Robin and David are joined by Samatha York, whose debut historical novel The Foreshore released in August. Discussion ranges far and wide into matters of language, myth versus reality, also history and who gets to write it. There are shoutouts for local bookshops, and discussions on popular islands like Atlantis and Númenor. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Samantha here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-foreshore/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ Or David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (01:02) Samantha’s publishing journey; (04:05) learning writing through reading; (04:33) lockdown novels; (10:12) finer details; (12:43) the balance between myth and reality; (18:44) how much history? (22:33) Samantha’s next projects; (24:30) historical fiction readers’ tolerance; (28:40) a fictional background location; (32:22) Katie’s review: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf, Kimberly Lemming; (34:34) planner vs Discovery Writer; (38:05) the sausage behind the curtain: what is Robin trying to say? (Answers on a postcard); (39:10) an island called Eilean Eòin; (42:08) audiobook? (43:15) bookshops, local and national; (47:15) [contractually mandated] Tolkien chat; (49:35) …eventually, Robin arrives at a question – authors changing history? (53:16) the Return of the Rings (of Power).

Robin and Dave dress up as writers to chat with Stewart Hotston about his latest novel, the magnificent space opera Project Hanuman. We ramble far and wide to chat about LARPing, bookshelves, reading recs, the British Science Fiction Association, and much, much more, but most importantly, we touch on some weighty topics that need to be discussed, like why SF authors write about politics, and what happens if we don’t. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Stewart here: https://stewarthotston.com/about/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ Or David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ Time stamps: (01:16) Project Hanuman; (02:15) A quiet collapse; (02:45) Inspirations for Project Hanuman; (05:20) Iain M. Banks; (05:45) Background physics; (07:15) ** INTERLUDE ** (08:55) The Science-y Bit; (18:10) Managing story scope vs word count; (22:45) Writing out the Internet (Mission: Impossible); (26:10) The experience of writing Project Hanuman; (28:30) The book glossary in your head; (31:15) Katie’s review: Peter Darling, by Austin Chant; (33:00) Obscure punctuation / The Secret Code; (35:20) BSFA Chair / helping fans do what they love; (37:10) Challenges / the Cloak of Boring Politics; (39:10) Work on your craft; (40:40) Stewart’s recommendations:             - The Future, Naomi Alderman (2023)             - Exordia, Seth Dickinson (2024)             - The Traitor Baru Cormorant, Seth Dickinson (2015)             - The Proof of My Innocence, Jonathan Coe (2024)             - Judith Butler, feminist philosopher (43:25) SFF and Politics; (49:18) LARP; (57:00) What are you up to next?             - The Next Enemy Will Be the Last (due 2026)             - Epic fantasy duology (2027/2028?)             - Portal fantasy…

The BFS are very pleased to support the Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy category at the inaugural British Audio Awards, the ceremony for which takes place on 24th November. To mark the event, Long Story Short presents our very first Podcast Special. https://www.thebookseller.com/the-british-audio-awards/the-british-audio-awards https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ And Pam’s: https://www.pslivingstone.com And also David Green’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (01:05) The Speakies organisers’ statement; (01:40) summary of the award categories; (02:05) “And the nominees are…”  (Best Audiobook – SF & Fantasy); (03:10) some words from Juno Dawson (read by PS Livingstone); (04:57) Steve Lyons and Nicholas Briggs chat Agent of the Daleks; (08:20) the evolution of audio drama; (11:16) Nick and Steve’s processes; (15:27) how important are audiobooks in your own reading? (17:20) reading in the bath (+Nick’s recommendations): The Intruder, John Rowe Townsend (1969) First Light, Geoffrey Wellum (2020) Rogue Male, Geoffrey Household (1939) (21:06) the value of (audio drama) awards; (25:00) revisiting books, but in audio: praise for Ian Holm and Peter Kenny; (27:35) reading Revenge of the Cybermen; (28:35) how does it feel to be nominated for a British Audio Award? (32:12) some other nominations of potential interest.

Robin & David were joined in the run up to World Fantasy in Brighton (UK) by Joe Hill, whose new novel, King Sorrow, is his first in nine years. This episode is a real doozy, with the chat ranging far-and-wide. Not to be missed! Check out our new detailed timestamps at the bottom of these notes. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ [There are handful of F-bombs in the episode] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Joe here: https://www.joehillfiction.com/#intro Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (with about 30s lead-in) (03:06) a home in the British Fantasy community (05:35) 2000AD (06:52) King Sorrow (11:49) other kinds of peril (13:48) Better Call Saul (15:03) Dark Academia (16:48) a Ken Follet epic (21:29) the Broken Binding special edition (24:20) illustration and physical books (27:02) the Orwellian thing (28:17) the pain is the point (32:26) themes in King Sorrow (36:40) dragon tattoos (37:47) dragons like cats (38:39) emptying the full magazine (41:01) Stephen King (48:52) King Sorrow; horror or fantasy? (51:23) how terrible to live in Middle Earth (53:26) banned books / we're all f**ked (56:10) World Fantasy (57:21) Locke & Key (66:38) Return of the Jedi is not very good (69:30) Hunger, a novel (2026)

Robin & Pam are joined by Marve Michael Anson, whose eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel Firstborn of the Sun released this month. Come learn about ‘an epic world of courtly intrigue and forbidden power’, and the important work Marve does for the BFS on Outreach & Inclusion.  https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Marve here: https://www.justmarve.org Visit Pam’s website: https://www.pslivingstone.com And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Annabel Campbell, whose debut novel The Outcast Mage released in January, joins Robin & David to talk mages of many varieties. How would you shape up as a wizard? Would you use your power for good, or be tempted to the Dark Side where - we are given to believe - there are cookies? Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Annabel here: https://annabelcampbell.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

