Be The Serpent (Alexandra Rowland, Freya Marske, Jennifer Mace)
Explore every episode of Be The Serpent
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan 2020 | Episode 51: How to Romance Your Dragon | 00:56:14 | |
On this episode, we're talking about dragons, specifically dragons that shapeshift into a hot person so you can kiss them. Well, ok, in one of the tentpoles a girl smooches the actual dragon-shaped dragon, but we'll get to that. The tentpoles this week are In the Vanishers’ Palace by Aliette de Bodard, the movie On Drakon, and “O Captain, My Captain” by novembersmith.
What We’re Into Lately The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht The Impossible Contract by K.A. Doore
Other Stuff We Mentioned Dragon’s Bait by Vivian Vande Velde Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Jupiter Ascending (2015) Uprooted by Naomi Novik Beauty and the Beast The Sound of Music (1965) The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard The House of Sundering Flames by Aliette de Bodard How to Train Your Dragon (2010) The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Hornblower Saga by C.S. Forester The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien King Uther Pendragon Hamlet’s King Claudius The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon The Three Things One Can Do with a Dragon “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis Be The Serpent Episode 15: My (Psychic, Firebreathing) Little Pony Cruel Enchantment, a short story collection by Janine Ashbless “The Dragon’s Bride” by Janine Ashbless “Treasured” by Dira Sudis, Sealcat
For Next Time
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Picture us throwing bouquets of roses at our wonderful scribal team!! | |||
| 30 Jun 2021 | Episode 89: A Particularly Heartless Wizard | 01:03:02 | |
On today’s episode, we're finally getting around to doing our Diana Wynne Jones Episode! Well, sort of -- it's not exactly a deep-dive. Our tentpoles this week are Howl’s Moving Castle, Howl’s Moving Castle, and two Howl’s Moving Castle fanfics — “Hearts and Their Consumption” by setepenre_set and “Second Time Lucky” by labellementeuse.
What We’re Into Lately Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall Sistersong by Lucy Holland Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott Persona 5 fanfic The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis The Little Mermaid Spirited Away Snow White Coraline by Neil Gaiman Children’s author Frances Hardinge Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre miniseries Good Omens TV series Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones Tam Lin Scottish ballad Castle In the Air by Diana Wynne Jones Aladdin folktale Tales of the Arabian Nights Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien Labyrinth Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones Be the Serpent Episode 36: There’s No Place Like Home Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones Archer’s Goon by Diana Wynne Jones Eight days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones
For Next Time Episode 90: Extravaganza!
Content Warnings Gore / Violence - Hearts and Their Consumption by setepenre_set.
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you to our fabulous team of scribes for their hard work, as always :) | |||
| 25 Mar 2020 | Episode 57: We All Fall Down | 01:01:30 | |
On this episode, we are shifting into a more serious register to talk about plague narratives. In light of the current pandemic, we urge you to check in with yourself before listening to this episode--are you doing okay? Are you good to listen to this right now? Please take care of yourself, and don't listen to this episode right now if it'll be an emotional overload for you. It'll always be here for you later. That said, the tentpoles for this episode are: The Monster of Elendhaven, The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, and the eighth episode of the first season of X-Files, called “The Ice.”
What We’re Into Lately The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings Drowned Country by Emily Tesh Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather The Case for Socialism by Alan Maass Paris or Maybe Hell by basingstoke
Other Stuff We Mentioned Episode 60 Extravaganza! To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Children of Men by P.D. James Blindness by José Saramago Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Newsflesh series by Mira Grant A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker Handshaking Handwashing Zombies Shaun of the Dead (2004) “With Fire in Their Eyes” by Askerian “House of the Living” by astolat The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
For Next Time The Student Prince by fayjay
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Seriously, though, special thanks to our scribes for tackling this one. | |||
| 20 May 2020 | Episode 61: A Time and a Place | 01:01:41 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing historical fantasy, and Freya makes a truly brilliant point about what this genre really IS. The tentpoles today are The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly, and “Duende” by astolat.
What We’re Into Lately Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho A Marvelous Light by Freya Markse! The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Hornblower by C.S. Forester Loveless anime “Dangerous If Unbound” by astolat Temeraire series by Naomi Novik P.G. Woodhouse books Judging accuracy with the Bill and Ted test Hild by Nicola Griffith The Hornblower books by C.S. Forester A Dalliance with the Duke by AMargeurite An Ever-Fixed Mark by AMarguerite Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh The Glamourist Histories series by Mary Robinette Kowal Everfair by Nisi Shawl The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark For Next Time The Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our lovely scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 08 Apr 2020 | Episode 58: College Experience 101 | 00:57:08 | |
Welcome back to campus, students! It's the episode about college AUs and university settings! On today’s episode, we’re discussing The Student Prince by FayJay, Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin, and the pilot episode of The Magicians.
What We’re Into Lately Band Sinister by K. J. Charles Stormsong by C.L. Polk The Husky and His White Cat Shizun fic The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons
Other Stuff We Mentioned Witchmark by C.L. Polk The Husky and His White Cat Shizun by Meatbun Doesn’t Eat Meat aka 肉包不吃肉 All nighters and Irn Bru The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers The Lady’s Not for Burning by Christopher Fry The Student Prince by FayJay -- podfic version Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock Juxtaposition The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss Sneaking into events for free food Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo The Secret History by Donna Tartt College AU shenanigans American University Hellscape Advanced Ambulatory Ichthyology by gyzym Two ducks per student
For Next Time The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Please applaud your scribes, all of them made it onto the Dean's List this semester for their hard work. | |||
| 26 Aug 2020 | Episode 68: Who Wants to Live Forever? | 01:03:34 | |
On this week's episode, we are pondering the nature of mortality -- and immortality! We're discussing demigods and other sorts of very, very long lived folks. The tentpoles for this week are The Old Guard, The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson, and “The god of scraped knees.” by spqr. What We’re Into Lately The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia Summer in Orcus by T. Kingfisher
Other Stuff We Mentioned Feminine Pursuits series by Olivia Waite Alice Payne series by Kate Heartfield Alice Payne Rides by Kate Heartfield Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Episode 39 of Be the Serpent Claire Rousseau’s Youtube channel Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland The Witcher television show Star Wars prequels Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson Yoon Ha Lee’s books Good Omens TV adaptation The Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone Scum Villain's Self-Saving System Keanu Reeves definitely Not being immortal
For Next Time "Favorite" by astolat
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to the eternal beloveds of our hearts: the team of scribes who made this possible! | |||
| 24 Mar 2021 | Epsode 82: On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink | 01:03:04 | |
On this week's episode, we're getting the gang back together to talk about girl gangs, teen squads, and spooky witchy girls! The tentpoles this week are The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke, Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, and the fanfic “21st Century Girls” by springgreen.
What We’re Into Lately Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi Dawn by Octavia Butler A Bouquet of Czech Folktales by Karel Jaromír Erben, trans. Marcela Sulak Boku No Hero Academia fanfic as day follows night by The_Eclectic_Bookworm The Untamed fanfic
Other Stuff We Mentioned Society of Gentlemen series by K.J. Charles The Chrysalids by John Wyndham 20th Century Boys manga series Sailor Moon manga series Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo River Tam from Firefly
For Next Time
Content Warnings Very brief mention of sexual assault (and description of its fallout) in Foul Is Fair, one of the "What We're Into Lately" books. Explicit depictions of racism (including the KKK) in Ring Shout. Kidnapping, attempted assault in The Scapegracers. Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge thanks to our scribe team for their excellent work, as usual! | |||
| 29 Jan 2020 | Episode 53: The Untamed (featuring guest star Ruoxi Chen!) | 01:06:13 | |
On this episode, the Serpents are welding themselves to their bullshit with the help of a friend, glamorous guest star and kickass editor Ruoxi Chen! We're yelling about the Chinese fantasy drama, The Untamed! Welcome to Year Three of the podcast!!
What We’re Into Lately Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Wilder Girls by Rory Power The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System SV Wishes by Feynite “Linger in the Sun” by etymologyplayground
Other Stuff We Mentioned Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Lymond Chronicles series by Dorothy Dunnett Captive Prince trilogy by C. S. Pacat. Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by 墨香铜臭 “A Civil Combpaign” by Ariaste (two combs reference) Tall Once More In The Spring Wind by Fayjay Books by Robert Jackson Bennett
For Next Time Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Transcription: The transcript for this episode is available here. We're dramatically grabbing the wrists of our darling scribes (Tess, Sara, Kelle, Millie) and staring yearningly into their eyes as they play our love song on a hill somewhere. | |||
| 01 Dec 2021 | Episode 100: Superstravaganza | 01:57:09 | |
On this week's episode, we have a two-hour special to answer questions sent in by our darling listeners! Thank you to everyone who has been with us through the last four years! The Great Hiatus begins now, but we will return for at least one more episode next year! Get hype!
What We’re Into Lately Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers All the Feels by Olivia Dade Frankenstein by Mary Shelley And This, Your Living Kiss by opal_bullets The Courtier’s Love Affair (and Other Stories) by tridenture Macey’s NaNoWriMo Project: The Resurrection Chalice In the Realms of Gold by Victoria Goddard Sword Dance trilogy by AJ Demas Plum Duff by Victoria Goddard Alex’s NaNoWriMo Project: Some by Virtue Fall
Other Stuff We’ve Mentioned Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian Silk and Steel Our Opinions Are Correct Tales from the Trunk Fated Mates Heaving Bosoms Smart Bitches, Trashy Books Fansplaining The Fantasy Inn Breaking the Glass Slipper Overinvested Campaign Skyjacks Tor.com The Rec Center Pinboard Dragon Age: Inquisition Fantasia in D Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart BtS episode 6 “Cross Your Stars and Hope to Bi” BtS Special Episode Strange Horizons Miss Congeniality BtS episode 80 “Extravaganza” My Hero Academia Yesterday Upon the Stair by PitViperOfDoom BtS episode 98 “[SPOOKY NOISES]” “Bakugou and Todoroki’s Foolproof 5-Step Plan to Fuck with Mineta Minoru” by Anubis_2701 Naruto The Witcher (video game) The Witcher (TV) Person of Interest (2011) The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin The Ones Who Stay And Fight by N.K. Jemisin Singing my Sister Down by Margo Lanagan The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Yuri!!! in Space series by Fahye Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland A Sword On Two Fingers by Freya Marske (unpublished) Viable Paradise (writers’ workshop) Sam Hawke (Australian author) Jenn Lyons (Author) E. Jade Lomax (Author) The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins Welcome to Night Vale podcast The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard astolat Macey’s Frozen Meat Salesman Segment Macey’s misspent youth Sutton cottage (from A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske) Stars in the marsh (from A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland)
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. We'd like to take this moment to give an extra-special thank you to our team of scribes, who are amazing and meticulous and dedicated and extremely hard-working. Scribes, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're all amazing. | |||
| 06 Oct 2021 | Episode 96: Changing Places | 01:04:06 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing body swap fic! Swapping bodies! Trading meatsuits! It's all fun and comedy, right? ...Or is it? Anyway, the tentpoles for this episode are the anime film, Your Name, the fanfic Vinculum by Skadiseven, and the Farscape episode, "Out of Their Minds."
What We’re Into Lately Bombshell by Sarah MacLean The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton Schmigadoon! (on Apple TV) Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells Pressure Machine by the Killers Campaign Skyjacks (podcast) The Bachelor’s Valet by Arden Powell Petty Treasons by Victoria Goddard
Other Stuff We Mentioned The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Untamed Star Trek: The Next Generation Farscape The Dark Crystal Jupiter Ascending Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers Star Trek: The Original Series Laughing Gas by PG Wodehouse Stranger Than Fiction Babylon 5 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Sword Art Online Stargate The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System Captain America: The Winter Soldier to memory now I can’t recall by Etharei Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Guardian Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett Good Omens miniseries
For Next Time Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Content Warnings Mention of molestation in the context of the bodyswap trope (in episode discussion) Mention of dysphoria & trans erasure in the context of the bodyswap trope (in episode discussion)
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our stylish and fashionable team of scribes! | |||
| 15 Jul 2020 | Episode 65: Transfigurations | 00:59:43 | |
On today's episode we're talking about Harry Potter, the unbearable TERFness of JK Rowling, and the power of fanfic to reclaim and transform problematic canons: We're doing a deep-dive on the fanfic "Transfigurations" by Resonant! What We’re Into Lately Greenlight by Benjamin Stevenson The Letdown TV series Pink Slip by Katrina Jackson The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson Seraphina by Rachel Hartman What married people do by Shamelesscooper, a Scum Villain/Untamed crossover fanfic The Black Calhouns by Gail Lumet Buckley TorCon 2020 panel: A Whole Universe in Pages — Worldbuilding for SFF The Devil In America by Kai Ashante Wilson Watchmen miniseries on HBO Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi "White Bears in Sugar Land: Juneteenth, Cages, and Afrofuturism" essay by Tochi Onyebuchi "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream: The Duty of the Black Writer During Times of American Unrest" essay by Tochi Onyebuchi
Other Things We Mentioned Black Lives Matter A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson The Stabby Queer Ladies Anthology, Silk & Steel Kerin Cunningham’s Kickstarter My Chemical Romance The Unbearable TERFness of J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Witchmark by C. L. Polk Lumos by birdsofshore Star Trek In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae Eclipse by Mijan A Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Alexander the Great’s sex life tissue of silver by fearlessdiva Maya’s Harry Potter fics
For Next Time Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our amazing team of scribes, as always!! | |||
| 12 Feb 2020 | Episode 54: Somewhere Over The Rainbow | 00:59:32 | |
On this episode, we're discussing portal fantasies! We're yelling about how mad we are at Aslan! We're finding out Freya's middle name! We're talking about some great tentpoles: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, “Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire, and the 2005 movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
What We’re Into Lately Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little Women 2019 movie Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System Our Story’s Just Begun by aishiteru Flesh and Blood exhibit “Sunflowers” by Anselm Kiefer The Untamed series etymologyplayground on AO3
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow “Every Heart a Doorway“ by Seanan McGuire The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie Danger Mouse series Silk and Steel anthology The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Wayward Children by Seanan Mcguire ‘The Girl That’s Never Been’ Filk song by Vixy & Tony (Michelle Dockrey) ‘Wicked Girls’ song by Seanan McGuire Restoree by Anne McCaffrey Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel The Magicians by Lev Grossman The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones Doctor Who TV series Quantum Leap TV series Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Stargate film & TV series Farscape TV series Star Trek Voyager TV series The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Naruto anime Dreaming of Sunshine by Silver Queen The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Homestuck webcomic The Sims videogame
For Next Time Little Red Courgette by blamebrampton
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our beauteous, heroic scribes for making this happen! | |||
| 17 Jun 2020 | Episode 63: Hugo Award Slate Review -- Best Novels of 2019 | 00:56:28 | |
On this week's episode, we're doing a whirlwind survey of the six finalists from this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel: The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley, Middlegame by Seanan McGuire, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, The City In the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders, and The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow!
What We’re Into Lately Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons A Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Agatha Christie vibes Skeleton Puzzle-Solving video games Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine John Scalzi
For Next Time His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. We're definitely nominating our transcription team for the Serpents' Award For Best Scribes. ;) | |||
| 04 Nov 2020 | Episode 73: Game, Set, and Match | 01:06:01 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about sports! The tentpoles are Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett, Bend It Like Beckham, and “Thirty Years and Change” by sunsmasher.
