Mythmakers

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">One of the things we love most is encouraging new voices in fantasy - and so on today’s episode of Mythmakers, we are delighted to meet Liz Hyder, author of award-winning Bearmouth and forthcoming The Twelve (coming October 2024 from Pushkin Press). The Twelve is a wonderful YA fantasy adventure set in Pembrokeshire Wales, it is a gripping mystery and a delightfully poetic read with a heart for the environment and the kids who don't quite fit in with other teens. Join us to hear Liz's journey to being a writer, the books she recommends and the processes she follows. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">For more information on Liz and her works visit </span><a href="https://www.lizhyder.co.uk"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.lizhyder.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <div class=""> <div class="inline"> <div class="group cursor-pointer whitespace-pre-wrap hover:underline decoration-dotted underline-offset-4"> <div class="inline" title="Edit">0:00 Introduction to MythMakers Podcast</div> </div> </div> &l

<p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #222222; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">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.  </span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Have you heard about the new Lord of the Rings film? Not The Hunt for Gollum, but another from the Peter Jackson writing team! Philippa Boyens has teamed up with the next generation, in her daughter Pheobe Gittins and her writing partner Arty Papageorgiou, to produce an anime-style fantasy film based on the story of Helm Hammerhand and his family. A strong voice cast has been announced, led by Brian Cox joined by Miranda Otto returning as Eowyn, presumably in a storytelling capacity as Eowyn belongs to a much later generation. Join us as we find out where the material sits in the Tolkien legendarium. What does the story contain? Why is it being made? What do we think of the blend of Tolkien material and the anime style of Kenji Kamiyama? Take a listen and let us know your thoughts! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">The film is due to be out in December 2024. For visuals and more information visit the link for a closer look: </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14824600/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_wr_sm"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14824600/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_wr_sm</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"><!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #222222; background: white;">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. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Ever wondered what it would be like to be caught in a living nightmare and shipped off to a mysterious island to attend a lethal boarding school? You can find out by joining Julia Golding and Lucy Strange on today’s episode of Mythmakers as they celebrate the publishing of Lucy's new middle grade novel: The Island at the Edge of Night. Stick around for lots of writing tips from one of Britain's most exciting writers for younger readers, and to ponder your favourite fantasy island... </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">If this has whetted your appetite for Lucy's book, you can get your copy here: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Edge-Night-Waterstones-Prize-shortlisted/dp/1913322386/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Edge-Night-Waterstones-Prize-shortlisted/dp/1913322386/</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Amazon has released its teaser trailer and the first 'behind the scenes' video of The Rings of Power: Season 2. Join Julia Golding on today’s episode of Mythmakers to find out what appears to be included in this upcoming season. Do you share our hopes and fears that this series might not regain its mojo? Is it too sprawling, as Julia believes, or do you appreciate the epic scope? Let us know your thoughts! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br><br>For the trailer breakdown by Nerd of the Rings visit the link: </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/TfddhM-LMnc?si=uPqi--Wkn3RiQt6u">https://youtu.be/TfddhM-LMnc?si=uPqi--Wkn3RiQt6u</a></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Very excitingly, Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis have announced that they are teaming up for a new film: The Hunt for Gollum. Join us on today’s episode of Mythmakers where Julia Golding will take us through the material that they will be drawing on and what the story possibilities are in this LotR prequel. Don't forget to let us know what you'd like to see included in the film! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Since recording this episode, the fan-made film that Julia speaks about has been allowed back on YouTube by Warner Bros (hooray!) so click the link below to watch it: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/9H09xnhlCQU?si=4cafO8kxOO06U03x">https://youtu.be/9H09xnhlCQU?si=4cafO8kxOO06U03x</a> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Today on Mythmakers we enter into the second part of our discussion of evil in fantasy stories, progressing on to contemporary fantasy stories, and beginning with Harry Potter. Who is the most interesting evil character in Rowling's world? See if you agree with Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker’s picks! The discussion moves on to mad scientists, space operas, Star Trek, Dr Who, and Star Wars. While we can't cover everything, we do hope that you enjoy this in-depth tour of fantasy evil! Take a listen to Part 2 of the deep dive and let us know what you think.