Long Story Short: The Official Podcast of The British Fantasy Society

Épisodes

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  Long Story Short Ep-36: Pathologically Positive, with R.J. Barker 05.08.2026 58min

  Robin and David are joined by R.J. Barker to discuss his new book MORTEDANT’S PERIL, introducing us to The Trials of Irody Hasp. We also talk poetic railway stations, listening habits, the watching birds, failed rock stars, space cats and taxidermy bears. It’s a highly irregular menagerie of fun. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about R.J. Barker here: https://www.rjbarker.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/ R.J.’s ex-band, SugarValve: https://sugarvalve.bandcamp.com/album/fluoxetine-ep   Time stamps (01:10) R.J. Barker is too hot / Audience of the Dead (02:05) The New Book (Mortedant’s Peril), promo plans (03:35) Introducing Irody Hasp (09:35) Class and regionalilty / publishing expectations (14:15) a creative career / That’s Interesting (c) (19:25) The Interesting Police / angry scary music (26:10) Digressing into poetry / Dave’s first acceptance (29:30) R.J.’s writing process / getting the voice (34:20) Katie Bruce reviews How To Lose a Goblin in Ten Days, by Jessie Sylva (36:00) Series vs stand-alones? (vs novellas, and cats, in space) (41:00) Strange philosophies of Robert Smith / a cavalry charge (47:35) Irody Hasp meets Morrissey / doing a Tchaikovsky (49:40) contractually obligated Fantasycon chat / the con trail (51:25) the best next thing / The Brighton Coincidence (53:20) the struggling musician
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  Long Story Short Ep-35: Black Shuck is 11! with Steve J Shaw 22.07.2026 1h 16min

  Join Robin in discussion with Steve J Shaw, owner of the award-winning Black Shuck Books as we celebrate Steve’s achievements over more than 10 years of publishing the horrific, the weird and the peculiar. Plus, Alison Littlewood, Tracy Fahey, John Llewellyn Probert, and Ray Cluley also ‘drop in’ to chat. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Black Shuck here: https://blackshuckbooks.co.uk Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   TIME STAMPS 00:50  Steve’s World Fantasy Award 02:55  Steve’s job description 03:50  the history of Black Shuck Books 07:05  the sincerest form of flattery 09:25  Black Shuck Shadows series  14:30  Alison Littlewood 16:15  the Great British Horror series 19:10  Black Shuck’s approach to cover design 25:35  cover design continued 27:10  Steve’s editing ethos / never finished 28:40  Tracy Fahey 36:50  memorable moments / praise for F-con 41:20  weird pitches [apologies to Radiohead - Ed.] 44:20  John Llewellyn Probert 50:50  romancing the blurb 54:15  hard (back) times 58:25  the (teetering) submission stack 63:00  Ray Cluley 68:50  what’s up next for Black Shuck?
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  Long Story Short Ep-34: Darklording it, with Joe Abercrombie 08.07.2026 58min

  Join Robin and David in conversation Lord Grimdark himself; it’s only bloody Joe Abercrombie! Tables are flipped, blood flows (probably), while we discuss Joe’s latest novel THE DEVILS, movie rights, screenwriting, human error, the comedy of violence, and Joe’s author journey. Don't drink the C*ke. [Hardly anyone was harmed in the making of this podcast.] https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Joe here: https://joeabercrombie.com/author/ Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:00) damn awards and how to lose them (03:00) how are things going with THE DEVILS? (04:50) the impact of movie rights (09:15) back to THE DEVILS: research? (13:45) technological change (18:55) hero, villain, other (20:40) the pitch is back (22:55) Joe’s stand-alone novels (29:40) comedy violence / human error (35:05) Katie Bruce reviews THE SHAPE OF MONSTERS, by C.L. Hellisen (37:10) great gags of history / likes and dislikes (45:05) a Joe Abercrombie SF novel? (49:45) the start of Joe’s author journey (52:40) honesty; mother knows best (56:20) what Joe’s working on now
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  Long Story Short Ep-33: Fantasy Road Trip! with Katalina Watt 24.06.2026 45min

