Category: Myths, Legends, Folklore, and Tall Tales
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LIVE NOW with John Wiswell, Nebula Award Winner
John Wiswell is an American science fiction and fantasy author whose short fiction has won the Locus and Nebula Awards and been a finalist for the Hugo, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy Awards. His debut fantasy novel, Someone You Can Build a Nest In, was released in April 2024 by DAW Books and Quercus. Wiswell’s…
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Of the Making of Books there Is No End?
I grew up in a fairly conservative religious community that abhorred study and praised ignorance, in a way. From this assumption folks would often quote in my general direction of the making of books there is no end. They believed along what Asimov said of many Americans: that my ignorance is as good as anyone…
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Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
Questions about Hindu Monotheism — often phrased rather bluntly such as “Is Hinduism monotheistic or polytheistic?” — have cropped up of late. The answer, in a general sense, is either “it depends” or “whose monotheism?” or “which Hinduism?” Folks, at least according to the search trends, seem deeply concerned — even disturbed — that any form of Hinduism…
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Have We Hit Peak Superhero Cinema?
Today for Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, I’m posting a recording of a panel I joined for Heliosphere 2019 that asked the question Have We Reached Peak Superhero Cinema? The panel featured the fabulous Charlie Jane Anders, Kathleen O’Shea David, and Mercy Van Vlack. All of them asked engaging, heartfelt questions from a combined…
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Magic Reveals the Author’s Metaphysics
Today for BOTH Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, I’m posting a recording of a panel I was on at Heliosphere 2019 on how Magic Reveals the Metaphysics of the Author within fantasy and science fiction novels. The panel featured Carole Ann Moleti, Alex Shvartsman, Ken Altabef, Lorrain Schein. We ventured into philosophy, religion, politics, and…
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Running a Book Club Well
Today for BOTH Western Canonball AND Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, I’m posting a recording of a panel I was on at Heliosphere 2019 on Running a Book Club Well (the program called it “Tips for your Kickass Book Club”). The panel featured Carol Gyzander,Philip De Parto, Lauren Paradise,Eric Parmer. It ventured into nearly…
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Man and Serpent by Aesop
Today for Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, we’re reading Man and Serpent by Aesop. Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales is another one of my podcasts featuring bedtime story readings — in this case the myths, legends, folklore and tall tales of the world. Now and again, I read one of my own stories…
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Frankenstein: The Intersection of Literature and Science — with Kathleen Ann Goonan at the World Fantasy Convention
On Thursday I gave a talk on Frankenstein: The Intersection of Literature and Science here at the World Fantasy Convention with the fabulous and brilliant Kathy Goonan, (unfortunately Ted Chaing’s train delayed him). Kathy offered a deep drink from her vast experience and knowledge and I think you’ll find it instructive as we continue reading…
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The Vampyre by John William Polidori
Few realize that the story THE VAMPYRE by John William Polidori predicates Dracula. It definitely qualifies for canon and since we’re reading and talking about Frankenstein, it seems fitting to read his frequent counterpart in horror: Featured download: THE ORIGINAL FRANKENSTEIN ebook.
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Original Frankenstein Story : Letter 1 by Mary Shelly
This year for the 200th anniversary, we’re going to read through the original Frankenstein story. Today’s episode is letter 1 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly: Featured download: THE ORIGINAL FRANKENSTEIN ebook.
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Ass and Lapdog by Aesop
Today for Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, we’re reading Ass and Lapdog by Aesop. Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales is another one of my podcasts featuring bedtime story readings — in this case the myths, legends, folklore and tall tales of the world. Now and again, I read one of my own stories…
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Bald Man and Fly by Aesop
Today for Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales, we’re reading Bald Man and Fly by Aesop. Myths, Legends, Folklore and Tall Tales is another one of my podcasts featuring bedtime story readings — in this case the myths, legends, folklore and tall tales of the world. Now and again, I read one of my own…