The Circle of Shadows: Dark Academia with Marisa Linton

We’re thrilled to welcome Marisa Linton to this episode of Mythmakers. A former student from our writing course and a valued member of one of our writers' groups, Marisa recently won the Times Chicken House Fiction Competition for her YA fantasy title The Binding Spell, and she’s now stepping into new territory with the release of her first adult fantasy detective novel, The Circle of Shadows.

As a retired historian, Marisa is the perfect guest to speak to about the blend of historical fact and fiction. Join us as we spend some time in the Edwardian period and delve into the archives of the great universities to answer the questions: is Dark Academia really a genre? And in which fantasy world is it a good place to fight the occult? All this and more in today’s conversation!

Discover more about Marisa and her written works at https://www.marisalinton.com/

(00:05) Marisa Linton
(10:52) Edwardian Era and Occult Mysteries
(23:31) Exploring Dark Academia and Publishing
(29:29) Discovering the Art of Editing

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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!