What We’re Into Lately Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan Scum Villain fanfic The Untamed fanfic Yuri!!! on Ice fanfic (because nostalgia) Drowned Country by Emily Tesh
Other Stuff We Mentioned Space American Idol Fence series by C. S. Pacat Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl "Our Opinions Are Correct" podcast Sharps by K.J. Parker Court of Fives series by Kate Elliott Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins Ender’s Game + series by Orson Scott Card Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz City of Stars by Mary Hoffman “Stargazer” by Fahye Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (“show me one atom of truth” quote) Be the Serpent Episode 72
For Next Time The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge huge thanks to our scribes for their hard work this week. | |||
| 16 Dec 2020 | Episode 76: Structure?? I Don't Even Know 'Er! | 01:00:46 | |
On this week's episode, your Serpents were in the middle of National Novel Writing Month, so they used their smart juicy brains and planned an episode without ANY TENTPOLES WHATSOEVER. It's a craft discussion episode!!
What We’re Into Lately The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee May the Best Man Win by Z. R. Ellor The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells “Artificial Condition” by Martha Wells “Rogue Protocol” by Martha Wells where the stars do not take sides by WitchofEndor His Secret Illuminations by Scarlett Gale “The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex” by Tamsyn Muir
Other Stuff We Mentioned Avatar renaissance fic “Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck” Embers by Vathara That Picture of Gwendoline Christie and Oscar Isaac Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The sequel to A Marvellous Light Catalyst by Jennifer Mace A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland “Hallelujah” song by Leonard Cohen A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
For Next Time Coco (Pixar, 2017)
Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. As always, many many thanks to our amazing team of scribes for their work! | |||
| 22 Sep 2021 | Episode 95: The Jasmine Throne | 01:02:58 | |
On today's episode we're doing another deep dive on the marvelously sapphic fantasy novel The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri!
What We’re Into Lately The Secrets of Charlotte Street series by Scarlett Peckham - book 2: The Earl I Ruined - book 3: The Lord I Left Seducing the Sorcerer by Lee Welch The Bachelor’s Valet by Arden Powell Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells cast your bitterness into the sea by Kilerkki Till Human Voices Wake Us by Victoria Goddard
Other Stuff We Mentioned Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Swordheart and The Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher Jeeves/Wooster fanfiction Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Witcher “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame Game of Thrones Empresses in the Palace The Realm of Ash The Magpie Lord series A Cradle of Vines by Jennifer Mace Sleeping Beauty ‘Seasons of Glass and Iron’ by Amal El-Mohtar Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Twilight Zone theme The Unbroken by C.L. Clark She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske For Next Time Your Name. Content Warnings Violence against women, imperialist violence, semi-graphic death descriptions, references to torture and drugging in The Jasmine Throne
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks once again to our most excellent team of scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 16 Jun 2021 | Episode 88: Singing a Song of Angry Men | 01:03:46 | |
On today's episode we are talking about dystopian stratified societies and "layered cities". Our tentpoles this week are An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, the Snowpiercer movie (the original one), and “To the Victor, The Spoil” by Annakovsky.
What We’re Into Lately Black Water Sister by Zen Cho The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone marigolds by colbub Avatar: The Last Airbender fic Rogue One fic Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins “Dixit Dominus” by George Frideric Handel Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Testaments by Margaret Atwood The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan Embers by Vathara City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett Tam Lin by Pamela Dean This post by missellewoods The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins Lara Elena Donnelly’s Amberlough series The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson The Unbroken by C. L. Clark “And Now His Lordship Is Laughing” by Shiv Ramdas Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin "Victory Condition" by astolat Les Mis (musical) Les Miserables (disambiguation)
For Next Time Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Content Warnings Sexual assault, racism, and slavery in An Unkindness of Ghosts Violence, child harm in Snowpiercer Sex trafficking, attempted suicide, and adult/minor relationship in “To the Victor, The Spoil” General warnings for discussion in the episode: the spectre of pedophilia, cannibalism, classism and prejudice (as well as all above listed warnings from the tentpoles)
Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our team of scribes for their great work! | |||
| 28 Jul 2021 | Episode 91: Anything You Can Do, We Can Do Better | 01:03:56 | |
On this week's episode we’re discussing classics rewritten by women! The tentpoles are Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott, The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo, and Beowulf, translated by Maria Dahvana Headley.
What We’re Into Lately Subtle Blood by KJ Charles For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten Luca “Choosing” by Susan Taitel The Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes Victoria Goddard’s books: Tales of the Nine Worlds series Greenwing & Dart series
Other Stuff We Mentioned Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare The Good Place (see Janet with a cactus behind her back) Moana Carmina Burana (text) Carmina Burana (cantata by Orff) Hamilton “Saltwashed” by Jennifer Mace The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger Rule 63 of the internet Persona 5 videogame Peter Darling by Austin Chant Peter Pan by JM Barrie Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis E. Jade Lomax’s fanfic reinterpretations of The Susan Problem The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis Genderswap in fanfiction Mad Max: Fury Road Atomic Blonde For Next Time Wicked the musical Content Warnings Domestic abuse in The Chosen and the Beautiful Warfare and gore in Beowulf and Unconquerable Sun Discussion of trans and nonbinary erasure
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge thanks to our amazing team of scribes!! | |||
| 14 Jul 2021 | Episode 90: Extravaganza | 01:05:09 | |
On this week's episode, we are once again answering YOUR burning questions, dear listeners! What We’re Into Lately The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole Bareknuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis The Untamed fanfic “vinculum” by Skadiseven Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It by Silvestris The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard History Channel “documentaries”
Other Stuff We Mentioned Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman Good Omens (TV show) Famous Fanfic Author Fahye Down to Agincourt series by seperis Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel Fic author Maldoror_Chant Feminine Pursuits series (The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics) by Olivia Waite The Covert Captain by Jeannelle M. Ferreira Proper English by KJ Charles Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Tremontaine series by Ellen Kushner et al. ”Glitter & Gold” by Barns Courtney The Queen’s Gambit X-Men Teen Wolf Dragon Age: Inquisition Ranma ½ Criminal Minds you wait and you wonder who’ll take on your odds by paperclipbitch A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske For Next Time The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo Content Warnings N/A Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Highest of fives to our wonderful team of scribes!
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| 21 Apr 2021 | Episode 84: Not With a Bang... | 01:04:53 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about postapocalyptic fiction, specifically stories set in the wake of a climate apocalypse. The tentpoles are Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, the fanfic "Moebius" by AuroraNova and Mad Max: Fury Road.
What We’re Into Lately The House of Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert The World Figure Skating Championship A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge love, in fire and blood by cicer Practical Creativity by Raph Koster
Other Stuff We Mentioned Be the Serpent, Episode 3: Apocalypse Sometime, Maybe Next Tuesday Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Be the Serpent, Episode 38: A Hugo Award Special — The Novels of 2018 “Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time” by K.M. Szpara Studio Ghibli movies James Bond movies “Peer Gynt” by Grieg Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman Mass Effect games The ending of Mass Effect 3 Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison Who Should Live In Flooded Old New York? by Brooke Bolander Embers by Vathara The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin Lotus Blue by Cat Sparks Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve The Sea and Summer (aka Drowning Towers) by George Turner ‘The Fall of Civilizations’ podcast How We Get to Carbon Zero by Bianca Nogrady Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson Macey’s Fun Facts Bronze Age Mediterranean Corner 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline The most famous and meme-able trader to ever live, Ea-nasir
For Next Time Crimson Peak film
Content Warnings Gore and implied sexual assault in Mad Max: Fury Road Gore and (urban fantasy standard) violence in Trail of Lightning Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our brilliant team of scribes!! | |||
| 12 Aug 2020 | Episode 67: Toss a Coin to Your Serpents | 01:03:47 | |
On this week's episode, Macey gets her feet tangled in her cardigan, Freya tries to convince everyone to submit Extravaganza questions via 5-star iTunes reviews, and Alex is very tired. Oh, and we're also doing a deep-dive on a single tentpole: The Witcher tv show!
What We’re Into Lately The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Haikyuu!! The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho The Wild Dead by Carrie Vaughn Wild Seed by Octavia Butler Naruto fanfic “this river runs to you” by sundiscus
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn “Toss a Coin to Your Bitcher” by Suzanne Walker The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski The waning droning quality of a hurdy gurdy Chant Bullshit, courtesy of Alex’s book series Macey’s eternal dedication to Scum Villain fanfic The Sorting Hat Chats podcast episode on The Witcher
For Next Time The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson.
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you a thousand times to our wonderful team of scribes, who make this possible! | |||
| 03 Nov 2021 | Episode 98: [SPOOKY NOISES] | 01:04:14 | |
Happy (slightly belated) spooky season, darling listeners! On this week's episode we're talking about afterlife career plans and... well, ghosts! Tentpoles this week are Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, the film Ghost, and the Inception fic, “The Boy Who Spoke With Ghosts” by AvocadoLove.
What We’re Into Lately Squid Game The Discord of Gods by Jenn Lyons A Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu My Words Will Be Your Light by Page161of180 The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons Midnight Mass Naruto self-insert fic the name of the game by a_sassin the sun don't shine underground by ultranos Bar Cart Bookshelf How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom The Bride of the Blue Wind by Victoria Goddard “You Should Really Be Reading Victoria Goddard’s Nine Worlds Series” by Alexandra Rowland Other Stuff We Mentioned Snowpiercer The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins The Magicians The Queen's Gambit Avatar: The Last Airbender The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard Bluebeard Inception The Sixth Sense Dead Like Me (2003) The Ghost of You by luchia All that’s left of two hearts on fire by Lirelyn A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Crimson Peak Be the Serpent Episode 74: Darling, It’s Better Down Where It’s Wetter Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant Ghostbusters Supernatural Ask a Mortician YouTube channel a tempest, a cyclone, a goddamned hurricane by Dialux Boku no Hiro Akademia Yesterday Upon The Stair by PitViperOfDoom Black Sails the aftershocks remain by pdameron A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
For Next Time A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Content Warnings Some gore in Ghost. Depictions/discussions of death through all tentpoles and the podcast discussion Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our wonderful team of scribes for their work! | |||
| 20 Oct 2021 | Episode 97: A Symphony of Serpents | 01:00:37 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing music! Musicians! Being gripped by the madness of creation! Selling one's soul for art! The tentpoles this week are the film Amadeus, the fanfic "String Theory" by toft, and Ryka Aoki’s Light from Uncommon Stars.
What We’re Into Lately The Hellion’s Waltz by Olivia Waite Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Adderson The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach Compass of thy Soul by Umei_no_Mai Campaign Skyjacks Skyjacks: Couriers Call Hannah Gadsby: Douglas The Wilds ‘In the Company of Gentlemen’ by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Leverage The other two Feminine Pursuits books by Olivia Waite Sherlock Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Hollow and Honeycomb by antistar_e The Old Guard Lost The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Stargate: Atlantis Shakespeare in Love Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (“topless towers of Ilium” quote) Maskerade by Terry Pratchett The Phantom of the Opera “Requiem” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band The Devil Went Down to Georgia (And Then Went Down on Johnny) series by notbecauseofvictories Black Swan (2010) Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun Catalyst by Jennifer Mace (unreleased) Scheherazade (character) A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Hamilton (musical) Fall Out Boy (band) Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Soul Music by Terry Pratchett Beatlemania Def Leppard (band) The Velvet Underground (band) Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen The Goose Girl from Grimms’ Fairy Tales Jack and the Beanstalk “Bonny Swans” traditional ballad Sistersong by Lucy Holland “The Bonny Swans” by Loreena McKennitt Hild by Nicola Griffith Johann Sebastian Bach Harry Potter film score Ramin Djawadi’s musical scores for Game of Thrones & Westworld The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
For Next Time Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Content Warnings Attempted suicide (in Amadeus and brief mention of it in the discussion) On-the-page sexual assault, on-the-page hate transphobia, child abuse both explicit and referenced (in Light From Uncommon Stars)
Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our wondrous choir of scribes! | |||
| 15 Jan 2020 | Episode 52: Let Us Tell You Our Thoughts on Yaoi... | 00:59:20 | |
On this week's episode, we're reminiscing about some of our favorite anime and talking a little about how it influenced our writing! The tentpoles for this episode are: Hikaru no Go, Yakitate!! Japan, and Princess Tutu.
What We’re Into Lately The Untamed & Untamed fic Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Gilded Cage by K.J. Charles Mutual Admiration Society: How… by Mo Moulton The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Thief by Ava March Mo Dao Zu Shi donghua Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Other Stuff We Mentioned Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Any Old Diamonds by K.J. Charles Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland Coppelia (ballet) Midsummer Night’s Dream (ballet) Romeo and Juliet (ballet) Nutcracker (ballet) Swan Lake (ballet) Ugly Duckling (ballet) Cinderella (ballet) The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
For Next Time
Transcript The transcript of this episode is available here. We cherish our scribes so much, and you should too! | |||
| 09 Sep 2020 | Episode 69: Nice Nice Nice | 01:04:57 | |
On this week's episode, we're putting on some mood lighting, we're pouring a glass of wine, and we're talking about some sexy things. And also about sex when it's more funny than sexy. The tentpoles for this episode are: “Favorite” by astolat, Sense8, particularly episode six of season one, and The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite.
What We’re Into Lately When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett The House of Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett Niccolò Rising by Dorothy Dunnett Game of Thrones fanfic Slippery Creatures by K. J. Charles Supernatural Sexuality with Dr Seabrook
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo Think of England by K. J. Charles Historical Genital Euphemism Timeline Feminine Pursuits series "Victory Condition" by astolat Freya’s debut A Marvellous Light, out in 2021 from Tor.com publishing The Curious Case of Victorian pornography A serious seven minute discussion about kink Sex politics
For Next Time Nothing! It's the Extravaganza! We're answering listener questions and playing games!
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you as always to our beautiful, ever-meticulous team of scribes! | |||
| 02 Dec 2020 | Episode 75: Bread and Roses | 01:03:45 | |
On today's episode, we're talking about bards and storytellers! What is art even FOR? The tentpoles this week are Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey, “With a Conquering Air” by inexplicifics, and When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo.
Other Stuff We Mentioned Chronicles of Ghadid series by K. A. Doore Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Viable Paradise roommates The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Murder wife from Luther A Taste of Golden Iron by Alexandra Rowland Ruoxi Chen at Tor.com BtS Untamed episode BtS Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells the Story episode Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey Asterix comics by René Goscinny “Only Love Proudly and Gladly and Well” by inexplicifics In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Dragon Harper books Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams BtS Sympathy for the Devil episode Bread and Roses protest song Bread and Circuses phrase The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey Symphony For the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson Captain America Tchaikovsky (composer) Kalevala Finnish epic poetry compilation 4 Chord Song by Axis of Awesome New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland Macey’s bardic piano performance at the Nebula Awards Cats musical Les Mis musical
For Next Time Nothing! (Next time is the mid-Nano episode)
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our brilliant team of scribes! | |||
| 22 Apr 2020 | Episode 59: Everybody Wants To Be A Cat | 01:01:04 | |
On this week's episode we're a lil loopy from quarantine, but we're still having fun! We're talking about non-human protagonists this week, with the tentpoles for discussion being The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood, All Systems Red by Martha Wells, and the film Ratatouille.
