Breaking the Glass Slipper: Women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror
259 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsPodcast discussing women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Hosted by Megan Leigh, Charlotte Bond, and Lucy Hounsom. New episodes every other Thursday.
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Episodes
S03, E11: Women’s ghost stories with Melissa Edmundson Makala
May 31, 2018 11:00 - 47.6 MBGhost literature written by women in the 19th century was more about social commentary than pure entertainment, argues academic Melissa Edmundson Makala. Charlotte positively geeks out with Melissa about her book, Women’s Ghost Literature in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Gothic Literary Studies). Full episode notes are available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S03, E11: Women’s ghost stories with Melissa Edmundson Makala first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Idealised characters and Mary Sues
May 17, 2018 11:01 - 1 hour - 51 MBWe’ve all encountered them – characters who can do anything. They have physical and mental abilities beyond every other character in that world, perhaps even abilities that no one else in the world has in any capacity. They are so good-looking there are no words to properly capture their beauty. Everyone one they meet instantly […] The post Idealised characters and Mary Sues first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E10: Idealised characters and Mary Sues
May 17, 2018 10:55 - 51 MBMary Sues are idealised characters with no real flaws. They are dull, irritating, and strangely prevalent. We look at what it means to be a Mary Sue, why they can be problematic, and whether they might actually work… sometimes. Full episode notes available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S03, E10: Idealised characters and Mary Sues first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Fighting oppression with Paige L Christie
May 03, 2018 11:00 - 49 minutes - 39.8 MBLast year, Lucy was lucky enough to read an author review copy of Paige L Christie’s debut novel, Draigon Weather. She immediately fell in love with the story and what Paige was trying to achieve. We have previously had Paige on the blog answering our ‘five questions‘ but we wanted to talk to her more extensively […] The post Fighting oppression with Paige L Christie first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E09: Fighting oppression with Paige L Christie
May 03, 2018 10:55 - 39.8 MBWe ask Paige L Christie about sacrificial tropes, using education as a kind of rebellion, and how cultural myths are used to oppress and establish social order. Full episode notes are available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com If you enjoy what we do, please leave a review! The post S03, E09: Fighting oppression with Paige L Christie first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Describing women with Gwen C. Katz
April 19, 2018 11:05 - 56 minutes - 45.2 MBYA author Gwen C. Katz came across a forum thread about men’s ability to write female characters. There was the usual toxicity there – brushing off any criticism as more ‘SJW bullshit’. She wanted to speak out, but she had no idea her comments would strike such a chord. Her twitter comments were retweeted over 20,000 […] The post Describing women with Gwen C. Katz first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E08: Describing women with Gwen C Katz
April 19, 2018 11:00 - 45.2 MBWhy is it such a problem that men write poor descriptions of women? And what makes them bad descriptions in the first place? Breaking the Glass Slipper speak to YA author Gwen C. Katz about the pervasiveness of poor descriptions of women across genres and what we can do to address the problem. Full episode […] The post S03, E08: Describing women with Gwen C Katz first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Jeanne Cavelos on teaching genre writing
April 05, 2018 11:10 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBEvery few years I see articles pop up in my news feed debating the merits of creative writing courses. Can you teach writing, they ask. Writing is a skill just like any other – you might not be able to imbue someone with a sense of imagination, but you can show them how to write […] The post Jeanne Cavelos on teaching genre writing first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E07: Jeanne Cavelos on teaching genre writing
April 05, 2018 11:09 - 50.5 MBCan writing be taught? Why go to a genre-specific writing course? What do students learn at such workshops? Charlotte and Megan talk to writer and founder of Odyssey Writing Workshops, Jeanne Cavelos, about teaching creative writing in a genre-specific context. http://www.odysseyworkshop.org Full episode notes available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S03, E07: Jeanne Cavelos on teaching genre writing first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Fantasy, nostalgia, and working for hire with David Tallerman
March 22, 2018 12:00 - 28 minutes - 22.9 MBIt is very rare for Charlotte and I to agree. When we do, there’s great celebration over at BtGS headquarters. David Tallerman’s trope-inverting, Dungeons and Dragons inspired series The Black River Chronicles, is one of these rare gems (you can read my review here). So we wanted to get him on the show! Charlotte asks David about […] The post Fantasy, nostalgia, and working for hire with David Tallerman first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E06: Fantasy, nostalgia, and working for hire with David Tallerman
March 22, 2018 11:48 - 22.9 MBCharlotte interviews writer David Tallerman about writing fantasy and crime, writing-for-hire, Dungeons and Dragons, and the current trend for nostalgia in a lot of genre fiction. David Tallerman has written novels, novellas, short stories, and comics. You can find him online at www.davidtallerman.co.uk Full episode notes are available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S03, E06: Fantasy, nostalgia, and working for hire with David Tallerman first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slip...
