The Worldbuilder's Tavern
By The Worldbuilder's Tavern
The Worldbuilder's TavernJul 19, 2023
1.15 Gritty Storytelling in House of the Dragon
It's the Season One finale! In this episode, we talk about House of the Dragon, so be prepared for some dark and disturbing topics. Allison gives her top seven horrifying moments from the show, and we give some tips on how to write your own grimdark worlds.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan
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1.14 Open Worldbuilding in Tears of the Kingdom (with Jeni Chappelle)
In this episode, we talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with guest Jeni Chappelle! We talk about how to immerse readers in your world, telling information out of order, and how to write interesting puzzles.
Jeni is an independent book editor, a co-founder and editor for Twitter pitch event Revise & Resub (#RevPit); and co-host of the Indie Chicks and Story Chat Radio podcasts. Find her at Jeni Chappelle Editorial.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
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1.13 Horror and Narration Style in Annihilation
We discuss Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer in this episode! We talk about how weird it is, the unsettling narration style, and how to worldbuild according to genre.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: Lone Women by Victor LaValle
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1.12 Subtle Worldbuilding in This is How You Lose the Time War
As per Bigolas Dickolas's recommendation, we're discussing the novella This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone! Learn how to use worldbuilding as a backdrop and subtle ways to deliver worldbuilding in this week's episode.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: Translation State by Anne Leckie
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1.11 Worldbuilding Fun in the D&D Movie
What is worldbuilding without fat dragons, magicless bards, and birdfolk named Jarnathan? Join us for a discussion about the fun romp that is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
And don't forget to vote on the topic of our finale episode! Will we discuss the worldbuilding of Wednesday, The Last of Us, or House of the Dragon? It's up to you, dear listeners! Cast your vote on Twitter here. If you're a patron, vote here instead, and your vote counts as double!
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
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- Support us on Patreon to access bonus content.
1.10 Dystopia in The Hunger Games
In this episode, we rant about capitalism and unfair political systems. We dig into the dystopian world of The Hunger Games (both the movies and the books by Suzanne Collins) and argue about whether Snow could have ever been a good person.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
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- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.9 Politics and Society in The Mandalorian
In this episode, we discuss season three of The Mandalorian. Hear us chat about the writing being more disjointed this season, the strange episode with Doctor Pershing that shows the world under the New Republic's wing, and the differing cultures of the two Mandalorian groups. Also, is Din Djarin even the titular Mandalorian in this season?
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.8 Familiar Worlds in The Mandalorian
In this episode, we discuss seasons one and two of The Mandalorian.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
- Proprietor's Pick: Star Wars Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.7 Disability, Villainy, Magic, and Technology in Nimona
Join us for a discussion about the graphic novel Nimona by ND Stevenson.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
- Proprietor's Pick: The Tea Dragon Society #1-3 by Kay O’Neill (July 5, 2022)
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.6 Multiverses, Metaphors, and Absurdity in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Join us for a discussion about the very weird, very wonderful movie Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
- Proprietor's Pick: Multiverses: An anthology of alternate realities by various authors (March 28, 2023)
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- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.5 Beautiful Worlds and Video Game Writing in Ori and the Blind Forest
Join us for a discussion about the gorgeous and heartwarming video game, Ori and the Blind Forest.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
- Proprietor's Pick: The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (January 1, 2023)
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.4 Science, Language, and Aliens in Project Hail Mary
Join us for a discussion about science in hard sci-fi, how to communicate with an alien, alien physiology, and alien culture in Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
- Proprietor's Pick: Secret Project #3 by Brandon Sanderson (July 1, 2023)
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- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.3 Subtle Storytelling, Slang, and Society in Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road takes place in a gritty, unforgiving, and weird world. In this episode, we discuss how the movie is masterful at showing vs. telling, uses slang and names effectively, and establishes a fascinating society based on vehicles, blood, and water.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
- Proprietor's Pick: The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi (March 21, 2023).
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- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.2 Humour and Fashion in Good Omens
Heaven, hell, and humour—the key ingredients for the hit TV show Good Omens! In this episode, we discuss how the show uses the unexpected to create humour, the casting choices, fashion, and makeup.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
- Proprietor's Pick: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (August 23, 2022).
- "Through the Glass" by Shaneen Thompson is the flash fiction at the end of the episode, read and edited by our wandering bard, Kyle. Join the tavern's Discord to participate in the monthly flash fiction challenges for the chance to have your story read on the podcast!
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
1.1 Mythology in Good Omens
Heaven, hell, and humour—the key ingredients for the hit TV show Good Omens! In this episode, we discuss how the show treats Christian mythology, angels, demons, and more.
- Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
- Proprietor's Pick: The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E.M. Anderson (April 21, 2023).
- Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
- Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes!