I was back home in Western Australia recently and, as always, made a point to visit the local speculative fiction specialist bookshop (Stefen’s Books, if anyone is interested – I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area!). While there, I was recommended a YA fantasy novel by a …

Elizabeth Moon has been publishing novels since 1988 and recently returned to one of her most successful and loved universes, Vatta’s War. In the new series, Vatta’s Peace, Moon reunites her audience with heroine Kylara Vatta, space-fleet commander. As one of the most enduring female voices in military science fiction, we wanted to …

While Charlotte and Megan geeked out about Star Trek (sparing poor Lucy who puts up with enough of that) when discussing women’s jobs in science fiction, in this episode, all three of us shine a light on female careers in fantasy. We have found that few women in fantasy novels have professions …

I have been obsessed with Mary Robinette Kowal ever since I read Ghost Talkers (you can read my review here). I was blown away by the originality within a historical fantasy setting. Her characters grabbed hold of me immediately and would not let go. When I saw Mary was publishing a …

Sometimes the sheer number of sub-genres and niche areas within the SFF world can feel completely overwhelming. What do they all mean? Where does one thing become another? One of the most confusing – and most commonly talked about – sub-genres is Grimdark. Other than it being grim and dark, …

My favourite part of science fiction is the philosophical quandary at the root. After all, science fiction simply asks ‘What if?’ In Rachel Heng’s new novel from Hodder, Suicide Club, she asks ‘What if we actually achieved immortality?’ Mortals have always strived to conquer death, but would it really deliver on …

With equality of pay and the drive to get more women in top executive jobs reaching the headlines in our current era, does the world of the future have women in the same roles they occupy now, or do they have them in traditionally male-dominated jobs? #SorryNotSorry for the ten …

If you keep up with new publications in the science fiction genre, it’s likely you have heard of Medusa Uploaded. It has been popping up on almost every ‘must read’ list I’ve seen of recently published genre fiction. You may not have come across Emily Devenport before – at least not …

We started this podcast to highlight the issues around the representation of women in genre fiction. But women aren’t the only ones who suffer at the hands of harmful tropes, poor characterisation, and limiting traditional gender roles. In this episode, we discuss the men-folk. While they may tend to get …

Julia Fine’s debut novel, What Should Be Wild, has been making almost every ‘what you should be reading now’ list in recent months. Those of you who are regular listeners of the podcast know that we have a soft spot for fairytales and fairytale retellings (especially Charlotte!), so Julia’s novel immediately …