David & Robin chat with author Sam K. Horton, whose second novel Ragwort releases in November. We talk maps, book tour costumes, and the love of wild places. David discovers that Friday also is a business day. Plus, hear about the Top 10 reasons to attend Fantasycon from Ben and Nico of the Tiny Bookcase podcast. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here:           https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Sam here: https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/sam-horton Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

David & Robin meet publisher, editor, & author William C. Tracy of Space Wizard Science Fantasy to chat about WorldCon Seattle, indie small press publishing, the bookselling market, and codifying magic systems. We also discuss cats, bees, and commas. (And yes, Robin did find ‘That Comma Video’ and if you absolutely must watch it… https://youtu.be/tGyiLkdA49Y #noapologies) Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about William & Space Wizard here: https://www.spacewizardsciencefantasy.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Robin & David converse with Lorraine Wilson, author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, about folklore, the future of identity, and the sea. In search of a response to the podcast’s title, literature, fantasy, magic and science all go into the growbag of genre. The efficacy of an ice-skating scoring system for panel responses is also assessed during this episode. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Lorraine here: https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/lorraine-wilson Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join David & Robin in conversation with Jay McGuiness, star of stage, screen & chart, as we talk about all manner of things including painting with watercolours rather than oils, love of Lemony Snicket, with a dramatic ‘Hollywood deal-making’ twist at the end. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Jay here: https://www.instagram.com/birdspotting/?hl=en Or here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_McGuiness Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

In which David speaks to Calah Singleton about many things Middle Earth; the Hobbit, the trilogy, the movies, Rings of Power, where their own love of Tolkien’s work originated, their hot takes, and much, much more. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Calah here: https://calahsingleton.com/about/   Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Robin and David talk with the one and only Adrian Tchaikovsky about writing comedy, fighting in armour, TTRPGs, conventions and of course, books, in a wide-ranging chat covering the breadth and height of Adrian’s authorial career to date. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about Adrian Tchaikovsky here: https://adriantchaikovsky.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join Robin & Pam (PS Livingstone) for Episode 8, Myth, Romantasy & Feminist Rage, with Scarlett St. Clair. Discard preconceptions of Romantic Fiction, learn the power of librarians, social media, and emotion over mechanics. [CW: indirect sex references.] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about Scarlett St. Clair here: https://scarlettstclair.com/ Visit Pam’s website: https://www.pslivingstone.com And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Author A.K. Faulkner joins David and Robin to talk about many and varied subjects, including writing books, selling books, and people reading books out loud. Also, learn about “the breadmaker”, trusting your brain, and fizzy drinks. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here:    https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about A.K. Faulkner here: https://ravenswordpress.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

Robin attends the 2025 Cymera Festival in Edinburgh and talks to all sorts of people about all sorts of things, mainly festival and writing related, but also featuring soccer, puppers, blueberries, games, a non-hostile takeover, and much, much more. David is present in spirit and in voice. Recorded live, so expect some beeps and boops. You can find our guests this episode here (in order of appearance): Noel Chidwick, https://www.shorelineofinfinity.com Tiffani Angus, https://www.tiffani-angus.com/cons-appearances.html Cat Hellisen, http://clhellisen.com E.M. Faulds, https://emfaulds.com/about/ Sam K. Horton, https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/sam-horton Pippa Goldscmidt, https://www.pippagoldschmidt.co.uk M.K. Hardy, https://www.mkhardywrites.com Tristan Gray, https://tristangraywrites.com Ann Landman, https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/our-story David Goodman, https://www.davidgoodman.net Morgan of Ancient Robot Games, https://www.ancientrobotgames.co.uk A.K. Faulkner, https://shop.ravenswordpress.com Neil Williamson, https://neilwilliamson.blog Shona Kinsella, https://www.shonakinsella.com PS Livingstone, https://www.pslivingstone.com Francesca Barbini, https://www.lunapresspublishing.com Adam Oyebanji, https://adamoyebanji.com Stark Holborn, https://starkholborn.com Cameron Johnston, https://www.cameronjohnston.net Lyndsey Croal, https://lyndseycroal.co.uk Gareth Powell, https://www.garethlpowell.com Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

James Bennett joins David and Robin to consider many a varied topics around the intersection of Fantasy and History. Prepare for discussion of dark times, but also hope for the future, and as a bonus, James reads to us from a work by George Orwell (not that one). Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about James here: https://www.ki-agency.co.uk/authors/james-bennett Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

David and Robin are joined by marine biologist and bestselling fantasy author Lauren Wiesebron to discuss various subjects, in particular Lauren's debut novel The House of Frost and Feathers, but also including mermaids... and leprechauns. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Keep up to date with all things Lauren Wiesebron: https://laurenwiesebron.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

David and Robin are joined by the very insightful and entertaining Justin Lee Anderson - author of the Eidyn Saga - to discuss his wealth of experience of the publishing industry, providing great insight on various topics, in particular treatments of Politics and Religion in SFF. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Keep up to date with all things Justin Lee Anderson: https://justinleeanderson.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join David Green and Robin CM Duncan as they talk with the most-excellent T.L. Huchu, author of the 'Edinburgh Nights' series, about all cities in fantasy and... Star Wars?Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/   Keep up to date with all things T.L. Huchu: https://www.instagram.com/tendaihuchu/   Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join David Green and Robin CM Duncan as they talk with the brilliant Anna Smith Spark about all things folklore in fantasy and horror AND MORE. Yes, more!Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/   Keep up to date with all things Anna Smith Spark: https://www.instagram.com/annasmithspark/   Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/