What We’re Into Lately A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall Birarley by Aster Glenn Gray The Unconquered City by K.A. Doore perhaps even friends by hirokiyuu Even more Untamed fic Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin Kushiels’ Dart by Jacqueline Carey WALL·E (2008) The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers Zootopia (2016) “Bright: The Apotheosis of Lazy Worldbuilding” by Lindsay Ellis The Redwall books by Brian Jacques Robin Hood (1973) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) The Aristocats (1970) The Great Mouse Detective (1986) Teaching empathy to engineers Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee Cats (2019) What We Do in the Shadows (2014) Jupiter Ascending (2015) Unnatural Order by Alyssa Wickramasinghe and Alis Franklin Victory Condition by astolat Shrek (2001)
For Next Time Nothing! It's the Episode 60 Extravaganza!
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you once again to our priceless, invaluable scribes! You're the best | |||
| 22 Jan 2020 | Bonus Episode: Strange Horizons Special!! | 01:00:03 | |
WHAT'S THIS? An episode on a Wednesday that isn't an Episode Wednesday!? Yes, it's true! Last year we pitched in to help our esteemed colleagues at Strange Horizons with their Kickstarter by pledging to do a special episode if they reached a certain landmark amount of donations. This week, we're bringing you that episode and talking about three amazing short stories that Strange Horizons published! The tentpoles this week are “Hunting the Viper King” by Kathryn Harlan, “Regret, Return, Reignite” by Audrey R. Hollis, and “Truth Plus” by Jamie Wahls.
What We’re Into Lately The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Altogether by Brill Harper On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis Hoshigaki by writer168 Five Kingdoms for the Dead by Evil Is A Relative Term Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers Connections (TV series)
Other Stuff We Mentioned A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold How We Got To Now by Steven Johnson Connections by James Burke “Many Hearted Dog and the Heron Who Stepped Past Time” “What We Named the Needle” by Freya Marske, in Analog “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin “Super Little Dead Girls” by Nino Cipri “Remains” by Basingstoke “Wrap Me in Oceans Wide” by Marissa Lingen “Notes on a Resurrection” by Natalia Theodoridou “The Wind Whispers Secrets To The Sea” by Jordan Kurella “Sequestration; Vitrification” by AJ Lucy “The King’s Mirror” by M.K. Hutchins “Cassandra Draws the Four of Cups” by Ruthanna Emrys “Who Has Never Loved a Gentle House?” by Osahon Ize-Iyamu “Sublet” by Ian Kappos
For Next Time It's back to your regularly scheduled on-our-bullshit with next week's episode, which is still about The Untamed!
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. BONUS THANKS to our scribes for taking on this bonus episode! | |||
| 11 Mar 2020 | Episode 56: The Title of the Episode | 00:58:36 | |
On this week's episode, we're diving into a very self-referential discussion of the metatext! Tentpoles this week are the film The Handmaiden, the fanfic “Steve Rogers at 100,” and A Choir of Lies by our very own Alexandra Rowland.
What We’re Into Lately Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Impossible Contract by K. A. Doore The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xu Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xu The Simplest Way Forward by harriet_vane
Other Stuff We Mentioned Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild Written by the Victors by Speranza Fingersmith by Sarah Waters A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears Person of Interest (or, the Husbands and Wives show)
For Next Time The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here! Appreciate your local scribes and their hard work by reading their margin comments--they've been metatexty this whole time, wow! | |||
| 18 Nov 2020 | Episode 74: Darling, It's Better Down Where It's Wetter | 01:01:09 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about mermaids, sirens, selkies, and other moist ladies who may or may not want to eat your whole face off! Guess what: The sea is terrifying! Fuck the sea! Tentpoles this week are The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, and the Studio Ghibli movie Ponyo. What We’re Into Lately Piranesi by Susanna Clark Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Division Bells by Iona Datt Sharma Lynchpin by ShanaStoryteller Please miss postman by Shamelesscooper Care and Custody by esama Scum Villain fanfic Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Other Stuff We Mentioned Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner The Untamed fix-its Kingsman fic Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland How enslaved peoples escaped into the swamps The Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World by Lincoln Paine The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. le Guin The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen “The Deep” by clipping. (song) “Ride of the Valkyries” (song) Ponyo On the Cliff By the Sea (song) Tithe by Holly Black Scum Villain fanfic Eat Prey, Love by Freya Marske Unnatural Order (upcoming short story anthology) ‘saltwashed’ by Jennifer Mace Catalyst by Jennifer Mace Oglaf NSFW webcomic Diamonds of the Sea mermen holiday ornaments Macey’s mentioned NSFW Bad Dragon link can be found here RE Mermaid Fucking research: ‘cloaca’
For Next Time Dragonsinger (Harper Hall of Pern) by Anne McCaffrey
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our most excellent scribblin' scribes for their hard work. | |||
| 30 Dec 2020 | Episode 77: Sneks Bless Us, Everyone! | 00:59:36 | |
Happy holidays, everybody! On this episode, we're sticking with the theme of the season and discussing holidays in fiction! The tentpoles this week are the Doctor Who episode “A Christmas Carol,” the Disney film Coco, and the Scum Villain's Self Saving System fanfic “Shang Qinghua's No Good Very Bad Several Iterations Of A Day.”
What We’re Into Lately The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole Four Letter Word For Intercourse by bendingsignpost The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke
Other Stuff We Mentioned Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole Freya’s favorite Supernatural fic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Murder under the Mistletoe "Ernesto de la Cruz vs. The Court of Public Opinion" by skater_of_the_surface The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mò Xiāng Tóngxiù The Deep by Rivers Solomon The Princess Switch: Switched Again A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby The Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe fey conspiracy by Jodi McAlister The Nightmare Before Christmas World Building for Masochists episode 14 reputation by Taylor Swift
For Next Time Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Huge thanks as always to our team of scribes! | |||
| 29 Jul 2020 | Episode 66: You Break It, You Bond It | 01:00:31 | |
On this week's episode, we’re discussing soulmates and soul bonds! Everyone have your assigned buddy? Remember to hold hands so nobody gets lost! The tentpoles for this episode are Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert, Fated by maydei, and “Deconstruct” by flowercity.
What We’re Into Lately The Lost Future of Pepperharrow by Natasha Pulley “Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders” by Aliette de Bodard Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri Demonology and the Tri-Phasic Model of Trauma: An Integrative Approach by Nnm The Balance arc of The Adventure Zone The Adventure Zone graphic novel series
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley Dominions of the Fallen trilogy by Aliette de Bodard Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Good Omens television series Lucifer television series Consolation Songs by Iona Datt Sharma et. al Uncanny magazine saltwashed by Jennifer Mace Ice Planet Barbarians series Skip Beat! by Yoshiki Nakamura Haikyū!! by Haruichi Furudate “five snapped heartstrings” by welcometothehumanrace ‘Fan, Sword and Flame’ by TentacleBubbles “Victory Lane” by astolat
For Next Time
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. A thousand thank-yous to our incredible team of scribes! | |||
| 23 Sep 2020 | Episode 70: Extravaganza | 01:02:42 | |
On this week's episode, we're taking a break to answer questions submitted by our listeners and play a fun game! It's the Extravaganza! \o/ What We’re Into Lately Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow Down to Agincourt series by seperis The Game of God by seperis How Long ‘til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin What the Water Gave Me by iesika
Other Stuff We Mentioned Qantas Lounge at Heathrow International Airport The 10th Circle of Hell, ie Newark Liberty International Airport Supernatural fandom Hannibal fandom “What the Water Gave Me” by Florence + the Machine Muffuletta sandwiches “I Am All Love Blaseball (And You Can Too)” by Cat Manning The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson Yuri!!! on Ice crossovers A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske This guy with magnets in his nose Catalyst by Jennifer Mace “In the Salt Crypts of Ghiarelle” by Jennifer Mace in Silk and Steel Macey dearly missing Sentinel AUs Haikyuu!! anime Alex’s love for the entire fictional nation of Arasht Four Pillars Modern Australian gin Fic Author Feuds on fic sites of old Hugo Award Winning Archive Of Our Own Chloe Ting’s ab workout videos The Chant Literary Universe (CLU) by Alexandra Rowland Claire Rousseau’s YouTube Channel
For Next Time A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. A hundred thousand thank you to our wonderful team of scribes! | |||
| 10 Mar 2021 | Episode 81: An Apology, and a Collection of Recs | 01:02:47 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing a few changes we're making in our approach to the podcast, and we're gushing about some of our favorite recent and upcoming works, including Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan, and She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.
What We’re Into Lately Seven of Infinities by Aliette de Bodard Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons thepartyresponsible’s Batman-Avengers crossover fic Do Every Stupid Thing by thepartyresponsible Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty Invitation to Wine (将进酒) by Tang Jiu Qing 唐酒卿 (Mandarin)
Other Stuff We Mentioned Be the Serpent Episode 71: Back To School (feat. Naomi Novik) Be the Serpent Episode 72: Fangs for the Memories A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton Wild Beauty Anna-Marie McLemore She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan The infamous Only One Bed trope Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole Runaway Royals series by Alyssa Cole Books by Alisha Rai
For Next Time Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Content Warnings: The Duke Who Didn't concerns protagonists encountering racism (both ambient and direct). She Who Became The Sun interrogates gender essentialist prejudice accurate to its historical setting. Raybearer deals with themes of child abuse/neglect.
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you, scribes!! | |||
| 05 May 2021 | Episode 85: Girl Meets House | 01:02:57 | |
On today's episode, we're getting unseasonably spooky as we talk about Gothic novels! The tentpoles for this episode are Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the film Crimson Peak, and the Untamed fanfic Imago by astrophyllite.
What We’re Into Lately The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta Die, Volume 1 by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans Dread Nation by Justina Ireland Don’t Look Back series by acuteneurosis Trading for a Living: Psychology, Trading Tactics, Money Management by Alexander Elder Untamed fanfic, as always
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Wicked + the Divine by Kieron Gillen Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen Tim Burton’s Alice movies Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Under The Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske Bluebeard folktale Beauty and the Beast folktale East of Sun and West of the Moon folktale Eros and Psyche folktale The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Jane Eyre miniseries (with Ruth Wilson) ‘Restraint and Revelation: or, The Necromancer of Yiling’ (Erotic Gothic Novelist!Lan Wangji) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey TV movie The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones Be the Serpent Episode 36: There's No Place Like Home
For Next Time Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
Content Warnings Violence, gore, and incest in all three tentpoles and the episode discussion.
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our beloved team of scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 06 May 2020 | Episode 60: Extravaganza | 01:03:34 | |
On this week's episode, it's time for another extravaganza of questions from our darling listeners! What's Freya's favorite nonfiction book? How quickly can Macey bring up chaos theory? Will Alex make any progress convincing their cohosts to wear snek onesies for the digital Hugo ceremony?
What We’re Into Lately: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher The Winter Prince by Elizabeth Wein The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Untamed fanfic Scum Villain fanfic
Other Stuff We Mentioned: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein The City Born Great by N. K. Jemisin The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson The Divine Cities series by Robert Jackson Bennett Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Seanan McGuire’s swamp Ness from Strange Horizons Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzalez Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott Watching the English by Kate Fox The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Johnathan Gottschall Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer The works of Diana Wynne Jones The Harry Potter series Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Uprooted by Naomi Novik RPF Frank/Gerard Thor/Loki Leto/Ghanima Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Kylo Ren/Rey Viable Paradise Writers Workshop Dangerous If Unbound by astolat freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose by synecdochic House Proud by astolat Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy The new serpent taxonomy: which astolat fic are you? Does God Play Dice? by Ian Stewart
For Next Time: The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
Transcription: Click here for the transcript of this episode! Thank you as always to our beautiful, glamorous team of scribes! | |||
| 27 Jan 2021 | Episode 79: These Newfangled Toys | 01:05:17 | |
This week we're talking about new technologies, platforms, and formats of storytelling! The tentpoles this week are the first episode of Campaign Skyjacks, the interactive fiction game Stay by E. Jade Lomax, and the twitter threadfic Still Waters aka Turtle Creek. What We’re Into LatelyUntamed by Anna Cowan The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever Qi hun Hades Yesterday Upon The Stair by PitViperOfDoom 24 Hours in the Past The Repair Shop History Cold Case Other Stuff We Mentioned These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong Patricia Highsmith novels Hikaru No Go manga and anime The Queen’s Gambit Great British Bake Off “Birds Are Trying to Reinvent Your Heart” by Jennifer Mace “Eat prey, love” by Freya Marske in Unnatural Order Mermaids Monthly Weekend at Bernie’s Milliways RPG My Brother, My Brother, and Me The Adventure Zone Critical Role Serial Box The Witcher Person of Interest, aka “The husbands show” The Harper Hall of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Pirates of the Caribbean Groundhog Day Sleep No More Macbeth by William Shakespeare Mass Effect 3 Stephen King’s It It (2017) It (2019) The War of the Worlds radio show Welcome to Night Vale podcast Alice Isn’t Dead (presented by Welcome to Night Vale) The Lizzie Bennet Diaries webseries The Magnus Archives podcast The Bright Sessions podcast The Archers radio play ‘Fan Is A Tool-Using Animal’ talk by Maciej Cegłowski Delicious website Macey’s audio fiction “A Cradle of Vines” out with Cast of Wonders Macey’s upcoming audio fiction piece with GlitterShip Snow White folktale
For Next Time Nothing! It's the Extravaganza, and we've got an extra-special surprise for you!
Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you as always to our stunningly talented team of scribes! | |||
| 08 Sep 2021 | Episode 94: Into the Woods | 01:01:45 | |
On this week's episode, Macey is forcing us to put on our hiking shoes and dragging us out into the forest to look at some "really nice moss." The tentpoles we’re discussing are Princess Mononoke, Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, and Ursula K. Le Guin’s story ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow.’ What We’re Into Lately ‘a kind of dwell and welcome’ by leupagus Reputation by Lex Croucher Seven Days in June by Tia Williams orange_crushed ‘s Untamed fics (esp Pentimento.) And What Can We Offer You Tonight by Premee Mohamed The Necessity of Stars by E. Catherine Tobler Victoria Goddard’s books: Greenwing & Dart series (esp Love-in-a-Mist) Ask A Mortician Youtube Channel Other Stuff We Mentioned Ted Lasso Gundam Wing Ponyo Robin Hood legends Hannibal The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones The Jungle Book by Ruyard Kipling The Secret Life of the Forest by Richard M. Ketchum The Hidden Life of Trees by by Peter Wohlleben Pando QI Semiosis by Sue Burke Brain coral Green Man motif For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten Hild by Nicola Griffith The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Into the Woods Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Black Sails Vikings Magician by Raymond E. Feist The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Westworld Stargate: Atlantis Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Black Spot TV show Avatar Avatar: The Last Airbender Pocahontas Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer BTS Episode 16: A Bump In the Night, and Not the Sexy Kind Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake Merlin Sheldrake’s YouTube video showing him eating book fungus Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben Around the World In 80 Trees by Jonathan Drori ‘Colors of the Wind’ from Pochahontas The Biggest Estate On Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden For Next Time The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri Content Warnings Racism (in ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow’) Problematic portrayal of an autistic character (in ‘Vaster Than Empires and More Slow’)
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here! Thanks to our team of scribes for their great work! | |||
| 19 May 2021 | Episode 86: 9 to 5 (What a Way to Make a Living) | 01:02:46 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing jobs, occupations, and vocations, both fantastical and mundane despite the fantastical settings. The tentpoles for this episode are Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef by Cassandra Khaw, Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots, and “Always Near” by afrai.