Where are the tampons? with Tiffani Angus
March 08, 2018 12:00 - 52 minutes - 45.1 MBIn this episode, Charlotte and Lucy talk to writer and lecturer Tiffani Angus. They discussed the estrangement of women’s bodies in apocalyptic fiction and the trends Tiffani discovered in her research on the subject. While there is a lot of genre fiction written about the apocalypse, many would fail a ‘realism’ test when it comes […] The post Where are the tampons? with Tiffani Angus first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E05: Where are the tampons? with Tiffani Angus
March 08, 2018 10:04 - 45.1 MBIn this episode, Charlotte and Lucy talk to writer and lecturer Tiffani Angus. They discuss the estrangement of women’s bodies in apocalyptic fiction. While there is a lot of genre fiction written about the apocalypse, many would fail a ‘realism’ test when it comes to basic bodily functions. Women menstruate. They go through menopause. They […] The post S03, E05: Where are the tampons? with Tiffani Angus first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Violence as climactic conflict
February 22, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBAll stories require conflict of some kind… but does it always need to be violent conflict? There is certainly a trend in fantasy, science fiction, and horror to find narratives driving towards a massive violent conclusion. These have become set-pieces, the very things that sell Blockbuster films to audiences. We expect them in our genre […] The post Violence as climactic conflict first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E04: Violence as climactic conflict
February 22, 2018 11:50 - 50.9 MBDo science fiction, fantasy, and horror narratives require violence? Are there other ways of creating conflict and tension in genre stories? This week, Charlotte, Lucy, and Megan look at how violence is used in genre fiction as the default approach to conflict. Full episode notes including further reading and all texts mentioned can be found […] The post S03, E04: Violence as climactic conflict first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
The Bechdel-Wallace test
February 08, 2018 12:00 - 51 minutes - 41.4 MBBack in 1985, Alison Bechdel had the characters of her cartoon strip, Dykes to Watch Out For, jokingly make a gender equality ‘test’ for films. 33 years later, the Bechdel (or Bechdel-Wallace, to give credit to her friend Liz Wallace for the idea) test is still used to determine whether a film has any claim to […] The post The Bechdel-Wallace test first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E03: The Bechdel-Wallace test
February 08, 2018 11:45 - 41.4 MBFor over 30 years we have used the Bechdel-Wallace test to push for gender equality in film. But does it go far enough? The Bechdel-Wallace test should be applauded for getting the conversation started, but we believe it is time to move on. We should be demanding that a higher bar is set and that our media […] The post S03, E03: The Bechdel-Wallace test first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Christian mythology in fantasy with Jeannette Ng
January 25, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBCharlotte takes the lead in this episode, where we chat to Jeannette Ng about her use of Christian mythology in her debut novel, Under the Pendulum Sun. From using relatively unknown elements of Christianity to developing alternate patriarchies to highlight the impermanence of our own, Jeannette is as interesting as she is educational. If you take nothing […] The post Christian mythology in fantasy with Jeannette Ng first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E02: Christian mythology in fantasy with Jeannette Ng
January 25, 2018 11:51 - 56.3 MBWe chat to fantasy writer Jeannette Ng about her use of Christian mythology in her debut novel, Under the Pendulum Sun. Full episode notes are available here: http://wp.me/p7P6my-cd The post S03, E02: Christian mythology in fantasy with Jeannette Ng first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
2017 in review and anticipation for 2018
January 11, 2018 12:00 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBAre you ready for your to-read and to-watch lists to explode? Charlotte, Lucy, and I discuss our favourite genre pieces of 2017 and what we’re most looking forward to in 2018. We lament terrible accents and characters that have no agency, celebrate all the books, films, and TV we loved, and find common ground with […] The post 2017 in review and anticipation for 2018 first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S03, E01: 2017 in review and anticipation for 2018
