Fantasy Talks Live

In this episode I am joined by industry expert and author D. A. Murray to talk about AI, the Sci-fi genre and the first book in her sci-fi trilogy Dominion - Ascension.

You can find out more about Ms Murray over at: https://damurrayofficial.com and her Instagram: @damurrayofficial

#sci-fi #AI #fantasy #fantasybooks #damurray

In this episode, Varsha hosts as we continue our deep dive into the Discworld series.

Today we are lucky to have someone brand new to the Discworld to analyse this book with, the ever great The Fantasy Thinker, bringing a fresh take on the series and the perspective of someone brand new to this amazing world.

#terrypratchett #discworld #fantasy #fantasybooks

In this episode I am joined by Jeremy Szal, author of The Common sci-fi series to discuss his journey to becoming a published author, we discuss what works can be classified as sci-fi and the inspirations behind his The Common series.

We finish off by delving into the fickle nature of the publishing industry.

#sci-fi #jeremyszal #thecommon #fantasybooks

In this episode I am joined by internationally acclaimed writer J. D. Barker, author of the 4MK series, The Fourth Monkey, The Fifth to Die and The Sixth Wicked Child.

We talk about his beginnings as a writer, his advice for indie authors, what makes a good thriller book, his collaborations with James Patterson and his upcoming three prequels to the series to be released later this year.

#JDBarker #TheFourthMonkey #4MK #Thrillers #Thrillernovels

In this episode I am joined by Ukranian author Anton Zvolinskyi to talk about his new book, the dark fantasy Blades of Demon.

In this book, Anton opens up about the reality of the Ukrainian war and how the deep themes that he explores in his book helped him deal with such traumatic events, the loss of home and the bittersweet taste of making peace with what is lost and having the courage to look forward to the future.

You can contact me:

email: amazing_worlds@hotmail.com
Instagram: jose_amazing_worlds<...

Once again, Varsha leads Alex and I as we carry on our journey through the Discworld novels. In here, we follow the witches coven as they take on a satirical take on all classic fairy tales on a rollercoaster ride of great fun.

#discworld #terrypratchett #fantasybooks #fantasybookspodcast

You can find Varsha's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain

You can contact me:

email: amazing_worlds@hotmail.com
Instagram: jose_amazing_worlds

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Reaper Man, one of the most powerful and philosophical novels in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. We explore how Pratchett uses humour, cosmic absurdity, and the character of Death to reflect on mortality, identity, compassion, and what it truly means to be alive.

👉 In this episode we discuss:

Why Reaper Man is a key novel in the Death subseries.

Death’s journey as Bill Door and its emotional impact.

Themes of life, endings, and empathy beneath the comedy.

The satire of bureauc...

Join me for a special YouTube Live featuring the amazing The Fantasy Thinker, where we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in the bookish community: ¿is it better to read alone or to participate in read alongs?

You can check the Thinker's original video that sparked this conversation here: https://youtu.be/BRsjUX5Y-X8

In this livestream, we’ll explore how reading styles affect enjoyment, motivation, comprehension, and connection with the book community. We’ll share personal experiences, pros and cons, tips for getting the most out of reading alone, and how to ma...

Join us for a livestream chat with Riley S. Quinn, a talented artist and author whose work blends visual storytelling, emotion, and imagination. We’ll explore her creative journey, the inspirations behind her art and writing, and the much maligned genre of romantasy.

🔥 In this live talk:

Riley’s path as both an artist and author.
How visual art influences storytelling (and vice versa).
Finding your creative voice in today’s artistic landscape.
Advice for aspiring writers and illustrators.

If you love art, books, and creativity, this conversation will inspire you to se...

Join us for a special livestream with Kelly O’Hearn, author and tarot reader, as we dive into the connections between creative writing, spirituality, and tarot symbolism. We’ll talk about how tarot can inspire storytelling, explore character archetypes, and help writers connect more deeply with their imagination.

🔥 In this live chat:

How Kelly O’Hearn blends tarot and fiction writing.
The creative process behind her stories and spiritual practice.
Tips for writers looking to use tarot as a creative tool.

Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, mysticism, or the art of stor...

In this episode, Varsha, Alex and I take a deep dive into Moving Pictures, the 10th novel in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. We explore how Pratchett transforms the birth of cinema into a hilarious and biting satire of Hollywood, fame, and the dangers of storytelling itself.

🔥 In this episode we discuss:

The plot and key characters of Moving PicturesHow Terry Pratchett parodies the movie industry and celebrity culture

Themes of illusion, ambition, and the power of imagination

Where Moving Pictures fits within the larger Discworld saga

Our favorite momen...

Join us for a special live conversation with bestselling author Larry Correia, creator of the hit series Monster Hunter International and The Saga of the Forgotten Warrior. In this livestream, we’ll dive into Larry’s approach to writing fast paced fantasy, urban horror and high-octane adventure fiction, plus get insights into his career, influences, and the craft of storytelling.

🔥 What we’ll talk about:
The origins and legacy of Monster Hunter International.
Epic worldbuilding in The Saga of the Forgotten Warrior.
Writing action scenes that leap off the page.
Balancing humor, horror, and heart...

Join us for a special live conversation with Bruce Brown, comic book writer and creator of Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom and the graphic adaptation of The Cats of Ulthar. In this stream, we’ll dive into Bruce’s creative process, his approach to adapting H.P. Lovecraft’s stories into comics, and how his work helped introduce cosmic horror to new audiences, including younger readers.

🔥 Topics we’ll cover:

The origins of Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom.
Adapting The Cats of Ulthar and other Lovecraft tales into comics.
Turning Lovecraft’s cosmic horr...

Join us for a special live discussion with Bookish Chas, where we dive into the world of BookTube, the online bookish community, and the ups and downs that come with it. From the joy of connecting with fellow readers to the controversies, dramas, and debates that sometimes shake the platform, we’ll be talking openly and honestly about it all.

👀 In this live chat we cover:

The growth and impact of the BookTube community.
How creators handle BookTube drama and online debates.
Balancing authenticity, reviews, and audience expectations.
The positives of BookTube: frien...

In this episode of our Discworld Deep Dive podcast, Varsha, Susana and I explore Eric (also known as Faust Eric), one of Terry Pratchett’s most unique and shortest Discworld novels. We unpack its clever parody of the Faust legend, the return of the hapless wizard Rincewind, and Pratchett’s sharp wit as he takes us across the Disc from hellish bargains to epic (and hilarious) misadventures.

📚 What we cover in this episode:

How Eric fits into the Rincewind series of Discworld.

Parody, satire, and Pratchett’s take on Faust.

Key themes: t...

In this spine-tingling episode of Fantasy Talks Live, I'm joined by Jeff Devine, host of The Eldritch Episodes podcast, for a deep dive into the chilling world of H.P. Lovecraft adaptations. From cult classics like The Call of Cthulhu and Re-Animator to modern cosmic horror films and streaming series, we explore how Lovecraft’s mythos has influenced cinema, television, and pop culture. We discuss the challenges of adapting the unspeakable, how Lovecraft’s themes of madness and the unknown are brought to life on screen, and which adaptations truly capture the horror of the cosmic abyss.

Jeff...

In this episode of Fantasy Talks, Varsha takes over hosting duties as alongside Susana and Alex we plunge into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly profound world of Guards! Guards!, the first installment in Terry Pratchett’s beloved City Watch arc of the Discworld series.

🛡️ From Captain Vimes' reluctant rise to heroism to the introduction of Sybil Ramkin, Carrot Ironfoundersson, and a dragon with an attitude, this book marks a turning point in the Discworld saga — blending sharp satire with real character growth.

📚 We explore:

The transformation of the Night Watch

Carrot’s earnest idea...

Dr Goodwyn is back to discuss in greater depth his debut novel King of the Forgotten Darkness. In this episode we discuss the use of symbolism in the fantasy genre and the connection between jungian archetypes and fantasy tropes, with particular attention to talking animals!

We find common ground in our appreciation of books that work simply as an adventure story and at a deeper level trying to say something about humanity or society.