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Terry Pratchett famously said that “dark lords should be rationed” - but there is so much more to say about evil in fantasy than the cliche of the dark lord in a sinister tower at the bottom right of your map! On today’s episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker look at the philosophical underpinnings of evil, starting with the Inklings. Moving from a discussion of the importance of the Fall in C.S. Lewis, to the purgatorial world of choices in Charles Williams, we complete this part of the journey by examining evil as a theme in Middle-earth. Julia and Jacob contest that there isn't actually a simple dark lord embodying evil in Tolkien - the location for evil is far more interesting than that! Join us in Part 1 of this discussion as we delve into all these topics and more…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Join us on today’s episode of Mythmakers where we've boldly picked our top five moments in The Lord of the Rings novels! Have a listen as Julia Golding takes a closer look at each moment, diving into what exactly makes these five the top contenders. Agree with our choices? Let us know!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Join in on today’s episode of Mythmakers as we dive into the surprising similarities between writing historical fiction and fantasy fiction. Julia Golding, whose adult historical novel ‘The Persephone Code’ comes out this week, reflects on her experience of writing both. We go through the research, locations, rule setting and much more that goes into this process. Is magic a new Newtonian Law of Physics? Are many fantasy worlds, from Dune to Star Trek, an act of historical imagination? And do you agree with her examples of fantasy worlds that don't seem to be based on our lived experience? Listen now for all this, and more. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">What's all this fuss about romantasy? Accompany Julia Golding on today’s episode of Mythmakers on a quest for the origin of this sub-fantasy genre, and for the subsequent deep dive into Rebecca Yarros' breakout success: Fourth Wing. Can you find the recipe for a successful romantasy? Is it too late to join in the craze if you are a writer whose book fits in this genre? Listen now to find out!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has raised some questions as to whether or not it is right to move a story’s adaptation to a different country. Is it cultural appropriation or a justifiable reinterpretation? On today’s episode of Mythmakers, we’re taking a journey through Blade Runner, Matilda, and Wonka to HG Wells. Join the discussion as Julia Golding considers the pros and cons of moving a story to another cultural context.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">What makes for a good adaptation of a beloved book series? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the latest fantasy series to undergo a significant adaptation: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. What are the strengths of the book? What went wrong - or right - in the movie adaptation in 2010? And what has Disney made of the challenge, particularly as this time Rick Riordan, the author, was part of the production team? Join us for this intriguing discussion!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">On today’s episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding reviews the latest Netflix fantasy film offering: Damsel, starring Millie Bobby Brown. Take a listen and see if you agree with her verdict! We’ll take a moment to think about the modern version of fairytale heroines - are they really so original?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">What effect has Peter Jackson’s filming of two Tolkien trilogies had on New Zealand? Has New Zealand skewed our appreciation of Tolkien's works? What would happen if future filmmakers chose other locations - or ventured into a CGI environment? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Julia Golding has just arrived back from visiting this beautiful country, we invite you to join us as she and Jacob Rennaker discuss the growth of the film industry around one inspirational director. Listen in to find out the five top places to travel to and where else in the world you could pick to visit. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">The Oscars are fast approaching and we’re starting off Season 5 of Mythmakers with Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discussing the intriguing history of awards and fantasy films. It may not be true that fantasy films don't receive recognition, but which ones tend to attract the votes? And why don't performances in fantasy films receive many nominations? Join us for a deep dive back in time to see which films and performances we would nominate! What would be your pick?... </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">As 2023 — and our fourth season of Mythmakers — draw to a close, we’re taking a look back at our 5 most popular episodes of the season. Whether you’re interested in vampires and werewolves, or the phenomenon of smaller than average folk being a story’s focus, or if you share our overwhelming fascination with the great J.R.R. Tolkien and his fellow Inklings, our season wrap up should pique all of your various fantasy interests! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Join Julia Golding (and her guest speakers) as we take a look back at a season of intriguing topics and revisit some of our most interesting discussions. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">It would seem that every fandom is getting its own universe; First Marvel, then DC, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter and now the Whoniverse. Is this phenomenon good for the future of fantasy creativity? Which universes are flourishing, and which are exhausted? Join Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker to consider this phenomenon and its effects, is it simply a cynical marketing pitch or do the roots of this idea reach back much further? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">If you’re interested in learning more on this topic, Jacob recommends ‘All of the Marvels’ by Douglas Wolk.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">Dr Who is celebrating 60 years and getting its own Whoniverse - thanks to the BBC link up with Disney. To celebrate this most British of time travellers, Julia Golding is joined by two Dr Who experts, Steve Cole and MG Harris. Both have written for the Dr Who spin-off books Steve, in particular, is very involved in current and future plans, including things he is sworn to secrecy over - and his knowledge is encyclopaedic. Join us for our discussion of all the doctors from Dr Who’s inception to the present day. Who was the best doctor? Which was the best episode? Where did it go wrong in the 80s and did it go wrong more recently with the last two doctors, or was something else at play?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">For more information on Steve Cole’s works visit </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/175074/steve-cole">https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/175074/steve-cole</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">Dr Who is celebrating 60 years and getting its own Whoniverse - thanks to the BBC link up with Disney. To celebrate this most British of time travellers, Julia Golding is joined by two Dr Who experts, Steve Cole and MG Harris. Both have written for the Dr Who spin-off books Steve, in particular, is very involved in current and future plans, including things he is sworn to secrecy over - and his knowledge is encyclopaedic. Join us for our discussion of all the doctors from Dr Who’s inception to the present day. Who was the best doctor? Which was the best episode? Where did it go wrong in the 80s and did it go wrong more recently with the last two doctors, or was something else at play?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">For more information on Steve Cole’s works visit </span><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/175074/steve-cole"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/175074/steve-cole</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">60 years on from the death of CS Lewis how is his legacy viewed? We’ll look at him as writer, academic and as a Christian apologist. Join us to find out why he is like camembert and to discover the hidden Lewis novel that you've probably not read - and yet it is arguably his best work for adults. Why has he attracted detractors, from his own biographer A.N. Wilson to Philip Pullman - and what are they missing? Was he racist or misogynistic? We debate! But mostly, we appreciate his literary gift to us in the Narnia stories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">We are set for outer space as Julia Golding talks to the award-winning science fiction writer David D. Levine. David shares his journey into science fiction writing and guides us through a deep dive into the pulp fiction of the mid-20th century - so get your boy, babe, and bug-eyed monster ready! David is not just a writer, but an expert on sci-fi, so there is a lot to learn as the conversation skims from westerns, to Star Trek, Blake's Seven, Dr Who, Star Wars and Bladerunner to some lesser known sci-fi works that you'll want to put on your reading list. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">If you want to find out more about David and his books, as well as catch him on his book tour, visit </span><a href="https://daviddlevine.com/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://daviddlevine.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;"> for more details.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">We are set for outer space as Julia Golding talks to the award-winning science fiction writer David D. Levine. David shares his journey into science fiction writing and guides us through a deep dive into the pulp fiction of the mid-20th century - so get your boy, babe, and bug-eyed monster ready! David is not just a writer, but an expert on sci-fi, so there is a lot to learn as the conversation skims from westerns, to Star Trek, Blake's Seven, Dr Who, Star Wars and Bladerunner to some lesser known sci-fi works that you'll want to put on your reading list. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">If you want to find out more about David and his books, as well as catch him on his book tour, visit </span><a href="https://daviddlevine.com/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://daviddlevine.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;"> for more details.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">As Halloween approaches Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the fantasy origins of two of our favourite spooky creatures - Vampires and Werewolves. Who was the inspiration for the first vampire novel? What are the origins of werewolves? Stop press - there is both a vampire and a werewolf in Tolkien’s works - but where? What evolving metaphors have the two creatures been associated with, ranging from romance, to slavery, to the feudal system and to puberty! Julia and Jacob exchange tips for the best books in the genre so stay tuned to pick up your next Halloween read.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Join us for a very special episode of Mythmakers: an Inklings style reading of our finalists in the inaugural Oxford/Pushkin Children's Fantasy Prize. Meet all of the talented writers who made it to the finals and stay tuned to hear who our winner is!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Website: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/website"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/website</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">TikTok: </span><a href="https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Join Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker as they discuss the issue of scale when writing fantasy. Starting small by thinking of smaller than average people at the heart of a story, follow us as we travel from Aristophanes “The Frogs” all the way to Barbie, with an in-depth discussion of the inner lives of hobbits. Does being small equate to being simple in Middle-earth? Does being big make you less intelligent in fantasy literature? What are the challenges, and potential, if you play with scale in your writing? Learn from the best examples in this discussion of the long history of short people!</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Internationally acclaimed fantasy author, Anna Waterworth, pays a visit to the Mythmakers studio to talk about her latest book, The Girl who Grew Wings. She discusses with Julia Golding the origins of the novel and the retelling of ancient myths, particularly in her case the story of Icarus. How do you handle dark material when writing for younger audiences? What was the editing process like? Anna and Julia discuss the value of the reset – of going back to the beginning and starting again. Stick around to grow your own wings and to pick up some fantasy writing tips. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">You can find out more about Anna and her books at </span><a href="https://www.annadaybooks.com"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; background: white;">https://www.annadaybooks.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">It is a dangerous business going out of your front door, according to Bilbo - but so is studying Tolkien! On today’s episode, Julia Golding reports on current scholarship on Tolkien, thanks to the Tolkien's Words and Worlds conference at Corpus Christi College on the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> of September of this year. What is the big mystery behind Tolkien's name? What is so special about the Fields of Cormallen? And who did C.S. Lewis dislike so much he spent a decade writing rude poems about him? Take a listen to fine out! <br><br>For more information on Tolkien’s life and his literature, check out the works of authors John Garth, Holly Ordway and Michael Ward. </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Today’s episode of Mythmakers is the third part of our series looking into four of the main Inklings members. In the second part of our Inklings Evening, where our esteemed guests recreated the type of literary discussion that the original group would have engaged in, Colin Duriez takes us through Tolkien's participation in the group and how he, a veteran writer on books about Tolkien and Lewis, came to be an enthusiast. Join us as Colin reads from the Notion Club papers, leading to a discussion of how the Inklings interacted.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Have you ever wished that you could be a fly on the wall at a meeting of the original Inklings? We certainly have! Last year we invited four experts to represent four of the main Inklings at a special evening at Merton College Oxford to recreate the kind of discussion the original group might have had. Today’s episode focuses on our first guest: Owen Barfield, standing in for his grandfather, the first and last Inkling also by the name Owen Barfield. Join us to hear about the first fantasy story that came out of the Inklings' group - The Silver Trumpet.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">We interrupt our 4-part Inklings series to bring you our honest review of the Lord of the Rings musical on today’s Mythmakers episode!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">Join us as Julia Golding reviews the revival of The Lord of the Rings musical at the Watermill Theatre and draws some comparisons with The Rings of Power series. What is the ideal approach to adaptations of Tolkien’s material? Is a smaller scale preferable to grandeur? Why did the musical originally fail when it was on at Drury Lane in 2007, but now has raving reviews in 2023? What lessons can the RoP team learn from this journey? Have a listen and find out! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">To grab a ticket and experience the musical for yourself, visit </span><a href="https://www.watermill.org.uk/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://www.watermill.org.uk</span></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Today’s episode of Mythmakers is part one of a four-part special deep dive into four of the legendary Inklings: J.R.R. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Tolkien, represented by Colin Duriez, CS Lewis by Professor Simon Horobin, Owen Barfield by his grandson of the same name, and Charles Williams by Alicia Smith. These discussions took place at our Inklings evening at Merton College in Oxford, during our in-person course. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">This first part is our introduction to these four significant Inklings as we speak to our esteemed guests who represent each of them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">For more information on our guests, visit their websites listed below:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Colin Duriez: colinduriez.webmate.me </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Owen Barfield: owenbarfield.org</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black;">Professor Holly Ordway returns to Mythmakers on today’s episode to discuss her new book on Tolkien's Faith. Having been first an agnostic, then an atheist, and now a Catholic, Professor Ordway uses her insider/outsider perspective to elucidate this fascinating topic. Join in as Professor Ordway discusses with Julia Golding the many flavours of Catholicism and the particular, and unusual, one that Tolkien followed as part of the English Oratory movement. Take a listen to what this offers to everyone, Catholics and non-Catholics, and how it relates to his writing within Middle-earth. <br><br>To find out more about Professor Ordway’s book and to purchase a copy visit hollyordway.com .</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Welcome to Mythmakers Season 4!!<br><br>Since April of 2022<span style="color: black; background: white;"> Andy Serkis has been working his way through Tolkien's books, producing audio versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit- he has now turned his attention to The Silmarillion. Our expert on audiobooks, Andrew Head, who as a blind consumer often turns to audio versions to access stories, talks with Julia Golding about this latest version of The Silmarillion and the Martin Shaw reading that came before it. Which would you buy now? How does Andy cope with a book that has far less opportunities for a dramatic reading than the other Tolkien books? What more do you get from this version? Tune in to hear our verdict!