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

Robin and David are joined by novelist, essayist and teacher Matt Greene to discuss his latest novel, The Definition.   - 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 [to be edited] (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?

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!

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

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)

’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]

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.

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).

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…

The BFS are very pleased to support the Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy category at the inaugural British Audio Awards, the ceremony for which takes place on 24th November. To mark the event, Long Story Short presents our very first Podcast Special. https://www.thebookseller.com/the-british-audio-awards/the-british-audio-awards 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 Pam’s: https://www.pslivingstone.com And also David Green’s: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/   Time stamps (01:05) The Speakies organisers’ statement; (01:40) summary of the award categories; (02:05) “And the nominees are…”  (Best Audiobook – SF & Fantasy); (03:10) some words from Juno Dawson (read by PS Livingstone); (04:57) Steve Lyons and Nicholas Briggs chat Agent of the Daleks; (08:20) the evolution of audio drama; (11:16) Nick and Steve’s processes; (15:27) how important are audiobooks in your own reading? (17:20) reading in the bath (+Nick’s recommendations): The Intruder, John Rowe Townsend (1969) First Light, Geoffrey Wellum (2020) Rogue Male, Geoffrey Household (1939) (21:06) the value of (audio drama) awards; (25:00) revisiting books, but in audio: praise for Ian Holm and Peter Kenny; (27:35) reading Revenge of the Cybermen; (28:35) how does it feel to be nominated for a British Audio Award? (32:12) some other nominations of potential interest.

Robin & David were joined in the run up to World Fantasy in Brighton (UK) by Joe Hill, whose new novel, King Sorrow, is his first in nine years. This episode is a real doozy, with the chat ranging far-and-wide. Not to be missed! Check out our new detailed timestamps at the bottom of these notes. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ [There are handful of F-bombs in the episode] 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 Joe here: https://www.joehillfiction.com/#intro Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/   Time stamps (with about 30s lead-in) (03:06) a home in the British Fantasy community (05:35) 2000AD (06:52) King Sorrow (11:49) other kinds of peril (13:48) Better Call Saul (15:03) Dark Academia (16:48) a Ken Follet epic (21:29) the Broken Binding special edition (24:20) illustration and physical books (27:02) the Orwellian thing (28:17) the pain is the point (32:26) themes in King Sorrow (36:40) dragon tattoos (37:47) dragons like cats (38:39) emptying the full magazine (41:01) Stephen King (48:52) King Sorrow; horror or fantasy? (51:23) how terrible to live in Middle Earth (53:26) banned books / we're all f**ked (56:10) World Fantasy (57:21) Locke & Key (66:38) Return of the Jedi is not very good (69:30) Hunger, a novel (2026)

Robin & Pam are joined by Marve Michael Anson, whose eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel Firstborn of the Sun released this month. Come learn about ‘an epic world of courtly intrigue and forbidden power’, and the important work Marve does for the BFS on Outreach & Inclusion.  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 Marve here: https://www.justmarve.org Visit Pam’s website: https://www.pslivingstone.com And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Annabel Campbell, whose debut novel The Outcast Mage released in January, joins Robin & David to talk mages of many varieties. How would you shape up as a wizard? Would you use your power for good, or be tempted to the Dark Side where - we are given to believe - there are cookies? 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 Annabel here: https://annabelcampbell.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

David & Robin chat with author Sam K. Horton, whose second novel Ragwort releases in November. We talk maps, book tour costumes, and the love of wild places. David discovers that Friday also is a business day. Plus, hear about the Top 10 reasons to attend Fantasycon from Ben and Nico of the Tiny Bookcase podcast. 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 Sam here: https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/sam-horton Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

David & Robin meet publisher, editor, & author William C. Tracy of Space Wizard Science Fantasy to chat about WorldCon Seattle, indie small press publishing, the bookselling market, and codifying magic systems. We also discuss cats, bees, and commas. (And yes, Robin did find ‘That Comma Video’ and if you absolutely must watch it… https://youtu.be/tGyiLkdA49Y #noapologies) 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 William & Space Wizard here: https://www.spacewizardsciencefantasy.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Robin & David converse with Lorraine Wilson, author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, about folklore, the future of identity, and the sea. In search of a response to the podcast’s title, literature, fantasy, magic and science all go into the growbag of genre. The efficacy of an ice-skating scoring system for panel responses is also assessed during this episode. 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 Lorraine here: https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/fiction/lorraine-wilson Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join David & Robin in conversation with Jay McGuiness, star of stage, screen & chart, as we talk about all manner of things including painting with watercolours rather than oils, love of Lemony Snicket, with a dramatic ‘Hollywood deal-making’ twist at the end. 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 Jay here: https://www.instagram.com/birdspotting/?hl=en Or here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_McGuiness Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

In which David speaks to Calah Singleton about many things Middle Earth; the Hobbit, the trilogy, the movies, Rings of Power, where their own love of Tolkien’s work originated, their hot takes, and much, much more. 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 Calah here: https://calahsingleton.com/about/   Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Robin and David talk with the one and only Adrian Tchaikovsky about writing comedy, fighting in armour, TTRPGs, conventions and of course, books, in a wide-ranging chat covering the breadth and height of Adrian’s authorial career to date. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about Adrian Tchaikovsky here: https://adriantchaikovsky.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Join Robin & Pam (PS Livingstone) for Episode 8, Myth, Romantasy & Feminist Rage, with Scarlett St. Clair. Discard preconceptions of Romantic Fiction, learn the power of librarians, social media, and emotion over mechanics. [CW: indirect sex references.] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about Scarlett St. Clair here: https://scarlettstclair.com/ Visit Pam’s website: https://www.pslivingstone.com And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/

Author A.K. Faulkner joins David and Robin to talk about many and varied subjects, including writing books, selling books, and people reading books out loud. Also, learn about “the breadmaker”, trusting your brain, and fizzy drinks. [CW: handful of instances of stronger language.] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here:    https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find info about A.K. Faulkner here: https://ravenswordpress.com Visit David's website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin's: https://robincmduncan.com/