  Join David in conversation with debut novelist Katalina Watt whose nautical fantasy Saltswept is out now. THE PIRATES ARE BACK!! Hear about Kat’s publishing journey, their approach to writing a queer-normative world, the influence of audiobooks, and much more. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Katalina here: https://katalinawatt.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:30) David’s sneak peak of the book  (02:18) Katalina’s publishing journey (03:14) the influence of audiobooks / (fan) art (10:40) not the first book Katalina wrote (19:08) the pirates are back (23:22) approaching writing a Queer-norm world (28:00) Katie reviews the INHERITANCE series, by A.K. Faulkner (30:03) the politicisation of identity (33:30) Book 2 of the duology, SALTSWORN (34:17) “astonishingly beautiful cover” / events & promotion (38:42) what is Katalina working on now? (40:25) conventions? / refilling the creative well
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  Long Story Short Ep-32: Engineering the Heist, with Wole Talabi 10.06.2026 54min

  Join Robin in conversation with engineer and award-winning writer and editor Wole Talabi to hear about his novels, short fiction, the foundation of the Sauúti Collective and Wole’s approach to writing everything from a heist novel to contemplating the end of time. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Wole here: https://wtalabi.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:32) engineering talk (04:10) a Foundation in SF (06:25) SHIGIDI AND THE BRASS HEAD OF OBALUFON (12:40) Nneoma, the co-protagonist (15:35) phone call for Mr Coogler / scriptwriting? (18:10) the Sauútiverse - a worldbuilding community (25:07) giving back to the community (28:40) Katie Bruce reviews ONE DAY ALL THIS WILL BE YOURS, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (30:40) songs of the Sauútiverse? (34:15) Wole’s writing process (40:45) Foundation on ‘TV’ (42:25) the pleasures & limitations of audiobooks (46:25) THE FIST OF MEMORY (50:20) short fiction in the works
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  Long Story Short Ep-31: Majestic Horses, with Georgia Summers 27.05.2026 54min

  Join David and Robin in conversation with the irrepressible Georgia Summers, author of THE BOOKSHOP BELOW and TROLLHEIM: TALE OF SÝSTIR, as we discuss book boxes, process, and how Georgia’s experiences as an editor and bookseller have fed into her writing. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Georgia here: https://georgiasummers.co.uk Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (00:30) Georgia introducing Georgia (01:26) Georgia’s writing process (03:30) the mentorship programme (05:50) book box lightning (15:12) promoting the books (20:50) Katie Bruce reviews BROKEN LIGHT, by Joanne Harris (22:38) talking about THE BOOKSHOP BELOW / bookselling / time for a pie (chart) (33:00) conventionally speaking… (38:25) unlearning editing / navigating the industry (47:42) talking about TROLLHEIM: TALE OF SÝSTIR
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  Long Story Short Ep-30: Old Lags and Conlangs, with Mahmud El Sayed 13.05.2026 38min

  Mahmud El Sayed, author of The Republic of Memory talks about his journey as an author, and the evolution of his debut novel, winning the prestigious 2023 Future Worlds prize for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers of Colour, and his work in a genre he is calling Arabfuturism. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Mahmud here: https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/mahmud-el-sayed Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (00:50) Mahmud introduces The Republic of Memory (02:45) world-building: architect or gardener? (05:19) the role of language (08:08) Mahmud’s personal ‘pitch’ (09:15) viewpoints / following characters / A-B structure (13:05) teasing the novel (13:45) watching the detective (17:25) keeping it in the family (20:14) Katie Bruce reviews WARRIOR PRINCE, by JC Duncan (22:00) human technology (24:15) “Fletcher!!” (26:00) Mahmud’s author journey (28:20) the power of luck (30:35) conventions / in at the deep end (33:43) secret writing (35:20) what’s up next?
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  Long Story Short Ep-29: A Whole New World, with Janet Forbes 29.04.2026 54min