What We’re Into Lately A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole Hollow Empire by Sam Hawke Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Hiding in the Leaves by aventria & iluxia (Naruto fanfic)
Other Stuff We Mentioned Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin After Working At Google, I’ll Never Let Myself Love A Job Again (Op-Ed, NYT) My Life as a Background Slytherin (webcomic) Avengers movies Superhero Damage Insurance (TikTok) Star Wars franchise Be the Serpent Space Sweepers episode The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson October Daye series by Seanan McGuire Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold John Scalzi (author) Honor Harrington series by David Weber We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson Catalyst by Jennifer Mace Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett “Period Piece” by thimblefullofdespair for a hundred vision and revisions by aventria, iluxia Merlin TV show Macey’s Fun Facts Tech Job Corner An Example of Bad Radio The Story Engine storytelling game
For Next Time Hikaru no Go (2020 live action Chinese drama)
Content Warnings Slavery (in “Always Near” + episode discussion) Medical trauma & body horror (in Hench) Cannibalism and gore (in Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef + episode discussion)
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our fabulous team of scribes! | |||
| 07 Oct 2020 | Episode 71: Back To School (feat. Naomi Novik) | 01:04:45 | |
On this week's episode, we're joined by glamorous guest star Naomi Novik to talk about magical boarding schools and the purposes of structured education. The tentpoles this week are A Deadly Education and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Note: This episode has been edited to include a content warning just after the introduction. Please check the transcript for the full text.
What We’re Into Lately Will Darling Adventures series by K.J. Charles The Sugared Game by K.J. Charles Kindred by Octavia Butler Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett The Spring of the Ram by Dorothy Dunnett The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Freeport by Maldoror_Chant Event Horizon by MonstrousRegiment Provenance by Ann Leckie Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie Scum Villain fanfic Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi The Untamed fanfic
Other Stuff We Mentioned A Twitter thread and Goodreads review by @newamsterdame “Racism vs Rep: Missteps of Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education” by Larissa Irankunda Temeraire series by Naomi Novik Uprooted by Naomi Novik Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Organization for Transformative Works Dracula by Bram Stoker Time-Life books Wizards and Witches by Brendan Lehane Tortall Series by Tamora Pierce Welcome to Night Vale podcast (specifically Episode 15: Street Cleaning Day) Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip My Life as a Background Slytherin by Emily McGovern Transfigurations by Resonant "House Proud" by astolat Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin Be the Serpent Episode 1: False Utopias and… Robot Sex?? “Victory Condition” by astolat (and the quote: ‘the empire of unsheathed knives’) The Husbands And Wives Show aka Person of Interest
For Next Time What We Do In the Shadows (2014 film)
Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you to our team of scribes -- each of you is a gentleperson and a scholar. | |||
| 17 Nov 2021 | Episode 99: Detective Boyfriends | 01:03:58 | |
On this week's episode, we're celebrating the release of Freya's debut book by talking about detectives in love! The tentpoles are Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders by Aliette de Bodard, A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske, and the fanfic If Life Was A Movie We’d Have A Better Soundtrack Than This by galaxysoup.
What We’re Into Lately Dark Rise by C. S. Pacat The Saint of Steel series by T. Kingfisher that ruthless love by alherath The Warrior of the Third Veil by Victoria Goddard The Sisters Avramapul series by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat Chant Universe by Alexandra Rowland "You Should Really Be Reading Victoria Goddard’s Nine Worlds Series" by Alexandra Rowland Guardian Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy L. Sayers A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland House The Angel of Crows by Katherine Addison Doctor Who The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons Captive Prince series by C. S. Pacat Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold Leverage The X-Files Hannibal Rosemary & Thyme Poirot Hinterland Hot Fuzz Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas Twilight by Stephenie Meyer The Will Darling Adventures by K.J. Charles John le Carré James Bond novels by Ian Fleming Think of England by K.J. Charles An iconic Doctor & Donna scene from Doctor Who Greenwing & Dart series by Victoria Goddard Be the Serpent Episode 33: Turn In Your Badge and Gun! A Private Reason for This by femmequixotic (aka mentioned Harry/Draco case fic) A Dead Djinn In Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman For Next Time None, it's the Extravaganza! Content Warnings Minor fantasy violence in Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders and A Marvellous Light.
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you so much to our wonderful team of scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 21 Oct 2020 | Episode 72: Fangs for the Memories | 01:02:47 | |
On today's episode, we're getting into that Spooky Season mood and talking about the dreaded VAMPYR. Or vampire, as Macey and Freya insist on pronouncing it. The tentpoles this week are “Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time” by Kellen Szpara, What We Do in the Shadows, and “pro bono” by astronicht.
Note: This episode has been edited to amend a sidebar discussion we had in response to discussion about the racist representation in A Deadly Education, which we tentpoled in the previous episode. The segment begins at 0:13:12 of the audio, and on page 9 of the transcript.
What We’re Into Lately Either Side of Midnight by Benjamin Stevenson The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall The Faerie Hounds of York by Arden Powell The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran Naruto longfic Scum Villain longfic An easy lie by Nythtak Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy For A Good Time, Call by ScarlettStorm
Other Stuff We Mentioned Greenlight by Benjamin Stevenson Dug from Up Finding Faeries by Alexandra Rowland A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik A Twitter thread and Goodreads review by @newamsterdame "Racism vs Rep: Missteps of Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education" by Larissa Irankunda Writing the Other workshop Writing the Other book Disney’s Sleeping Beauty What We Do in the Shadows TV series The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice Dracula by Bram Stoker Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice The Inherent Eroticism of Vore Dirty Talking With Jesus The pros and cons of cannibalism Mulching the rich Alex’s new book Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment
For Next Time
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. As always, huge huge thank you to the team of scribes for their amazing work. | |||
| 11 Aug 2021 | Episode 92: Podcasting: The Musical! | 01:04:43 | |
On today's episode, we're bursting into song at socially inappropriate times to talk about... musicals! Our tentpoles are the Bollywood musical Aaja Nachle, the first two episodes of Galavant, and the musical Wicked.
What We’re Into Lately Battle Royal by Lucy Parker Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo Penric’s Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Red Azalea by CeNedraRiva The Changeling by Annerb The Armistice series by Annerb World Ain’t Ready by idiopathicsmile survival is a talent by ShanaStoryteller Rotten Work by ShanaStoryteller Campaign Skyjacks Whiskeyjack by Victoria Goddard Other Stuff We Mentioned Hadestown the musical Into The Woods the musical Les Misérables the musical “The Confrontation” from Les Misérables Come From Away the musical The Fast and the Furious Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold The Decemberists Weekend at Bernie’s The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire The Wizard of Oz The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Maleficent “No One Mourns The Wicked” from Wicked Hamilton the musical Single Use Weapon by Fahye Glee Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary “Defying Gravity” from Wicked “Dancing Through Life” from Wicked The Princess Bride “Galavant” from Galavant “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast “Stand Up” from Galavant Crazy Ex-Girlfriend A Knight’s Tale Shrek Camelot the musical Spamalot the musical In the Heights High School Musical 2 “I Don’t Dance” from High School Musical 2 Hairspray (2007) Footloose (2011) Bride & Prejudice (2004) A Chorus Line (1985) Cabaret (1972) Moulin Rouge! (2001) John Wick (2014) Peter Pan (AKA Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up; or Peter and Wendy) Pantomime Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Magicians Scrubs Farscape Six Oliver! musical (based on Oliver Twist) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Prince of Egypt Jesus Christ Superstar Jaskier’s theme from The Witcher ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ from Les Misérables ‘One Day More’ from Les Misérables ‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton The Beatles Groundhog Day the musical Groundhog Day film Swan Lake Peer Gynt suites Carnival of the Animals Peter and the Wolf ‘Peter and the Wolf March’ from Peter and the Wolf 'The Swan' from Carnival of the Animals For Next Time The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Extra extra thank-yous to our team of scribes this week because YOWZA that was a lot of Other Things We Talked About to wrangle links for! | |||
| 13 Jan 2021 | Episode 78: Baby, Remember My Name | 01:01:04 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing celebrity culture, the cost of fame, and three brilliant tentpoles: A Knight’s Tale, Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade, and “#bakudeku” by rageprufrock.
What We’re Into Lately The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong CryoBurn by Lois McMaster Bujold Eager by Ben Goldfarb live from new york by varnes The Murder of Crows by cerbykerby
Other Stuff We Mentioned Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Lots of Untamed fic A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn No Less Unthinkable by rageprufrock Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston You’re Wrong About podcast Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (upcoming, 2022) Jaskier from The Witcher
For Next Time Stay? by E. Jade Lomax (Interactive Fiction game)
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our wonderful team of scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 07 Apr 2022 | Episode 101: Jumping the Shark | 01:01:40 | |
And here you thought that the Twitter announcement on April Fool's Day about our upcoming shark episode WAS the joke! No! The joke is on us because we had to watch Sharknado for this prank! Also Jaws and Deep Blue Sea.
What We’re Into Lately If They Haven’t Learned Your Name by silentwalrus Succession The Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon “A Cornstalk Fiddle” by notbecauseofvictories “To Call the Darkness Home” by scioscribe The Heir to the House of Prince by Ada_Lovelaced & elph13 “Aurelius (to be called) Magnus” by Victoria Goddard “Portrait of a Wide Seas Islander” by Victoria Goddard Black Sails Other Stuff We Mentioned Captain America: The Winter Soldier The Thick of It Diana Wynne Jones (author) Dan Brown (author) The Devil Went Down to Georgia (And Then Went Down on Johnny) series by notbecauseofvictories Justified The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard The Chant series by Alexandra Rowland Alien Overinvested podcast Overinvested’s Jaws episode Titanic Jurassic World Jurassic Park Star Wars Watergate scandal Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley The Day After Tomorrow 2012 Sharks In Venice The Meg The “Cows With Guns” YouTube video Freya’s Twitter: @freyamarkse A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske A Restless Truth by Freya Marske (sequel to A Marvellous Light, coming out Nov 1st, 2022) Pre-order for A Restless Truth Macey’s Twitter: @englishmace “heat death” poem by Jennifer Mace “Silk & Steel” short story anthology (featuring Jennifer Mace & Freya Marske) Alex’s Twitter: @_alexrowland A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (coming out Aug 30th, 2022) Alex’s website store: alexandrarowland.net/store. The infamous “sharks are smooth as hell” shitpost
Content Warnings Gore (in every tentpole & throughout episode discussion) Body horror (in episode discussion) Sexual harassment (in Sharknado) Misogyny (discussed)
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks to our fabulous scribes for their work! | |||
| 26 Feb 2020 | Episode 55: There's a Form for That | 01:04:54 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about bureaucracies! Macey brought a fun little game so Alex and Freya could use their imaginations! We're also talking about two great tentpoles: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett and the Harry Potter fanfic “Little Red Courgette” by blamebrampton.