January 11, 2018 11:46 - 51.9 MBCharlotte, Lucy, and I discuss our favourite genre pieces of 2017 and what we’re most looking forward to in 2018. Get ready for your to-read and to-watch lists to explode! Full notes, including all texts mentioned in the episode are available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S03, E01: 2017 in review and anticipation for 2018 first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E25: Interview with RJ Barker
December 07, 2017 12:03 - 24.6 MBCharlotte interviews RJ Barker on writing female characters, his favourite genres, and writing characters with disabilities. Full episode notes available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S02, E25: Interview with RJ Barker first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Interview with RJ Barker
December 07, 2017 12:00 - 30 minutes - 24.6 MBRegular listeners will already be familiar with the fabulous RJ Barker who joined us live at Nine Worlds to discuss realistic characters. This week, Charlotte interviews RJ about writing female characters, his favourite genres, and writing characters with disabilities. RJ’s stellar debut, Age of Assassins, combines elements of traditional fantasy with murder mystery and historical fiction. […] The post Interview with RJ Barker first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Subverting social norms with Adrian Tchaikovsky
November 23, 2017 12:00 - 40 minutes - 32.6 MBMost science fiction and fantasy focus on humans – or at least societal structures that are recognisable from within cultures on Earth. Given that genre fiction is meant to be one of unlimited imagination, why do we find it so difficult to imagine societies where hierarchies aren’t defined by gender, and more specifically, where the […] The post Subverting social norms with Adrian Tchaikovsky first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E24: Subverting social norms with Adrian Tchaikovsky
November 23, 2017 11:29 - 32.6 MBMegan chats to award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky about worldbuilding and creating societies that don’t regurgitate the social norms we are familiar with. Full episode notes available on www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S02, E24: Subverting social norms with Adrian Tchaikovsky first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Diversity in video games with Emily Marlow
November 09, 2017 12:00 - 50 minutes - 40.6 MBHow important are video games in showcasing diversity? Can they do it better than other forms of media? Whether ‘diversity’ means eschewing the traditional cis white male protagonist or encountering a broad spectrum of race, gender and relationships, can gaming offer us a safe space to explore topics we might otherwise find difficult in the […] The post Diversity in video games with Emily Marlow first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E23: Diversity in video games with Emily Marlow
November 09, 2017 11:59 - 40.6 MBLucy chats to Emily R Marlow about diversity in RPGs and the importance of gender representation in gaming. Full episode notes available here: http://wp.me/p7P6my-aS The post S02, E23: Diversity in video games with Emily Marlow first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Witchcraft, ritual, and power
October 26, 2017 11:00 - 40 minutes - 32.9 MBThis week, we are taking a slight detour from our usual subject matter and taking a look at witchcraft and ritual in the real world from writers who identify as witches and explore these ideas in their non-fiction writing. After coming across Katie West’s latest project, Becoming Dangerous, I wanted to talk to her about ideas […] The post Witchcraft, ritual, and power first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E22: Witchcraft, ritual, and power
October 26, 2017 10:55 - 32.9 MBWe take a look at witchcraft in the real world and how women use witchcraft as an empowering movement in times of political uncertainty. Guests in this episode are Katie West, Gabriela Herstik, and Sophie Saint Thomas. Full episode notes available at https://www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S02, E22: Witchcraft, ritual, and power first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Pat Cadigan: Queen of Cyberpunk LIVE