</span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">As Season 3 of the Mythmakers podcast draws to a close, we are commemorating this milestone by highlighting our top 5 Tolkien themed podcasts that we have produced over the seasons. From little known facts about professor J.R.R. Tolkien, and how we celebrate his memory 50 years on since his passing, to recent adaptations of his works and Andy Serkis’s now iconic audiobook reading of the Lord of the Rings<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">- we have been highly anticipating his reading of The Silmarillion!</span> Join us as we celebrate 3 wonderful seasons of Mythmakers, enjoy our discussions of Tolkien’s works and appreciate the fantasy genre that is so cherished by all of us. </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">As we look forward to celebrating Father's Day, on today’s episode of Mythmakers we’ll take a look at the best and worst fathers in The Lord of the Rings. Do you agree with our picks for the three worst fathers? One is very controversial! The top four fathers jostle for their place, but one stands out as being a particularly great role model. Any idea who that is? Hint: it isn't Denethor. </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">Let's celebrate the contribution to fantasy by our favourite illustrators! Today we start by taking a look at the grandfather of Oxford Fantasy Illustration: Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator behind the iconic Alice in Wonderland images. Listen in to find out about the unfortunate accident in his youth that he hid from his father, his extraordinary memory, and his artistic influences. Guess who was at his retirement dinner- it was quite the fantasy dinner party moment!</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">If you have had a question for the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, you won’t want to miss this episode of Mythmakers! In this episode, Julia Golding answers the questions that we have received from our audience regarding her fantasy realm preferences, her favourite colour, as well as indulging the curiosity surrounding our exciting new project at number 5 Northmoor Road. Join us as we dive into the significant role of colour in fantasy, the reasons to celebrate Tolkien’s various characters throughout his works and to learn a little more about the house in Tolkien’s road.</span></p>

<p>We are 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! Find out more about Holly here: <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.wordonfire.org/tolkien/">https://www.wordonfire.org/tolkien/</a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">As our Readathon of The Hobbit drew to a close, we celebrated our journey to the Lonely Mountain and back again with a Hobbit Tea Party Livestream event! Julia Golding was joined by friend of the Centre, Jacob Rennaker, and participants of the Readathon as we discussed our favourite aspects of the book and tested our knowledge with a fun quiz. Listen in to learn our guests' unique points of view and to test out how well YOU know The Hobbit.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">What's our story? It’s time to get to know the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. Find out how we emerged from an effort to buy Tolkien's house, but ended up setting up a literary centre in honour of Tolkien and the Inklings, which does far more than we initially imagined. Find out more about our director, Julia Golding, and her team and stick around to hear where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to assemble a team.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">As King Charles III is crowned in the first coronation in most people's living memory, we take this opportunity to look at our top 10 fantasy royals. We trawl the world for the best examples - and even venture into outer space. Do you agree with our list? And what bone do we have to pick with Stephen Colbert? :) Have a listen and let us know if we've missed your favourite fantasy royal.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">What's our story? It’s time to get to know the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. Find out how we emerged from an effort to buy Tolkien's house, but ended up setting up a literary centre in honour of Tolkien and the Inklings, which does far more than we initially imagined. Find out more about our director, Julia Golding, and her team and stick around to hear where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to assemble a team.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; background: white;">It started with a board game in the 1970s and now has become a major motion picture. If you are thinking of watching Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - or want to see if you agree with our verdict – take a listen to our multi-generational discussion about this family film, but be aware that there will be SPOILERS in our discussion. What was a hit, what a miss? Who were the standout characters? And tonally where does this live - Monty Python, Guardians of the Galaxy, or Galaxy Quest? We also discuss the trend of turning games and properties, such as toys or rides, into films. Which ones have been done well recently, and which have fallen short? Stick around to see if you agree with our pick for the best place in fantasy for a dungeon and our fantasy tips.