Marve and the Firstborn of the Sun: Mining Your Culture for New Fantasy Ideas

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

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

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

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

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Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!