Mythmakers

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!

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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. 

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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!

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

What makes for a good adaptation of a beloved book series?  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!

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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?

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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?

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.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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?...

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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!

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.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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?

If you’re interested in learning more on this topic, Jacob recommends ‘All of the Marvels’ by Douglas Wolk.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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?

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?

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.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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.

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.

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.

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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!

For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit:

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.

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!

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!