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">The tidal wave of AI art and AI generated text is upon us. What should writers and artists do about it? Author Julia Golding talks to Pete Williamson, an illustrator, to work out what is fair to creatives. Is there any way this can be stopped before it sweeps creatives away, or would that be like King Canute trying to stop the tide? If it is here to stay, what should the creatives be asking for in the way of copyright protection? In this two-part conversation we look at the pros and cons of these new capabilities. The first half is devoted to what human artists and writers do in the creative space, as well as the emergence of AI images and fair usage of them. The second part turns our attention to AI generated prose and poetry. Julia and Pete also consider the best place in all of fantasy in which to be an illustrator. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">To see Pete's work, please go to: </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="https://www.alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk/pete-williamson"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk/pete-williamson</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> <br>For Julia's books visit: </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="https://goldinggateway.com"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://goldinggateway.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> <br>To read the two articles that Julia and Pete mention visit </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64285227"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64285227</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> for the Getty Images case and for the Romance Writers' dilemma </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64975524"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64975524</span></a>&

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">The tidal wave of AI art and AI generated text is upon us. What should writers and artists do about it? Author Julia Golding talks to Pete Williamson, an illustrator, to work out what is fair to creatives. Is there any way this can be stopped before it sweeps creatives away, or would that be like King Canute trying to stop the tide? If it is here to stay, what should the creatives be asking for in the way of copyright protection? In this two-part conversation we look at the pros and cons of these new capabilities. The first half is devoted to what human artists and writers do in the creative space, as well as the emergence of AI images and fair usage of them. The second part turns our attention to AI generated prose and poetry. Julia and Pete also consider the best place in all of fantasy in which to be an illustrator. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">To see Pete's work, please go to: </span><a href="https://www.alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk/pete-williamson"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk/pete-williamson</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> <br>For Julia's books visit: </span><a href="https://goldinggateway.com"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://goldinggateway.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> <br>To read the two articles that Julia and Pete mention visit </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64285227"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64285227</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> for the Getty Images case and for the Romance Writers' dilemma </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64975524"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64975524</span></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white;">Ever wondered why we have a bunny collecting eggs at Easter? In this seasonal podcast Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker take a crack at the long history of eggs in myths and legends, venturing from there into fantasy stories. Where can we find Humpty Dumpty, and what do Dorothy and Oz have to do with eggs? We find Tolkien and eggs scrambled together with the Kalevala and encounter plenty of other eggs within the world of Harry Potter. We also take a deep dive into the idea of the Easter bunny. What are the common themes between all of these mythical worlds and beings? And, of course, where is the best place in all the fantasy worlds to hatch from an egg?</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">One of the most inspiring aspects of Tolkien's work is his thinking about creativity. Following a question from a listener, Jacob Rennaker and Julia Golding discuss this using the poem Mythopoeia, the short story Leaf by Niggle and the essay 'On Fairy Stories' - all must-reads for Tolkien fans and anyone interested in writing fantasy. How does free will fit in the world of a Creator - and what has jazz music got to do with it? What was wrong with Feanor? And what is the value of the things you make? Stay tuned for musings about the spin-off series about the Star Wars Cantina band and much more! For those who are interested, here's a link to the Benjamin Saxton article mentioned during the conversation - well worth a read! </span><a href="https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1096&context=mythlore"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1096&context=mythlore</span></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">One of the most inspiring aspects of Tolkien's work is his thinking about creativity. Following a question from a listener, Jacob Rennaker and Julia Golding discuss this using the poem Mythopoeia, the short story Leaf by Niggle and the essay 'On Fairy Stories' - all must-reads for Tolkien fans and anyone interested in writing fantasy. How does free will fit in the world of a Creator - and what has jazz music got to do with it? What was wrong with Feanor? And what is the value of the things you make? Stay tuned for musings about the spin-off series about the Star Wars Cantina band and much more! For those who are interested, here's a link to the Benjamin Saxton article mentioned during the conversation - well worth a read! </span><a href="https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1096&context=mythlore"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1096&context=mythlore</span></a></p>