Shaun Duke

Shaun Duke and Brandon O'Brien are the hosts of the four time Hugo-finalist Skiffy and Fanty Show, a science fiction and fantasy based podcast that covers major topics in the field and interviews with authors and creators. Mary Anne and Ben invited them on the show to talk podcasting, committing to diversity, and connecting with audiences.  Check out The Skiffy and Fanty Show at skiffyandfanty.com Episode show notes: speclit.org/ep-52-show-notes

Shaun Duke and Brandon O'Brien are the hosts of the four time Hugo-finalist Skiffy and Fanty Show, a science fiction and fantasy based podcast that covers major topics in the field and interviews with authors and creators. Mary Anne and Ben invited them on the show to talk podcasting, committing to diversity, and connecting with audiences.  Check out The Skiffy and Fanty Show at <a href="https://skiffyandfanty.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">skiffyandfanty.com</a> Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-52-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">speclit.org/ep-52-show-notes</a>

Ep. 52 "Shaun Duke and Brandon O'Brien"

Kelly Robson

Mary Anne Mohanraj takes a deep dive with authors A. M. Dellamonica and Kelly Robson on their writing, dealing with impostor syndrome, how to provide compelling characterization, setting fantasy in North America, and the writer's life. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-51-show-notes Find out more about the Portolan Project here: www.speclit.org/portolan-project

Mary Anne Mohanraj takes a deep dive with authors A. M. Dellamonica and Kelly Robson on their writing, dealing with impostor syndrome, how to provide compelling characterization, setting fantasy in North America, and the writer's life. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-51-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-51-show-notes</a> Find out more about the Portolan Project here: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/portolan-project/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/portolan-project</a>

Ep. 51 "A. M. Dellamonica and Kelly Robson"

This time around, Mary Anne and Ben are okay with being slime mold gods, (or perhaps writers?) The two divinely intelligent molds of slime examine how they organize their lives around their shared passion of writing and how they fit in other hobbies like gaming and gardening. The hosts also consider the motivation that pleasure plays in their lives, and how they cope when writer’s block rears its ugly head. Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-50-show-notes

This time around, Mary Anne and Ben are okay with being slime mold gods, (or perhaps writers?) The two divinely intelligent molds of slime examine how they organize their lives around their shared passion of writing and how they fit in other hobbies like gaming and gardening. The hosts also consider the motivation that pleasure plays in their lives, and how they cope when writer’s block rears its ugly head. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-50-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-50-show-notes</a>

Ep. 50 "The Secret to Becoming Slime Mold Gods (or Writers?)"

Ursula Vernon

Mary Anne interviews Ursula Vernon, a.k.a. T. Kingfisher, about her work, with an interest in how Vernon pivots from writing for adults, to creating children's fiction. Is writing for certain ages really all that different? Mary Anne is also interested in how Vernon approaches worldbuilding in her imaginative work. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: speclit.org/ep-49-show-notes

Mary Anne interviews Ursula Vernon, a.k.a. T. Kingfisher, about her work, with an interest in how Vernon pivots from writing for adults, to creating children's fiction. Is writing for certain ages really all that different? Mary Anne is also interested in how Vernon approaches worldbuilding in her imaginative work. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-48-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">speclit.org/ep-49-show-notes</a>

Ep. 49 "Ursula Vernon"

Andrea Hairston

This week, Mary Anne and Ben explore the magic of theater, discuss the importance of representation and research, and address the difficulty in working with dark and difficult material in speculative fiction with author Andrea Hairston. They discuss Hairston's body of work, including her recently re-issued novel "Will Do Magic for Small Change," which you can find out more about on andreahairston.com/novels. Episode show notes: speclit.org/ep-48-show-notes

This week, Mary Anne and Ben explore the magic of theater, discuss the importance of representation and research, and address the difficulty in working with dark and difficult material in speculative fiction with author Andrea Hairston. They discuss Hairston's body of work, including her recently re-issued novel "Will Do Magic for Small Change," which you can find out more about on <a href="https://andreahairston.com/novels/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">andreahairston.com/novels</a>. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-48-show-notes/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">speclit.org/ep-48-show-notes</a>

Ep. 48 "In the Theater of Magic With Andrea Hairston"

Mary Anne interviews editors Tom Gammarino, Bryan Kamaoli Kuwada, D. Kealiʻi MacKenzie, and Lyz Soto about their anthology of speculative works of literature, poetry, and art from Hawai'i and beyond: "Snaring New Suns." Together, they discuss the initial difficulties they faced when putting together the anthology, the types of submissions within the collection, and what it means to be a local of Hawaii. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. You can check out the anthology at Bambooridge here: https://www.bambooridge.org/bookstore/snaring-new-suns/ Episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-47-show-notes/

Mary Anne interviews editors Tom Gammarino, Bryan Kamaoli Kuwada, D. Kealiʻi MacKenzie, and Lyz Soto about their anthology of speculative works of literature, poetry, and art from Hawai'i and beyond: "Snaring New Suns." Together, they discuss the initial difficulties they faced when putting together the anthology, the types of submissions within the collection, and what it means to be a local of Hawaii. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. You can check out the anthology at Bambooridge here: <a href="https://www.bambooridge.org/bookstore/snaring-new-suns/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bambooridge.org/bookstore/snaring-new-suns/</a> Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-47-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-47-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 47 "Snaring New Suns"

Mary Anne and Ben find themselves feeling a particular sort of grief: the anticipation of the empty nest kind of grief. Both hosts have children that will one day leave the nest to become individuals of their own in the world, and they're not quite sure how they feel about that. The two also discuss projects they are working on, time management, and the implications of where people choose to live.  Episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-46-show-notes/

Mary Anne and Ben find themselves feeling a particular sort of grief: the anticipation of the empty nest kind of grief. Both hosts have children that will one day leave the nest to become individuals of their own in the world, and they're not quite sure how they feel about that. The two also discuss projects they are working on, time management, and the implications of where people choose to live.  Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-46-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-46-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 46 "Anticipatory Nest Grief"

On this episode of MRAH, a high number of humans joins Ben to discuss a table top role playing game in the making: Hollyhock. This TTRPG is set in the surreal and theatrical world of the Fae, during an infamous holiday known as the mysterious and delightful Hollyhock Festival. The creators and designers behind Hollyhock: Alanah Tuohey, Daniela Vega, Katherine Townsend, and Milo Duclayan join the podcast to ask seasoned game creator Jay Dragon, of Possum Creek Games, and podcast host Ben questions on game creation, publishing, marketing, and networking in the world of TTRPGs.  To find out more about the Hollyhock TTRPG and where you can follow them, visit: https://linktr.ee/nervousplayhouse Episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-45-show-notes/

On this episode of MRAH, a high number of humans joins Ben to discuss a table top role playing game in the making: Hollyhock. This TTRPG is set in the surreal and theatrical world of the Fae, during an infamous holiday known as the mysterious and delightful Hollyhock Festival. The creators and designers behind Hollyhock: Alanah Tuohey, Daniela Vega, Katherine Townsend, and Milo Duclayan join the podcast to ask seasoned game creator Jay Dragon, of Possum Creek Games, and podcast host Ben questions on game creation, publishing, marketing, and networking in the world of TTRPGs.  To find out more about the Hollyhock TTRPG and where you can follow them, visit: <a href="https://linktr.ee/nervousplayhouse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/nervousplayhouse</a> Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-45-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-45-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 45 "Hollyhock: A TTRPG Q & A"

The host of MRAH, Mary Anne Mohanraj, interviews African-American writer, editor, and journalist Nisi Shawl, best known for her 2016 novel, Everfair. Mohanraj and Shawl take a Deep Dive into the violent realities of history in relation to their work, the difficulties that writers of color face in the publishing world, the recent proliferation of Black speculative fiction, and more. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-44-show-notes/

The host of MRAH, Mary Anne Mohanraj, interviews African-American writer, editor, and journalist Nisi Shawl, best known for her 2016 novel, Everfair. Mohanraj and Shawl take a Deep Dive into the violent realities of history in relation to their work, the difficulties that writers of color face in the publishing world, the recent proliferation of Black speculative fiction, and more. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-44-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-44-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 44 "Nisi Shawl"

Mary Anne and Ben have been invited to teach in the first week of the famous writing workshop, Clarion West! Drawing from their past experience as students of the writing workshop, the hosts of MRAH take some time in this episode to brainstorm what their lessons are going to look like for the incoming students. Should the students be taught how to properly critique? What is a sustainable praxis and the Clarion ditto? All these questions and more are explored in this week's episode of MRAH. Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-43-show-notes

Mary Anne and Ben have been invited to teach in the first week of the famous writing workshop, Clarion West! Drawing from their past experience as students of the writing workshop, the hosts of MRAH take some time in this episode to brainstorm what their lessons are going to look like for the incoming students. Should the students be taught how to properly critique? What is a sustainable praxis and the Clarion ditto? All these questions and more are explored in this week's episode of MRAH. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-43-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-43-show-notes</a>

Ep. 43 "Lesson Planning"

Mary Anne Mohanraj and Benjamin Rosenbaum planned an epic Summer 2020 US Road Trip to publicize their new books. Now it’s coronapocalypse time, and that road trip is going to have to be a podcast. Join two old friends as they talk about science fiction, community, the writing life, teaching, parenting, and a whole lot more. Does Ben really think you should let your kids touch the stove, and did he really burn his son's homework? Why did he write a novel with no men or women in it? What exactly did a young Mary Anne do to appall her aunts in college, and how did it lead circuitously to her founding science fiction's longest-running webzine? Mohanraj and Rosenbaum… Are Humans? Yes, yes they are.

Humans Mary Anne and Ben interview Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, (also human), as well as a Zimbabwean sarungano (storyteller), about her work in her recently published short story collection "Drinking from Graveyard Wells." The hosts of MRAH explore what it means to be a writer from the diaspora with Ndlovu, as well as how she walked the line between speculative fiction and surrealism while ruminating on the rich historical, cultural, and mythological stories of her homeland. You can find out more about Ndlovu and her short story collection, "Drinking from Graveyard Wells," at www.yvettelisandlovu.com. Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-42-show-notes

Humans Mary Anne and Ben interview Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, (also human), as well as a Zimbabwean sarungano (storyteller), about her work in her recently published short story collection "Drinking from Graveyard Wells." The hosts of MRAH explore what it means to be a writer from the diaspora with Ndlovu, as well as how she walked the line between speculative fiction and surrealism while ruminating on the rich historical, cultural, and mythological stories of her homeland. You can find out more about Ndlovu and her short story collection, "Drinking from Graveyard Wells," at <a href="https://www.yvettelisandlovu.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.yvettelisandlovu.com</a>. Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-42-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-42-show-notes</a>

Ep. 42 "Afro-Surrealism With Yvette Lisa Ndlovu"

Mary Anne Mohanraj takes a Deep Dive with author K. Tempest Bradford on her work, themes of ritual magic, and travel research. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. This interview has been “Charted” by creative writer and instructor Jasmine H. Wade, with supplemental material in the form of discussion questions and writing exercises that further explores the topics of grief, memory, and structure in the interview: www.speclit.org/portolan-project/k-tempest-bradford/ If you liked the K. Tempest Bradford Deep Dive, you can check out our other “Charted” interviews at: www.speclit.org/portolan-project/ Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-41-show-notes/

Mary Anne Mohanraj takes a Deep Dive with author K. Tempest Bradford on her work, themes of ritual magic, and travel research. This interview is a part of the Portolan Project, an initiative to provide a wealth of exceptional creative writing courses and resources. This interview has been “Charted” by creative writer and instructor Jasmine H. Wade, with supplemental material in the form of discussion questions and writing exercises that further explores the topics of grief, memory, and structure in the interview: <a href="https://www.speclit.org/portolan-project/k-tempest-bradford/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/portolan-project/k-tempest-bradford/</a> If you liked the K. Tempest Bradford Deep Dive, you can check out our other “Charted” interviews at: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/portolan-project/deep-dives/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/portolan-project/</a> Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-41-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-41-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 41 "On the Magic of Ritual With K. Tempest Bradford"

The hosts of Mohanraj and Rosenbaum Are Humans return for season 2! Mary Anne and Ben ease back into podcast mode by reflecting on the first season of the show, as well as the kinds of guests they should invite and topics they should explore in the coming episodes. Of course, it wouldn't be an MRAH without the tangents on American politics, the ecological question, and dystopian writing. Welcome back humans!  Episode show notes: www.speclit.org/ep-40-show-notes/

The hosts of Mohanraj and Rosenbaum Are Humans return for season 2! Mary Anne and Ben ease back into podcast mode by reflecting on the first season of the show, as well as the kinds of guests they should invite and topics they should explore in the coming episodes. Of course, it wouldn't be an MRAH without the tangents on American politics, the ecological question, and dystopian writing. Welcome back humans!  Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-40-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.speclit.org/ep-40-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 40 "Welcome to Season 2"

Ted Chiang

Surprise! It's a bonus season 1 episode we've been keeping on the back burner! Ted Chiang comes onto the show to have a discussion with Ben about what it means to be a person, whether Alan Turing's test for artificial intelligence still holds up, and the persistent themes of parenting and religion in Chiang's work. Link to upcoming Ben and Ted virtual event for Skylight Books: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/skylit-rosenbaum/register Episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/show-notes-for-ep-39/

Surprise! It's a bonus season 1 episode we've been keeping on the back burner! Ted Chiang comes onto the show to have a discussion with Ben about what it means to be a person, whether Alan Turing's test for artificial intelligence still holds up, and the persistent themes of parenting and religion in Chiang's work. Link to upcoming Ben and Ted virtual event for Skylight Books: <a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/skylit-rosenbaum/register" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/skylit-rosenbaum/register</a> Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/show-notes-for-ep-39/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/show-notes-for-ep-39/</a>

Ep. 39 "Ted Chiang and the Metrics of Personhood"​

Mary Anne, Ben, and Jed open the episode with a discussion on writing workshops. They explore the kinds of people and critique you can find within them, as well as the hierarchies that can form between student and teacher, between unexperienced and experienced writer. In the second half of the episode the trio react to some of the writing terms and axioms found in Bruce Stirling's "Turkey City Lexicon." Episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-38-show-notes/ Link to Turkey City Lexicon:  https://www.sfwa.org/2009/06/18/turkey-city-lexicon-a-primer-for-sf-workshops/

Mary Anne, Ben, and Jed open the episode with a discussion on writing workshops. They explore the kinds of people and critique you can find within them, as well as the hierarchies that can form between student and teacher, between unexperienced and experienced writer. In the second half of the episode the trio react to some of the writing terms and axioms found in Bruce Stirling's "Turkey City Lexicon." Episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-38-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-38-show-notes/</a> Link to Turkey City Lexicon: <a href="https://www.sfwa.org/2009/06/18/turkey-city-lexicon-a-primer-for-sf-workshops/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.sfwa.org/2009/06/18/turkey-city-lexicon-a-primer-for-sf-workshops/</a>

Ep. 38 "Escape From Turkey City"

As we draw close to the end of season 1 of MRAH, producer Darius figured it would be a good idea for Mary Anne and Ben reflect on some of their most influential writers and books, particularly the ones that have been mentioned a lot on the show. From the authors they adore, to writers couched in controversy, Mary Anne and Ben consider their importance to the podcast , the field, and their own writing. For episode show notes visit: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-37-show-notes/

As we draw close to the end of season 1 of MRAH, producer Darius figured it would be a good idea for Mary Anne and Ben reflect on some of their most influential writers and books, particularly the ones that have been mentioned a lot on the show. From the authors they adore, to writers couched in controversy, Mary Anne and Ben consider their importance to the podcast , the field, and their own writing. For episode show notes visit: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-37-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-37-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 37 "Our Season 1 Reading Guide"

Jed Hartman

In this follow up to episode 34, Mary Anne, Ben, and Jed continue their discussion about revising and workshopping, while giving advice on how to manage critique of your work, both good and bad.     For episode show notes visit: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-36-show-notes/ SLF Co-Writing details: https://speculativeliterature.org/saturday-co-writing-sessions/

In this follow up to episode 34, Mary Anne, Ben, and Jed continue their discussion about revising and workshopping, while giving advice on how to manage critique of your work, both good and bad.   For episode show notes visit: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-36-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-36-show-notes/</a> SLF Co-Writing details: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/saturday-co-writing-sessions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/saturday-co-writing-sessions/</a>

Ep. 36 "Revision and Workshopping With Jed Hartman, Pt. 2"

Fred Berman

Fred Berman reads a five minute sample from Ben's book, The Unraveling.  If you’re interested in purchasing Ben’s audiobook, read by Fred Berman: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM

Fred Berman reads a five minute sample from Ben's book, The Unraveling.  If you’re interested in purchasing Ben’s audiobook, read by Fred Berman: <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM</a>

Ep. 35.5 "Fred Berman Reads The Unraveling"

Mary Anne and Ben invite actor, producer, and podcast host Fred Berman to discuss another part of his career in particular: audiobook narration. Starting with Fred's experience of reading Ben's new book, The Unraveling, the trio discuss the intricacies of audiobook narration, the voicing of characters outside our own experience and background, and the financial aspects of being an audiobook narrator.  If you're interested in purchasing Ben's audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM Check out Fred's podcast: https://www.fredberman.net/opening-weekend-podcast For episode show notes: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-35-show-notes/

Mary Anne and Ben invite actor, producer, and podcast host Fred Berman to discuss another part of his career in particular: audiobook narration. Starting with Fred's experience of reading Ben's new book, The Unraveling, the trio discuss the intricacies of audiobook narration, the voicing of characters outside our own experience and background, and the financial aspects of being an audiobook narrator.  If you're interested in purchasing Ben's audiobook: <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Unraveling-Audiobook/B09NZLMRYM</a> Check out Fred's podcast: <a href="https://www.fredberman.net/opening-weekend-podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.fredberman.net/opening-weekend-podcast</a> For episode show notes: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-35-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-35-show-notes/</a>

Ep. 35 "Narrating With Fred Berman"

In the first part of a long discussion about the revision and workshop process, Mary Anne and Ben invite Jed Hartman on the show again to explore questions of inspiration, maturity, resilience, and voice when it comes to writing. For episode show notes visit: https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-34-show-notes/ If you're interested in applying for any upcoming SLF grants check out: https://speculativeliterature.org/grants/

In the first part of a long discussion about the revision and workshop process, Mary Anne and Ben invite Jed Hartman on the show again to explore questions of inspiration, maturity, resilience, and voice when it comes to writing. For episode show notes visit: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-34-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/ep-34-show-notes/</a> If you're interested in applying for any upcoming SLF grants check out: <a href="https://speculativeliterature.org/grants/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://speculativeliterature.org/grants/</a>

Ep. 34 "Revisions and Workshopping with Jed Hartman, Pt.1"

Mohanraj and Rosenbaum Are Humans

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