Allora Public Radio

Skye talks with game designer Jay Dragon about playing with restrictions, engaging with paratext, the chessboard intruding into life, and what you can do with wizards.

Reading list:"A Dozen Fragments on Playground Theory," Jay Dragon: https://possumcreek.medium.com/a-dozen-fragments-on-playground-theory-684104bcb4ab

Equal Rites, Terry Pratchett: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/equal-rites-terry-pratchett?variant=41392516956194

A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin: https://www.ursulakleguin.com/a-wizard-of-earthseaJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/jonathan-strange--mr-norrell-9781526681553/Goodreads' "Queer Cozy Fantasy" list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/queer-cozy-fantasy

The Sandman, DC Comics: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/preludes-and-nocturnes_neil-gaiman/257933/"The Defense," Vladimir Nabokov: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/119457/the-defense-by-vladimir-nabokov/

The Name of the Rose, Umberto EcoEntangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566795/entangled-life-by-merlin-sheldrake/

The Unicorn Hunters, Katherine Arden: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608879/the-unicorn-hunters-by-katherine-arden/

Villain, Natalie Zina Walschots: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/villain-natalie-zina-walschotsThe Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu: https://torpublishinggroup.com/the-three-body-problem/Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen"The Quarry's Secret Name," Jay Dragon: https://jaydragonwrites.itch.io/the-quarrys-secret-nameWayfinder Adventures: https://wayfinderadventures.org/

Girl Frame, Isabelle M. Ruebsaat: https://anxiousmimicrpgs.itch.io/girl-frame

Under Hollow Hills, Meguey & Vincent Baker: https://lumpley.games/under-hollow-hills/Benjamin Rosenbaum: https://www.the-unraveling.com/Sam Sorenson on simulationism: https://bsky.app/profile/samsorensen.bsky.social/post/3mqzvafznj22h

The Fifth Head of Cerberus, Gene Wolfe: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250861009/thefifthheadofcerberus/"Thousand Year Old Campfire," Tim Hutchings: https://thousandyearoldvampire.com/collections/all/products/tyocJay's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/possumcreekThe Seven-Part Pact Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sjgames/seven-part-pactPossum Creek: https://possumcreekgames.com/Steve Jackson Games: https://www.sjgames.com/

Skye talks with writer Bitter Karella about the psychosis of Californian Republicans, getting lost in the woods, the pursuit of themes, what the big tits signify, and her first full-length novel, Moonflow.

This episode's reading list:

• "More Than 200 Dead Bodies Have Been Left Behind on Mount Everest, and Many Mark the Path to the Summit," Rachel Nuwer: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/more-than-200-dead-bodies-have-been-left-behind-on-mount-everest-and-many-mark-the-path-to-the-summit-146904416/

  "Baader-Meinhof Wagen," https://www.baader-meinhof.com/baader-meinhof-wagen/

  Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals: https://www.bitterkarella.com/midnightpals/

  You Weren't Meant to Be Human, Andrew Joseph White: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/You-Werent-Meant-to-Be-Human/Andrew-Joseph-White/9781668038079

  What I was thinking was an SNL skit was actually "Crippling Levels of Manliness" by CollegeHumor: https://youtu.be/wogb2ctOfV4?si=5vcqvSFO3loUeULf

  "The Call of Cthulhu," H. P. Lovecraft: https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/cc.aspx

  Stalker (1979), Andrei Tarkovsky

  Nothing But Trouble (1991), Dan Aykroyd

  Annihilation, Jeff Vandermeer: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374104092/annihilation/

  The Ring (2002), Gore Verbinski

  The Shining, Stephen King: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/92991/the-shining-by-stephen-king/

  "The Midnight Meat Train," Clive Barker: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/338960/clive-barkers-books-of-blood-1-3-by-clive-barker-with-an-afterword-by-grady-hendrix/

