We are so used to thinking of Tolkien being all about the past - old languages, old stories and no post-Shakespearean literature going into his cauldron of story-making, but of course that is wrong. Meet Dr Holly Ordway, whose fantastic book, Tolkien's Modern Reading, is a scholarly and entertaining exploration of the breadth of books in many genres that Tolkien was reading. From The Land of Snergs, to Swallows and Amazons, to Agatha Christie, he was catholic in his tastes, in the sense of universal. 
Follow our wide-ranging discussion from the books of Tolkien's youth, to those he read his children, and on to the adult novels he read and appreciates - as well as those he didn't like. Stick around to find out where we would set a boys' own adventure!

(00:05) Exploring Tolkien's Modern Reading
(10:13) Influences on Tolkien's Writing
(24:59) Tolkien's Diverse Reading Influences
(42:26) Adventure Influences in Tolkien's World

Find out more about Holly and her works here: https://www.wordonfire.org/tolkien/

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The oddest Inkling - that's Charles Williams, poet, playwright, novelist, editor, theologian and occult practitioner. If you think the Inklings are summed up by Oxford dons, Lewis and Tolkien, think again, because Williams added an extraordinary influence to the group.

Today on Mythmakers Julia Golding is joined by world expert on Charles William, Dr Sørina Higgins, who has edited a modern edition of Williams Arthurian cycle of poems and is working on his connections to other writers of the period. This episode is everything you needed to know about Williams and were too afraid to ask! Did he influence Tolkien and Lewis, and if so in what way? What's it like to read his poetry? As we gallop through his many genres you'll get a sense of what there is to read - there's a lot! To conclude we take a bow towards Arthur and decide where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a knight.

(00:05) Charles Williams' Life and Works
(08:52) Exploring Charles Williams' Theology and Plays
(17:43) Charles Williams' Theology and Poetry
(27:13) Exploring Charles Williams' Influence and Legacy

For more information on Dr Sørina Higgins and her various works, visit https://sorinahiggins.com/ 

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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It’s not every day you get to interview one of your heroes, but in this episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding is in conversation with one of hers. Meet T.A. White, the American author behind several acclaimed series that cross the fantasy genres. Tobey shares her journey into writing, including a unique background that offers insight into authority and combat. She offers thoughtful reflections on her writing process, tips for crafting strong characters, and how to handle the art of a slow-burn romance. The episode concludes with a fun discussion: which fantasy world has the best maps? A must-listen for aspiring writers and anyone in search of their next favourite series.

(00:05) Fantasy Author Exploring Genre Diversity
(14:45) Character Development Through Genre Exploration
(24:09) Slow Burn Romance Writing and World Building

For more information on TA White, and to explore her literary works, visit http://www.tawhiteauthor.com/home.html 

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 special Sidecast episode, Julia Golding revisits some of the most engaging moments from an author’s journey through The Fellowship of the Ring. From the confusion and peril of Weathertop to the hidden histories unearthed in Rivendell and the forging of great swords and alliances, we take a look back at some of the highlights of Tolkien’s storytelling craft through the eyes of an experienced writer.

Listen in as we celebrate the wonder, complexity, and humanity woven into every chapter—and take a brief respite before embarking on the next leg of the journey in The Two Towers.

(00:05) Reflections on Lord of the Rings
(13:56) Unveiling History and Establishing Alliances
(20:14) The Fellowship's Journey Begins

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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Once again, we have come to the end of another enthralling season of Mythmakers, we’ve embarked on many adventures spanning a variety of fantasy realms and topics, featuring some truly fascinating guests.

On today’s wrap up episode, Julia Golding takes us on a journey through some of the most popular and thought-provoking moments of our seventh season. From cinematic battles in Rohan to the strange power of medieval book curses, and from Lewis’s medieval cosmos to the evolution of Tolkien’s poetry and prose—this is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms. Joined by guests including Dr Eleanor Baker, Professor Nick Groom, and Jacob Rennaker, Julia explores how the fantastic continues to shape our imaginations, our worldviews, and our literary landscape.

(00:05) Fantasy Podcast Season Wrap-Up
(12:29) Medieval Mindset and Tolkien's Poetry
(24:47) Evolution of Tolkien's Poetry

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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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) The Breaking of the Fellowship
(18:08) The Choice of Frodo
(31:05) The Fellowship's Transition Forward

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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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. 

(00:00) The Great River
(16:30) The Path Along the River
(32:22) Fantasy Podcast Promotion

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 today’s episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding sits down with bestselling author Emily J. Taylor to discuss her second novel, The Otherwhere Post (Penguin US / Pushkin Press UK). Set in a world where magic is powered by handwriting, the story follows Maeve, a determined heroine fighting to prove her father’s innocence for a crime that has affected all three realms.

Emily shares her journey to becoming a writer, including a brief stop to reflect on the Twilight stories and what made them such a phenomenon. The conversation also explores her creative process and the possibilities of a story centred on an isolated community. For those interested, the poem Julia references is The Night Train by W. H. Auden.

You can follow Emily, and her work, on her website https://emilyjtaylorauthor.com/ 

(00:05) Fantasy Author Interview
(13:59) World Building and Setting Periods
(24:24) Microcosms in World Building

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

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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) The Author's Journey in Lorien
(11:11) Gifts of Love and Creativity
(24:33) Galadriel's Gifts of Wisdom and Light

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

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In 1997, Tolkien’s publishers collected several of his shorter works and published a collection titled ‘Tales from the Perilous Realm’—a BBC radio adaptation soon followed.

In this episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker unpack the collection, examining each story in turn. Are they all truly set in perilous realms? How do these realms connect to Middle-earth? And which tale is the best entry point for readers who may be hesitant to venture beyond The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? The episode concludes with a lively discussion on a fitting question: which is the most perilous realm in all of fantasy?

(00:05) Tolkien's Tales From Perilous Realm
(11:12) Comparing Farmer Giles and Leaf
(19:11) Exploring Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle
(29:05) Exploring Tolkien's "Smith of Wootton Major"
(42:19) Tolkien's Adventures
(50:42) Exploring Perilous Realms and Fantasy Worlds

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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