What We’re Into Lately The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu Small Gods by Terry Pratchett A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians by H. G. Parry
Other Stuff We Mentioned Going Postal by Terry Pratchett “Little Red Courgette” by blamebrampton Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke The New Oxford American Dictionary Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Making Money by Terry Pratchett Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett Machineries of Empire series BtS Episode 7 “The Office Job” Leverage ep. BtS Episode 29
For Next Time A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you, scribes!!! | |||
| 06 Jun 2018 | Episode 10: Extravaganza | 01:13:10 | |
On this special episode, we're not talking about a theme -- we're answering a cornucopia of amazing questions from our darling listeners! It's the one you've all been waiting for! It's the extravaganza! And, as announced in the episode, our lovely scribes have launched a Discord chat for fans of the show! Check it out here! What We’re Reading:Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson Space Opera by Cat Valente Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger Other Stuff We Mentioned: Daemons Sorting Hat Chats Jake Peralta (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) Jack Harkness (Doctor Who/Torchwood) Mei Changsu (Nirvana in Fire) Ocean’s Thirteen Julius Caesar’s sexuality Alexander Hamilton Freya’s Hamilton fic “Interlude (Rise Up)” Julie d’Aubigny Josephine Baker Australian bush fires The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Ninefox Gambit and Raven Strategem by Yoon Ha Lee Ursula Vernon / T. Kingfisher The Discworld books by Terry Pratchett (esp. the City Watch, Tiffany Aching and Moist Von Lipwig books) The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold The Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayers The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik Buffy the Vampire Slayer Xena: Warrior Princess Fanfic tropes such as: Identity porn, MPreg/Pregnancy fic, Kidfic, Sick!fic, Slow-burn Romance, Competence porn, political complicated fic Embers a fanfic in the Avatar: The Last Airbender The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan Kate Elliott Leverage Farscape EA RPGs specifically Dragon Age and Mass Effect Alex’s obsession with the Dorian/Iron Bull listing on AO3 The Pern series by Anne McCaffrey The Lost Years of Merlin series by T.A. Barron The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings The Acorna series by Anne McCaffrey Gavia Baker-Whitelaw and her podcast Overinvested Alien Star Trek Naruto "Dreaming of Sunshine" by Silver Queen Freya’s Naruto fanfic "Solfege" by Fahye (Freya) Elliot Schafer from In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee Be the Serpent Discord Chat "Freeport" by Maldoror_Chant (one of the tentpoles for episode 11!) Transcript:Click here to view the transcript of the show. Thank you to our scribes: Sara, Neharika, and Magali for their work! | |||
| 20 Jun 2018 | Episode 11: It's All About the Money, Money, Money | 01:05:05 | |
On this episode of Be The Serpent, we're discussing economics-- no wait! Come back! It's going to be fun! Money in fantasy settings, alternative currencies, worldbuilding... All the stuff you like! Our tentpoles this week are The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson, the movie In Time, and the fanfic “Freeport” by Maldoror_Chant. (And if you haven't yet checked out the podcast's official Discord chat, you're missing out!) What We’re Reading:The Henchmen of Zenda by KJ Charles Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Other Stuff We Mentioned: The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Skies of Wonder, Skies of Danger, an anthology (including a short story by Macey) Viable Paradise (a SFF writer’s workshop) Aphra Behn The History of Money by Jack Weatherford Saikaku Ihara Maslow’s hierarchy of needs The Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins The economics of slow-burn coffee shop AUs Hopepunk The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang The Folding Knife by K.J. Parker Australian vs. American currency differences The Discworld books by Terry Pratchett (esp. Making Money) The Craft Sequence series by Max Gladstone “Harry Potter and the Natural 20” by Sir Poley Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling The Silk Road Tamagotchis Oversized tourist attractions for children to climb on in/around Queensland, Australia 18th century French people getting extra freaky to avoid pregnancy England’s Wool Act of 1699 God’s Own Country Transcription:The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our loyal scribes: Magali, Neharika, and Sara! | |||
| 04 Jul 2018 | Episode 12: Yes, It Goes On and On, My Friends | 01:02:56 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about our favorite long-form stories -- epic fantasy, extremely long podcasts, and the slowest of slowburn fanfics. What We’re Reading:Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Hild by Nicola Griffith The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang Other Stuff We Mentioned: The Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones Ammonite by Nicola Griffith Speechless The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien The Magician sequence by Raymond Feist The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovich The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik War and Peace by Tolstoy Natasha Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 “Freeport” by Maldror_Chant Critical Role The Adventure Zone The Simpsons Sacrifices arc by Lightning on the Wave Twisting the Hellmouth, a Buffy fanfic archive Mike Carey’s Lucifer Game of Thrones Yuri!!! On Ice The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan The Down to Agincourt series by seperis Supernatural Repossession by Lazuli.Kat Embers by Vathara Avatar: The Last Airbender The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky Prince of the Dark Kingdom by Mizuni-sama Severitus fics Dreaming of Sunshine by Silver Queen Catch Your Breath by Lang Noi Iryo-nin Kasa by Vaengir Fate/Stay Night fanfic Fallen by Confusedknight The Kushiel’s Dart series by Jacqueline Carey The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson Nirvana in Fire Captive Prince Charles Dickens Friends The Simpsons The Dark Tower by Stephen King Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson Gundam Wing Transcription:The transcript for this episode is available here. Hail the scribes: Sara, Magali, and Neharika! | |||
| 18 Jul 2018 | Episode 13: Machiavellian Overthinkers | 01:04:50 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're discussing some of our favorite sneaky, conniving little shits and their schemes, both successful and embarrassing. The tentpoles for this episode are A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold, Lithograph by romantic_drift, and Jingo by Terry Pratchett. What We’re Reading:Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado Mark Oshiro’s Anger is a Gift Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott Queen’s Gambit by bedlamsbard Unfit to Print by K. J. Charles Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox Reflections by Diana Wynne Jones It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian Still more Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfics
Other Stuff We Mentioned: Fernand Braudel’s The Structures of Everyday Life Mediterranean by Fernand Braudel The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland "Love in Every Stitch" by Alexandra Rowland (published in Fireside Magazine Issue 57, digital release forthcoming!) "Cradle of Vines" by Jennifer Mace Cast of Wonders The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli The Borgias The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold A Deeper Season by lightgetsin, sahiya Nirvana in Fire Discworld by Terry Pratchett City Watch Discworld by Terry Pratchett Going Postal and Making Money by Terry Pratchett Ocean’s series Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat (and the short story “Pet”) Misethere by Astolat Once Upon a Time Elementary Magnificent Century The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Transcription:The transcript for this episode is available here. Hail the scribes, hail those quick-fingered three: Sara, Neharika, Magali! | |||
| 01 Aug 2018 | Episode 14: Once Upon a Something | 01:09:21 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're discussing fairytales: how do they work, what purpose does their beauty and terror serve, and why are they so intertwined with everything we read? Our tentpoles this week are Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, Stardust (the movie), and the Yuri on Ice fanfic "hood & glove". What We’re Reading: Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee Armistice by Lara Elena Donnelly Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang The Starlit Wood (anthology), ed. Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe Rag and Bone by KJ Charles Other Stuff We Mentioned: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik The movie Stardust “Hood & glove” by Fahye/Freya Marske [which features artwork by hawberries] The folk tales “Tam Lin,” "Baba Yaga's Daughter" and “Little Red Riding Hood” “Cinderella” Queer Eye This interview between Shveta Thakrar and Over The Rainbow Fairy Tale about Euro-centric attitudes about fairy tales The Orpheus myth Sir Orfeo (medieval ballad) “King Orpheo” (Scottish song) Uprooted by Naomi Novik Stardust (the book) by Neil Gaiman “Rapunzel”, the fairy tale Tangled The fairy tale “Snow White” The Princess Bride Yuri!!! On Ice Supernatural The hieros gamos A Midsummer Night’s Dream Victory Condition by astolat Seelie and the Unseelie Courts “Cradle of Vines” by Jennifer Mace “The Bonny Swans” “Win me, win me, an ye will” by Fahye/Freya Marske Zen Cho’s Sorcerer to the Crown Miss Marjoribanks by Mrs Oliphant Cruel Prince by Holly Black Tithe by Holly Black Into The Woods, the musical Aarne-Thompson Tale Type Index Thompson’s Motif Index Dewey Decimal System Swan Lake, the ballet Maleficent Disney’s Sleeping Beauty which is based on “Sleeping Beauty” Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire Alice in Wonderland 1999 TV filmstrongtime Transcription: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks as always to our scribes: Sara, Neharika, and Magali! | |||
| 15 Aug 2018 | Episode 15: My (Psychic, Firebreathing) Little Pony | 01:07:25 | |
On this episode, we're talking about horse books! It's just that a lot of the horses in these horse books have wings... and... breathe fire... so yeah. But they're horses and it's a horse book! Listen to find out why! The tentpoles for this episode are Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern, You Drive Through the Dust by Dira Sudis, and the movie How to Train Your Dragon. What We’re Reading A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfic Needs Must by thatotherperv Rag and Bone by KJ Charles Witchmark by CL Polk The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline
Other Stuff We Mentioned A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Five Children and It by E. Nesbit Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (and the rest of the Magic Shop series) by Bruce Coville The Goosebumps series by R.L. Stein The Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate The Abhorsen books by Garth Nix The Young Wizards series by Diane Duane His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman The Brainship series by Anne McCaffrey Farscape How I Met Your Mother Wizard of Earthsea from the Earthsea Cycle series by Ursula K. Le Guin Dragonflight and The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik Generation Kill Nirvana in Fire River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey The “Worst Cat” Tumblr The Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey Dragon’s Bait by Vivian Vande Velde
Transcription: The transcript for this episode is available here. Thasnk you to our scribes: Sara, Neharika, and Magali!
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| 29 Aug 2018 | Episode 16: A Bump in the Night, and Not the Sexy Kind | 00:56:14 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about some creepy stuff! Guest star Ryan Boyd, of the horror podcast Rank and Vile, joins us to discuss Clive Barker's "Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament", both the book and movie versions of Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, and the Hannibal fanfic "Where All Ladders Start" by emungere. What We’re Reading Black Sails fanfic Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfic (again) Lost Country by William Gay Space Opera by Catherynne Valente
Stuff We Mentioned Ryan Boyd’s podcast, Rank and Vile Dune by Frank Herbert Halloween Horror Nights The Skeleton Key (2005) “Mr. Try-Again.” by A. Merc Rustad The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice The Addams Family Get Out Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Dracula by Bram Stoker “A Cradle of Vines” by Jennifer Mace Maniac A Nightmare on Elm Street Carrie by Stephen King The Green Mile, Part 1: Two Dead Girls by Stephen King Salem’s Lot by Stephen King Episode 14 of Be The Serpent: Once Upon A Something Saw, the movie Glitter and Gold, a fanvid by voordeel Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris The Hannibal Lecter movies The tv show Pushing Daisies The tv show Dead Like Me M*A*S*H Nightmare on Elm Street 3 For Next Time: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey Transcription:The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks to our amazing scribes, Magali, Sara, and Neharika! | |||
| 12 Sep 2018 | Episode 17: A Bump in the Night (The Sexy Kind) | 01:05:32 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about sex -- why we write about it, why we read about it, and more. Our tentpoles this week are Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles, and the entire genre of F/F fanfiction (with three great recs from us)! What We’re ReadingHeroine Worship (Sarah Kuhn) A Duke by Default (Alyssa Cole) Alex finally played Dragon Age: Inquisition!
Other Stuff We Mentioned Leverage The Hugo Awards Bad Sex Awards from the Literary Review The Sins of the Cities trilogy by KJ Charles A Charm of Magpies series by KJ Charles Bird in the Hand by novembersmith Truth and Measure by Telanu Oral Histories by Telanu Prizefight Verse by Telanu Captive Prince The Devil Wears Prada Glee Legends Gwen/Morgana (Merlin) How the mouth changes its shape by breathedout Due South Restoree by Anne McCaffrey Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey The Tiger’s Daughter by Arsenault Rivera Docile by Kellan Szpara (Spring 2020) The Seventh Function of Language by Laurent Binet For Next Time:Ocean's 8 (2018) Transcription:The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks to Magali, Sara, and Neharika -- and a special thanks and warm welcome to the newest scribe to join our ranks: Millie!! | |||
| 26 Sep 2018 | Episode 18: Heist, Heist, Baby | 00:58:57 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about heists and thieves and how much we love them. We almost called this episode "Sticky Fingers, Stolen Hearts". The tentpoles for this week are Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Ocean's 8, and two Inception fics by imperfectcircle: "Palm, Ditch, Steal" and "Load, Misdirection, Switch". What We’re Reading: Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Witchmark by CL Polk 1688: A Global History by John E. Wills Jr. Other Stuff We Mentioned:Revenge Nirvana in Fire Guardian Wynonna Earp “The Great Chinese Art Heist” article in GQ Alex’s loathing of stage magicians Now You See Me Sorting Hat Chats Be the Serpent, Episode 13: "Machiavellian Overthinkers" “Palm, Ditch, Steal” by imperfectcircle “Load, Misdirection, Switch” by imperfectcircle Inception Tuckman’s stages of group development Leverage The Belgariad by David Eddings Malloreon by David Eddings The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings “Miss the Train Before” by Fahye (incomplete) For Next Time:Always Starts the Same, with a Boy and a Girl by lightgetsin Transcription:The transcript of this episode is available here. Our scribes are superheroes and we do not deserve them. Thank you, Magali, Sara, Neharika, and Millie! | |||
| 10 Oct 2018 | Episode 19: You and Me and Our Boyfriend Makes Three | 01:01:31 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're discussing OT3s (One True Threesomes). After all, it's twentygayteen, people! Give us more polyamory in canon media! Our tentpoles this week are “The Rundown Job” (Leverage season 5, episode 9); “Always Starts the Same, with a Boy and a Girl”, by lightgetsin (White Collar fanfic); and “Didn’t Know How Lost I Was”, by Annakovsky (Star Wars fanfic). What We’re Into this WeekMother of Invention edited by Tansy Rayner Roberts and Rivqa Rafael The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross City of Lies by Sam Hawke Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn Ada Harper’s A Treason of Truths 1688: A Global History by John E. Wills Jr. The Adventure Zone The Chinese drama Guardian Other Stuff We MentionedA Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Spiders Georg Leverage The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater White Collar Star Wars: The Force Awakens Star Wars: The Last Jedi Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley Ursula Le Guin’s story “A Fisherman of the Inland Sea” Sedoretu Black Sails For Next TimeNothing! Next the Episode 20 Extravaganza! Catch up on your TBR pile and preorder A Conspiracy of Truths! Transcript:The transcript of this episode can be found here, lovingly crafted by Sara, Neharika, and Millie. | |||
| 24 Oct 2018 | Episode 20: Extravaganza | 01:08:39 | |
It's time for another Extravaganza episode! This week we're taking a fantastic selection of listener questions and trying to pressure Freya into making some Weird Sounds!
What We’re Into This Week The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Band Sinister by K.J. Charles Homestuck Torn by Rowenna Miller Wynonna Earp Other Stuff We Mentioned “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Georgette Heyer Les Miserables The Chinese drama Guardian A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley Yellowcake (esp. “Ferryman”) by Margo Lanagan “Murder Mysteries” by Neil Gaiman “Extracurricular Activities” by Yoon Ha Lee “Seasons of Glass and Iron” by Amal El-Mohtar “Unprimary Sources” by coveredinfeels The Starlit Wood, edited by Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee A. Merc Rustad John Wiswell “Salamander Six-Guns” by Martin Cahill In The End by Alexandra Rowland “The Manor House” by Fahye “A Cradle of Vines” by Jennifer Mace The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Redwall series by Brian Jaques Lord of the Rings fanfiction The Very Secret Diaries by Cassandra Clare Shaman King Transcript: The transcript of this episode is available here. Our wonderful scribes (Magali, Neharika, Sara, and Millie) did a fantastic job! | |||
| 07 Nov 2018 | Episode 21: Believing the Little Lies | 01:03:52 | |
On this episode, we're back on our bullshit to talk about worldbuilding with mythology. Our tentpoles this week are Alexandra Rowland's A Conspiracy of Truths, Barry Hughart's Bridge of Birds, and KJ Parker's "Let Maps to Others".
What We’re Into This Week In the Vanisher’s Palace by Aliette de Bodard Kakashi/Iruka fic by, particularly, Maldoror and thehoyden Teetering on the brink of Venom fanfic
Other Stuff We Mentioned Terry Pratchett Pliny’s letters Graffiti in Pompeii Memes Incomplete by astolat The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner Alana by Tamora Pierce Discworld by Terry Pratchett Buffy Charmed Doctor Who Dragon Ball Z Supernatural Black Sails Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik “Icebreaker” by Cesare “Motion Parallax” by Laughsalot3412 Community The My Life as a Background Slytherin comics by Emily McGovern For Next Time: "The First Stop is Always the Last" by John Wiswell
Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks to our wonderful and brilliant scribes: Sara, Millie, Neharika, and Magali! | |||
| 21 Nov 2018 | Episode 22: Out of Cheese, Error, Redo from Start | 00:59:44 | |
On this week's episode we're talking about Groundhog Day AUs! We're discussing the original trope-namer, the 1993 movie Groundhog Day; the Yuri!! On Ice fic "Maelstrom" by feelslikefire, and the flash fiction piece, "The First Stop Is Always the Last" by John Wiswell.
What We’re Reading The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton The Possessed by Elif Batuman My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Freya’s Yuri!!! in Space fics Torn by Rowenna Miller
Other Stuff We Mentioned A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland National Novel Writing Month Spiders Georg Person of Interest The Pineapple festival in Fort Pierce, Florida The Sandy Shoes festival, Fort Pierce, Florida Friday fest, Fort Pierce, Florida The Groundhog Day musical The official broadway recording of “If I Had My Time Again” Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Naruto Chunin Exam Day by Perfect Lionheart Time Braid by ShaperV “Quickening Days” by Fahye Freeport by Maldoror_Chant Embers by Inkgirl and Vathara Lightning on the Wave “The First Stop is Always the Last” by John Wiswell Sliders “Purple Days” by baurus Edge of Tomorrow All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka Victory Condition by astolat Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling “Dark Prince” by LoveMyRomance Final Fantasy VII Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat World Without End by Sorted Aesop’s fables Steven King’s Dark Tower series Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart Serpentcast Discord Merlin
For Next Time Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock Transcript The transcript of the episode is available here. As always, thanks to our glamorous and wonderful scribes: Neharika, Millie, Sara, and Magali, who were also joined this week by Kelly! | |||
| 05 Dec 2018 | Episode 23: Drastically Redefining Protocol | 00:58:17 | |
On this episode, the Serpents were in the middle of National Novel Writing Month, so we settled in for a cozy chat about just one tentpole, one of our favorite fanfics: "Drastically Redefining Protocol" by rageprufrock!
What We're Into This Week Regeneration trilogy by Pat Barker Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston sundown starts at half-past six by halfdesertedstreets Out of play, out of competition by thenorthface “Dangerous if Unbound” by astolat Venom fanfic
Other Stuff We Mentioned Hamilton Check Please Practical Magic Freeport by Maldoror_Chant Embers by Vathara “Gonna Make It After All” by astolat, monicawoe & Speranza Merlin Society for Creative Anachronism Sweet Valley Stargate: Atlantis Written by the Victors by Speranza Bell Curve, or, Lady’s Night at the Boom Boom Room by rageprufrock No Less Unthinkable by rageprufrock Inception Prince of Tennis Notting Hill Princess Diaries 2 Princess Diaries Ruritanian romance trope The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot Adam Lambert Kris Allen American Idol A Matter of Inconvenience by astolat LiveJournal Oh No They Didn’t! The Perez Hilton gossip site Stargate: Atlantis Yuri!! On Ice "STET" by Sarah Gailey A Deeper Season by lightgetsin, sahiya
Transcript The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks once more to our scribes, Neharika, Millie, Kelly, Sara, and Magali! | |||
| 19 Dec 2018 | Episode 24: The Room Where It Happens | 01:04:33 | |
On this episode, the Serpents take a break from reading things to debrief about how their projects for National Novel Writing Month went!
