Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection https://unknownworlds.podbean.com In Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection, host Stephen Geraghty interviews special guests about notable history and new frontiers in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror as found in Toronto's Merril Collection, the Western Hemisphere's largest publicly accessible archive of genre materials.

Produced by Janet Mowat. Interviews have been edited for length and content. Opinions are solely those of the speakers, representing neither the Toronto Public Library System nor the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy.

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en ca Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Arts:Books 1440 episodic In Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection, host Oliver Brackenbury interviews special guests about notable history and new frontiers in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror as found in Toronto’s Merril Collection, the Western Hemisphere’s largest publicly accessible archive of genre materials. Produced by Chris Dickie. Interviews have been edited for length and content. The Friends of Merril The Friends of Merril No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10896190/greenman1_logo8nsxm.jpg Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection https://unknownworlds.podbean.com 144 144 First Contact pt. 2 First Contact pt. 2 https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/first-contact-pt-2/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/first-contact-pt-2/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/fefaba07-d198-3e95-80dd-ea8417575673 This is part 2 of our final episode of the season! Stephen talks with Peter Watts, author of Blindsight and Echopraxia (and much more), about alien intelligence, how vampires work, and the choice to use Creative Commons licensing.

This episode contains spoilers for Blindsight.

Website/blog

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian (sheepshank)
  • Behemoth by Peter Watts
  • Cory Doctorow
  • John Scalzi
  • Neill Blomkamp
  • Arthur Jafa
  • Spike Lee
  • Eyes Wide Shut (1999, dir. Stanley Kubrick)
  • The Twenty-One Second God by Peter Watts
  • Sunflower cycle by Peter Watts

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

We do not advocate running down the street naked, shooting shotguns.

 

]]> This is part 2 of our final episode of the season! Stephen talks with Peter Watts, author of Blindsight and Echopraxia (and much more), about alien intelligence, how vampires work, and the choice to use Creative Commons licensing.

This episode contains spoilers for Blindsight.

Website/blog

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian (sheepshank)
  • Behemoth by Peter Watts
  • Cory Doctorow
  • John Scalzi
  • Neill Blomkamp
  • Arthur Jafa
  • Spike Lee
  • Eyes Wide Shut (1999, dir. Stanley Kubrick)
  • The Twenty-One Second God by Peter Watts
  • Sunflower cycle by Peter Watts

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

We do not advocate running down the street naked, shooting shotguns.

 

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2083 17 full First Contact pt. 1 First Contact pt. 1 https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/first-contact-pt-1/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/first-contact-pt-1/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/36243cbb-fa4d-33d5-949d-42414a3e653b This is part 1 of our final episode of the season! Stephen talks with Peter Watts, author of Blindsight and Echopraxia (and much more), about UFOs, his influences, and the functional utility of consciousness.

This episode contains spoilers for Blindsight.

Website/blog

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Star Trek: The Original Series
  • The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
  • Neuropath by Scott Bakker
  • Larry Niven 
  • Ray Bradbury
  • Solaris by Stanislav Lem 
  • Solaris (1972; dir. Andrei Tarkovsky)
  • Solaris (2002; dir. Steven Soderberg)
  • The Creator (2023)
  • Charles Stross
  • Richard Dawkins (sorry, Janet couldn't find the work mentioned)
  • Alien movie series

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> This is part 1 of our final episode of the season! Stephen talks with Peter Watts, author of Blindsight and Echopraxia (and much more), about UFOs, his influences, and the functional utility of consciousness.

This episode contains spoilers for Blindsight.

Website/blog

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Star Trek: The Original Series
  • The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
  • Neuropath by Scott Bakker
  • Larry Niven 
  • Ray Bradbury
  • Solaris by Stanislav Lem 
  • Solaris (1972; dir. Andrei Tarkovsky)
  • Solaris (2002; dir. Steven Soderberg)
  • The Creator (2023)
  • Charles Stross
  • Richard Dawkins (sorry, Janet couldn't find the work mentioned)
  • Alien movie series

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2120 16 full Humour and SF Humour and SF https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/humour-and-sf/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/humour-and-sf/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/d8a99e8b-350b-327c-9290-031e5e80be8a Stephen talks with Charles Stross, author of the Laundry Files series (and much more), about humour in speculative fiction, the element of surprise, and what makes him laugh.

