Golding revisits some of the most engaging moments from an author’s journey through The Fellowship of the Ring. From the confusion and peril of Weathertop to the hidden histories unearthed in Rivendell and the forging of great swords and alliances, we take a look back at some of the highlights of Tolkien’s storytelling craft through the eyes of an experienced writer. Listen in as we celebrate the wonder, complexity, and humanity woven into every chapter—an...
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 8
19
June 5, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 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. (00:05) The ...
Tolkien's Tales from the Perilous Realm
17
May 29, 2025

Tolkien's Tales from the Perilous Realm

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best perilous realm?
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 7
16
May 22, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 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. (00:05) Expl...
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 6
15
May 15, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 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. (00:05) Expl...
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 5
14
May 8, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 5

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. (00:05) Anal...
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 5
15
May 8, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 5

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. (00:05) Anal...
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 4
14
May 1, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 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. (00:05) Jour...
William Morris, Tolkien and The House of the Wolfings
13
April 24, 2025

William Morris, Tolkien and The House of the Wolfings

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a female leader?
Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 3
12
April 17, 2025

Sidecast - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Book 2 Chapter 3

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. (00:05) Chap...
Tolkien the Poet: Our verdict on the New Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien
11
April 10, 2025

Tolkien the Poet: Our verdict on the New Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be to be a poet of elegies and laments?