Thirst: Horror Folk Stories, Uncanny Rivers and the Walking Dead

Joining us on Mythmakers today is Darren Simpson, author of Thirst—a spooky folkloric tale for readers aged 11 and up. In conversation with Julia Golding, Darren shares how he crafted the eerie world of his novel, drawing inspiration from myths and legends while carefully navigating messaging, naming, and the challenges of writing and editing.

But that’s not all, as his book is populated by splendid revenant creatures from the river, we take the opportunity to ask: where is the best place in all fantasy to be a zombie? You might be surprised by our picks...

Learn more about Darren, and his works, at https://darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk/ 

(00:05) Fantasy Writers Explore Inspirations and Books
(06:24) Folklore-Inspired Fantasy Novel Thirst
(15:16) Character Naming and Moral Complexity
(20:24) Folklore, Magic, and Moral Dilemmas
(31:49) Publishing Journey and Working With Editors
(35:02) Authors Discuss Editing, Publishing Realities

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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!