Charlie's Diary Mastodon Bluesky

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works, games, & artists mentioned

  • H.P. Lovecraft
  • Laundry Files series by Charles Stross
  • New Management series by Charles Stross
  • A Colder War by Charles Stross
  • Len Deighton
  • John Le Carré
  • Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
  • James Bond series by Ian Fleming
  • Adam Hall
  • Anthony Price
  • Modesty Blaise
  • Quentin Tarentino
  • Vampire: The Masquerade (game)
  • Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams
  • Gil’s All-Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
  • J.W. Wells & Co. series by Tom Holt
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus
  • Call of Cthulu (game)
  • The Laundry (game)
  • George R.R. Martin
  • Dungeons & Dragons (game)

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> Stephen talks with Charles Stross, author of the Laundry Files series (and much more), about humour in speculative fiction, the element of surprise, and what makes him laugh.

Charlie's Diary
Mastodon
Bluesky

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works, games, & artists mentioned

  • H.P. Lovecraft
  • Laundry Files series by Charles Stross
  • New Management series by Charles Stross
  • A Colder War by Charles Stross
  • Len Deighton
  • John Le Carré
  • Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
  • James Bond series by Ian Fleming
  • Adam Hall
  • Anthony Price
  • Modesty Blaise
  • Quentin Tarentino
  • Vampire: The Masquerade (game)
  • Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams
  • Gil’s All-Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
  • J.W. Wells & Co. series by Tom Holt
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus
  • Call of Cthulu (game)
  • The Laundry (game)
  • George R.R. Martin
  • Dungeons & Dragons (game)

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1954 15 full Alternate Futures Alternate Futures https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/alternate-futures/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/alternate-futures/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/f7c75fca-0b37-313c-832d-b46cf752b566 Stephen talks with Kenna Alexander, creator of the RPG Coyote & Crow, about alternate futures, creating an Indigenous roleplaying game, and decolonising gaming.

At the time of this interview, Kenna was known by a different name and pronouns. We acknowledge and celebrate her true identity.

Coyote & Crow Games Discord YouTube Bluesky Reddit

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works, games, & artists mentioned

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> Stephen talks with Kenna Alexander, creator of the RPG Coyote & Crow, about alternate futures, creating an Indigenous roleplaying game, and decolonising gaming.

At the time of this interview, Kenna was known by a different name and pronouns. We acknowledge and celebrate her true identity.

Coyote & Crow Games
Discord
YouTube
Bluesky
Reddit

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works, games, & artists mentioned

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the spring of 2024.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2120 14 full Optimistic SF Optimistic SF https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/optimistic-sf/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/optimistic-sf/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/6a2158a5-7b2d-3c88-a083-4d66037c3285 Stephen talks with author Alyx Dellamonica about optimistic SF, balancing optimism with realism, and their Bounceback book series.

 

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Ray Bradbury
  • Spider Robinson
  • War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
  • Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov
  • Star Trek: The Original Series
  • Horse Woman by LX Beckett
  • Gamechanger & Dealbreaker by LX Beckett
  • Annalee Newitz
  • Nnedi Okorafor

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> Stephen talks with author Alyx Dellamonica about optimistic SF, balancing optimism with realism, and their Bounceback book series.

 

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Ray Bradbury
  • Spider Robinson
  • War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
  • Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov
  • Star Trek: The Original Series
  • Horse Woman by LX Beckett
  • Gamechanger & Dealbreaker by LX Beckett
  • Annalee Newitz
  • Nnedi Okorafor

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2039 13 full Music and SF Music and SF https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/music-and-sf/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/music-and-sf/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/e8c2d8b3-b3ab-3910-ad84-d4044a2af6c0 Stephen discusses filk, storytelling, community, and the intersections of music and speculative fiction with two legends: 'Decadent' Dave Clement and Steven Brust.

Note: For copyright reasons, we didn't include any songs in this episode. The songs we would have used are 'This Island Earth' (Dandelion Wine) and 'Stars Overhead' (Cats Laughing) from the albums linked below.

Circles in the Grain - Dandelion Wine Another Way to Travel - Cats Laughing

Cats Laughing website

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Events mentioned

Select works & artists mentioned

  • Beth Friedman
  • Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust
  • Khaavren Romances series by Steven Brust
  • DC Star Trek comic “Debt of Honor” written by Christopher S. Claremont, illustrated by Adam T. Hughes and Karl C. Story
  • The Callahan Touch by Spider Robinson
  • Borderland series by Terri Windling
  • Adam Stemple
  • Emma Bull
  • The Gypsy by Megan Lindholme and Steven Brust
  • Songs from The Gypsy by Boiled in Lead (album)
  • Joe Haldeman
  • Lyorn by Steven Brust (released April 2024)
  • How Much for Just the Planet? by John M. Ford
  • Once More, With Feeling - Buffy the Vampire Slayer s6e7

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

 

]]> Stephen discusses filk, storytelling, community, and the intersections of music and speculative fiction with two legends: 'Decadent' Dave Clement and Steven Brust.

Note: For copyright reasons, we didn't include any songs in this episode. The songs we would have used are 'This Island Earth' (Dandelion Wine) and 'Stars Overhead' (Cats Laughing) from the albums linked below.

Circles in the Grain - Dandelion Wine
Another Way to Travel - Cats Laughing

Cats Laughing website

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Events mentioned

Select works & artists mentioned

  • Beth Friedman
  • Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust
  • Khaavren Romances series by Steven Brust
  • DC Star Trek comic “Debt of Honor” written by Christopher S. Claremont, illustrated by Adam T. Hughes and Karl C. Story
  • The Callahan Touch by Spider Robinson
  • Borderland series by Terri Windling
  • Adam Stemple
  • Emma Bull
  • The Gypsy by Megan Lindholme and Steven Brust
  • Songs from The Gypsy by Boiled in Lead (album)
  • Joe Haldeman
  • Lyorn by Steven Brust (released April 2024)
  • How Much for Just the Planet? by John M. Ford
  • Once More, With Feeling - Buffy the Vampire Slayer s6e7

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

 

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1789 12 full Cosy Fantasy Cosy Fantasy https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/cosy-fantasy/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/cosy-fantasy/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/63ac359b-f5bb-3f19-9257-980c188799fb Stephen talks with Yilin Wang and André Geleynse of Tales & Feathers magazine about cosy fiction.

Tales & Feathers magazine Augur magazine Facebook Twitter Instagram

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers
  • John Wiswell
  • Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin
  • The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Diana Wynne Jones
  • I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki
  • My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
  • Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
  • Hakumei and Mikochi by Takuto Kashiki

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> Stephen talks with Yilin Wang and André Geleynse of Tales & Feathers magazine about cosy fiction.

Tales & Feathers magazine
Augur magazine
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers
  • John Wiswell
  • Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin
  • The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Diana Wynne Jones
  • I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki
  • My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
  • Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto
  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
  • Hakumei and Mikochi by Takuto Kashiki

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2076 11 full Apocalypse Apocalypse https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/apocalypse/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/apocalypse/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/74f305ae-825a-35f9-9142-61bef82146e7 New host Stephen talks with Waubgeshig Rice about apocalyptic stories, Indigenous SF, and his books Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves.

Waub's website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads

Merril Links

The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Moon of the Crusted Snow, Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice 
  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
  • The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
  • Mad Max (1979)
  • The Last of Us (video game - 2013; TV series - 2023)
  • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
  • Trickster series by Eden Robinson
  • The Road by Cormack McCarthy

Host: Stephen Geraghty Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> New host Stephen talks with Waubgeshig Rice about apocalyptic stories, Indigenous SF, and his books Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves.

Waub's website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!
Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

Works & artists mentioned

  • Moon of the Crusted Snow, Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice 
  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
  • The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
  • Mad Max (1979)
  • The Last of Us (video game - 2013; TV series - 2023)
  • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
  • Trickster series by Eden Robinson
  • The Road by Cormack McCarthy

Host: Stephen Geraghty
Producer: Janet Mowat

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2023.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2770 10 full Climate Fiction Climate Fiction https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/climate-fiction/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/climate-fiction/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2022 12:53:43 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/3e8714b6-f8e1-3040-81c2-b4cfec727e04 In his final episode as host of the podcast, Oliver chats with author Kim Stanley Robinson about Climate Fiction. KimStanleyRobinson.info

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> In his final episode as host of the podcast, Oliver chats with author Kim Stanley Robinson about Climate Fiction.
KimStanleyRobinson.info

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2945 2 9 full Folklore and the Four Winds Storytellers Library Folklore and the Four Winds Storytellers Library https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/folklore-and-the-four-winds-storytellers-library/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/folklore-and-the-four-winds-storytellers-library/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/e8746e67-0814-351b-a329-dbc5ee5656f7 Oliver talks with Norman Perrin about folklore in general, and Norman's unique, privately owned, publicly accessible archive of folklore knowledge he’s run from his Toronto apartment since 1990. The Four Winds Storytellers Library on Facebook

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with Norman Perrin about folklore in general, and Norman's unique, privately owned, publicly accessible archive of folklore knowledge he’s run from his Toronto apartment since 1990.
The Four Winds Storytellers Library on Facebook

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)



]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1927 2 8 full Beyond Lovecraft Beyond Lovecraft https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/beyond-lovecraft/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/beyond-lovecraft/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/2d8ac697-307d-38e5-872a-f6982229c44a Oliver talks with Scott Dorward about H.P. Lovecraft, how his legacy has been built on, and how writers might take things even further. The Good Friends of Jackson Elias, a Lovecraft & gaming podcast Scott co-hosts (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Discord) Scott’s Twitter

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with Scott Dorward about H.P. Lovecraft, how his legacy has been built on, and how writers might take things even further.
The Good Friends of Jackson Elias, a Lovecraft & gaming podcast Scott co-hosts (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Discord)
Scott’s Twitter

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2928 2 7 full Graphic Novels Graphic Novels https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/graphic-novels/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/graphic-novels/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/1b7d4d20-fab2-3342-83c3-f3e5b51e66a2 Oliver talks with the man behind Beguiling Comics, Peter Birkemoe, about graphic novels. The Beguiling (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) Little Island Comics

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with the man behind Beguiling Comics, Peter Birkemoe, about graphic novels.
The Beguiling (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Little Island Comics

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1910 2 6 full Alternate Histories Alternate Histories https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/alternate-histories/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/alternate-histories/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/d61f9145-4c60-33af-9132-d686fdf1a722 Oliver talks with author Gideon Marcus about alternate history speculative fiction. Gideon Marcus (Twitter) Galactic Journey (Twitter, Facebook)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with author Gideon Marcus about alternate history speculative fiction.
Gideon Marcus (Twitter)
Galactic Journey (Twitter, Facebook)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2065 2 5 full Norse Mythologies Norse Mythologies https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/norse-mythologies/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/norse-mythologies/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/6612ded6-eb91-3ffe-bfee-a0c87d64a672 Oliver discusses Norse mythology, and its influence on speculative fiction, with Senior Department Head of both the Merril and Osborne Collections, Sephora Henderson.

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver discusses Norse mythology, and its influence on speculative fiction, with Senior Department Head of both the Merril and Osborne Collections, Sephora Henderson.

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1643 2 4 full Haunted Houses Haunted Houses https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/haunted-houses/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/haunted-houses/#comments Mon, 30 May 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/8e5033b3-1f48-3a3a-a4be-5620ca08d1a7 Oliver talks with author Gemma Files about haunted house stories. Gemma’s Website (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with author Gemma Files about haunted house stories.
Gemma’s Website (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2150 2 3 full Sci-Fi Digests Sci-Fi Digests https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/sci-fi-digests/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/sci-fi-digests/#comments Mon, 16 May 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/5fcaa894-b911-3fa1-9d1f-a6748103cbaf Oliver talks with Trever Quachri, head editor at Analog magazine, about scifi digest magazines.

Analog Magazine’s Website (Twitter, Facebook)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with Trever Quachri, head editor at Analog magazine, about scifi digest magazines.

Analog Magazine’s Website (Twitter, Facebook)

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 3093 2 2 full Sword & Sorcery Sword & Sorcery https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/sword-sorcery/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/sword-sorcery/#comments Mon, 02 May 2022 00:30:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/c182c118-eee2-3975-b9b4-72b1e2a7cf53 Oliver talks with Brain Murphy, author of Flame & Crimson: A history of Sword & Sorcery, about the mighty thewed fantasy sub-genre birthed by Robert E Howard when he created Conan the Barbarian. The Silver Key, Brian’s Sword & Sorcery Blog Buy Flame & Crimson! Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> Oliver talks with Brain Murphy, author of Flame & Crimson: A history of Sword & Sorcery, about the mighty thewed fantasy sub-genre birthed by Robert E Howard when he created Conan the Barbarian.

The Silver Key, Brian’s Sword & Sorcery Blog
Buy Flame & Crimson!

Merril Links

The Merril Collection!

Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 3360 2 1 full Afrofuturism Afrofuturism https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/afrofuturism/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/afrofuturism/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/7f9e6591-0b95-354d-b8a4-464b9532a2a7 Host Oliver Brackenbury examines the evolution of Afrofuturism in speculative fiction with writer and educator Quentin VerCetty Lindsay.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> Host Oliver Brackenbury examines the evolution of Afrofuturism in speculative fiction with writer and educator Quentin VerCetty Lindsay.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1814 1 9 full Selling Speculative Fiction Selling Speculative Fiction https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/selling/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/selling/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/c692b8a8-4fbe-3bc7-8719-1dbc417ae0e4 Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of sci-fi/ fantasy bookshops with Chris Szego, former manager of Bakka Phoenix Books, the oldest extant science fiction bookstore in North America.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of sci-fi/ fantasy bookshops with Chris Szego, former manager of Bakka Phoenix Books, the oldest extant science fiction bookstore in North America.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1280 1 8 full Dystopias & Utopias Dystopias & Utopias https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/dystopia/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/dystopia/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400 unknownworlds.podbean.com/593e618d-0db0-344a-b175-0f4beda9f9e6 York University's Professor Allan Weiss joins host Oliver Brackenbury for a discussion on the history of utopian and dystopian speculative fiction.

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> York University's Professor Allan Weiss joins host Oliver Brackenbury for a discussion on the history of utopian and dystopian speculative fiction.

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2263 1 7 full Canadian Speculative Fiction Canadian Speculative Fiction https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/canadian/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/canadian/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/05770bd4-2898-35df-ab62-deb51fdc16a7 Toronto-born speculative writer Cory Doctorow talks with host Oliver Brackenbury about Canadian sci-fi, his mentors in the genre, and his current experiences as an ex-pat author living in America.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> Toronto-born speculative writer Cory Doctorow talks with host Oliver Brackenbury about Canadian sci-fi, his mentors in the genre, and his current experiences as an ex-pat author living in America.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1388 1 6 full The Pulps The Pulps https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/pulps/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/pulps/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/445a2d4e-1f78-32bb-b9b9-62dfe928e3aa Neil Mechem, co-founder of Toronto's Fantastic Pulp Show takes host Oliver Brackenbury on a journey into the world of classic pulp magazines – a major source of inspiration for modern horror, science fiction, fantasy, comics, film & TV, and more!

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

 

]]> Neil Mechem, co-founder of Toronto's Fantastic Pulp Show takes host Oliver Brackenbury on a journey into the world of classic pulp magazines – a major source of inspiration for modern horror, science fiction, fantasy, comics, film & TV, and more!

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

 

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1729 1 5 full Role-Playing Games & The Appendix N Reading List Role-Playing Games & The Appendix N Reading List https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/rpgs/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/rpgs/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/d7d4e5f7-7822-3263-a746-e7d8e6f5d281 Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of role playing games and the Appendix N reading list that inspired them with master gamer and commentator Jeff Goad.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of role playing games and the Appendix N reading list that inspired them with master gamer and commentator Jeff Goad.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 2899 1 4 full LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/lgbtq-speculative-fiction/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/lgbtq-speculative-fiction/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/1caf5fc0-9174-337c-907f-aa1f5f6b17a7 Host Oliver Brackenbury discusses queer sci-fi with Nebula Award-winning author Kelly Robson.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> Host Oliver Brackenbury discusses queer sci-fi with Nebula Award-winning author Kelly Robson.

 

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1865 1 3 full The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/merril/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/merril/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/4b4c3e5b-2e71-3c07-b99e-72da70e31bac In this episode, host Oliver Brackenbury wanders the stacks of the Merril Collection with Services Specialist Annette Mocek and learns how acclaimed sci-fi writer Judith Merril transformed a small "Spaced Out Library" into one of the world's largest collections of genre fiction. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, host Oliver Brackenbury wanders the stacks of the Merril Collection with Services Specialist Annette Mocek and learns how acclaimed sci-fi writer Judith Merril transformed a small "Spaced Out Library" into one of the world's largest collections of genre fiction.

Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode:

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 1507 1 2 full Teaser for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection Teaser for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/trailer/ https://unknownworlds.podbean.com/e/trailer/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2021 11:43:36 -0500 unknownworlds.podbean.com/ae768b28-7884-31d2-85dc-8c718782f999 A tiny trailer for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection, where host Oliver Brackenbury interviews special guests about notable history and new frontiers in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror as found in Toronto's Merril Collection, the Western Hemisphere's largest publicly accessible archive of genre materials. Produced by Chris Dickie. Interviews have been edited for length and content.

]]> A tiny trailer for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection, where host Oliver Brackenbury interviews special guests about notable history and new frontiers in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror as found in Toronto's Merril Collection, the Western Hemisphere's largest publicly accessible archive of genre materials.

Produced by Chris Dickie. Interviews have been edited for length and content.

]]> The Friends of Merril false No 37 1 trailer