Octothorpe

131: We’re Performance Before We’re Interest

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John is moderating, Alison is auctioning, and Liz is lecturing.

An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to [email protected], join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.

Content warnings this episode: The situation in the USA

  • Letters of comment
    • Handwriting guesses!
      • John, Alison, Liz: Ed Morland
      • Alison, John, Liz: Chris Garcia
      • Alison, Liz, John: Tammy Coxen
      • Liz, John, Alison: Tammy has another go
      • Liz, Alison, John: Ang Rosin, Niall Harrison
      • John is the top one: Doug Faunt
      • John is in the middle: Roseanna Pendlebury
      • Alison is in the middle: Mike Scott (who is cheating)
      • Liz is the top one: Bridget Bradshaw
      • All handwriting fonts: Bridget Bradshaw
      • You all have nice handwriting: Shi Lala
        • [But mine’s nicest—John]
        • Roseanna Pendlebury (email)
        • Farah Mendlesohn (email)
        • Chris Garcia (email)
        • Ivan Sinha (Facebook)
        • Renay (email)
          • The 2026 Hugo spreadsheet is open
          • Fredrik Coulter (Facebook)
          • We also heard from Lilian Edwards
          • Worldcon 2025: Seattle
            • “Statement from Worldcon Chair”
            • The SMOFcon bid in the USA has stopped bidding, and Seattle has filled its room blocks, reports File 770
            • Eastercon 2025: Belfast
              • We have provisional programme schedules!
                • John, Alison, and Liz:
                  • Monday 12:30: Octothorpe Live
                  • John and Liz:
                    • Sunday 17:00: Fandom, Politics, and Boycotts: What is the line and where do we draw it?
                    • John:
                      • Sunday 12:30: Is The Force With You?
                      • Sunday 15:30: “What does this card really mean?”: History in Board Games
                      • Alison:
                        • Sunday 20:00: Fan Fund Auction
                        • Liz:
                          • Saturday 15:30: Hay Lecture [SO EXCITED—John]
                          • Colourfields by Paul Kincaid
                            • This will be launched at the convention
                            • Adam Roberts reviews the collection
                            • Peter Mabey has passed away
                            • BSFA Awards
                              • File 770 reports the finalists
                              • Fan funds
                                • European Fan Fund
                                • Picks
                                  • John: The Power Fantasy by Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard, Clayton Cowles, and Rian Hughes
                                    • Roseanna Pendlebury’s review at NoaF
                                    • Alison: The Death of Stalin
                                      • [I’m off to represent the entire Red Army at the buffet—Liz]
                                      • Tobes de Valois as played by Jason Isaacs
                                      • Liz: The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison
                                        • [I also like Roseanna’s review at NoaF—Liz]
                                        • Credits
                                          • Cover art: “Happy Birthday to Us” by Alison Scott
                                            • Alt text: A birthday cake with six layers, from purple to a dark orange, and then a red 5 and five red candles on top, with fireworks overhead. The words “Octothorpe 131” are at the top.
                                            • Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)
                                              • ...more
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                                              OctothorpeBy John Coxon, Alison Scott, Liz Batty
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