We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) Youth and Age in Rohan
(15:17) Power Play and Pity in Court
(27:57) The Rise of Rohan's Warriors

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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In this episode of Mythmakers, join Julia Golding for a review of the newly released full-cast production of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from Pottermore and Audible. Does this reimagined version enhance the magic, or distract from the original charm? Tune in to hear Julia’s take on the production quality, narration choices, and ultimately whether this edition is worth adding to your audiobook library, along with a couple of unexpected mentions of Mr. Darcy and Dr. House!

(00:05) Harry Potter Audiobook Review
(09:22) Examining the Structure and Satire
(16:38) Recommendation for Harry Potter Audiobook

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) LOTR Two Towers Riddles and Laughter
(17:14) The Reawakening of Gandalf
(21:45) Gandalf's Cryptic Wisdom and Laughter
(36:54) Gandalf's Return and Shadowfax's Arrival
(45:12) MythMakers Podcast Advertising and Promotion

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Netflix is bringing The Chronicles of Narnia back to our screens with Greta Gerwig at the helm for the first two films in the series. Interestingly, the adaptation begins with The Magician’s Nephew, opting for chronological order rather than the order in which the books were written.

In this episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker dive into what we know so far about the creative direction of the films, and what Gerwig’s involvement might mean for this and future instalments, it’s a conversation every Narnia fan will want to hear! Be sure to listen in and let us know what YOU think of this bold new beginning.

(00:05) Greta Gerwig's Narnia Adaptation Discussion
(07:33) Adapting Narnia for Modern Audiences
(14:27) Casting and Setting Challenges in Narnia
(28:13) Controversies Surrounding Narnia Adaptation Hope
(40:12) Fantasy Podcast

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.

(00:05) Exploring Treebeard
(13:09) Encountering Treebeard's Character
(19:57) Unveiling Treebeard's Language Evolution
(28:53) Treebeard's House and Entwives
(38:01) Exploring Entish Poetry and Ents' March
(47:15) Ents' Last March and Battle Prep

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We’re thrilled to welcome Marisa Linton to this episode of Mythmakers. A former student from our writing course and a valued member of one of our writers' groups, Marisa recently won the Times Chicken House Fiction Competition for her YA fantasy title The Binding Spell, and she’s now stepping into new territory with the release of her first adult fantasy detective novel, The Circle of Shadows.

As a retired historian, Marisa is the perfect guest to speak to about the blend of historical fact and fiction. Join us as we spend some time in the Edwardian period and delve into the archives of the great universities to answer the questions: is Dark Academia really a genre? And in which fantasy world is it a good place to fight the occult? All this and more in today’s conversation!

Discover more about Marisa and her written works at https://www.marisalinton.com/

(00:05) Marisa Linton
(10:52) Edwardian Era and Occult Mysteries
(23:31) Exploring Dark Academia and Publishing
(29:29) Discovering the Art of Editing

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 

(00:05) Analyzing the Uruk-Hai in LOTR
(11:36) The Capture and Escape of Pippin
(21:36) Escape and Battle in Fangorn Forest
(31:49) Meeting Treebeard in Fangorn Forest

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Joining us on Mythmakers today is Darren Simpson, author of Thirst—a spooky folkloric tale for readers aged 11 and up. In conversation with Julia Golding, Darren shares how he crafted the eerie world of his novel, drawing inspiration from myths and legends while carefully navigating messaging, naming, and the challenges of writing and editing.

But that’s not all, as his book is populated by splendid revenant creatures from the river, we take the opportunity to ask: where is the best place in all fantasy to be a zombie? You might be surprised by our picks...

Learn more about Darren, and his works, at https://darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk/ 

(00:05) Fantasy Writers Explore Inspirations and Books
(06:24) Folklore-Inspired Fantasy Novel Thirst
(15:16) Character Naming and Moral Complexity
(20:24) Folklore, Magic, and Moral Dilemmas
(31:49) Publishing Journey and Working With Editors
(35:02) Authors Discuss Editing, Publishing Realities

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 

(00:05) An Author's Look at Two Towers
(12:30) The Three Hunters Chase Through Rohan
(26:21) Meeting the Riders of Rohan
(32:51) Journey, Wisdom, and Jeopardy in Fangorn
(44:14) Mystery of the Old Man

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

An exciting new voice has arrived in the epic fantasy genre. In this episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding is joined by author Marvellous Michael Anson—known as Marve—to discuss her trilogy, The Firstborn of the Sun.

Marve shares how her Nigerian heritage has shaped her writing, the role of her grandmother as the source of oral storytelling, and how to handle romance without heading down the romantasy direction. Join Julia and Marve as they dive into the topic of diversity in publishing, as well as the impact of AI, and so much more.

Marve's book is available for purchase from October 2025, you can preorder it now and learn more about her and her works at https://www.justmarve.org/home

(00:05) Creating New Mythologies in Fantasy
(10:48) Exploring Love and Cultural Roots
(15:35) Diversifying Voices in Fantasy Publishing
(21:24) Cultural Authenticity in Creative Storytelling
(30:34) Character Descriptions and Cultural Representation
(37:58) Exploring Magic and Creativity in Fantasy

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website 
Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram 
Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook 
TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok