If This Goes On (Don't Panic): Science Fiction, Fantasy & Progressive Politics

In this episode Alan reviews (books linked below):

• Cholorophilia by Christina Jurado, Translated by Sue Burke, published by Apex Books 2025
• Queen Bess: A Tudor Come to Save America by Maria Vetrano, published by Regalo Press 2024
• Where the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Onoh, published by Titan Books 2024
• Luna by Allen Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2024
• Jezero by Allen Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2024

In this mash-up column, Paul Jessup, of Fear is the Fire That Lights the Heart, and our own Alan Bailey along with guests Maurice Broaddus, and Susan Kaye Quinn explore the differences and simularities between the genre of horror and the subgenre of Solarpunk and come to some very surprising conclusions. We discuss community, resiliance, Weird fiction, anger and anxiety as inspiration, libraries, and the creation of possibilities. Throughout the episode they reference the following article: Reading Weird Fiction in an Age of Facism: https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/05/02/reading-weird-fiction-in-an-age-of-fascism/

In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to prolific writer and historian Harry Turtledove. They discuss Cat and Harry's collaboration on The Trumps Will Sound, Turtledove's new book: Powerless, Vaclav Havel, Totalitarianism, the power of the individual, Elon Musk, the alt-right in Science Fiction, reader interpretation of work, how the US would break up, staying inspired, Imposter Syndrome, Peter Beagle, Ted Sturgeon, staying relevent, Harry's start in Sword and Sorcery, pen names, Lester Del Rey, strange things in history, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the worth of good editors, and much more.

In the first part of this new column about the alt-right and Speculative Fiction fandom, we get to know the author of the groundbreaking discussion, Speculative Witeness. Alan and Jordan discuss gateway genre authors, JRR Tolkien, transgressive science fiction, how SF fans experience time differently, how Jordan started studying the alt-right in conjunction with Speculative Fiction, Jordan's relationship to fandom, becoming a Hugo finalist, the treatment of genre in acadamia, the history of fascism in Speculative Fiction, neo-nazis relationship to fandom, Alan also continues his feud with Diane over Robert Heinlein vs. Phillip K Dick, and much more.

Geek Temporalities and the Spirit of Captial can be found here.

You can find a copy of Speculative Whiteness here.

In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to writer and editor Douglas Gwilym. We discuss the Horror Writers Association, the importance of character, blending genres, the Triangulation Anthologies, editing anthologies, joy in writing, monsters, journies in fiction, the importance of writing fiction in uncertain times, and much more.

You can find Novus Monstrum here. https://thedragonsroost.biz/product/novus-monstrum/

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As Alan convalesces from a covid infection, we've been going back through our archives looking for something interesting for our feed. This selection is an interview betwen Alan and Fantasy Grandmaster Peter Beagle the day after Beagle received his Grandmaster award. Their discussion includes: advice to younger writers, Patrick Rothfuss, Peter's relationship to Pittburgh Baseball, politics, Peter's love of animals.

TW: There is some discussion of Neal Gaiman. Please be aware, this interview occured 6+ years before Gaiman's poor behavior was public knowledge.

TW: Suicide and Cults

In this episode, Alan and Cat talk to author, TJ Klune. We discuss Howl's Moving Castle, belief in aliens, X-Files, Coast to Coast with Art Bell, the 1990s, the Heaven's Gate cult, JKR, TJ's future projects, pets, more X-Files (so much X-Files), and much more.

TJ Klune's Website: https://www.tjklunebooks.com/

If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.

In this episode Alan reviews (books linked below):

• Jubilee by Stephen K Stanford published by Flame Tree Press 2023
• Cryptid Bits by Jesse Simms published by Last-Picked Books 2024
• Skull Slime Tentacle Witch War by Rick Claypool published by Anxiety Press 2024
• Coyote Run by Lilith Saintcrow published by Horned Lark Press February, 25th 2025
• Tempest Blades: The Root of Hope by Ricardo Victoria published by Shadow Dragon Press 2024

In this episode, Alan and Diane talk to teacher, author, Solarpunk, and witch, Brightflame. We discuss how Solarpunk relates to witchcraft, second world fantasy, inspiring art with questionable creators, your shadow self, the Reclaiming Tradition, Witch Camp, how to know if you're doing enough politically, writing a community of characters, stereotypes, and much more.

Winter Witchcamp: https://winterwitchcamp.org/

BrightFlame's website: https://brightflame.com

The Working: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215591125-the-working

If you'd like to support us you can give us a one time donation at Kofi or you can subscribe to our Patreon.

The second part of Diane's column about Military Scence Fiction is here! In this column, Diane grapples with the physical manifestations of PTSD, and discusses Military Science Fiction that represents PTSD realistically.