  Prodigious creator Janet Forbes joins us to talk all things World Anvil; 3 million members can’t be wrong! Robin & Dave learn to ‘put a tea cosy’ over their brains’ worst impulses and let the auto-magic do the rest; TTRPG chat in abundance, and more than one moment when the whole cast slips sideways into an alternate reality. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here:  https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find World Anvil here: https://www.worldanvil.com …and everything Janet, here: https://www.janetforbes.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:15) an overview of World Anvil (03:30) the history of making World Anvil (09:00) the World Anvil team (11:55) World Anvil’s wider resources and initiatives (17:00) the podcast leaves the rails, jumps the shark, and disappears down a dark hole that probably belongs to the white rabbit (younger listeners should look away now…) (18:00) the World-building Awards (22:15) the heart of creativity / the shared spark / system improvements (25:30) Katie Bruce reviews THE NIGHT ENDS WITH FIRE, by KX Song (27:15) finding the time to write / accountability & motivation (33:30) sources of inspiration / backhand compliments (36:45) the case for the writer / claiming the identity (43:55) what got Janet “hooked into Fantasy”? (46:27) the Dark Crystal TTRPG, and… others? (49:32) how best to start with World Anvil?
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  Long Story Short Ep-28: "No, Not the Face!", with Jo de-Lancey 16.04.2026 56min

  We talk to author Jo de-Lancey about many things, of which several are video games and films, but we do squeeze in some book chat. Plus, Dave’s back! and together we aim to pressgang Jo (in the nicest possible way) into attending Glasgow Fantasycon. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here:             https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Jo de-Lancey here: https://jodelancey.com Find Jo’s books on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Jodelanceyauthor Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (00:45) Jo and Jo’s books (02:20) Final Fantasy VII and VIII, and Pong (06:50) back to Jo’s authoring (10:05) second book / the accident / the impact (17:55) Jo’s writing process / reapproach to Book 2 (19:25) wrestling the draft in a barn (21:30) being ready / the old man was right (24:00) film chat / “Nic Cage action” (25:45) confidence vs ‘the syndrome’ (28:35) where to find Jo’s books / “they’re quite pirate-y” (32:10) Katie reviews The Bone Raiders, Jackson Ford (33:50) Monkey Island / trips to Cornwall (35:05) DNFing The Windwaker (36:06) Killian’s origin story (39:00) casting the movie (40:20) let’s play “Robin can’t pronounce…” (41:56) plans for Book 3 / character behaving (45:45) American Fiction (the movie) / Aftersun (48:35) sweet emotion… and rum (50:35) Jo’s convention plans (52:20) an impression of Jo’s books
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  Long Story Short Ep-27: Memory is All We Are, with T.R. Napper [E] 01.04.2026 55min

  [This one’s a bit sweary here and there, he is an Aussie, after all.] If you only listen to 30 seconds of this cast, listen from time stamp 28:45. In addition to discussing Tim’s work, hear him rail against the threat of A.I. to creativity, and even that of technology to human memory. We also talk novellas, Australian publishing and the power of art to rehabilitate. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Tim Napper here: https://nappertime.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (02:10) 36 Streets (03:20) short fiction as career hack (07:20) starting again while on submission (10:00) ideas are not the problem [***STRONG LANGUAGE***] (11:25) Hydropunk? / that Space Wizard story, again, in 60 seconds (13:15) publishing in Australia (14:35) Neon Leviathan / building a career / word-building strategy (20:40) Tim’s novella, Ghost of the Neon God / selling novellas (24:35) What about A.I., Tim? [***STRONG LANGUAGE***] (25:55) a month of art / a rehabilitation programme (28:45) A.I./ “losing faith in ourselves as human beings” (32:13) Katie reviews The Bone Door by Frances White (34:22) The Escher Man (43:05) Tim’s writing process (50:33) What’s up next? / Tim’s new fantasy world
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  Long Story Short Ep-26: Keeping Your Heart Open, with A.K. Caggiano 18.03.2026 50min

  Come join the fun as Robin speaks with A.K. Caggiano, author of the Villains & Virtues, Falling for Demons, and Vacancy series. We discuss the truth of comedy, transition from selfpub to trad, and sharing the writing of a series. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Ashley here: https://akcaggiano.com Visit Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/ And David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (0:55) Ashley as a writer (2:11) the transition to mainstream (3:05) the process of serialised blog fiction (4:25) writing group as support network (6:08) Ashley’s books in audio (08:15) Robin minds his Ee’s (10:18) Throne in the Dark (17:39) planner or pantser! (19:04) Book 2, coming… when? (20:04) Xander’s spin-off (23:03) the truth of comedy (25:00) all hail YVLcon! (28:15) Katie reviews Call of the Black Wing by Tristan Gray (30:02) promotion/the shyness of the trad-published author (34:11) what’s up next? (36:54) writing process / short winter days (38:34) where to start reading A.K. Caggiano? (41:32) Ashley’s reading recommendations (43:32) Sharing books
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  Long Story Short Ep-25: Uncategorizable, with Nnedi Okorafor 04.03.2026 54min

