Critical Friends Episode 20: On Book Clubs

In this episode, as part of our 2026 criticism special issue Tristan Beiter introduces us to the Ursula K. Le Guin book club he's been taking part in. The group discusses the book club as a forum for, and a practice of, criticism. How does it differ from the academy, from more formal venues, from fan spaces—and what kinds of critical activity and insight do those differences, equip it uniquely to deliver? 

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Dan Hartland is joined by Shannon Fay and Marisa Mercurio to discuss horror, and especially its cozy variety. From the gothic to the slasher movie, how might texts within an increasingly broad tradition be judged as a success? And what should reviewers do when a given example falls short?Shannon's review of The Macabre by Kosoko JacksonMarisa's review of Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby

In this episode of the Strange Horizons Fiction podcast, editor Michael Ireland reads 'Orchard Village Catalog' by Parker Peevyhouse. You can read the full text of the story, and more about Parker Peevyhouse ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Dan Hartland is joined by Cameron Miguel and Nick Hubble to discuss fantasy and its relationship to history and history-writing. Is some sense of the recordable past baked into the genre? And, if so, with what effects?Cameron's review of Making History.Nick's review of The Everlasting.

In the first part of episode 5 of Writing While Disabled, Kristy Anne Cox and Kate Johnston discuss some adjustments they'd like to see at science fiction conventions that would help create a more inclusive experience for all science fiction writers and fans, including moderator training, fire safety, a technology mentor-buddy system, and more.If you prefer, you can watch the full episode with close-caption subtitles here.Show Notes:This episode was produced and hosted by Kristy Anne Cox and Kate Johnston, and edited, mixed, and transcribed by Kat Kourbeti.The theme song, "Funky - Upbeat Loop" by ispeakwaves, is licensed under CC BY 4.0.Want to send us a question? You can do so here!

In this episode of Strange Horizons at 25, Podcast Editor Kat Kourbeti sits down with long-time Strange Horizons contributor RB Lemberg for a conversation about their extensive work with the magazine, using poetry as a tool to refine short and long-form fiction, writing about the diaspora experience, and the comfort one can find in stories from perspectives outside one's own. Oh, and Ursula K LeGuin, of course.Links and things:Want to leave us a happy birthday message? Click ⁠here to record an audio message⁠, and ⁠here for video⁠.Join our ⁠Patreon⁠ for early episode access, or donate through any other way to hear your name and message in our next episodes.Are you starting to read stories for SFF awards season? Consider our fiction and poetry archives as a good starting point, and let us know your favourite stories and poems of the year on Bluesky.Episode show notes:Read RB Lemberg's work in our archives.Visit their website, their Patreon, or follow them on Bluesky.Buy Yoke of Stars, their latest Birdverse novella, which just won the World Fantasy Award!Pre-order We Will Rise Again, the activism anthology edited by Annalee Newitz, Karen Lord, and Malka Older.Find more links to their work, plus other interesting things, scattered through the transcript on our website.

In this episode of the Strange Horizons Fiction podcast, editor Michael Ireland presents B. Pladek's 'The Spindle of Necessity' read by Arden Fitzroy.You can read the full text of the story, and more about B. Pladek ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠Content Warning: Disregard for personal autonomyDysphoriaSexism/gender discriminationShamingTrans misgendering or other transphobic depictions

Celebrating 25 Years with The Strange Horizons Editorial CollectiveIn this special episode of Strange Horizons at 25, Senior Podcast Editor Kat Kourbeti and Editor Michael Ireland welcome current members of the Strange Horizons Editorial Collective for a series of interviews to give you a glimpse behind the curtain of each department and to celebrate 25 years of this pioneering speculative fiction magazine.Read the full transcript on our website.A big thank you to Arturo Serrano, Proofreader; Dan Hartland and Aisha Subramanian, Senior Reviews Editors and hosts of Critical Friends; Hebe Stanton, Senior Fiction Editor; Romie Stott, Administrative Editor and Senior Poetry Editor; and Gautam Bhatia, Co-Ordinating Editor and Senior Articles Editor, for joining us for these interviews. Happy 25 years, one and all, and here's to many more!

In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, Dan Hartland is joined by the outgoing editor of Foundation, Paul March-Russell, and the founding editor of the Harare Review of Books, Jacqueline Nyathi. They discuss speculative fiction’s approach to hope and optimism. Where has it gone? How do writers express it? And what are its pitfalls?⁠Paul's review of When There Are Wolves Again by E. J. Swift⁠⁠Jacqui's review of The Afterlife Project by Tim Weed⁠⁠Jacqui's essay, "Collective Dreaming: The Schrödinger's Cat Approach to Framing Futures"⁠

In this special episode of Writing While Disabled's second season, hosts Kristy Anne Cox and Kate Johnston speculate about the impact of a space army made up of various species of dinosaurs, and make connections to disability and accommodations as they relate to the real life of disabled people.If you prefer, you can watch the full episode with close-caption subtitles here, or read the transcript here.Show notes:This episode was produced and hosted by Kristy Anne Cox and Kate Johnston, and edited, mixed, and transcribed by Kat Kourbeti.The theme song, "Funky - Upbeat Loop" by ispeakwaves, is licensed under CC BY 4.0.Want to send us a question? You can do so here!