For several months the editorial team here at Fantasy has had many discussions about the possibility of a Fantasy podcast. What should be in our podcast? we asked ourselves. Well, mostly I asked myself and others asked me, since I’m in charge of the project. I’ve had several nifty ideas, some more tenable than others. And, if we wanted, we could start them up next month.
But then I thought, why not ask Fantasy readers? After all, the point of the thing is to entertain you, not just give me something nifty to do every month. So, I’m asking — what would you all like to hear in a podcast each month?
So far, I’ve considered re-broad/podcasting genre radio plays, interviews with genre-minded musicians interspersed with clips of their music, and readings of poetry. (All of which are still on the table.) We’re not too interested in podcasting short stories since EscapePod, PodCastle, & PsuedoPod are already doing it (extremely well). If any of those other ideas sound good, say so. Have a good idea of your own? Bring it on.
1 • Jonathan Wood said:
February 27th, 2008 at 9:51 am, permalink
Some of the interviews and roundtables you’ve been doing would be great to have in an audible format.
2 • Rob Davies said:
February 27th, 2008 at 11:47 am, permalink
I would love to hear podcasts of clowns being heckled relentlessly until they are forced to quit the circus in utter despair, but I suppose writers/artists/musicians talking about their writing/artistic process would be a close second.
3 • Josh Jasper said:
February 27th, 2008 at 4:43 pm, permalink
There’s a lot of good fantasy and science fiction poetry out there. How about a reading? If you’re doing an regular podcast, a news segment about upcoming titles, authors, publishers and so on would be cool.
4 • Mir said:
February 28th, 2008 at 1:08 am, permalink
Poetry. Definitely. My #1 vote. #2 would be interviews.
5 • LisaM said:
February 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am, permalink
I personally would have loved to hear a podcast of your interview with Justine and Ekaterina. The mentions of stories, poetry, interviews are all good.
Entirely too complicated (but I like suggesting things that make Stephen’s head go ’splodey) are “cast” recordings of stories (like what Bruce Coville does at http://www.fullcastaudio.com) which are like old-fashioned radio plays.
6 • LisaM said:
February 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am, permalink
re-broad/podcasting genre radio plays
Yes, like that! *reads really well, first thing in the morning without coffee!*
7 • Sandra McDonald said:
February 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am, permalink
I would subscribe to a podcast if it contained a mixture of spoken stories, interviews, and reviews.
8 • JeremyT said:
February 28th, 2008 at 10:23 am, permalink
Behind-the-scenes interviews with authors regarding their stories, to start. Easy enough to do via Skype/cell phones.
Set up one of those call box things so that readers can call in and leave voice-feedback for articles and stories. Sort of an audio letters page.
Maybe buy a few poems that can be read on it between pieces.
Fantasy news from around the globe. Weekend update style thing.
Submitter Tips from the editors. Using specific examples that they get permission from authors to talk about. Common mistakes, and not-so-common ones.
Andrew Burt Speaks. 20 minutes each week of someone trying to read Andrew Burt’s manifesto, while three or four people make loud fart noises in the background.
9 • Stephanie Burgis said:
February 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am, permalink
I’d love to hear podcasts of author/artist interviews and roundtables.
10 • Jasmine Hammer said:
February 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am, permalink
I would love to hear podcasts of interviews with authors. Just keep ‘em short, like 5 or 6 minutes.
11 • NewroticGirl said:
February 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pm, permalink
An audio letters page is a cool and fun idea… dunno if you’d get overwhelmed with them or not, but it sounds like fun to me!
Also voting for author interviews and readings.
I’m indecisive!
12 • C. S. Inman said:
February 28th, 2008 at 11:47 pm, permalink
Interviews/roundtables with your authors! I love hearing people talk about their work. Radio plays sound like fun. And last but not least, SHORT reviews of genre books and movies.
In fact, I think I’d enjoy almost everything that’s been suggested as long as it didn’t go on too long. I like variety!
13 • Sean Markey said:
February 28th, 2008 at 11:57 pm, permalink
I think some sort of ‘news round-up’ would be interesting, also something like a ‘Two Minute Novel or Short Story’ review section. So it is kind of fun, but still informative.
I’ve seen many great things suggested in the comments here, so I am very much looking forward to hearing these!
14 • Kaa said:
February 29th, 2008 at 1:07 pm, permalink
I like pretty much all of the above, but I think what I’d find the most interesting would be, perhaps, authors reading a snippet of a new novel that’s coming out. I’ve bought novels before that I wouldn’t have picked up on a BET because I heard an excerpt and it hooked me.
15 • Katie said:
March 1st, 2008 at 11:05 am, permalink
I would like to hear stories! I second the radio play idea, and the poetry idea. I would love to hear stories that are particularly cool read aloud, ie ones with weird voices, cool sound effects, etc.