October 12, 2017 11:00 - 47 minutes - 38.5 MBAt this year’s FantasyCon in Peterborough, Breaking the Glass Slipper was lucky enough to interview one of the guests of honour, Pat Cadigan. Pat is a writer of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, a three-time winner of the Locus Award, twice-winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and one-time winner of the Hugo Award. And yes, Pat […] The post Pat Cadigan: Queen of Cyberpunk LIVE first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E21: Pat Cadigan – Queen of Cyberpunk
October 12, 2017 11:00 - 38.5 MBWe interviewed Pat Cadigan at FantasyCon 2017 on the resurgence of cyberpunk, writing both novels and short fiction, the relationship between technology and the mind, and keeping her ideas fresh. The post S02, E21: Pat Cadigan – Queen of Cyberpunk first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Mythical females
September 28, 2017 11:00 - 46 minutes - 37.5 MBMermaids, Harpies, Valkyries, Succubae, Sirens, Banshees, Nymphs – We’ve been encountering the mythical female in literature and folklore for thousands of years. She appears in numerous religions, sometimes as saviour, sometimes as a harbinger of doom. She lures men to their death, transports them to the afterlife, enchants them, tricks them and sets them free. […] The post Mythical females first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E20: Mythical females
September 28, 2017 06:20 - 37.5 MBMegan, Charlotte, and Lucy look at the popularity of female creatures in mythology and folklore and what these she-beasts say about women, our place in society, and why they aren’t all negative representations. The post S02, E20: Mythical females first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
In praise of YA with Frances Hardinge
September 14, 2017 11:00 - 55 minutes - 44.8 MBYoung adult fiction is called a genre, a bookshop category, and more. It is a way of grouping books together based, usually, on the age of the protagonist. But a young adult protagonist does not mean that a book will only appeal to a younger audience, nor should it. And books that are written for […] The post In praise of YA with Frances Hardinge first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E19: In praise of YA with Frances Hardinge
September 14, 2017 10:41 - 44.8 MBWe talk to award-winning YA author Frances Hardinge about everything that young adult (YA) fiction has to offer both readers and writers. Full episode notes available at www.breakingtheglassslipper.com The post S02, E19: In praise of YA with Frances Hardinge first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Interview with Tim Lebbon
August 31, 2017 11:00 - 29 minutes - 54.3 MBHorror aficionado Charlotte talks with author Tim Lebbon, whose published bibliography is extensive. Lebbon has written countless horror and dark fantasy novels, both his original ideas as well as film novelisations and franchise tie-ins. A fan of his work, Charlotte particularly wanted to interview Tim about some of his stellar female characters. Does he consciously […] The post Interview with Tim Lebbon first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E18: Interview with Tim Lebbon
August 31, 2017 09:15 - 54.3 MBCharlotte interviews horror writer Tim Lebbon on his writing process, his character inspirations, and what scares him. The post S02, E18: Interview with Tim Lebbon first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
The power of playlists
August 24, 2017 11:02 - 47.9 MBBonus episode: Megan Leigh, Charlotte Bond, Lucy Hounsom, and Kieron Gillen discuss the power of playlists in writing and inspirate at Nine Worlds Geekfest 2017. The post The power of playlists first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Bonus content: Live at Nine Worlds
August 24, 2017 11:00 - 59 minutes - 47.9 MBAll three of us were flying the Breaking the Glass Slipper flag at Nine Worlds Geekfest 2017. Each of us were on numerous panels. Being the ‘tech geek’ of the three of us, however, I managed to record the two panels I was on outside of our live podcast episode. Of course, my very limited tech […] The post Bonus content: Live at Nine Worlds first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Chris Wooding: A life in writing
August 24, 2017 10:53 - 57 minutes - 46.4 MBBonus episode: Megan Leigh interviews Chris Wooding at Nine Worlds Geekfest. Chris Wooding has been a professional author since he was nineteen years old. Since then he has published twenty-four fantasy and SF books for both adults and YA readers, including a graphic novel, and worked in TV and the movie industry. In between, he […] The post Chris Wooding: A life in writing first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Realistic characters with RJ Barker and Anna Smith Spark