You can find out more about Dr Goodwyn and his work over at: www.erikgoodwyn.com

Varsha hosts once again, and joined by Chris, Alex and myself, we take a deep dive into Pyramids, the seventh novel in Terry Pratchett’s iconic Discworld series. From camels and quantum philosophy to gods, assassins, and ancient pyramids that mess with time itself, Pyramids is one of Pratchett’s most clever and underrated stand-alone stories.

📚 Topics We Cover:

Tepic, Dios, and the struggle between tradition and progress
Satire, science, and the surreal logic of the Disc

How Pyramids fits into the wider Discworld universe

The book’s themes of memory, t...

Join us for an in-depth discussion on the fantastical and macabre worlds crafted by Clark Ashton Smith, a seminal figure in early 20th-century weird fiction. In this episode, we delve into Smith's unique contributions to the genre, his poetic prose, and his influence on contemporaries and successors alike.

👤 About the Guests:

Lee Weinstein: A dedicated scholar of speculative fiction, Lee brings a wealth of knowledge on Smith's literary artistry and historical context.

Darrell Schweitzer: An esteemed author and editor, Darrell offers critical insights into Smith's narratives and their lasting impact on fantasy literature.

In this episode, Dr. Oliver joins us to discuss his new book on Robert E. Howard, legendary creator of Conan the Barbarian. With special guest The Fantasy Thinker, we explore Howard’s life, imagination, and lasting legacy in fantasy. Plus, live audience questions you won't want to miss!

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett, the sixth book in the beloved Discworld series and a fan-favorite from the Witches subseries. We break down the plot, explore its Shakespearean influences, and discuss why Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat are some of the most iconic witches in fantasy literature.

💬 Expect a mix of humor, critical insight, and lots of love for Pratchett’s unique style. Whether you're a longtime Discworld reader or just discovering the magic, this episode is for you!

🌀 Topics we cover:

The brillian...

In this episode I am joined by author and Lovecraft biographer David J. Goodwin to talk about the complex personality of the genius of Providence, and yes, we address the elephant in the room!

You can find out more about Mr Goodwin and his work over at: www.davidjgoodwin.com

In this episode I talk to author Violet Castro about her experiences with psychodelics and plant medicine for the mind whilst renowned psychiatrist Dr Erik Goodwyn provides insights from a medical perspective.

You can find out more about Ms Castro and her work over at: www.vcastrostories.com

You can find out more about Dr Goodwyn and his work over at: www.erikgoodwyn.com

In this episode I am joined by past guests, writer and game designer John Houlihan and comics writer and game designer Joseph Oliveira. We talk about board game design, production and promotion and delve deeper into the differences between the board game and book market.

You can find out more about John and his work over at: https://john-houlihan.net and https://modiphius.net

You can find out more about Josehp and his work over at: https://www.afterlightcomics.com

In this episode I am joined by Justin Rose, author of The Fall of Ingway, a full cast production with original score to talk about how the project came about, the logistics of directing actors across the world and the choice of audio as a medium over the written word.

You can find out more about Justin and his work over at: https://www.youtube.com/@Justin_Rose

Varsha takes over as host once again in our Discworld Deep Dive. In this episode, Varsha, Alex, Susana and I explore the deep themes and humours of this wonderful entry of the magnificent Discworld series by Sir Terry Pratchett.

You can find out more about Varsha and her work over at: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain

In this episode I am joined by author M. R. Leonard to talk about his new sci-fi book, Pilgrims. We talk about the gap in the sci-fi genre for works that include religious questions in their deeper core, the struggles of selling a new idea in a very conservative publishing landscape and the ever increasing importance of the audio book as a means of consuming literature.

You can find out more about Mr Leonard and his work over at www.mrleonardauthor.com

Varsha takes over in this podcast episode. Alex, Susana and I join her to explore the deep themes and jokes of the fourth entry into the wonderful Discworld series by the great, late, Sir Terry Pratchett.