What We're Into Lately: Witchmark by C.L. Polk Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night 1491 The Bodies of the Girls Who Made Me: Fanfic and the Modern World Think of England fanfic The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons The 2018 Olympics
Other Stuff We Mentioned National Novel Writing Month Court of Fives Episode 5: “Oh Captain, My Captain" (BtS fealty episode) “Fake married” trope Sorting Hat Chats Episode 2: Personality Taxonomies and Hogwarts Houses (BtS episode) The Adventure Zone Robert Jackson Bennett’s City of Stairs and City of Blades Seanan McGuire SFWA Nebulas conference
For Next Time freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose by synecdochic
Transcription: The transcript of the episode is available here. Thank you to the sparkling jewels who worked on it, Kelly, Sara, and Millie! | |||
| 02 Jan 2019 | Episode 25: Kill Your Darlings | 01:04:16 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about character deaths in fiction. In other words: MURDERRRRRRRRR. The tentpoles this week are "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose" by Synecdochic, the first Hunger Games movie, and "Singing My Sister Down" by Margo Lanagan. (Warning: Spoilers!)
What We’ve Been Reading A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde We Rule the Night by Claire Bartlett Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons Other Stuff We Mentioned Rebecca Kuang’s The Poppy War Black Juice by Margo Lanagan BLEACH Battle Royale Stargate Atlantis Deep Survival Nirvana in Fire Killjoys Spooks Black Sails The Writing Excuses podcast Buffy the Vampire Slayer The 100
For Next Time: Due to the fact that the audio for the witches episode was HAUNTED, we are swapping the topics for Episodes 26 and 27. Despite what we said in the audio of this episode, next week's theme will therefore be about having sex with aliens and monsters, and the tentpole for that episode is the movie "The Shape of Water". Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here. The highest of fives to our scribes this week: Neharika, Millie, and Kelly! | |||
| 16 Jan 2019 | Episode 26: Alien Fucking, or Where There's a Will, There's A Way | 01:01:47 | |
As you may have heard, there's been a slight rearrangement of episode topics, due to the fact that the audio of our original recording of Episode 26 (witches!) was haunted. Therefore, this week we're talking about, well, exactly what it says on the tin. In other words, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat. Our tentpoles this week are The Shape of Water, "And I Awoke and Found Me Here on the Cold Hillside" by James Tiptree Jr, and "Bro: discover new talent." by Laylah (Homestuck fic). What We’ve Been Reading A Civil Campaign Warrior’s Apprentice Komarr The Priory of the Orange Tree The Perfect Assassin “More Tomorrow” Band Sinister Ruin of Kings Into the Spider-Verse Nirvana in Fire Other Stuff We Mentioned Game of Thrones Dragonriders of Pern WorldCon (Dublin 2019) and eligibility for the Best Fancast category of the Hugo Awards Venom Zelda: Breath of the Wild Naruto “I Belong Where the People Are: Disability and The Shape of Water” by Elsa Sjunneson-Henry Pan’s Labyrinth Homestuck “La Belle Dame sans Merci” “Hood and Glove” by Fahye, Yuri/Otabek fic "Writer Wednesday: A Guest Post by Daria Defore" (the monsterfucking article Freya quotes) Jupiter Ascending Guardians of the Galaxy Mass Effect Avatar Writing the Other [book] by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward Writing the Other workshops the Greek myth of Galatea and Pygmalion Leda and the Swan Ron Weasley/Spider fanfiction The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Oglaf by Trudy Cooper & Doug Bayne Tam Lin Tithe by Holly Black Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Be The Serpent drinking game by Magali Beauty and the Beast East of Sun, West of Moon The Bastard’s Lying to You, a Be The Serpent episode on unreliable narrators “Women Men Don’t See” by James Tiptree Jr. Pacific Rim Edge of Tomorrow Pacific Rim: Uprising
For Next Time And I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett Transcript: The transcription of this episode can be found here. Three cheers for the scribes!!!
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| 30 Jan 2019 | Episode 27: I'm Not a Lady, I'm a Witch! | 01:04:02 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about witches! Our tentpoles this week are I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett, “In Which Lettie Makes Demands” by ryfkah, and the movie Practical Magic. What We’ve Been Reading The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) The Underwater Ballroom Society by Stephanie Burgis and Tiffany Trent Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Flight of Magpies by K.J. Charles “Monologue by an unnamed mage, recorded at the brink of the end” by Cassandra Khaw “Darling and the Cinderella Club” by emilyenrose For Real by Alexis Hall
Other Stuff We Mentioned Skies of Wonder, Skies of Danger, ft. our very own Macey A Sword on Two Fingers by Freya Marske The Hugo Awards 2019 Nominations Female-presenting Nipples (Thanks, Freya) The Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett Groundhog Day (1993) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Uprooted by Naomi Novik The Immortals series by Tamora Pierce Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott The Scottish Play by Shakespeare The Spanish Inquisition The Salem Witch Trials The Adventure Zone Smart Bitches, Trashy Books [website] Smart Podcast, Trashy Books [podcast] The Book of the Unnamed Midwife The Damore Memo The Wizard of Oz The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis Tournament of Minds The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Bewitched Check Please “sundown starts at half-past six” by halfdesertedstreets The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett “Cornerwitches” by charmingly antiquated
For Next Time The Black Tides of Heaven by J.Y. Yang
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here! If you see a scribe, give them a high five and thank them for their hard work! | |||
| 13 Feb 2019 | Episode 28: Genderpalooza | 00:59:58 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about gender, relationships, and the worldbuilding thereof! The tentpoles this week are a selection of Steven Universe episodes, The Black Tides of Heaven by JY Yang, and “An Ever Fixed Mark” by imperfectcircle. What We’ve Been Reading Heroine Complex series by Sarah Kuhn A Perfect Spy by John le Carre Empresses in the Palace Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World Nirvana in Fire Le Guin short stories The Royal Tailor The Grand Heist Thugs of Hindostan Other Stuff We Mentioned Mad Max: Fury Road “The Answer” (the episode of Steven Universe with Garnet’s origin story) “Now We’re Only Falling Apart” (the episode where Garnet unfuses) “Jail Break” (the episode with Lapis Lazuli/Jasper fusion) The Tensorate series by J.Y. Yang “An Ever Fixed Mark” by imperfectcircle Merlin “A Fisherman of the Inland Sea” by Ursula K. Le Guin The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold City of Lies by Sam Hawke Homestuck by Andrew Hussie Baahubali Magic Mike XXL The Harwood Spellbook series by Stephanie Burgis The Underwater Ballroom Society edited by Stephanie Burgis Hark! A Vagrant comics by Kate Beaton Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey Temeraire series by Naomi Novik The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie
For Next Time Ulysses by girlbookwrm
Transcription: The transcript for this episode can be found here! Thank you to our darling scribes, Sara, Neharika, Kelly, and Millie!! | |||
| 27 Feb 2019 | Episode 29: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Bi | 01:02:37 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about spies and secret agents, and we speculate about whether they screen for bisexuality in the hiring process (this episode was almost called "No, Mr Bond, I Expect You to Bi"). The tentpoles this week are the fanfic Ulysses by girlbookwrm, the movie Atomic Blonde, and the book City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett. What We’ve Been Reading Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker The Regeneration trilogy by Pat Barker Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch The Divine Cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian Erkenci Kus
Other Stuff We Mentioned Ulysses by girlbookwrm The James Bond movies (in particular, 2006-2015) John le Carré Ian Fleming Spooks (aka MI-5) Spy (2015) Kingsman (2014) The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) “99 Luftballons” (cover by Kaleida) Interview with Atomic Blonde choreographer The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(TV series 1964-68) The Americans (Macey calls it The Russians) Nirvana in Fire Totally Spies! (2001-2014) Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) The “Genghis Khan” music video (Miike Snow, 2016) Skyfall (2012) Person of Interest (2011-2016) Amberlough series by Lara Elena Donnelly Spectre (2015) The Divine Cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett Quantum of Solace (2008) Casino Royale (2006) Killing Eve (2018) Codename: Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein Duplicity (2009) Hybrid Author Podcast For Next Time Nothing! It's the Episode 30 Extravaganza! Be sure to send in your questions by March 1st! Transcript The transcription of this episode is available here. A round of applause for the scribes | |||
| 28 Feb 2018 | Episode 3: Apocalypse Sometime, Maybe Next Tuesday | 00:52:45 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison, the Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, "Sailor's Delight" by jinjurly, and what we'd do in the event of an apocalypse. Things we mentioned:The Book of the Unnamed Midwife (Meg Ellison) Star Wars Mad Max: Fury Road "Sailor's Delight" Broken Earth trilogy (N. K. Jemisin) School’s Out Forever Lord of the Flies In the End (Alexandra Rowland) "Solfege" (Freya Marske) “The Day it Fell Apart” (Leslie Fish) Natural Disasters What we’re reading lately:Frederica (Georgette Heyer) Lotus Blue (Cat Sparks) The Belles (Dhonielle Clayton) A lot of Person of Interest fanfiction. TranscriptionThe transcription of this episode is available here! Thanks to Magali, Neharika, and Sara for their amazing work this week! | |||
| 13 Mar 2019 | Episode 30: Extravaganza | 01:06:30 | |
It's time for another Extravaganza! This week, we're getting tipsy, answering listener questions, and revealing our brand new Patreon! Please consider supporting us there so that we can pay the scribes for their amazing work! What We’ve Been Reading The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland Russian Doll (2019) The Umbrella Academy (2019- ) Erkenci Kus (the Turkish soap opera)
Other Stuff We Mentioned Doctor Who Pacific Rim (never explicitly stated, but this is where the term “drift compatible” comes from) Steven Universe Tintin Asterix Bunyips A Conspiracy of Truths Barns Courtney’s “Glitter and Gold” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Coldplay’s Ghost Stories The National Tabletop Audio The Hazards of Love by the Decemberists. A Beautiful Mind The Blue Planet Wicked Girls by Seanan McGuire "Wicked Girls" by Seanan McGuire My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days “The Queen and the Soldier” by Suzanne Vega Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Cat Valente’s Space Opera Moulin Rouge! Stilyagi Atomic Blonde Amélie Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes Hannibal Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh Discworld by Terry Pratchett Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce The Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho A Sword on Two Fingers by Freya Marske (unpublished) Untitled Manuscript by Alexandra Rowland (unpublished) Catalyst by Jennifer Mace (unpublished) Hagstone by Jennifer Mace (unpublished) Antonia Fraser’s Robin Hood The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green Raymond E. Feist’s Riftwar Cycle, specifically Silverthorn and A Darkness of Sethanon (and also Magician) Gareth Gates For Next Time "The City Born Great" by NK Jemisin Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thank you so much, scribes!! | |||
| 27 Mar 2019 | Episode 31: A Podcast of Three Cities | 01:01:14 | |
On this episode, we're talking about cities so vibrant they might as well be characters in their own right! Our tentpoles are “The City Born Great” by N.K. Jemisin, the Mortal Engines movie, and City of Lies by Sam Hawke. What We’ve Been Reading/Watching The Magicians The Wicked King by Holly Black My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Feris Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson
Other Stuff We Mentioned Leningrad Symphony The Hunger Games Mortal Engines [book] Discworld series City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Watching the English by Kate Fox City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Twilight Robbery by Frances Hardinge The City & the City by China Miéville A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab Howl’s Moving Castle Georgette Heyer Zen Cho Perdido Street Station by China Miéville Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin Nightvale from the Welcome to Nightvale podcast He Says He Is An Experimental Theologian by ErinPtah Episode 2 of Be The Serpent: Personality Taxonomies & Shouting About Hogwarts Houses Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities The Great Cities in History by John Julius Norwich Firefly Farscape The Expanse Battlestar Galactica Stargate Atlantis
For Next Time To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Three cheers for the scribes: Millie, Sara, Kelly, Neharika!!! | |||
| 10 Apr 2019 | Episode 32: Save the McGuffin, Save the World | 00:58:19 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about time travel fix-it fics! How sexy can a paradox get? Are there multiple timestreams or just one? Can anyone keep all of this straight?! The tentpoles are the fanfic World Without End by Sorted, the book To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis, and the TV show The Umbrella Academy. What We’re Into Lately The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard Docile by K.M. Szpara Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube by Blair Braverman Brianna Teintze’s Lord of Secrets Escape to River Cottage A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Other Stuff We Mentioned Aliette de Bodard’s Dominion of the Fallen series The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Gossip Girl Captive Prince series by C.S. Pacat Pretty Woman Suits A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland The Hugo Awards Episode 30: Extravaganza Episode 22: Out of Cheese, Error, Redo from Start Permafrost by Alastair Reynolds Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" by They Might Be Giants Heroes fanfiction.net The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Naruto Final Fantasy VII Grey’s Anatomy Doctor Who Night Watch by Terry Pratchett Astolat And I Alone Have Escaped to Tell You by astolat Back to the Future Sheppard’s Law by Speranza Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger Groundhog Day Time Flies Like an Arrow by Katlou303 “Turn” by Saras_Girl Freya’s Captive Prince time travel ficlet “Outsider Perspective” by Neery (Person of Interest husbands amnesia fic) Person of Interest Amy Santiago from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
For Next Time Midnight Riot (aka Rivers of London) by Ben Aaronovitch Transcript The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks to our amazing supporters on Patreon, the scribes are now officially getting paid!! Hooray for the scribes! | |||
| 24 Apr 2019 | Episode 33: Turn In Your Badge and Gun! | 01:03:23 | |
On this episode, we're discussing police procedurals! Who breaks the rules? Who goes by the book? Tentpoles this week are A Private Reason for This by femmequixoitc, Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch, and the first episode of the TV show Luther.
What We’re Into Lately My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan Romance is a Bonus Book (2019) The Unspoken Name by AK Larkwood (forthcoming, 2020) Spectred Isle by KJ Charles “Signals That Sound in the Dark” by Dira Sudis The Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold The Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Other Stuff We Mentioned Brooklyn Nine-Nine! Bones. Criminal Minds The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal Vorkosigan saga Torchwood Wire in the Blood Val McDermid novels Sherlock Holmes Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike novels Poirot novels by Agatha Christie Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Elementary Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett the shapeshifter character trope (mentioned on Story Grid podcast) Hinterland Miss Marples The Killing Pushing Daisies iZombie Komarr Killing Eve Witcher (though really this is for next time! ;) ) For Next Time: Misethere by astolat Transcription: The transcript of the episode can be found here. Thank you once again to the scribes!! | |||
| 08 May 2019 | Episode 34: Misethere | 01:00:22 | |
On this episode, we're doing a deep-dive on a single tentpole, and we are extremely back on our bullshit. It's time to talk about astolat's Witcher fanfic, "Misethere"! What We’re Into Lately Amnesty by Lara Elena Donnelly le Carré Miranda in Milan by Katharine Duckett Not for Use in Navigation by Iona Datt Sharma Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson “Dreaming of Sunshine” The Magicians The Natural History of Dragons Komarr A Civil Campaign The Tropic of Serpents Lymond Chronicles
Other Stuff We Mentioned “Drastically Redefining Protocol” “Miserere” (song) Witcher Dragon Age Gundam Wing Person of Interest Smallville Sweet Valley High Fantastic Four Fast and Furious Vetinari/Vimes from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series J.Y. Yang And I Alone Have Escaped To Tell You by astolat "A Year In Toussaint" by astolat “The War of Silver and Ash” by astolat “The Blooded Crown” by astolat [aka ‘the second one’] BtS Episode “Cross Your Stars and Hope to Bi” [aka ‘Disaster Bisexuals’] Xanatos Speed Chess Vorkosigan Saga The Warrior’s Apprentice Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian “Duende” by astolat Avengers “Entanglements” by astolat
For Next Time The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. As always, thank you to our brilliant scribal team! | |||
| 22 May 2019 | Episode 35: Well, Canaveral, I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore | 01:01:24 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about space operas.... IN SPAAAAACE. The tentpoles this week are The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard, the fanfic A Deeper Season by lightgetsin and sahiya, and the pilot episodes of Farscape and Killjoys.