August 17, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 127 MBIn literary criticism, you often hear critiques of characters based on whether or not the character was realistic. But what does a realistic character look like when it comes to speculative fiction and why is it so important that a character feels realistic in worlds that are so wholly fantastic? Is it easier to create […] The post Realistic characters with RJ Barker and Anna Smith Spark first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E17: Realistic characters with RJ Barker and Anna Smith Spark
August 17, 2017 10:26 - 127 MBRecorded live at Nine Worlds Geekfest 2017. RJ Barker and Anna Smith Spark discuss what realistic characters are, why they are important, and how to write them. The post S02, E17: Realistic characters with RJ Barker and Anna Smith Spark first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E16: Interview with Seanan McGuire
August 03, 2017 11:04 - 85 MBCharlotte interviews the prolific writer Seanan McGuire (also known as Mira Grant) about her writing process, inclusive characters, Maine Coons, filk, and more. The post S02, E16: Interview with Seanan McGuire first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Interview with Seanan McGuire
August 03, 2017 11:00 - 46 minutes - 85 MBIn this episode, Charlotte interviews the prolific writer Seanan McGuire (also known as Mira Grant) about her writing process, inclusive characters, Maine Coons, filk (folk music of science fiction and fantasy), and more. Focusing on three recent publications that Charlotte has particularly enjoyed – Every Heart a Doorway (winner of the 2017 Nebula for best novella), Dusk or Dark or […] The post Interview with Seanan McGuire first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Writing video games with Rhianna Pratchett
July 13, 2017 11:20 - 53 minutes - 42.8 MBSpeculative fiction is not confined to prose stories or even TV and film. Video games have long focused on science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories. As such, this week, I interview master games writer (official title!), Rhianna Pratchett. Writing a novel or short story can be hard enough, but writing for games is on another level. […] The post Writing video games with Rhianna Pratchett first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E15: Writing video games with Rhianna Pratchett
July 13, 2017 11:11 - 42.8 MBMegan interviews writer Rhianna Pratchett on writing for games, updating an iconic series, and her favourite games. The post S02, E15: Writing video games with Rhianna Pratchett first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
The feminist obligation
July 06, 2017 11:00 - 46 minutes - 37.3 MBIt is common for feminist writers to feel the need to focus only on stories that preoccupy themselves with the marginalisation of women. Other writers don’t necessarily dwell on the representation of their own demographic, so why should women (and other marginalised groups) feel the need to? Feminists, like us here at Breaking the Glass Slipper, […] The post The feminist obligation first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E14: The Feminist Obligation
July 06, 2017 10:47 - 37.3 MBAs responsible feminists, we attempt to further feminism in all that we do. But is that actually limiting us? The post S02, E14: The Feminist Obligation first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
Melinda Snodgrass on optimism in science fiction
June 22, 2017 11:00 - 36 minutes - 29.8 MBOne of my earliest loves and the series that prompted my eternal love for the science fiction genre was Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was hopeful while exploring deep philosophical questions. I was absolutely thrilled to speak to Melinda Snodgrass, who wrote some of my favourite episodes of the series (‘Measure of a Man’ and ‘The […] The post Melinda Snodgrass on optimism in science fiction first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.
S02, E13: Melinda Snodgrass on optimism in science fiction
June 22, 2017 10:47 - 29.8 MBScreenwriter, novelist, short story writer, and editor Melinda Snodgrass chats to Megan about Star Trek, optimism in SF, and gender issues in the industry. The post S02, E13: Melinda Snodgrass on optimism in science fiction first appeared on Breaking the Glass Slipper.