Latest in History
Episode 377: Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy
Civilization ended, so it's time for a robe and wizard hat.
Episode 373: Speculative Westerns
It can be horses or space ships, so long as someone has a duster.
Building Roshar: How Sanderson Bungled Culture
The world of The Way of Kings has intriguing storms and bizarre gender roles.
Building Three Parts Dead: How Gladstone Writes Magic Law
Anyone familiar with D&D’s Eberron setting will immediately recognize Alt Coulumb.
Why Herbert’s Dune Fails as a Subversion
Frank Herbert is not a guy I would go to for political commentary.
Building Mass Effect: How Bioware Imagines the Future
Whatever the Reapers are working toward, it must be big!
Building Age of Myth: How Sullivan Employs the Neolithic
Sullivan's setting has lots of novelty, but bronze and copper swords don't work that way.
Episode 334: Monarchy in Spec Fic
All hail the one true podcaster!
Episode 332: Unusual Settings
Castles, spaceships, and high tech cities are all great, but they can get a bit repetitive.
Six Principles for Becoming a Better Worldbuilder
Worldbuilding is complicated, but a few universal principles can provide guidance.
Episode 318: Lost Knowledge
Is lost knowledge always found in the last place you look?
Building Crescent City: How Maas Remixed Old Tropes
Hey there, friend, do you feel like joining some vampires for a night out on the town?
It’s Time to Throw Out The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Remember this book for its impact rather than praising its poor scholarship.
How Our Stories Abandon Morality for Gray-Colored Lenses
Pretending black and white conflicts are gray excuses evil and enables injustice.
Building Arrakis: How Herbert Sabotaged His Own Ideas
Cool space worms can't save Dune from sexism, racism, and absurdity.
Six Ridiculous Cultures in Speculative Fiction
Don't hang your plot on a broken setting.
Building Temeraire: How Novik Included Diversity and Justice in a Historical Setting
Does the worldbuilding pass muster, or will it go down like a sinking French frigate?
Episode 269: Disease in Spec Fic
For no reason at all, disease seems to be on a lot of authors’ minds right now.
Siege Warfare Before Gunpowder
The fantasy genre is stuffed with sieges, even in series other than Lord of the Rings!
Alan