What We’re Into Lately The London Celebrities series by Lucy Parker Monty Don’s Italian Gardens Detective L "Quid Pro Quo" by Dira Sudis Other Stuff We Mentioned Ancillary Justice series by Ann Leckie Noel Streatfield Elementary The Space Opera Renaissance by David Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Planetary romance Jupiter Ascending Vorkosigan Saga Stargate: Atlantis The Adventure Zone Firefly Babylon 5 The Goblin Emperor Ancillary Justice Firefly Stargate: Atlantis Splendor & Misery by clipping Shards of Honor “Right Answer” [second Deeper Season] Ender’s Game A Civil Campaign The Expanse Cowboy Bebop Star Trek Star Wars Acorna books by Anne McCaffrey Nimisha’s Ship by Anne McCaffrey Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series Space Opera by Cat Valente Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
For Next Time House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
Transcription: The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our brilliant scribal team! | |||
| 05 Jun 2019 | Episode 36: There's No Place Like Home | 00:59:47 | |
On today’s episode we’re discussing magical houses! Are some of them sentient? How do they communicate? Is a haunted house a magical house? The tentpoles this week are: “House Proud” by astolat, House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones, and The Veldt by Ray Bradbury.
What We’re Into Lately Proper English by KJ Charles A Prince on Paper Alyssa Cole Sicily: An Island at the Crossroads of History by John Julius Norwich Everything astolat Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky
Other Stuff We Mentioned Episode 40 Extravaganza! TARDIS (from Doctor Who) Victoria Schwab’s series (A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab) Howl’s Moving Castle and Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Hieros gamos The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard The Popinjay’s Daughter by Anne Cross The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Foresight by Freya Marske
For Next Time: The Perfect Assassin by KA Doore
Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here! Thanks as always to our amazing team of scribes. | |||
| 19 Jun 2019 | Episode 37: Emotions Are Hard, Let's Do Murder! | 01:01:12 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing ASSASSINS! Tentpoles this week are The Perfect Assassin by K.A. Doore, the television show Killing Eve, and the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
What We’re Into Lately The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal The Hating Game by Sally Thorne A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The Fisherman by John Langan Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler Proper English by K.J. Charles Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky “Episode 10: Spies & Disguise” from Technique Critique
Other Stuff We Mentioned Think of England by K.J. Charles “meditations ex post facto” by singlecrow A Choir of Lies by Alexandra Rowland A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Freya’s amazing new jacket Ozimandais by Percy Bysshe Shelley The Bourne series Farseer by Robin Hobbe BtS patreon For Next Time The entire slate of Best Novels from this year's Hugo Award ballot!
Transcript The transcript for this episode is available here. The scribes are amazing! They're so good!! Yay for scribes!!! | |||
| 03 Jul 2019 | Episode 38: A Hugo Award Special -- The Novels of 2018 | 00:58:28 | |
On this episode, we're doing a bird's-eye view of the six finalists from this year's Best Novel ballot of the Hugo Awards!
What We’re Into Lately Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant Borne by Jeff Vandermeer Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer The Flowers of Vashnoi by Lois McMaster Bujold Good Omens (the miniseries)
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (Freya misquotes the second title as The Fated Stars) Record of a Spaceborn Few and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers Chants from A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Ninefox Gambit, Raven Stratagem, and Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee Hannibal Lecter from The Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris Space Opera by Cat Valente Saga Press Eurovision 2019 Iceland Eurovision 2019 Australia The Starlit Wood (‘Navah Wolfe anthology’) N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy
For Next Time: "Geometries of Belonging" by RB Lemberg
Transcription: The transcript of this episode can be found here. Sing, muse, of the work of the scribes!! | |||
| 17 Jul 2019 | Episode 39: The Serpents' School of Witchcraft and Wizzzardry | 00:59:48 | |
On this episode, we're talking wizards! We're comparing the magic systems of Brandon Sanderson's The Emperor's Soul and RB Lemberg's "Geometries of Belonging". Also, Freya has designed a fun game for Alex and Macey! What We’re Into Lately Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons Chronin by Alison Wilgus Catalyst by Jennifer Mace A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Lots of Good Omens shit, including: Alex’s Good Omens fanvids “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Hallelujah”. “vintage demon art, vape pens, & other treasures” by kyrilu “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “My Best Friend” fanvids "Making An Effort: Queer (Trans) Masculinity in the Ethereal & Occult Beings of Good Omens" Much Ado About Nothing (2011)
Other Stuff We Mentioned Oxford Time Travel series by Connie Willis DA:I fanfiction Analog July/August Issue (ft. Freya’s short story) Wayward Children series Freya’s fairy fic ‘Hood & Glove’ Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee The Birdverse section of R.B. Lemberg’s website Kingdom (2019-) “What We Named the Needle" by Freya Marske Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik The Elenium series by David Eddings The Tamuli series by David Eddings The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner
For Next Time Nothing! It's the Episode 40 Extravaganza!
Transcript The transcription for this episode can be found here. Thanks as always to our wondrous scribes, the lights of our life! | |||
| 14 Mar 2018 | Episode 4: The Bastard's Lying to You! | 01:00:05 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about LIAR by Justine Larbalestier, Yuri!! On Ice, "The Women Men Don't See" by James Tiptree Jr, and the joys and delights of unreliable narrators. Things we mentioned:Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers Liar (Justine Larbalestier) Yuri!!! On Ice (2016) "The Women Men Don’t See" (James Tiptree Jr.) Kingsman (2014) The Captive Prince series (C. S. Pacat) Alex’s debut book, A Conspiracy of Truths (forthcoming, Fall 2018) The Italians (John Hooper) The Handmaiden (2016) Fingersmith (Sarah Waters) Why street magicians are the worst people alive The Queen’s Thief series (Megan Whalen Turner) Lots more fanfiction "Written by the Victors” (Speranza) “The Way of the Apartment Manager” (Elizabeth Culmer) (The Naruto fic Macey mentioned) What we’re reading lately: Lotus Blue (Cat Sparks) The Belles (Dhonielle Clayton) A novel-length Yuri!!! On Ice Fanfiction Even more Person of Interest Fanfiction Transcription:The transcript is available here. As always, thank you so much to Neharika, Magali, and Sara for transcribing the episode! | |||
| 31 Jul 2019 | Episode 40: Extravaganza | 01:06:45 | |
*bangs on pots and pans* It's the Extravaganza! We're answering listener questions and definitely not sneaking in a question or two of our own! This is all completely legitimate and above-board! What We’re Into Lately Hither Page by Cat Sebastian The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite, Kaleidotrope podcast Jenn Lyons’ Ruin of Kings Lots of Good Omens stuff, including: Raven (singlecrow)’s Good Omens fic “Salinity (And Other Measures of Brackish Water)” by drawlight “A Stone’s Throw From Jerusalem” by RC_McLachlan “TwoFish” by Grindylowe “the mortifying ordeal of being known (biblically)” by FlipSpring
Other Stuff We Mentioned Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Bi, Episode 29 of Be the Serpent Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat astolat’s Steve/Sam stories “Dangerous if Unbound” by astolat astolat’s Game of Thrones fics Tales from the Trunk, Hilary Bisenieks’s podcast Freya’s story in Analog BtS Episode 36 “There’s No Place Like Home” The Legend of Zelda series, Breath of the Wild specifically Hugo nominated fancasts:
For Next Time "Cheesecake and the Art of Political Warfare" by Sakana Sara
Transcript: The transcript of this episode is available here. As always, we are incredibly grateful to our scribes! | |||
| 14 Aug 2019 | Episode 41: The Democratic Republic of Serpents | 00:58:57 | |
On this episode, we're talking about politics! It's gonna get.... kind of weirdly emotional. The tentpoles this week are “Corridors of Power” by blythely, “Hand in Unlovable Hand” by Annakovsky, and Cheesecake and the Art of Political Warfare by Sakana Sara.
What We’re Into Lately Middlegame by Seanan McGuire Slow Horses by Mick Herron The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Semiosis by Sue Burke Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston “Lie Back and Think of Dinner” and “Still My Heart Has Wings” by jessthereckless “By Definition” by idiopathicsmile Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan
Other Stuff We Mentioned The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan A Choir of Lies and A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland “Spin!” by weatherfront. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison House of Cards, the UK TV mini-series House of Cards by Michael Dobbs The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold A Deeper Season by lightgetsin, sahiya What Passing Bells by lightgetsin, sahiya
For Next Time The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks as always to our brilliant and extremely cute scribes! If you'd like to help compensate the scribes for their work, consider contributing a few dollars on Patreon! | |||
| 28 Aug 2019 | Episode 42: Comedy, the Universe, and Everything | 01:03:48 | |
On today's episode, we're discussing what exactly makes things funny. Hardly any dick jokes in this one, folks. (Get it? HARDly? it's a dick joke!) Anyway, our tentpoles (wink wink) this week are The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Emperor’s New Groove, and the Hamilton fanfic, “our gilded age” by screamlet. What We’re Into Lately Their Brilliant Careers by Ryan O’Neill Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson Lettered (writer in Schitt’s Creek and Harry Potter fandoms) Other Stuff We Mentioned Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix special Nanette and Ted Talk, “Three Ideas. Three Contradiction. Or Not.” The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Pagan series by Catherine Jinks Lymond series by Dorothy Dunnett A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold Mark Reads, a video series by Mark Oshiro For Next Time "With Fire In Their Eyes" by Asuka Kureru Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Have you written a love letter to your local scribes recently? :D | |||
| 11 Sep 2019 | Episode 43: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together | 01:01:45 | |
On today's episode, we're discussing fusions and crossovers! The tentpoles are the first Avengers movie, the fanfic With Fire in Their Eyes by Asuka Kureru, and the fanfic Polaris by setissma. What We’re Into LatelyMilkman by Anna Burns Valentine by Jodi McAlister This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone “we could turn the world to gold” by nikkiRA “You, Soft and Only” by thehoyden “in his own image” by taizi “ask, and ye shall receive” by ariaste Other Stuff We Mentioned Harry Potter by JK Rowling You Drive Through the Dust by Dira Sudas His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman “are we human, or are we dynamite” by randomhorse some fic by Fahye Avengers: End Game Thor series Episode 2 of Be The Serpent: Personality taxonomies Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Amy Mebberson’s Pocket Princesses Rivers Solomon’s An Unkindness of Ghosts Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist Histories series Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities Loveless by Yun Kouga Loveless the anime Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen He Says He Is an Experimental Theologian by ErinPtah Welcome to Nightvale the podcast Sorting Hat Chats on tumblr Fast and Furious Franchise X-Men Franchise “The Next Quarter Mile” by astolat "run all the lights" by fahye Les Mis the movie
For Next Time "Three Days (or The One Where Javert and Valjean Take a Road Trip Through France and Raise a Child)" by zamwessell
Transcription The transcript of this episode can be found here! Our amazing scribes get paid for their work -- want to help support the great work they do? Consider supporting us on Patreon! | |||
| 25 Sep 2019 | Episode 44: Sympathy for the Devil (Live From WorldCon) | 00:51:21 | |
Yes! It is here, at last! The recording of our first-ever live show, performed about a month ago at WorldCon in Dublin, Ireland! We're talking about villain redemption, and we've got some great tentpoles this week: the film Maleficent, and two fanfics, “Looking Glass Country” by astolat and “Three Days” by zamwessell. Other Stuff We MentionedLes Misérables by Victor Hugo The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris Hand in Unlovable Hand by Annakovsky (in episode 41) Captive Prince trilogy by C.S. Pacat Wicked the musical (itself adapted from a book. Double transformative work!) Genghis Khan music video (and song) by Miike Snow
For Next Time: Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
Transcription: The transcript of this episode can be found here. Thank you to our scribes (and a special shout-out to Scribe Magali, who was in the audience during this liveshow!) | |||
| 09 Oct 2019 | Episode 45: Not Your Usual Family Reunion | 01:04:48 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing found families! The tentpoles are “Stilinski's Home for Wayward Wolves” by owlpostagain, Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett, and the pilot episode of Firefly.
What We’re Into Lately The House of Sundering Flames by Aliette de Bodard An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire Down to Agincourt by seperis Embers by Vathara (also on fanfiction.net) “Sunny with a Chance of Storms” by Mysecretfanmoments and SuggestiveScribe The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer Undiscovered Country by shysweetthing The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett Gentlemen's Blood: A History of Dueling from Swords at Dawn to Pistols at Dusk by Barbara Holland
Other Stuff We Mentioned The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik “Yellow Emperor” by WerewolvesAreReal In the Vanishers’ Palace by Aliette de Bodard “Chaos War” by astolat Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett Sam Hawke (who is a cool author and not some sort of frog hitperson as Macey seems to imply) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins And I Alone Have Escaped to Tell You by astolat, and its sequel Champion @dynamicsymmetry’s twitter thread Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling The Shoebox Project by dorkorific and ladyjaida
For Next Time Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Transcript The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks as always to our scribes, who have been part of our little podcast-family since the very beginning | |||
| 23 Oct 2019 | Episode 46: Welcome to Goth Camp | 00:59:35 | |
It's the spookiest time of year, so we're talking about a trio of spooky tentpoles! By which we mean Peak Goth Asthetique: Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir, The Addams Family, and Repo! The Genetic Opera. What We’re Into Lately The Nightmare before Christmas Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance Chronin by Allison Wilgis Oxford Time Travel universe by Connie Willis Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko Work for It by Talia Hibbert. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett Other Stuff We Mentioned MBMBAM (My Brother, My Brother, and Me) Save the Cat by Blake Snyder "Bluebird" by Basingstoke Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Lord of Secrets by Breanna Teintze The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice Evanescence Unholyverse by Bexless Aliette de Bodard’s Dominion of the Fallen series Homestuck by Andrew Hussle For Next Time The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Transcript: The transcript of this episode is available here. THANK YOU, SCRIBES | |||
| 06 Nov 2019 | Episode 47: Clothes Maketh Man | 01:00:59 | |
On this week's episode we're discussing the use of fashion and clothing in works of deep literary merit! The tentpoles are Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal, the 2015 film Cinderella, and the graphic novel The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang. A piece of news!! Macey is running a kickstarter for SILK AND STEEL, an amazing fantasy anthology of queer women! Come getchur sword lesbians! What We’re Into Lately Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale Spellbound by Allie Therin The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford The whistleblower complaint, annotated by CNN How to Belong with a Billionaire by Alexis Hall Other Stuff We Mentioned Magpie Lord by KJ Charles The Fifth Element (1997) The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Contouring 101 by Sailor J The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) Into the Woods (2014) Hustlers (2019) Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The Goblin Emperor by Kathrine Addison The Magnificent Century (2011-2014) Empresses in the Palace (2015) For Next Time Ghostbusters (2016) Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Thank you, delicious scribes!!! | |||
| 20 Nov 2019 | Episode 48: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (And Stab Things) | 01:01:21 | |
On this week's episode, we're talking about female reimaginings and digging into some gender stuff! The tentpoles are rageprufrock’s The Least of All Possible Mistakes, Ghostbusters (2016), and the pilot episode of Elementary. What We’re Into LatelyThe Flatshare by Beth O’Leary The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood Bon Appétit Test Kitchen’s Youtube channel Return to River Cottage (referred to by Macey as Back to the Cottage, one in a series of documentaries by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett Penric and the Shaman by Lois McMaster Bujold Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Demonology and the Tri-Phasic Model of Trauma: An Integrative Approach by Nnm Other Stuff We Mentioned Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones The Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brien The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison Rule 63 (misidentified as Rule 23 by Freya) In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Salt (2010) Atomic Blonde (2017) Spy (2015) BBC Sherlock (2010–) Children of Earth (Torchwood, season 3) The Least of All Possible Mistakes podfic by Lazulus Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Star Wars (1977-) The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Naruto (2002-2007) Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett Granny Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Belgariad series by David Eddings The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen For Next Time Prince's Gambit by CS Pacat. Transcription: The transcript of this episode can be found here. We are forever in awe of our amazing scribes!!! | |||
| 04 Dec 2019 | Episode 49: And I Shall Sit Here Consumed With Lust for the Rest of the Evening | 01:00:49 | |
On this week's episode we're discussing another of our favorite tropes of all time: enemies-to-lovers! The tentpoles are Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat (specifically the second book, Prince's Gambit), the 1995 miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and the fanfic Lumos by birdsofshore.