  Robin is joined by multi-award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor for a full and frank discussion centred on Nnedi’s most recent novel, DEATH OF THE AUTHOR, released in 2025. We cover writing family and disability, the culture of food, plus writing two books at the same time that you later discover are in fact two parts of one book. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Nnedi here: https://nnedi.com/books/ Visit David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:18) Introducing Death of the Author (03:13) the writing process / academia (19:22) sharing Zelu’s writer journey (20:57) the power of family, food as a pillar of culture (28:16) Katie reviews 3 cosy fantasies: Travis Baldree, David Green, and Julie Leong (30:15) writing Zelu’s disability (39:55) U is for uncategorizable; reader reactions (44:00) “When is Book 2 coming, Zelu?” (45:38) Deciding on the next project (47:45) Wrangling the silver screen / meta x meta (51:27) What’s next?
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  Long Story Short Ep-24: Defining A Chair, with Matt Greene 18.02.2026 55min

  Robin and David are joined by novelist, essayist and teacher Matt Greene to discuss his latest novel, The Definitions. In a wide and varied conversation such topics arise as holidays in La Rochelle, chairs vs benches, and A.I. – Matt really doesn’t like it. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Matt here: https://evewhite.co.uk/authors/matt-greene/ Visit David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/   - LINK TO THE ROYAL INSTITUTE LECTURE [time stamp 24:00 to 25:50, AI is lying to you] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkdziSLYzHw   Time Stamps (0:10) Ostrich, screenwriting and not making choices (6:50) a precis of Ostrich, a properly humorous book, the serious business of comedy (10:22) Matt’s new novel: The Definitions (14:35) Robin has a question, the impact of AI on language (21:10) the LLM class action database (23:30) talking about writing about love (26:30) Katie’s book review, three novellas (28:50) an Alien Earth parallel / the infant self (37:42) influences on The Definitions (40:15) Matt asks a question (Lit vs Genre, Round #347) (53:26) what about Fantasy?
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  Long Story Short Ep-23: Taming the Dragon, with Shen Tao 04.02.2026 50min

  Shen Tao joins Robin and David to discuss her debut, The Poet Empress, which released a day or so after us recording. A captivating and challenging story that does not shy away from difficult choices, inhabited by darkness, but shining brightly with bravery and love. We discuss Shen’s remarkable novel, matters of author self-care, character empathy, the experience of writing, and mice bombing asteroids. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Shen here: https://www.shentao.ca Visit David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (01:00) The Poet Empress and Shen as an author (03:28) a precis of the story and the writing of it (06:00) not for the faint of heart, how Shen looked after herself (10:27) the evolution of style, considering the follow-up (14:40) empathising with your character, escaping negative head-space, a tapestry of light and dark (19:40) shifting POV, ‘time travel’, THE QUESTION, from 90K words to 130K, emergent themes (24:03) writing close to the bone (re: word count), advice for debut authors (28:17) an anti-romantasy (32:08) Katie’s book review, “Scratch Moss” by David Barnett (33:45) is it a feminist story? (37:35) promotion planned in Shen’s debut year? Fantasycon in Glasgow (42:02) writing as a solitary, but also collaborative experience (45:27) mice bombing asteroids; acknowledgement for Miss Palumbo!
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  Long Story Short Ep-22: Resistance and Resilience, with Cheryl Morgan 21.01.2026 57min

  David and Robin are joined by Cheryl Morgan, owner of Wizard's Tower Press. Come gather round to hear the insights of an experienced independent publisher on such matters as anthologies, the dealers' room, the colonisation of Welsh mythology, and the San Francisco 49ers. Cheryl gives away the secret to making a small fortune in publishing, and provides us with enough recommendations to break a TBR pile. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Wizard’s Tower here: https://wizardstowerpress.com Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ And David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (01:40) Fight Like A Girl 1 & 2 / Grimbold Books (05:02) Bristolcon (06:19) Wizard’s Tower: an origin story (11:20) A lesson for small presses (14:00) Juliet E. McKenna, The Green Man, the Algorithm, and the convention (19:40) Waterstones vs The Dealers’ Room and the Comicon expectation (25:30) the TTRPG connection (26:45) Chas Brenchley and the Crater School books (31:15) Of the Emperor’s Kindness (33:29) recommendations, reviews and the TBR pile (34:05) US football chat [regular viewers may skip to…] (35:00) Wiz Duos (39:37) Katie’s book review “Whalesong” & “Artifact Space” by Miles Cameron (42:00) “They Are Still Here”, Welsh SFF, politics, resistance and resilience (50:12) how to make a small fortune, authors beware (52:45) the colonisation of mythology (54:52) more Wizard’s Tower books
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  Long Story Short Ep-21: A Short History in Ten Books, with Priya Sharma 07.01.2026 1h 10min

