The Extremis Publishing Podcast

"Uncle Mel" Croucher, the founder of British computer gaming, joins us for a chat about his book "Gamers 2: The Golden Age of Micros". A joyous celebration of the home microcomputer, this book is packed with wit, mischief, and genuine affection for the subject. Rather than offering a dry technical history, Croucher instead hands the microphone to the machines themselves, telling the story of twenty of the most memorable microcomputers of the 1970s and 1980s in their own words - as though each were a sentient being with a personality, memories, and a tale to tell. The result is a wonderfully inventive journey through the golden age of home computing, and is full of unexpected surprises: just when you think you know where Mel is heading, he veers off in a delightfully different direction. Whether you lived through the era or are simply curious about how it all began, this is a book that informs, amuses and entertains in equal measure.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/gamers-2.html

Join author James R.A. Herriot for a fascinating discussion of his book "Tweed Trail Challenge: River Mouth to the Source" - an amazing journey which follows the historic River Tweed from the Northumbrian town of Berwick-upon-Tweed towards its source in the Scottish Borders. James also explores many other topics such as the remarkable Benchmark at Grinham's Wood project and the new Benchmark Festival of the Arts.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/tweed-trail-challenge.html

Extremis Publishing Directors Tom Christie and Julie Christie are joined by their good friends Joe Moore and Mary Moore of the North Pole Press as they celebrate reaching the podcast's 100th episode milestone! They discuss some of their favourite highlights from producing the podcast so far, as well as unveiling a few surprises we can expect for the future.

Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook considers the remarkable story of the River Forth as he unveils his book "Scotland's First Frontier". From Roman invasions to Viking attacks, the Forth has played a major part in Scotland's story for millennia. Murray explains why it has been such a vitally important factor in the country's history for so long.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/scotlands-first-frontier.html

Recorded at the remarkable Bannockburn House, one of the most culturally significant country houses in all of Stirlingshire, Dr Catherine Bradley of the Bannockburn House Trust discusses just why this amazing place has become so important to Scotland's history. A Category A listed building with important connections to medieval battles, Jacobite history, and ties to the tartan weaving industry, Catherine discusses just some of the fascinating facts about the house - including the many film and TV productions to take place on the premises, and the estate's unexpected link to the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy!

Find out more by visiting the official Bannockburn House website at: https://www.bannockburnhouse.scot/

What does it really take to build a thriving business community across an entire region, and who is helping to make it happen? In this episode, we sit down with Lynn Harris, President and CEO of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, to discover how this remarkable organisation has grown into a network of over 300 member businesses spanning Central Scotland, connecting entrepreneurs, supporting growth, and giving local enterprise a powerful collective voice.

For more information about Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at: https://forthvalleychamber.co.uk/

Managing Director of Studio King Street, Neil Munday, interviews Tom Christie about his new book "Lights, Camera, Stirling!" which was co-authored by Julie Christie. Tom discusses just why this beautiful and historic part of Scotland has proven to be so popular with film-makers from all over the world, including some examples of the many movies and TV series which have been shot in the region over the years.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/lights-camera-stirling.html

Computer industry legend Mel Croucher, who founded the first videogames company in the UK, drops in for a chat about "Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine" - the first instalment in his ambitious multi-volume series detailing the history of gaming. Mel talks about some of the extraordinary figures who were responsible for shaping the modern videogames industry, and teases a few surprises we can look forward to in later entries in the series.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/gamers.html

Laura Ruddock, the founder of the Literary Escape Company, joins us for a chat about her ambitious new range of book festivals, with sellout events scheduled right across Britain in 2026. Laura discusses her business journey to date, including her range of merchandise and new developments that are still in the pipeline.

For more information about the Literary Escape Company, please visit their official website at: https://www.literaryescapeco.co.uk/

Stuart Hall, PR and Media Officer at Forth Valley College, has a chat with Dr Tom Christie, creator of the Writing for Publication course that runs regularly at the college's Stirling campus. Tom reflects on presenting the course over the past few years, and discusses the content that attendees can expect - not least the fact that there is always something new to include every time a session runs!

For more information about the Writing for Publication course, please visit Forth Valley College's website at: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/creative-industries-and-media/writing-for-publication-evening