  A Song for the End, Kit Power: https://horrifictales.co.uk/premium-novellas/a-song-for-the-end/

  Chasers, Mariah Darling & Eve Harms: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasers-mariah-darling/1146273289

  These Kids Are Not Alright, T. L. Bodine: https://bookshop.org/p/books/these-kids-are-not-alright/8822374a4fd6ad52?ean=9781737465034

  Wife Shaped Bodies, Laura Cranehill: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wife-Shaped-Bodies/Laura-Cranehill/9781668098103

  City Infernal, Edward Lee: https://www.cemeterydance.com/edward-lee.html

  
  

Skye talks with trans archivist and author Isaac Fellman about his newest book, Notes from a Regicide, as well as framing devices, gender-as-genre, feeling bad about a document, aesthetic maximalism, Enjolras and Grantaire, and models of goodness.

To Be Read list:

The Princess Bride, William Goldman: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-princess-bride-william-goldman

Borges on Writing, Jorge Luis Borges, N.T. di Giovanni, & Frank McShane: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/borges-on-writing-9780880013680

Aqueduct Press: https://www.aqueductpress.com/

Portraits, John Berger: https://www.versobooks.com/products/151-portraits?srsltid=AfmBOopRe4O0_uB_i9uu6zfEMeCsqjrg0t6Fz2hG5JbkVhNHtiuvdDZc

A Face to the World, Laura Cumming: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-face-to-the-world-on-self-portraits-laura-cumming?variant=32245024489506

Les Misérables, Victor Hugo: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537593/les-miserables-by-victor-hugo-translated-with-notes-by-christine-donougher-introduction-by-robert-tombs-cover-illustrated-by-jillian-tamaki/

The Stranger's Child, Alan Hollinghurst: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/81879/the-strangers-child-by-alan-hollinghurst/

The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/line-of-beauty-9781582346106/

"My Father's Fashion Tips," Tom Junod: https://www.gq.com/story/fashion-generation-tips-national-magazine-award

The Blazing World, Siri Hustvedt: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Blazing-World/Siri-Hustvedt/9781476747248

The Gormenghast series, Mervyn Peake: https://www.mervynpeake.org/gormenghast/

The Book of the New Sun series, Gene Wolfe: https://torpublishinggroup.com/the-complete-book-of-the-new-sun/?isbn=9781250179111&format=ebook

Italo Calvino: https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/italo-calvino

China Miéville: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/20568/china-mieville/

The Starving Saints, Caitlin Starling: https://www.caitlinstarling.com/books#StarvingSaints

Fawn's Blood, Hal Schrieve: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783176/fawns-blood-by-hal-schrieve/

The Ephemera Collector, Stacy Nathaniel Jackson: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093404

Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/222980/tess-of-the-durbervilles-by-thomas-hardy/

The Raymond Chandler Papers, Raymond Chandler, Tom Hiney, & Frank MacShane: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-raymond-chandler-papers-selected-letters-and-nonfiction-1909-1959-tom-hiney/12488660

The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Michael Chabon: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-yiddish-policemens-union-michael-chabon

The Aspern Papers, Henry James: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317451/the-aspern-papers-and-other-tales-by-henry-james/

Ulysses, James Joyce: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797588/ulysses-by-james-joyce/

Detransition, Baby, Torrey Peters: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/621886/detransition-baby-by-torrey-peters/

Stag Dance, Torrey Peters: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708446/stag-dance-by-torrey-peters/

Moby Dick, Herman Melville: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/moby-dick-collins-classics-herman-melville

Pale Fire, Vladimir Nabokov: https://bookshop.org/p/books/pale-fire-vladimir-nabokov/581281?ean=9780679723424&next=t

War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (Maude translation): https://global.oup.com/academic/product/war-and-peace-9780199232765

RuPaul's Drag Race: https://www.youtube.com/@rupaulsdragrace

Daniel Lavery: https://www.danielmlavery.com/

Several People Are Typing, Calvin Kasulke: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671445/several-people-are-typing-a-gma-book-club-pick-by-calvin-kasulke/

Zoë Selengut: https://bsky.app/profile/queenofbithynia.bsky.social

Isaac's Law: https://isaacs-law.ghost.io/

Welcome back to Allora Public Radio! This week, Chris sits down with the brilliant M.J. Baerman, author of the captivating steampunk fantasy novel, 'Aether's Call.' They delve into M.J.'s fascinating background as a writer, exploring her journey and identity as an author. M.J. shares her motivations for crafting intricate worlds and compelling characters, and reveals how her passion for steampunk cosplay at conventions not only fuels her creativity but also enriches her storytelling. Join us as we shine a spotlight on M.J. Baerman, a proud Ally of the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities and discover the unique blend of fantasy, fashion, and personal expression that makes her work so extraordinary.

Preorder Aether's Call on Blackwarren Books

Preorder Aether's Call on Amazon

Where to find M. J. Baerman:

Bluesky

Instagram

Facebook

Welcome to Shelf Life, a Blackwarren Books production! Join host Skye Sisk, editor extraordinaire, as she delves into the literary world with fascinating authors. In this episode, Skye sits down with M.J. Baerman to discuss her captivating book, 'Aether's Call,' and explore the vibrant world of Steampunk. M.J. shares insights into her background within the community, her passion for cosplay, and the welcoming spirit that makes Steampunk so unique. Prepare for a journey into imaginative worlds and the stories that bring them to life.

Aether's Call on Blackwarren Books⁠

⁠Aether's Call on Amazon⁠

Where to find M. J. Baerman:

⁠Bluesky⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠Facebook

Opening theme arranged by Vaughn R. Demont

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we cconclude Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series.

Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace.

Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station.

Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do?

Cast:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ricky Konacsz, Misc

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kezz McDonald⁠: Anagen

⁠⁠Renard DeFleuraux⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Wyndham Summers, Chad Konacsz, Thomas Canmore, Misc

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Thorli Konacsz, Dagmar Konacsz, Amelia, Morrigan, Neira

⁠⁠⁠Vaughn R. Demont⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Rethas Summers, Mack Konacsz, Misc.

Amistad: Jutte Argentus

⁠⁠⁠Listen to our interviews with Dave about On the Air here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy the book direct from Blackwarren⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we continue Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series.

Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace.

Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station.

Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do?

Cast:

⁠⁠⁠Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ricky Konacsz, Misc. Voices

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caspian Greene: Anagen (Understudy)

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Dagmar, Ellen, Misc. Voices

⁠⁠Vaughn R. Demont⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Wyndham, other male voices that aren't Ricky xD

⁠⁠Listen to our interviews with Dave about On the Air here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy the book direct from Blackwarren⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we continue Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series.

Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace.

Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station.

Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do?

Cast:

⁠⁠Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ricky Konacsz, Misc. Voices

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kezz McDonald⁠⁠: Anagen

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ellen, Salka Delgado, Misc. Voices

⁠Vaughn R. Demont⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Niko, Wyndham, other male voices that aren't Ricky xD

⁠Listen to our interviews with Dave about On the Air here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy the book direct from Blackwarren⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we continue Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series.

Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace.

Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station.

Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do?

Cast:

⁠Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ricky Konacsz, Misc. Voices

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Thorli, Misc. Voices

Vaughn R. Demont⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Chad, Wyndham Summers, Earl Rethas, Misc. voices

Listen to our interviews with Dave about On the Air here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy the book direct from Blackwarren⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy from Amazon, including hard copies

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we continue Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series.

Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace.

Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station.

Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do?

Cast:

Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Ricky Konacsz

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kezz McDonald⁠: Anagen

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Renard DeFleuraux⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Byron

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Thorli, Morrigan

Listen to Ricky's Halloween Night Nest Playlist!