  We are delighted to kick off our 2026 season with a novel (pun intended) format for us; we had so much fun discussing the important books Priya’s writing life that you can look forward to more such episodes in the future. So, dive into this fascinating selection box of literary gems. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about Priya here: https://priyasharmafiction.wordpress.com Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ And David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (02:20) Watership Down, Richard Adams (1972) (11:10) Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier (1938)  - The Little Stranger, Sarah Waters (2009)  - The Blue Lenses & Other Stories, Daphne du Maurier (1959) (17:30) The Colour Purple, Alice Walker (1982)  - Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)  - Genre vs Literary, Round 347… (36:15) Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Jeanette Winterson (1985)  - The Passion, Jeanette Winterson (1987)  - Written on the Body, Jeanette Winterson (1992)  - The Daylight Gate, Jeanette Winterson (2012) (41:40) The Books of Blood, Clive Barker (1984)  - Cabal, Clive Barker (1988)  - The Illustrated Man, Ray Bradbury (1951)  - Empires of Dust, Anna Smith Spark (2017,18,19)  - Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy (1985)  - The Road, Cormac McCarthy (2006)  - Child of God, Cormac McCarthy (1973) (50:15) The House of the Spirits, Isabel Allende (1982)  - The History of Danish Dreams, Peter Høeg (1988)  - Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie (1981) (53:20) The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, Angela Carter (1979)  - “The Tiger’s Bride”, Angela Carter (1979)  - The Writer’s Mosaic website: [second audio file] https://writersmosaic.org.uk/people/priya-sharma-2/ (58:45) The Red Tree, Shaun Tan (2001)  - The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, Chris Van Allsburg (1984)  - The Arrival, Shaun Tan (2007) (61:55) The Lost Books of the Odyssey, Zachary Mason (2007)  - Metamorphica, Zachary Mason (2018) (65:50) Arcadia, Jim Crace (1992)  - The Pesthouse, Jim Crace (2007)
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  Long Story Short Ep-20: The One with Robinski and Greeno 24.12.2025 1h 4min

  ’Twas the day before Christmas and all round the web, no podcaster was stirring, expect Rob and Dave…    Welcome to our final episode of 2025! Okay, I’m sure there are plenty of other podcasts releasing today, but how many of them will take you on a journey stopping off at chronic teeth-grinding, Simon & Garfunkel, writing 20,000 words in a day, Latin lessons, murder mysteries, and writing sprints? Join David and Robin for one last instalment of writing tomfoolery before the turn of the year. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ And David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps [to follow]
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  Long Story Short Ep-19a: the World Fantasy Convention special! 17.12.2025 53min