What We’re Into Lately The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman Transformers fanfic by astolat The Purge (TV series) Docile by K.M. Szpara
Other Stuff We Mentioned Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones “Rest in FUCKING PIECES, Mr. Darcy” Pride & Prejudice (2005) (Kiera Knightley version) Harry Potter series Glinda/Elphaba from Wicked Eclipse fanfic K.A. Doore’s The Perfect Assassin Episode 44 of Be the Serpent
For Next Time Nothing! It's the Episode 50 Extravaganza!
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Big smooches to our wonderful scribes! | |||
| 28 Mar 2018 | Episode 5: O Captain, My Captain | 01:04:33 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, Jupiter Ascending, and "Dangerous if Unbound" by Astolat -- what do these have in common? Fealty relationships! Other things we mentioned: Disney princesses Noblebright & the hieros gamos (again) A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison Jupiter Ascending "Dangerous if Unbound" by Astolat The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner The Empire Trilogy by Janny Wurts and Raymond E. Feist Self-insert fanfiction Courtly love Eleanor of Aquitaine Anastasia (and the stage musical) Person of Interest Kings Single Use Weapon by Freya Mathematical theory aka witchcraft Ninefox Gambit and A Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee Atomic Blonde Merlin Star Trek TOS and the Star Trek reboot films What we’re reading lately: Reflections: On the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones An Unsuitable Heir by KJ Charles Our own books (because edits) Transcription: The transcription of the episode is available here. Thanks as always to Sara, Neharika, and Magali for their work! | |||
| 18 Dec 2019 | Episode 50: Extravaganza (Agony Aunt Special) | 00:57:42 | |
On this week's episode, we're playing Agony Aunt to fictional characters! What sort of problems have we been presented with this week, and how many times can we suggest "threesomes" as an answer?
What We’re Into Lately Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes The Descent of Monsters by J.Y. Yang “i blinked (and there you were)” by Della19 Waves by IncompleteSentanc the lone traveller, standing strong by bubblewrapstargirl before you by theformerone Docile by K.M. Szpara Captive Prince fic
Other Stuff We Mentioned Mass Effect (game series) Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
For Next Time In the Vanisher's Palace by Aliette de Bodard
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Blow some kisses to ur local scribes! | |||
| 11 Apr 2018 | Episode 6: Cross Your Stars and Hope to Bi | 00:53:51 | |
On this episode of Be The Serpent, we're talking about bisexuals in fiction. And because this is us, we have to come up with a taxonomy for them. So join us as we debate the merits and charms of the Chaos Disaster, the Sad Floppy Disaster, the Punch-You-in-the-Face Disaster, and the Terrifying, Competent Force of Nature Not-A-Disaster. The tentpoles this week are: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Mackenzi Lee), The World That You Need series (Dira Sudis), and In Other Lands (Sarah Rees Brennan). Things we mentioned:The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee The World That You Need series by Dira Sudis In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Person of Interest (again) Astolat (again) Captive Prince by CS Pacat (always) Brooklyn Nine-Nine Hannibal A Deeper Season by lightgetsin and sahiya Killjoys Grey’s Anatomy Captain Jack Harkness of Doctor Who and Torchwood fame Revenge The Count of Monte Cristo Nirvana in Fire Julie d’Aubigny, historical Disaster Bisexual What we’re reading:The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (and the Vorkosigan Saga more broadly) The Covert Captain by Jeannelle M. Ferreira The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark Mr. Try Again by A. Merc Rustad Too much Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfic. Transcription:The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks to Sara, Neharika, and Magali for their work! | |||
| 25 Apr 2018 | Episode 7: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells the Story | 01:03:55 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're talking about historiography, propaganda, narrative control, Macey's misspent youth as a frozen meat salesperson, and some excellent pieces of fiction: "Written by the Victors" by Speranza, the Broadway show Hamilton, and The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin. Things We Mentioned: "Written by the Victors" by Speranza Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin The House of Niccolò series by Dorothy Dunnett Person of Interest fanfic A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland Ars Atlantiadae by multiple creators (usernames found in the link) Podfic of Written by the Victors by multiple readers (usernames found in the link) Steve Rogers at 100: Celebrating Captain America on Film by eleveninches, Febricant, hellotailor, M_Leigh, neenya, tigrrmilk Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow "Interlude (Rise Up)" by Fahye Mark Oshiro reading "Interlude (Rise Up)" Podfic of "Interlude (Rise Up)" by various narrators Black Sails Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Pirates of the Caribbean The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall The Newsflesh Series by Mira Grant Hogfather by Terry Pratchett What We’re Reading: The Lymond Chronicles (specifically The Ringed Castle and Checkmate) by Dorothy Dunnett The Black Tides of Heaven by JY Yang Still too much Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfic Transcription: The transcript of this episode is available here. Thanks as always to Sara, Neharika, and Magali! | |||
| 09 May 2018 | Episode 8: Once More, With Feelings! | 00:58:42 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're discussing "Theft of Assets, Destruction of Property" by Helenish, Think of England by KJ Charles, and the television show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, as well as a full buffet of romance tropes. And we're joined by a guest, the lovely Amanda Jean from The Hopeless Romantic podcast!! Things we mentioned: Think of England by KJ Charles Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Theft of Assets, Destruction of Property by Helenish The Hopeless Romantic with Amanda Jean and Austin Chant Eurovision Douglas Adams The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell, Candy Tan Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Think Once, Think Twice" by Fahye (Freya) Bear by Marian Engel Captive Prince (again) by CS Pacat Sherlock Yuri!!! On Ice "Victor Effing Nikiforov" by shysweetthing "i know my madness" by astoryaboutwar Piper Vaughn’s Portland Pack Chronicles Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey The Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan The Tiger’s Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera Isobelle Carmody What we’re reading:Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho The Tea Master And The Detective by Aliette de Bodard Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Space Opera by Catherynne M Valente Transcription:This episode was transcribed by the amazing Sara, Neharika, and Magali! Find the transcription here. | |||
| 23 May 2018 | Episode 9: Like Rome, But With Lasers | 00:54:17 | |
On this episode of Be the Serpent, we're discussing space empires! We talk a little bit about the history of empires, writerly tips for constructing an empire, and the problems of imperialism. The tentpoles this week are: Ancillary Justice (and the rest of the Imperial Radch trilogy) by Ann Leckie, Star Wars, and The Course of Honour by Avoliot What We’re Reading:The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente “Maggie Fitzgerald and the Saltwater Drip” by antistar_e Other Stuff We Mentioned: Farscape Saga Killjoys Tithe by Holly Black White Cat by Holly Black Spider-Woman/The White Widow/the Spider-Gwen series 4th Street Fantasy Convention Katamari Damacy Game of Thrones The Little Prince The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli The Sun Chronicles (forthcoming) by Kate Elliott Jupiter Ascending Ninefox Gambit and the others in the The Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee Terraforming Star Trek Eurovision (esp. Verka Serduchka, the Buroanovskiye Babushki, and sparkles) Transcription: The transcript for this episode is available here. Thanks as always to the scribes, Magali, Neharika, and Sarah, for their help! | |||
| 25 Aug 2021 | Episode 93: The Glamorous Authorial Life | 01:02:56 | |
On this week's episode we're discussing the glamorous authorial life -- authors (and other publishing professionals) through the lens of how they're depicted in media. Tentpoles this week are the film Stranger Than Fiction, the K-Drama Romance Is a Bonus Book, the story “The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species” by Ken Liu and The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey.
What We’re Into Lately Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Guardian fic Macey’s all-fandom OT3 feast Victoria Goddard books specifically the Greenwing & Dart series Ask A Mortician Youtube Channel Other Stuff We Mentioned The Great British Bake-Off To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty ‘letters from the ides’ by Jennifer Mace (poet) The Witcher (TV show) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Sam Hawke Younger The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Moulin Rouge Untitled Seminal Male-Focused Work by Jennifer Mace (Literary author) Seven Days In June by Tia Williams Emily Henry
For Next Time Silver In the Wood by Emily Tesh
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Huge thanks to our team of scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 03 Jun 2020 | Episode 62: Overwhelming Ancestral Nostalgia | 01:02:12 | |
On this week's episode we're kicking back to discuss some of the beloved fantasy books of our youth, including The Circle of Magic series, the Abhorsen series, the Dark Is Rising series, and others! What We’re Into Lately The Spare by Miranda Dubner Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai The Fever King by Victoria Lee The Electric Heir by Victoria Lee Unholy Union by NeverwinterThistle Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
Other Stuff We Mentioned Teen Wolf fandom Big Wolf on Campus fandom Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù Burnout by Emily Nagoski The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper Greenwitch by Susan Cooper The Grey King by Susan Cooper Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Brigadoon musical Young Wizards series by Diane Duane His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce Sandry’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Tris’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Daja’s Book, by Tamora Pierce Briar’s Book, by Tamora Pierce The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge Linnets and Valerians, by Elizabeth Goudge The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix An Untamed/Abhorsen crossover A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood Diana Wynne Jones Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Wind Singer trilogy by William Nicholson David Eddings Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron Eragon by Christopher Paolini The Acorna series by Anne McCaffrey The Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey Dragon Riders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey The Belgariad Series by David Eddings The Greenhollow Duology by Emily Tesh Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge The Wolves Chronicles series by Joan Aiken Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
For Next Time The six finalists for this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Middlegame by Seanan McGuire The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders Gideon the Ninth by Tamsin Muir A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley
Transcription The transcript for this episode is available here. Thank you to our beloved scribes, as always, and welcome to the new additions to the scribing team: Kate, BananaLord, Eli, and Marita! | |||
| 07 Apr 2021 | Episode 83: Space Sweepers! | 01:05:50 | |
On today's episode we're buckling on our space shoes, picking up our space harpoons, and charging up our space laser guns, because we're doing a deep dive on the new South Korean scifi film, Space Sweepers.
What We’re Into Lately An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon The House of Always by Jenn Lyon Disarmed by Sarah Rees Brennan The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno Garcia Boku no Hero Academia fanfic of the Star Wars crossover variety Architects of Memory by Karen Osborne
Other Stuff We Mentioned Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Les Misérables by Victor Hugo Acorna series by Anne McCaffrey Bond movies
For Next Time Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
Content Warnings Death of a child (dealt with in-text) in Space Sweepers
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Huge thanks to our team of scribes!! | |||
| 10 Feb 2021 | Episode 80: Extravaganza | 01:26:23 | |
On this week's episode, we're bringing you an extra-long, extra special surprise: We're playing a one-shot of an RPG, using a game system designed by Alex, which uses a tarot deck rather than dice! Enjoy!
As per the outro of this episode, the links to our statements in response to feedback we received on Episode 71: Macey’s statement RE BTS ep 71 Freya’s statement RE BTS ep 71
For Next Time We're taking a week off our regular release schedule. Never fear, we will return to your ears four weeks hence, rather than two.
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Extra thanks to our scribe team this week, they really knocked it out of the park with this chonky episiode!
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| 02 Jun 2021 | Episode 87: Let the Games Begin! | 01:03:58 | |
On this week's episode, we're discussing those models of decorum and tranquility: Games, and game-adjacent narratives! The tentpoles this week are the C-drama version of Hikaru no Go, the film Jumanji: Into the Jungle, and the fanfic you wait and you wonder who’ll take on your odds by paperclipbitch.
What We’re Into Lately
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrum The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter Yellow Jessamine by Caitlin Starling marigolds by colbub The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett
Other Stuff We Mentioned Uprooted by Naomi Novik Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik Chess (musical) The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll DIE by Kieron Gillen & Stephanie Hans Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Alex’s Fun Facts History of Games Corner Kriegsspiel game Discworld series by Terry Pratchett Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games by Jon Peterson Checkmate by Naadi The Grandfather Clock by Anthony Hill
For Next Time An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Content Warnings None
Transcription The transcript for this episode can be found here. Thanks to our most excellent scribes for their hard work! | |||
| 01 Jul 2020 | Episode 64: The Art of War | 01:05:59 | |
On this week's episode, we're looking at a selection of small scenes from several different pieces of media: The Expanse, Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon, an Alexander the Great documentary, K. J. Parker’s Devices and Desires, and Bujold’s The Warrior’s Apprentice. What We’re Into Lately Murderbot novellas by Martha Wells Network Effect by Martha Wells Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri The Accidental Warlord and His Pack by inexplicifics Queen’s Play by Dorothy Dunnett Desdemona and the Deep by C. S. E. Cooney
Other Things We Mentioned Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold City of Lies by Sam Hawke The Poison Wars series by Sam Hawke Regeneration by Pat Barker Jingo by Terry Pratchett Aubrey & Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliot Misethere by astolat K.J. Parker ‘On Sieges’ short essay by K.J. Parker The Witcher television series Bioware Overpowered Mages Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein Documentary about the rise of the Ottoman Empire Ender’s Game film Honor Harrington series by David Weber Riftwar Cycle: The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist Magician trilogy (Riftwar Saga) by Raymond E. Feist The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman A Deeper Season fanfic series by lightgetsin & sahiya Diplomatic Relations by Maldoror_Chant Sacrifices fanfic series by Lightning on the Wave, a 3.6 million word arc
For Next Time Transfigurations by Resonant (Harry Potter fanfic)
Transcription The transcript of this episode is available here. Hail to the scribes, our conquering heroes!! | |||