You can find out more about Varsha over at her Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain

You can find out more about Susana over at: www.susanaimaginario.com

In this episode, I talk to ex Orbit publisher and now horror agent John Jarrold to discuss the current state of publishing within the horror genre, the relative importance of social media for aspiring authors and his own advice to them.

I even get to ask him if it is ok for vampires to be sexy!

You can find out more about Mr Jarrold and his work over at: www.johjarrold.co.uk

Varsha takes over hosting duties once again for the second episode of this epic series where we take a Deep Dive into the wonderfully cooky Discworld created by Sir Terry Pratchett. In this episode, Alex and I join Varsha to discuss the jokes and deeper themes of the third entry into this world.

You can find out more about Varsha and her thoughts over at her Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain

In this episode I am joined by chicana author Violet Castro, where we discuss her journey into horror writing and explore the issues of personal identity and the ability of the horror genre to provide a wide landscape to explore complex personal and psychological issues. We also talk about the importance of social media for an aspiring author and the experience of writing for established IPs.

You can find out more about Ms Castro and her work over at: https://vcastrostories.com/

Varsha takes over hosting duties for this Discworld Deep Dive series. In this episode, Alex, Chris Mohan and myself join in to explore the themes and narratives of this wonderful series.

You can find Varsha's Youtube channel over at: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingByTheRainyMountain

You can find Chris's movies Youtube channel over at: https://www.youtube.com/@chrismohan

In this episode I am joined by professor of social philosophy and author Tom Grimwood to talk about his book Vanisher: Chronicles of the Warren. We discuss the personal events that led to the writing and publication of the book, plot twists vs subversion of expectations and heist movies.

You can find out more about Tom and his work over at his Cumbria University site: https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/academic-staff/all-staff-members/tom-grimwood.php

You can contact me:
email: amazing_worlds@hotmail.com
Instagram: jose.amazing.worlds
You can s...

In this episode I am joined by long time friends of the podcast, Ian Porter and Susana Imaginário, to discuss Disquiet Gods, book 6 in the Sun Eater series with Christopher Ruocchio himself and his editor and patron saint of this podcast, David John Butler.

You can check our previous conversation with Christopher in episode 25 of this podcast as well as my interview with David about the role of the edior in episode 14.

You can check out Ian's Youtube channel over at: https://www.youtube.com/@bnbbooks1794

You can find out more about S...

In this episode I get to quizz Dr Goodwyn about several mental conditions and their portrayal in the media. We discuss psychopathy, gender disforia, multiple personality disorder and electroshock therapy.

We also talk about the difference in male and female brains and how these differences manifest themselves in personal interests and patterns of behaviour.

You can find out more about Dr Goodwyn and his work over at www.erikgoodwyn.com and his Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@theimaginarium

You can find out more about Susana and her work over at: www.susanaimaginario...

In this episode, past guest Jared Michaud comes back to talk about his work, the woes and tribulations of the indie author and I learn about the Authors in Grocery Stores program.

We also talk about matters of faith, the state of current pop culture and the innate human need for belonging to a group.

You can find out more about Jared and his work over at: https://jarednmichaud.com/

In this episode I talk to the author of the Fall of Emros fantasy series, ex punk-metal singer, foundry worker and all round cool guy, Thomas J. Devens.

We talk about his interest in fantasy, his writing process and his very casual approach to dishing out death of characters in his novels. Certainly some unexpected twists in this conversation.

You can find out more about Thomas and his works over at: https://fallofemros.blogspot.com/

In this episode I am joined by journalist and author John Houlihan. John has been a long time games journalist, he is also the author of the Mon Dieu Cthulhu! book series and a game designer of the Achtung Cthulhu! role playing game.

We discuss the evolution of the computer games industry and then delve into our love of H. P. Lovecraft's work and John's involvement in the rpg world.

You can find out more about John and his work over at www.john-houlihan.net

Due to some unforseen technical issues, there are...

In this episode, I am joined by German born Australia based author Dirk Strasser. We talk about his career in writing and editing sci-fi & fantasy magazines, his latest novel Conquist and the differences between novel writing and screen play writing.

You can find out more about Dirk and his work over at www.dirkstrasser.com