  Was it only seven weeks ago that 1,100 fantasy fans gathered in Brighton on the south coast of England for the World Fantasy Convention? If you made it there, here’s a podcast that might help to relive that happy time; and if you didn’t, maybe this offering can tempt you to the next Fantasycon in glorious Glasgow (it’ll be 2026 before you know it!) https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ Or David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And you can still visit the WFC 2025 website: https://worldfantasy2025.co.uk, Perhaps even book for Glasgow in 2026, here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/events-calendar/fantasycon-2026/   TIME STAMPS (00:38) Thursday – Robin and David; (02:10) Adrian Fletcher, BFS reviews editor; (02:55) Susan J. Morris, author; (03:40) Jenni Coutts, WFC art lead, artist and author; (04:29) Oliver Arditi, author, red cloak and lead ukulele; (05:50) Katie Bruce, writer, virtual assistant to authors, and LSS book reviewer; (06:15) Allen Stroud, WFC co-vice chair; (07:02) Noor A Jahangir, author and podcaster (Fantasy & Faith podcast); (10:28) David with Laura Bennett, Mike Hollows, Sofia Vahdati, Adrian, Karen Frazier, Helen Lane; (13:13) Saturday Friday – Andrew Knighton, author; (16:27) David Thomas Moore, editorial director, and Laura Bennett, agent; (18:04) Frasier Armitage, author and Paige; (18:51) Author Alexandra Beaumont sings “Down By The Acorn Tree”; (20:43) Stewart Hostson, author, BSFA Chair, and BFS treasurer; (21:52) David with Ella Crean, author and BFS roving reporter; (23:36) Andrew Hook, author; (25:28) Saturday – E Saxey, author; (27:05) JM Cyrus, author; (27:47) Steve Toase, author; (29:32) Karen Fiskwick, WFC Chair; (31:10) Alex Makepiece reading at the Elsewhen Press book launch; (37:16) the British Fantasy Awards, compered by Joanne Harris, author; (39:18) Joanne’s words of thanks; (40:18) BFS for Best Anthology, presented by Joanne Harris; (42:32) BFA for Best Audio, presented by David Green, author and Secretary of the BFS; (45:47) BFA for Best Novella, presented by Jonathon Oliver, freelance editor; (49:40) Joanne Harris closing remarks; (51:22) Sunday – Goodbye and goodnight from Rob and Dave.
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  Long Story Short Ep-19: A Slice of History, with Samantha York 10.12.2025 57min

  Robin and David are joined by Samatha York, whose debut historical novel The Foreshore released in August. Discussion ranges far and wide into matters of language, myth versus reality, also history and who gets to write it. There are shoutouts for local bookshops, and discussions on popular islands like Atlantis and Númenor. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Samantha here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-foreshore/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ Or David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (01:02) Samantha’s publishing journey; (04:05) learning writing through reading; (04:33) lockdown novels; (10:12) finer details; (12:43) the balance between myth and reality; (18:44) how much history? (22:33) Samantha’s next projects; (24:30) historical fiction readers’ tolerance; (28:40) a fictional background location; (32:22) Katie’s review: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf, Kimberly Lemming; (34:34) planner vs Discovery Writer; (38:05) the sausage behind the curtain: what is Robin trying to say? (Answers on a postcard); (39:10) an island called Eilean Eòin; (42:08) audiobook? (43:15) bookshops, local and national; (47:15) [contractually mandated] Tolkien chat; (49:35) …eventually, Robin arrives at a question – authors changing history? (53:16) the Return of the Rings (of Power).
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  Long Story Short Ep-18: A Meeting in Information Space, with Stewart Hotston 26.11.2025 1h

  Robin and Dave dress up as writers to chat with Stewart Hotston about his latest novel, the magnificent space opera Project Hanuman. We ramble far and wide to chat about LARPing, bookshelves, reading recs, the British Science Fiction Association, and much, much more, but most importantly, we touch on some weighty topics that need to be discussed, like why SF authors write about politics, and what happens if we don’t. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Learn more about Stewart here: https://stewarthotston.com/about/ Visit Robin’s website: https://robincmduncan.com/ Or David’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ Time stamps: (01:16) Project Hanuman; (02:15) A quiet collapse; (02:45) Inspirations for Project Hanuman; (05:20) Iain M. Banks; (05:45) Background physics; (07:15) ** INTERLUDE ** (08:55) The Science-y Bit; (18:10) Managing story scope vs word count; (22:45) Writing out the Internet (Mission: Impossible); (26:10) The experience of writing Project Hanuman; (28:30) The book glossary in your head; (31:15) Katie’s review: Peter Darling, by Austin Chant; (33:00) Obscure punctuation / The Secret Code; (35:20) BSFA Chair / helping fans do what they love; (37:10) Challenges / the Cloak of Boring Politics; (39:10) Work on your craft; (40:40) Stewart’s recommendations:             - The Future, Naomi Alderman (2023)             - Exordia, Seth Dickinson (2024)             - The Traitor Baru Cormorant, Seth Dickinson (2015)             - The Proof of My Innocence, Jonathan Coe (2024)             - Judith Butler, feminist philosopher (43:25) SFF and Politics; (49:18) LARP; (57:00) What are you up to next?             - The Next Enemy Will Be the Last (due 2026)             - Epic fantasy duology (2027/2028?)             - Portal fantasy…